How Churches Can Celebrate Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits

Here are ways that churches, whether large or small, can celebrate the Biblical holidays of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits. These activities work for individuals and families as well as youth groups.

At this time of year there are many church events that are focused on Easter. With a few small shifts, your church and community can start collectively taking part in the Biblical holidays - including the days that the Savior actually died (Passover) and rose from the grave (First Fruits - during the week of Unleavened Bread). Making this change will help people to better understand God's word, by having first hand experience with the celebrations it calls for. We will also honor the Creator by doing what he said!

Many of us have heard that taking part in the Biblical holidays is difficult or boring, but that's not the case! Scripture gives a few instructions (the largest of which is avoiding yeasted or raised breads during Unleavened Bread), but leaves plenty of room for creativity in our celebrations! Worship and the word are at the center of festivities but there are plenty of opportunities for connecting with others, playing games, and having a joyful time in this holiday season. 

If your church has worship nights, fellowship meals, or youth retreats on random days, you can certainly schedule things like that during the Biblical holidays as a way to worship God. Ditch the Easter bunny and celebrate the holidays that Jesus took part in!

How churches can observe Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits:

-Host a Passover meal. 

-Hand out recipes for unleavened bread.

-Have a class or demonstration on making unleavened bread - for adults or children! 

-Drive for a food pantry.  

-Children's recital or play. Choose songs related to the Messiah's resurrection, or Bible passages about the Exodus or Last Supper for them to act out.

-Worship night.

-Celebrate the Messiah's resurrection on First Fruits. Leave out the bunnies and eggs. 

-Make an Exodus themed escape room or obstacle course.

-Movie night.

-Fundraiser or drive to support refugees.  

-Prayer service.

-Fellowship meals during Unleavened Bread. 

More posts about celebrating these holidays:
How to host a Passover Meal as a Believer in Messiah
The Beginner's Guide to the Feast of Unleavened Bread
Passover Crafts for Kids

Ways Churches Can Celebrate the Biblical Holidays

These are ways that churches large or small can celebrate the Biblical holidays that the Creator gave to all of his people to enjoy and learn from!

At this time of year I see so many churches having special events from backyard barbecues and apple dumpling fundraisers to worship nights and youth group retreats...why not take part in the Bible holidays by doing something like that during the special times of the Feast of Trumpets, Yom Kippur, and the Feast of Tabernacles?

Many of us have been told that in order to take part in the Biblical holidays you have to do animal sacrifices or that it's super boring, but that is absolutely not the case! While Scripture does give a few instructions for each holiday, there is plenty of room for creativity and there are different ways to enjoy the holidays that are Biblically appropriate. Because of that, you don't have to worry about 'looking Jewish' with your celebrations. The goal here is to put God's word into practice and honor him at these times, not to try and emulate how someone else does a holiday like the Feast of Trumpets.

The Biblical holidays are a joyful time and there are many ways we can celebrate them and honor the Creator! If your church has worship nights or fellowship meals on random days, it can certainly do something like that on the days appointed as special in the Bible. 

Ways churches can celebrate the Biblical holidays of the Feast of Trumpets, Yom Kippur, and the Feast of Tabernacles:

-Worship night.

-Children's recital.

-Hymn sing.

-Prayer service.

-Churchwide retreat.

-Youth group camp out or lock in.

-Fellowship meal.

-Drive for canned goods, Bibles, winter coats, etc.

-Outdoor games night.

-Movie night.

-Chili cookoff.

Related posts:
The Beginner's Guide to the Biblical Holidays
Why the Bible Holidays are for All Believers
Reasons Why Believers Should Keep the Feasts