Lent For Children and Their Parents

The season of Lent (Ash Wednesday to Holy Week) is a time of forgiveness: looking at the things we have done that are wrong, asking God's and other people's forgiveness, and making a promise not to do them again. It is a time for giving up the things that keep us from being loving people and a time for doing extra things that will help us grow closer to God. Lent is a time to be more aware of what it means to love others as God loves us and a time to ask God to help us be more loving, remembering that God is always there to strengthen us. It is also a time to think about our baptism and what it means to be a child of God. Parents can help their children to read the Bible every day, to reflect on the stories with them, and to concentrate on stories about the life of Jesus as he approaches the cross.

Scroll down this page to the current Sunday
to find resources and suggestions for each week by using the links at right. Since you know your family's needs better than anyone, you will be able to use these resources and suggestions in ways uniquely appropriate to your family.

The First Sunday in Lent - March 6

Luke tells us that Jesus was tested in the wilderness for forty days. In the Bible, the number forty is always "the time between" - the time necessary before something gracious and wonderful happens. Forty years for Israel in the desert, forty days for the rain in the flood, forty days for Jesus in the wilderness. There are many other examples but these give us the idea. For us, it will be forty days until Easter. So . . . it is not a discouraging time but a time to prepare - to get ready to receive the wonderful grace of God in Christ.

THE SUNDAY READINGS

The readings for the First Sunday in Lent this year are:

First Reading

Deuteronomy 26:4-10
Moses describes the offering of praise for God's deliverance of Israel.

Second Reading

Romans 10:8-13
Paul teaches that we are saved by faith.

Gospel Reading

Luke 4:1-13
In the desert, Jesus is tempted by the devil.

This week we focus on the promises of God to be for us and with us always. The trustworthiness of God is something that we can count on and can give us strength and courage as we face testing and temptation throughout life.

Resource Corner

The video below tells the story of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness - slightly expanded from the brief verses in today's gospel lesson.

Key words and ideas to explore
(Try to work these ideas into everyday conversation and examples. They don't need to be structured into a lesson plan but are part of how we live out our faith.)

The Ark as an Icon of the Church. Have you ever wondered why we call the main part of our church building the "nave"? For centuries, the Church has seen itself as the Ark - much like Noah's Ark, that provides safety and security as we endure the storms of life. The term nave is from navis, the Latin word for ship. In many Scandinavian and Baltic countries a model ship is commonly found hanging in the nave of a church, and in some languages the same word means both 'nave' and 'ship', as for instance Danish skib, Swedish skepp or Spanish (nave).

Lead us not into temptation. This phrase from the traditional version of the Lord's Prayer is often confusing to people. It might make them think that God tempts us, while in today's lessons, the devil is the one tempting. Actually we are asking God to "save us" from temptation - to give us the courage and strength we need to withstand temptation that come out way.

GOdly Play - online!

Mary and Joseph often took Jesus to Jerusalem for religious festivals.
When he was twelve, he stayed in Jerusalem.
Just imagine what happened next!

Family Activity
The announcement that Jesus makes as he begins his preaching in today’s Gospel is recalled on Ash Wednesday at the signing with ashes: “Repent and believe in the gospel.”

This is our challenge for Lent; indeed, it is the challenge of our entire life. During Lent, we are invited to strengthen and to renew the promises that we made at our Baptism, to reject Satan and sin so as to live as children of God. Through the grace of God that we received at Baptism, we follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit and know that with Jesus’ help, we will be victorious over sin.

As you gather as a family, talk about the importance of Baptism. At our Baptism, our sins were forgiven, and we promised to live as children of God. As part of the Rite of Baptism, we rejected sin and Satan. Read today’s Gospel Lesson, Luke 4:1–13.

During Lent, we renew the promises of our Baptism, turning again from sin and promising to follow God. Light a candle, perhaps a candle used at one of your family member’s Baptisms, and pray together the Confession of Sin that we use at worship.

A Confession of Sin
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.
[Book of Common Prayer, p. 360]

Activities for Children

For kids in Grades 1, 2, and 3
Younger children have a sense of right and wrong and are beginning to develop their consciences. Help them see that Jesus is our guide to living a holy life and trusting in God.

Materials Needed

a green “Go” sign and a red “Stop” sign made from colored paper or posterboard

Preparation for Sunday Scripture ReadingsShow children the Go and Stop signs. Say: Jesus loves us and calls us to make good choices. He teaches us how to live happy and holy lives. Sometimes we might be tempted to do something that we know is wrong. (Hold up the Stop sign.) We show our trust in God when we make a good choice instead. (Hold up the Go sign.)
Hold up both the Go and Stop signs. Say: I’ll tell you about a child. If the child is going to make a good choice, point to the Go sign. If the child is tempted to make a bad choice, point to the Stop sign. Give children these scenarios. After each “Go” answer, say, “Yes, the child made a good choice and showed trust in God.” After each “Stop” answer, ask: What choice can the child make to show trust in God?
• Paul is thinking about keeping a toy that doesn’t belong to him. (Stop!)
• Miguel finds Rachel’s new game and gives it back to her. (Go!)
• Sarah is tempted to tell a lie so she won’t get in trouble. (Stop!)
• Maria wants to watch TV instead of doing her chores. (Stop!)
• Carlos shares his snack with his little brother. (Go!)
Say: Let’s hear about a time that Jesus was tempted by the Devil.
Read aloud today’s Gospel, Luke 4:1–13.
Say: The Devil tempted Jesus three times. Ask: Did Jesus give in to temptation, or did he trust in God? (He trusted in God.) Jesus showed that he loved and trusted God. Every time we make a good choice, we show our trust in God too. We can ask Jesus to help us make the right choice.
Conclude in prayer thanking Jesus for showing us how to trust God and asking him to help us choose to do what we know is right.

For kids in Grades 4, 5, and 6
Older children are learning to distinguish between the things they need and the things they want. We can help them to resist negative temptations by teaching them to distinguish between needs and wants.
Materials Needed

Poster with two columns: title one column “Things We Need” and the second column “Things We Want”
Magazines or catalogues
Scissors
Glue
Markers

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

Say: It is easy for us to confuse our needs and our wants. Many of the things we need are provided to us so readily that we seldom think about these things; we take them for granted. We sometimes wish for more than we need and are easily tempted to confuse things we want for things we need.
Prepare a poster with two columns. Title one column “Things We Need” and the second column “Things We Want.” Tell the children to identify two or three things that they would place in each column. Distribute magazines and catalogues, scissors, and glue. Suggest that the children might find an image to represent each of these things in the magazines or catalogues. Tell them to cut out and place these images in the appropriate column of the poster. If necessary, allow them to write a single word describing what each cutout picture represents. Display the finished poster.
Introduce today's Gospel. Say: On the first Sunday of Lent, we hear about how Jesus was tempted by the devil in the desert. One way to think about the temptations described in this Gospel is to describe them as temptations to want more than we need. Let's listen carefully to this reading and think about how the devil tempted Jesus and how Jesus responded.
Ask a volunteer to read aloud this Gospel, Luke 4:1-13.
Ask: What were the three things that the devil tempted Jesus to do? What did the devil say that Jesus would show or receive if he gave in to each temptation? (turn stone to bread to prove he was the Son of God; worship the devil and so receive power and glory; jump off a high place to test God) Did Jesus need to show or receive any of the things the devil proposed? (no)
Say: Jesus didn't need to prove that he was the Son of God, he didn't need power and glory, and he didn't need to test God. Jesus knew that God would give him all he really needed. Jesus wants us to know this, too. During Lent we can practice resisting the temptation to think that we need more than we have been given. Our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving help us to correct our perceptions about the things we “need” and the things we “want.” They remind us of our dependence on God and they help us to remember that God gives us everything we need.
Say: When Jesus rebuked the devil he quoted Scripture. Each of these Scripture quotations was about having trust in God. Is there a word or phrase that you can use to remind yourself to trust God in all things? Invite the children to identify a word or phrase that will help them remember to trust God to give them everything that they need. Suggest that they use this word or phrase as a prayer during Lent.
Conclude in prayer. Say: When we pray the Lord's Prayer, we ask for God's help to resist temptation in our lives. We say, “Lead us not into temptation.” Let's pray this prayer together remembering that God gives us everything we really need. Pray together the Lord's Prayer.

Facebook discussion group
Also available for parents is a special Facebook Group where parents can support one another, ask questions, offer advice, share ideas and insights as we work together to strengthen the faith of our children. For permission to participate in this discussion forum, please contact Mother Mary at youth@stlukeslebanon.org

THE Second SUNDAY IN LENT - March 13

The season of Lent reminds us that God has reached out to us. And we turn to one another in response, looking for those in need, caring for those at hand, loving those closest to us

tHE sUNDAY rEADINGS

The readings for the Second Sunday in Lent this year are:

Click on the link for the text of each lesson.

First Reading

Genesis 15:1-12,17-18
We recognize that it is sometimes hard to believe when we are in bad situations. But God addresses our bad situations with promises that ring true to our needs, just as God doubled down on the promises to Abraham and Sarah.

Second Reading

Philippians 3:17-4:1
Does your 'citizenship in heaven' make any difference in terms of the decisions you make, the actions you take?

Gospel

Luke 13:31-35
The Pharisees warning that Herod wants to kill Jesus is like one of the tests we read about last week, Luke 4:1-13. Except instead of being tested with glory the test is fear. But the Pharisees are still encouraging Jesus to abandon his mission and save himself.

RESOURCE CORNER

Rooted in the first reading, we hear how God reminds Abram of his promises and comes down to seal the covenant, making the promise and offering to pay the price for a broken deal.

Linea "tells" the gospel story assigned for this Sunday: Jesus' lament over Jerusalem.

GODLY PLAY - ONLINE!

Jesus is ready to begin his ministry, so he goes to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. There he hears a special message.

Activities for Children

For kids in Grades 1, 2, and 3
Use the simple game of Simon Says to talk about imitation. Even though the game is fun and silly, imitation can be an important learning tool. Poets, writer, musicians, and artists learn by imitating the style of artists they admire. We learn to dance by imitating steps that others show us. We learn to knit or crochet by watching others. In Philippians, Paul invites the followers of Christ in Philippi to imitate him to learn how to walk as a disciple of Christ.

Who can we imitate to grow as Christians? Children may mention parents, grandparents, pastors, Sunday school teachers, saints, etc. This is a good time to introduce basic discipleship principles (prayer, worship, study, service, relationship, and generosity) and challenge the children to find people to imitate in each of these five areas. You might even consider lifting up willing examples from the congregation. “If you really want to serve, follow Mrs. Jones’ example of knitting prayer shawls, or Mr. Baker’s example of coordinating work days at church.” Find one or more persons to fit each of the five discipleship principles if you can. This might also be a good time to have children “shadow” faithful servants as they help usher, prepare the altar, or carry the gifts forward.

For kids in Grades 4, 5, and 6
How about inviting youth to “rewrite” Psalm 27 for today? Encourage them and assist them in thinking through how these timeless words can be updated for their situation and context. How might they set their psalm to music? Who are the modern evildoers? What sorts of “armies” encamp against teenagers today? Pay particular attention to the “credo” in verse 13 and the admonition in verse 14. If the youth are willing, find a way to share the results of this creative writing activity.

Family Activity
Every family has special moments that they remember and share again and again. In sharing these stories, the meaning and importance of these events develop and deepen over time. The full significance of what they had seen and experienced with Jesus could only be understood after Jesus’ death and Resurrection. As they told other believers about this event and recorded the story for us in the Bible, our understanding of what it means to call Jesus God's own Son deepens.

As you gather as a family, think about some special family memories that your family tells over and over again. Talk about why these memories are important to you. Recall that in the Bible we find many important memories about Jesus that have been recorded for us so that we can believe that Jesus is God’s Son.

Conclude in prayer together that as we continue to read the Bible, we will deepen our understanding of and our love for Jesus. Pray together the Collect for the 28th Sunday in Proper Time:

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE Third SUNDAY IN LENT - MARCH 20

Now into the third week of the Season of Lent, our Sunday Gospel prepares us to hear Lent's call to conversion and repentance. Today's reading is found in the chapters of Luke's Gospel that describe Jesus' journey to Jerusalem. During this journey, Jesus teaches and heals. He must also respond to those who question and challenge his authority and actions. There is no parallel in Mark's or Matthew's Gospels for today's reading from Luke. While Mark and Matthew describe an incident in which Jesus curses the fig tree, today's reading makes the barren fig tree the subject of a parable.

THE SUNDAY READINGS

The readings for the Third Sunday in Lent this year are:
(Click here for the texts of the readings.)

First Reading

Exodus 3:1-8a,13-15
God speaks to Moses from the burning bush and sends him to the Israelites.

Second Reading

1 Corinthians 10:1-6,10-12
Paul teaches that the Scriptures were written to set an example for us.

Gospel Reading

Luke 13:1-9
Jesus preaches a lesson on repentance.

RESOURCE CORNER

The animated video below retells the parable that Jesus uses in today's gospel lesson in a simple and understandable way.

It’s difficult for children to grasp the concept of who God is, especially since we cannot physically see or touch Him. This lesson is meant to communicate the importance of God as a loving and know-able entity, as well as the blessing that He has given us His name.

Activities for Children

for kids in Grades 1, 2, and 3
Younger children often think of God as a provider and a protector. They will take comfort in knowing that God never gives up on us and never stops loving us.
Materials Needed

spring bulb in bloom, such as a tulip or daffodil; bulb or picture of a bulb

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

Show children a bulb or a picture of a bulb. Say: Last fall, someone planted a bulb like this one in the ground. The person waited patiently all this time. He or she trusted that a flower would bloom. Show a spring flower in bloom, such as a tulip or daffodil. Say: This is the flower that bloomed from the bulb!
Introduce today’s Gospel. Say: In today’s Gospel, we hear a parable about God’s love and patience. God never gives up on us. Let’s listen carefully to this parable.
Ask a volunteer to read aloud this Gospel, Luke 13:1–9.
Say: The person planted a fig tree in his orchard. Ask: Did he find any fruit on the fig tree? (No.) Say: He wanted to pull up the fig tree and throw it away. But the gardener had hope. He wanted to leave the tree to see if it might bear fruit. He cared about the tree and was happy to wait patiently.
Say: In the same way, God cares about us and waits patiently for us, even when we make poor choices. God is always hopeful that we will ask for his forgiveness. He never stops loving us.
Conclude by praying: “Thank you, God, for loving us and never giving up on us. When we sin, we will ask for your forgiveness.” Pray together the Glory Be to the Father.

GODLY PLAY - ONLINE!

Click on the video link below to watch the Godly Play Lesson for this week with Mother Mary Kisner

Family Activity

We may be unfamiliar with fig trees, but we might know about the growth of spring flowers. Perhaps we have looked at a dry, brown flower bulb and wondered how this produces the colorful tulip or daffodil blossom that we expect to bloom in the spring. Perhaps we've even thought about the patience and hope that are required to plant flower bulbs in October. We don't have to be gardeners, however, to know about patience and hopefulness. As parents, we practice these virtues each day with our children. We may become frustrated and even angered by their willfulness and lack of cooperation. Yet we continue to offer our attention and guidance in hope that one day our efforts will bear fruit. Today's parable suggests that God is like that with us, working with us in patience and in hope that one day we will show evidence that such work is not in vain. As parents, we know God's kindness when we find evidence for our hope for our children. Does God find such glimmers of hope as he works with us?

Gather your family and show a spring flower in bloom. Recall that in the fall this flower was a dry bulb (if a flower bulb is available, show this as well). Talk about the hopefulness and patience shown by those who plant flower bulbs in the fall in the hope that they will bloom in the spring. Read aloud today's Gospel, Luke 13:1-9.

Compare the parable of the barren fig tree to your discussion about spring flowers. Consider the patience and hopefulness that God has with us as he works with us, calling us to return to him when we sin. Offer prayers of thanks and praise to God for his patience and hopefulness towards us.

for kids in Grades 4, 5, and 6
Older children can sometimes be perfectionists with themselves, showing impatience as they strive to incorporate all the skills and qualities that they are learning. We can encourage their spiritual progress by reminding them that God doesn't give up on us. He actively attends to us, bearing with us in patience and hope.
Materials Needed

A spring flower in bloom, such as a tulip or daffodil
A flower bulb if readily available

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings (Grades 4, 5, and 6)

Show a spring flower in bloom, such as a tulip or a daffodil. Ask what this flower looked like in the fall (if a flower bulb is readily available, show it). Ask if anyone planted flower bulbs in the fall. If someone has planted some, ask that person: What were you thinking about when you put the bulbs into the ground? Have you seen any blossoms from the bulbs that you planted?
Say: Planting bulbs in the ground in the fall so that flowers will bloom in the spring shows a number of character traits or qualities. What might some of these qualities be? (hope, patience, trust, and so on)
Introduce today's Gospel. Say: In today's Gospel, we hear a parable that also calls us to think about these qualities. Let's listen carefully to this parable so that we can consider these qualities that God shows towards us.
Ask a volunteer to read aloud this Gospel, Luke 13:1-9.
Ask: What did the orchard owner propose to do with the fig tree? (to uproot it and throw it away) Why? (it was not bearing fruit) What did the gardener propose? (that it be left to see if it may yet bear fruit) What qualities does the gardener exhibit? (patience, hopefulness care, and attention) What does this parable teach us about how God acts towards us? (Accept all reasonable answers.)
Say: God is patient with us, even when we turn away from him and sin. God is always hopeful that we will ask for his forgiveness. God doesn't give up on us. Instead, God continually reaches out to us, helping us to become the people that he intends for us to be. During Lent, we remember that God helps us—reaching out to us with love, patience, and hopefulness that we will return to him in love.

THE Fourth SUNDAY IN LENT - MARCH 27

Laetare Sunday. Today we celebrate Laetare Sunday, so called from the beginning of the tradition introductory verse of the Eucharist prescribed for this day: "Laetare Jerusalem" ("O be joyful, Jerusalem") from Isaiah 66:10. It marks the midpoint of our Lenten journey and gives us a "breather" from the rigors of our Lenten fasts. It is sometimes called Rose Sunday because in many places rose-colored vestments are used instead of violet ones or the Lenten Array.
The full Introit for today reads:
Rejoice, O Jerusalem: and come together all you that love her: rejoice with joy, you that have been in sorrow: that you may exult, and be filled from the breasts of your consolation. I rejoiced when they said to me: "we shall go into God's House!"

THE SUNDAY READINGS

The readings for the Fourth Sunday in Lent this year are:
(Click here for the texts of the readings.)

First Reading

Joshua 5:9a,10-12
The Israelites celebrate the Passover in the promised land.

Second Reading

2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Paul preaches our reconciliation with Christ.

Gospel Reading

Luke 15:1-3,11-32
Jesus teaches about forgiveness in the parable of the Prodigal Son.

RESOURCE CORNER

This video offers a simple animated retelling of the first portion of this familiar gospel story assigned using animated LEGOS.

In the animated telling of the gospel story below, the characters wear contemporary clothing and their environment is easily identified in our own experience. (yes, the accent is Australian). Watching this version may help youngsters understand that Jesus' stories are all as relevant to our lives today as they were in the time of Jesus.

Activities for Children

For kids in Grades 1, 2, and 3Help younger children understand that asking for forgiveness is a way that we mend our relationships with God. Tell children that God will always forgive them.
Materials Needed

2” x 6” cardstock or posterboard strips for bookmarks, one per child; colored pencils or crayons

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

Say: When we do something at home that we know is wrong, we can say that we are sorry. How do our parents show that they forgive us? (Accept all reasonable answers, including saying, “I forgive you,” giving us a hug, inviting us to play.)
Say: In today’s Gospel, we will hear a story about a son and his father. The son does something very wrong. What do you think the father might say to the son when he returns home? (Allow children to guess.) Say: Listen to the story to learn how the father responds.
Read aloud today’s Gospel, Luke 15:1–3,11–32.
Ask: Does the son have any money when he comes home? (No.) Say: He spent everything his father gave him. He thinks his father will be angry and turn him away. But the father doesn’t do that. Ask: What does the father do when he sees his son? (He runs to him and hugs and kisses him.) Say: The father loves his son and forgives him. He is so pleased that his son has come home that he has a party for him!
Say: God is our loving Father in heaven. He will always forgive us and rejoice when we return to him and ask for his forgiveness. Ask: What might we pray to God to ask for his forgiveness? (Accept all reasonable answers, such as “I am truly sorry for what I did. I won’t do it again.” Older children might mention the Act of Contrition or celebrating the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.)
Distribute the bookmarks and colored pencils or crayons. Say: Draw a picture or write a message on the bookmark that tells something you learned today about God’s forgiveness. Give children time to complete their bookmarks and share them.
Pray together, “My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. Amen.”

A Confession of Sin
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.
[Book of Common Prayer, p. 360]

GODLY PLAY - ONLINE!

Jesus begins his ministry and he travels throughout the countryside. Along the way he teaches people about the kingdom of God, and he reaches out to heal those who are sick. Click on the video link below to watch the Godly Play Lesson for this week with Mother Mary Kisner

Family Activity

“Hey, that's not fair!” How many times have we heard this spoken in our family? Family members challenge one another's generosity, operating from the perspective of limited resources. If we have given to one, perhaps there won't be enough for the other. Jesus wants us to understand that this is not how it is with God's mercy and forgiveness. God offers his love to all of us in abundance. The forgiveness of the father in the parable is an image of God's love for us, generous beyond measure in his love for both of his sons. Can we truly believe that God acts this way towards us and accept his mercy without jealousy, knowing that God's love for another does not diminish his love for us?

As you gather as a family, talk about the words and phrases you speak to one another when angry. Identify words or phrases that reflect jealousy towards one another. Talk about why we sometimes feel jealousy towards one another. Read aloud today's Gospel, Luke 15:1-3,11-32. Talk about why the older brother is jealous of the younger brother. Identify words that the family members in the parable might say to one another to begin to heal their broken relationships. Make a family commitment to say these types of words and phrases to one another with greater frequency. Pray together the Lord's Prayer.

For kids in Grades 4, 5, and 6
Older children are learning to accept responsibility for their actions. We invite them to appreciate the gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation when we help them to see that God responds to us with generous mercy.
Materials Needed

None

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

Talk about anticipating the consequences of our actions. Offer an example such as the following: Imagine this situation: the rule in your house is that you are not allowed to play soccer in the living room. While your parents are outside, you and a sibling decide to play soccer there anyway. While you are playing soccer, the ball hits a lamp, sending it crashing to the floor. What do you expect that your parents will do when you tell them what happened? (Accept all reasonable answers.)
Say: Perhaps we haven't ever broken a lamp, but we have all had the experience of needing to accept responsibility for having done something wrong. When you admit to having done something wrong, what do you expect to happen? (Accept all reasonable answers.) Can you imagine asking your parent to forgive you for something you did wrong and hearing that a party was going to be given in your honor instead?
Introduce today's Gospel. Say: In today's Gospel, we hear a story in which a son does something wrong and expects a consequence to follow. In fact, the son describes exactly what he thinks should happen. What actually happens in the story is quite surprising.
Ask a volunteer to read aloud this Gospel, Luke 15:1-3,11-32.
Ask: What does the son expect the father to do after he admits his wrongdoing? (The son expects to be disowned by the father.) What consequence for his actions does the son ask for? (to be treated as a hired hand) What does the father do instead? (The father welcomes the son back with honor.)
Say: The father in the parable is an image for us of how much God wants to forgive us. If ever we feel we have done something so bad that God could never forgive us, we can remember this story. During Lent, we say we're sorry for our sins and ask God to forgive us. In particular, we seek God's forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Invite the children to create an acrostic using the word forgiveness. Encourage them to write phrases for each letter that describe the kind of forgiveness shown in the parable.
Conclude by praying together "The Confession of Sin" from the Book of Common Prayer.

The Fifth Sunday in Lent - April 3

We live our lives in the shadow of the cross, but we also live in the presence of the Risen Christ. So here is an invitation to daily companionship with Jesus, at the Table, in extravagant acts of compassion and generosity, in moments of worship. All this in a world which lives by a mind-set of scarcity, rather than a mind-set of abundance, and so tempts us to close in and give little. All this in a world whose violence and cruelty crucify people every day.

The readings for the Fifth Sunday in Lent this year are:
(Click on the reading for a link to the texts)

First Reading

Isaiah 43:16-21
God is about to do new things for God's people.

Second Reading

Philippians 3:4b-14
Nothing is more valuable than the cross of Christ

Gospel Reading

John 12:1-8
Mary anoints the feet of Jesus with precious perfume

Resource Corner

What would you give Jesus at a dinner party? What kind of present could possibly be worthy of the savior of the universe? This message encourages children to consider how they can love and serve the Lord by offering their lives to Him. He wants us to be close to Him and values us for who we are. In the Bible story, Mary was willing to give an extravagant gift to Jesus because she knew that He was worth more than anything else. Discuss items of personal or monetary value to show that God loves and values us, and we should value Him above all else.

Godly Play - online!

Click on the video link below to watch the Godly Play Lesson for this week with Mother Mary Kisner as we prepare for the celebration of Easter.

Mary pours expensive perfume on Jesus' feet and washes them with her hair. John 12:1-8. This illustrated video is a simple retelling of the gospel lesson for today.

Palm Sunday - April 10

Palm Sunday begins our Holy Week - that sacred time when we remember the great work that Jesus accomplished on our behalf. While the world buzzes around us, we need to try to take some time to reflect during this week on the special message of God's love given in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

THE SUNDAY READINGS

The readings for the Palm Sunday are as follows:
(Click here for the texts of the readings.)

Gospel at the Procession with Palms Luke 19:28-40

Jesus sends his disciples for a colt and then rides into Jerusalem.

First Reading

Isaiah 50:4-7
The Lord's Servant will stand firm, even when persecuted.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 22:8-9,17-20,23-24
A cry for help to the Lord in the face of evildoers.

Second Reading

Philippians 2:6-11
Christ was obedient even to death, but God has exalted him.

Gospel Reading

Luke 22:14—23:56 (shorter form: Luke 23:1-49)
From the cross, Jesus speaks words of forgiveness and promises that the good thief will be with him in paradise.

RESOURCE Corner

The Story of Jesus' last hours
This video tells the story of Jesus' last hours. It is a "LEGO" video that might be helpful if "the real thing" might be too graphic for younger children.

Godly Play - Online!

Click on the video link below to watch the Godly Play Lesson for this week with Mother Mary Kisner

Be sure to watch the Godly Play Online Lesson about Holy Week just below the Palm Sunday Lesson.

The Passion of Christ
This animated video tells the story of the passion in a more realistic form for those children who might not be as affected by the inherent violence of the story. It may help them understand the real sacrifice Jesus made for us.

Family Activity
Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday, marks the beginning of Holy Week. During this week, we prepare ourselves for Easter by prayerfully reflecting on the events of Jesus’ passion and death. During this week, your family might display a crucifix in a prominent place as reminder of the salvation that Christ won for us. This can also serve as the focal point for family prayer during Holy Week.

Because of the length and complexity of the passion narrative, it is difficult for children to remain attentive when it is proclaimed in its entirety. Families can make it a tradition to read a portion of this Sunday’s Gospel each day of Holy Week, providing ample opportunity for children to ask questions and respond to the events described there. In this way, the entire week can become a “way of the cross.”

Each day during Holy Week, the family can gather in a prayerful space with a crucifix as its focal point. The passion as found in Mark’s Gospel might be read as follows throughout the week:

Sunday: Mark 11:1-10 (Gospel at the Procession with Palms)
Monday: Mark 14:1-11
Tuesday: Mark 14:12-26
Wednesday: Mark 14:27-52
Thursday: Mark 14:53-72
Friday: Mark 15:1-41
Saturday: Mark 15:42-47

After reading from the Gospel each night, the family might reflect on the reading together. Conclude your prayer time together by praying the Lord’s Prayer or by singing an appropriate hymn such as “Jesus, Jesus,” “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?” or “What Wondrous Love is This.”

Activities for Children

for kids in Grades 1, 2, and 3
Lead younger children to understand that Jesus’ Death on the Cross for our salvation was the greatest act of love for us. Even in his suffering and Death, Jesus shows us his way of love.

Materials Needed

None

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

Say: This is Holy Week. It is the holiest week in the Church year. We remember that Jesus died to save us.
Ask: What are some words that describe Jesus? (Accept all reasonable answers, including our Savior, loving, forgiving, trusting, merciful, truthful, Son of God.) Say: In today’s Gospel, we hear about Jesus’ Passion and Death on the Cross. As you listen, notice how Jesus shows us his way of love and forgiveness.
Read today’s Gospel in its shorter form, Luke 23:1–49.
Say: Even as he is suffering, Jesus remains loving and forgiving. He asks God to forgive the people who crucify him. When the criminal asks Jesus to remember him, Jesus tells the criminal that he will be with him in heaven.
Say: If we have faith in Jesus and follow his way of love, we too will be with him in heaven one day. We might feel sad hearing about Jesus’ death, but we can celebrate because Jesus died for our sins. He prepared the way for us to share eternal life with God in heaven.
Conclude by praying: Jesus, we thank and praise you for saving us from our sins. We will follow your way of love and forgiveness, today and every day. Amen.

for kids in Grades 4, 5, and 6
Before Jesus died on the cross, he promised the good thief that he would be with him in paradise. Through his death on the cross, Jesus prepares a place in paradise for all of us.

Materials Needed

None

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

Say: This week we celebrate Holy Week. This is the holiest week in the Church year because during this week we remember Jesus' death on the cross for our salvation. On Palm Sunday we hear two Gospel readings. The first Gospel tells us how Jesus rode into Jerusalem and was greeted by the crowds who shouted praise to God because they thought Jesus was coming to save them from their political oppressors.
Invite one or more volunteers to read this Gospel, Luke 19:28-40.
Say: In the second Gospel reading for this Sunday, which is also called Passion Sunday, we hear the details about Jesus' passion and death on the cross. This year, we read the passion from Luke's Gospel. Unique to Luke's Gospel is the detail about the words spoken by Jesus and the two criminals who were crucified with him. Let's prayerfully listen to a portion of this Gospel.
Invite a volunteer to read today's Gospel in its shorter form, Luke 23:1-49.
Ask: What did the first man say to Jesus? (He taunted Jesus along with the crowd.) What did the second man do? (He defended Jesus against the first thief, and then he asked Jesus to remember him.) What did Jesus say in response? (“Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”)
Say: Jesus' words were addressed to the second criminal. But these words are also spoken to us. If we have faith in Jesus and follow his way of love, we will also be with him in paradise. Jesus died for our sins and prepared the way for us to share eternal life with God in heaven.
Conclude in prayer together by singing “Jesus Remember Me” or another appropriate hymn.

Holy Week

Beginning with Palm Sunday, we enter a week of prayer and reflection on the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross. It ends with the quiet of Holy Saturday when we anticipate the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

The final part of this week (from Thursday evening through Saturday night) form The Sacred Triduum (or the Three Holy Days). Because you may not be able to gather with us a community, we provide resources for home celebrations of these days: Click here.

A collection of resources for the days of Holy Week (including Palm Sunday) can be downloaded from Church Publishing Company by clicking on the file at right.

Click on the video link at the right to watch the Godly Play Lesson for this week with Mother Mary Kisner.

Click here for our resources to celebrate the mysteries of Holy Week at home with your family.

holy_week_activities_for_families_final__1_.pdf
File Size:	7832 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Godly play Online!

After Jesus had a special supper with his disciples, they all went to the garden to pray. Jesus was arrested and suffered greatly. It was very sad. But the sadness was linked to gladness, and you cannot separate the two. What will happen next?

The First Sunday in Lent - March 6

THE SUNDAY READINGS

Resource Corner

GOdly Play - online!

THE Second SUNDAY IN LENT - March 13

tHE sUNDAY rEADINGS

​​RESOURCE CORNER

​GODLY PLAY - ONLINE!

THE Third SUNDAY IN LENT - MARCH 20

​THE SUNDAY READINGS

​RESOURCE CORNER

​GODLY PLAY - ONLINE!

THE Fourth SUNDAY IN LENT - MARCH 27

​THE SUNDAY READINGS

​RESOURCE CORNER

​GODLY PLAY - ONLINE!

The Fifth Sunday in Lent - April 3

Resource Corner

Godly Play - online!

Palm Sunday - April 10

​​THE SUNDAY READINGS

RESOURCE Corner

​Godly Play - Online!

Holy Week

Godly play Online!

RESOURCE CORNER

GODLY PLAY - ONLINE!

THE SUNDAY READINGS

RESOURCE CORNER

GODLY PLAY - ONLINE!

THE SUNDAY READINGS

RESOURCE CORNER

GODLY PLAY - ONLINE!

THE SUNDAY READINGS

Godly Play - Online!