Whom Do You Seek?

Holy Week is inherently dramatic. It begins with the drama of the joyous entrance with palms and the dramatic reading of the passion narrative. Then the week moves on to the drama of Holy Thursday with foot washing, the institution of the the Lord's Supper, and the stripping of the sanctuary to symbolize the betrayal and the coming trial and death of Jesus. Good Friday places the people in front of the cross to hear Jesus ask, "O my people, O my Church, what have I done to you . . . you have prepared a cross for your Savior." On Saturday, more and more churches are celebrating the drama of the Easter Vigil. (See The United Methodist Book of Worship, 338-376, for worship resources for these dramatic services.) Then Easter morning comes and --except for the Easter lilies and the grand hymns and anthems -- the dramatic movement and action seems to evaporate!


Here is a brief drama that involves all of the congregation in movement into the worship space.

Two modifications may be necessary in your settings:

  • Use of incense is, of course, optional.
  • If there are people who prefer to enter the worship space and be seated, they should be welcomed to do so.


A 10th century dramatization of the Introit for use as an Easter entrance rite

[The congregation gathers in the narthex or hall outside the nave. Inside the church building, all is dark. At the entrance to the nave, in the doorway, stands the paschal candle, lighted earlier at the Great Vigil.]

[A young man enters from the dark nave and stands by the paschal candle in the doorway. The man is vested in alb and deacon's stole (over the shoulder). He carries a palm branch. As he takes his place, the three Marys come through the congregation to the doorway and stand before the angel. The women are vested in alb and shawls or head scarves. The first two carry a candleholder and candle from the altar. The third carries a thurible or incense pot with incense burning. The Marys speak in unison.]

Angel: Whom do you seek in the sepulchre, O followers of Christ?

Marys: Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified, O Celestial One.

Angel: [Gestures into the darkened nave.]
He is not here. He is risen, as he said.

Marys: [Joyously!] Alleluia! The Lord is risen today! The Strong Lion, Christ the Son of God. Alleluia!

Angel: Come and see the place where the Lord was laid. Alleluia! Alleluia!
[The angel turns to a table just inside the doorway, where the white altar cloth lies folded. He picks it up, still folded, and shows it to the Marys. The first Mary gives her candle to the second Mary and takes the folded cloth from the angel.]
Go quickly, tell the disciples that the Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Marys: The Lord is risen from the grave, who for us hung on the cross. Alleluia.

[The angel carries the paschal candle into the nave, with the Marys, liturgical ministers, and congregation following. All sing the processional hymn "Jesus Christ Is Risen Today." As the congregation enters with noisemakers and banners, let every child and anyone else who wishes have a noisemaker, banner, streamer or other item with which to participate in the grand parade. Here's a place to really involve the children of the faith community! The angel places the paschal candle to the side of the altar. The Marys dress the altar with the cloth and candles.]

[The service begins with the greeting "The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you."]

Quem Quaeritis Trope -- Whom Do You Seek -- is from the web site "Lift Up Your Hearts" (http://www.worship.ca/). Copyright © 1997. It is used on this website with permission by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. It appeared in similar form in Section 5 of the ELCIC's GATHERED FOR WORSHIP (c) 1995 and is based on work by Paul F. Bosch and Andre Lavergne. Comments may be directed to [email protected].

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