復活期（Eastertide）
The Resurrection, Rembrant van Rijn, 1635
All the hopes and expectations of Christians are realized in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, making Easter the most celebrative day of the church year. Some traditions begin their Easter celebration with an Easter Vigil service, either late Saturday evening or very early Sunday morning. The vigil recapitulates the biblical theme of redemption history through readings, helping worshipers see the powerful sweep of God’s actions throughout history. In this way it provides the entrance into Easter. The vigil usually begins outside, in darkness, and opens with a processional into the worship space. Historically baptism of persons instructed in the faith took place (and still does) as part of this vigil. The Easter morning service is a time of joy, celebration, and renewal. Even churches that do not customarily follow the church year celebrate this day as the culmination of all that the gospel is about. The liturgical colors are white and gold. In contrast to the somber starkness of Holy Week, on Easter the worship space should be bright and celebratory. Music and songs reflect the full joy of the victorious Christian faith because of Christ’s resurrection. Because the good news of Easter can hardly be contained in a single day’s celebration, Easter is only the first of fifty days of Eastertide, the “Great Fifty Days” that lead up to Pentecost. This season is designed for extended celebration, for exploring the ramifications of Easter for the redemption of all creation, and for joyful Christian living.
From: The Worship Sourcebook, Page 631.
復活節主日
復活節後第四主日—善牧主日
主復活後的第四十天—升天節
主復活後的第五十天—聖靈降臨主日
