Singing The Faith has a wealth of wonderful hymns for Passiontide and Easter. As well as singing them, I want to encourage you to read them, to respond to them through body movement and to take time to reflect on what Christ’s death and resurrection really mean. Here are a few suggestions from Valerie Ruddle.

Alleluia, alleluia (Don Fishel) - 295
Sing the verses encouraging appropriate arm movements and facial expressions. During the refrains, interact with a partner.

Alle - face a partner to begin
- lu - ia, alle - clap own hands, then partner’s right, then left
- lu - ia, give - repeat above
thanks to the - sweep right arm up and out
risen Lord, alle - sweep left arm up and out
- lu - ia, alle - clap own hands, then partner’s right, then left
- lu - ia, sing - repeat above
praise to his name. - raise both arms up and look upwards.

Easter jubilation fills the streets and towns (Mark & Helen Johnson) - 299
Note the words ‘Let your feelings out’! Get excited about the Easter message! Show some emotion! You may feel like dancing round the church! Why not? Join hands in a circle and move clockwise. You might try the Israeli step:

Step with the right foot in front of the left foot,
then step with the left foot to the left.
Step with the right foot behind the left foot,
then step with the left foot to the left.

It is easier if you bend the knees slightly.

Jesus is risen (Bernard Kyamanywa) - 304
To accompany this lively song from Tanzania, make a series of pictures with a caption from each verse: Lost to the tomb, Buried for three days, Don’t be afraid, Go and tell others, Christ has arisen, and Let the earth sing.

On the day of resurrection (Michael Peterson) - 307
Write the final line of each verse boldly on separate sheets to display as the song is sung. Then take time to reflect on the journey we take with Jesus.

On the journey to Emmaus (Marty Haugen) - 308
Use this hymn instead of the Emmaus reading. Split the verses between two readers or soloists, two lines each.

See what a morning, gloriously bright (Stuart Townend & Keith Getty) - 309
If the first half of each verse is sung by ladies (two lines) and then men (two lines), the second half sung all together will have a greater impact.

Sing a song, sing a joyful song (Mark & Helen Johnson) - 310
Sing the refrain for a couple of weeks before introducing the verses with action. Each first line could be sung by a soloist to introduce the next action.

When Easter to the dark world came (WH Hamilton) - 316
The verses lend themselves to some drama. Talk through the story as the characters are chosen and rehearsed. For the refrain, everyone joins hands in small circles:

Step forward and back twice, swinging arms (4 bars)
then turn slowly on the spot.

The characters should not take part in the refrain prior to their verse as they prepare for their action.