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 - February 26

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

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
God gives us an awareness of good and evil and so gives us the ability to choose obedience or disobedience and our need for God's saving grace.

Second Reading

Romans 5:12-19
Paul contrasts human sin from the time of Adam and Eve with God's gift of salvation through Jesus Christ

Gospel Reading

Matthew 4:1-11
After his baptism, Jesus was led into the wilderness, hungry after a long fast, Jesus was tempted to prove that he was the Son of God, possessed with supernatural powers. Jesus response to the devil is simply, "No."

God gives us grace to say "no" to evil so that we can say "yes" to God in Christ.

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.

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, Matthew 4:1-11.

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 Readings
Show 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, Matthew 4:1-11.
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, Matthew 4:1-11.
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 [email protected]

THE Second SUNDAY IN LENT - March 5

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.

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 12

In today’s Gospel, the dialogue between Jesus and a woman from Samaria is among the most lengthy and most theological found in Scripture. The most startling aspect of the conversation is that it happens at all. Jesus, an observant Jew of that time, was expected to avoid conversation with women in public. The animosity between the Jews and the Samaritans should have prevented the conversation as well. The woman herself alludes to the break from tradition: “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” Yet Jesus not only converses with the woman, he also asks to share her drinking vessel, an action that makes him unclean according to Jewish law.

THE SUNDAY READINGS

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

Exodus 17:3-7

God tells Moses to bring forth water from the rock.

Romans 5:1-2,5-8

Christ died for us while we were still sinners.

John 4:5-42

Jesus reveals himself to the Samaritan woman at the well.

RESOURCE CORNER

The Woman at the Well in John 4 is an important Bible story for kids. Jesus explains that He is the Living Water. Use our Bible object lesson to share this message with the children in your church. Watch the children's sermon demonstration below, download the teaching notes, and then gather your object lesson supplies.

Activities for Children

for kids in Grades 1, 2, and 3Jesus asks a Samaritan woman for water from a well. The woman is surprised because Jews and Samaritans didn’t speak to each other. Jesus uses this opportunity to tell the woman about the water that brings eternal life and to tell her that he is the Savior sent by God. Many Samaritans come to believe when they hear the story and see Jesus.
Materials Needed

Salted pretzels and a small cup for each child
Eye dropper

Note: Be aware of food allergies and make arrangements for those with special eating needs.

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

Bring a small cup for each child, an eyedropper, and salted pretzels. Give each child some pretzels to eat. After a few minutes, ask whether anyone is thirsty. Give the children a few drops of water using the eyedropper. Ask whether that was enough to drink.
Then say: If I gave you all the water you’d like to drink today, do you think you could go until next week without drinking anything? Water is so important that without it, people become sick in a very short time.
Say: In the Gospel this week, Jesus used the need for water to explain that he offers us life in heaven with him that will not depend on water. When we have faith in Jesus, we have eternal life. Let us listen carefully to that Gospel reading.
Read aloud the short form of today’s Gospel, John 4:5-15,19b-26,39a,40-42.
Say: We heard Jesus and the Samaritan woman talk a lot about water. When do we use water in church? (We bless ourselves with water when we enter church. We are baptized with water.)
Say: Lent is a time when we remember what Baptism means. We also try harder to live as followers of Jesus. When we were baptized, we were like the woman at the well: We came to know Jesus as our Savior, and we were sent to bring the good news of Jesus to others.
Conclude by praying together today’s psalm, Psalm 95, or the Lord’s Prayer.

forgiveness.” Pray together the Glory Be to the Father.

Family Activity
Lent is a season for repentance. It is a season during which we are called to reflect upon and to live deeply the promises of Baptism. The well and the conversation about water immediately recall for us the Sacrament of Baptism. As the Samaritan woman was converted and sent on a mission because of the conversation about water, we too are converted and sent by our Baptism to preach the good news of Jesus to others.
Take this opportunity to reflect upon the importance of Baptism with your family. If you have photos or other mementos of your family’s Baptisms, bring them out and take some time to recall the day of Baptism and its importance to you and your family. Create a prayer table that includes these mementos and a bowl of holy water. After you have spent some time talking about Baptism, invite everyone to listen carefully and prayerfully to today’s Gospel. Read John 4:5-42 together. Ask how Jesus’ meeting with the woman at the well is like Baptism. (Jesus knows the woman’s sin and forgives her. The woman comes to know Jesus as the Messiah. The woman invites others to meet Jesus.) Pray a prayer of blessing for each member of the family that God will help each one live the promises of his or her Baptism. Pray together the Lord’s Prayer.

for kids in Grades 4, 5, and 6In Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman, we learn about the fullness of God’s mercy. The woman is a Samaritan, and Samaritans were people with whom observant Jews had no contact. She is also an outcast in Samaritan society. Yet Jesus reaches out to this woman and brings her to knowledge of salvation.
Materials Needed

None

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

Ask: What kind of people are shunned or avoided in society today? If Jesus were alive today, what kind of people would we least expect him to talk with? Accept all reasonable answers.
Say: Today’s Gospel tells us about a conversation that Jesus had with a woman from Samaria. Their conversation surprised people of Jesus’ time because Jewish men weren’t supposed to talk to women who were strangers. We are also told that the woman is a sinner. She is a Samaritan as well, and Jews avoided Samaritans. Let’s listen carefully as we read today’s Gospel about Jesus’ meeting with this Samaritan woman at the well.
Invite volunteers to read different parts of today’s Gospel, John 4:5-42.
Ask: How did the disciples respond when they found Jesus talking with the Samaritan woman? (They were amazed and confused.)
Say: Jesus tells his disciples that they will reap the fruits of the labor of others. Reaping fruits means “collecting or receiving something good.” When Jesus says that, he is telling the disciples that they may find faith in unexpected places. The disciples see an example of this when the entire Samaritan town comes to believe that Jesus is the savior.
Conclude by praying together that the members of your group will be open and attentive to God’s work, even in unexpected places. Pray together the Prayer to the Holy Spirit.

THE Fourth SUNDAY IN LENT - MARCH 19

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

1 Samuel 16:1b,6-7,10-13a
Samuel is sent to anoint David as king.

Second Reading

Ephesians 5:8-14
The Ephesians are told to live as children of light.

Gospel Reading

John 9:1-41 (shorter form: John 9:1,6-9,13-17,34-38)
Jesus heals the man born blind and reveals himself to him as the Son of Man.

RESOURCE CORNER

The Lord acts in mysterious and often unexpected ways. We seldom have things happen how we might imagine or even hope they will, but fortunately God’s plans are greater than ours! This message discusses how important it is to trust in Jesus for all things, even if we have a hard time understanding Him. The story reminds us of a time when the Son of God healed a blind man by making mud with spit! Some people were upset by this action, but they missed out on who Jesus was and how great He was. His power and methods are beyond comprehension!

Family Activity

When infants are baptized, parents, with the help of the godparents, assume responsibility for raising the child as a follower of Jesus. The process of maturation in the faith is much like the example found in the story of the man born blind. The man is cured of his blindness, a symbol of his sin. Each time he meets someone after the healing, the man comes to a deeper awareness of who Jesus is. In a similar way, we who are baptized continue to mature in faith as our relationship with and knowledge about Jesus grows.
Invite each member of your family to draw a timeline of his or her life. On the timelines, ask family members to identify significant moments in their lives, especially their life of faith. Invite each person to reflect upon who Jesus was to him or her at each significant moment. How has each person’s relationship with Jesus changed or matured? Then read together today’s Gospel, John 9:1-41. Note how the relationship between Jesus and the man born blind changes and grows throughout the Gospel. Pray together that your relationship with Jesus will continue to grow and develop, becoming ever deeper. Conclude by praying together the Lord’s Prayer.

Activities for Children

For kids in Grades 1, 2, and 3
The story of the healing of the man born blind invites us to consider the importance of sight, both physical and spiritual. The blind man is given physical sight, but he is also granted spiritual insight about the person of Jesus. Through Baptism, we are called to walk as children of the light, to live in full knowledge of who Jesus is for us.
Materials Needed

None

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

Ask the children to close their eyes for a few minutes. Invite them to notice how their experience of the room changes when they can’t see their surroundings. Invite volunteers to describe the experience. Say: Now imagine that you have never experienced sight. What if you have never experienced light or colors so that you can’t recreate an experience with them in your mind? Invite a sample of responses.
Say: Today’s Gospel tells the story of how Jesus healed a man who had been blind from birth. As we listen to this Gospel, imagine what life might have been like for this man. Think about how much he must have appreciated the gift that Jesus gave him.
Invite one volunteer or several volunteers to read today’s Gospel in its shorter form, John 9:1,6-9,13-17,34-38.
Ask: What did people think about the healing? (Some could not believe it. Others wanted to know where Jesus was. Some thought Jesus was a sinner.) What did Jesus say to the man born blind when he meets him again? (Jesus reveals himself as the Son of Man, the Messiah.)
Say: It was truly a great gift when Jesus healed the man’s blindness, but it was an even greater gift when Jesus revealed himself as the Son of Man, the Messiah. And the man received that second gift as willingly as he accepted the first one. He became a believer and worshiped Jesus.
Say: In Baptism, Jesus reveals himself to us, and we’re called to be like the man in today’s Gospel, accepting the gift from Jesus so that we may truly see Jesus as our Lord and worship him.
Conclude in prayer by praying the Lord’s Prayer.

For kids in Grades 4, 5, and 6
The story of the healing of the man born blind invites us to consider the importance of sight, both physical and spiritual. The blind man is given physical sight, but he is also granted spiritual insight about the person of Jesus. Through Baptism, we are called to walk as children of the light, to live in full knowledge of who Jesus is for us.
Materials Needed

None

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

Ask the children to close their eyes for a few minutes. Invite them to notice how their experience of the room changes when they can’t see their surroundings. Invite volunteers to describe the experience. Say: Now imagine that you have never experienced sight. What if you have never experienced light or colors so that you can’t recreate an experience with them in your mind? Invite a sample of responses.
Say: Today’s Gospel tells the story of how Jesus healed a man who had been blind from birth. As we listen to this Gospel, imagine what life might have been like for this man. Think about how much he must have appreciated the gift that Jesus gave him.
Invite one volunteer or several volunteers to read today’s Gospel in its shorter form, John 9:1,6-9,13-17,34-38.
Ask: What did people think about the healing? (Some could not believe it. Others wanted to know where Jesus was. Some thought Jesus was a sinner.) What did Jesus say to the man born blind when he meets him again? (Jesus reveals himself as the Son of Man, the Messiah.)
Say: It was truly a great gift when Jesus healed the man’s blindness, but it was an even greater gift when Jesus revealed himself as the Son of Man, the Messiah. And the man received that second gift as willingly as he accepted the first one. He became a believer and worshiped Jesus.
Say: In Baptism, Jesus reveals himself to us, and we’re called to be like the man in today’s Gospel, accepting the gift from Jesus so that we may truly see Jesus as our Lord and worship him.
Conclude in prayer by praying the Lord’s Prayer.

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The Fifth Sunday in Lent - March 26

Jesus has been in Jerusalem, taking part in the feast of the Dedication, which we have come to know as Hanukkah. The people have been pressing him to declare plainly whether he is the Messiah. Jesus tells them to look to his works, which testify to his coming from God. Many do not believe Jesus, however, and some try to stone him for blasphemy.

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

First Reading

Ezekiel 37:12-14
God will open the graves and restore the people of Israel.

Second Reading

Romans 8:8-11
The Spirit of God dwells in you.

Gospel Reading

John 11:1-45 (shorter version John 11:3-7,17,20-27,33b-45)
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.

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.

Family Activity

Jesus’ promise of eternal life is a central element of our Catholic faith. Even though Easter is still two weeks away, our Gospel today invites us to acknowledge Jesus’ power over death, evidenced in the raising of Lazarus, and to anticipate Jesus’ conquering of death once and for all in his death and Resurrection. We sometimes use examples from nature to help describe this mystery of our faith. Jesus himself talked about the seed that dies when planted in the ground in order to produce new life (John 12:24). Using that image and others, we find hope and confidence in Jesus, the Resurrection and the life.
Gather your family today and read today’s Gospel in its shorter form, John 11:3-7,17,20-27,33b-45. Write Jesus’ promise from today’s Gospel (“I am the resurrection and the life.”) on a large sheet of white paper. As your family talks about what Jesus means by this promise, decorate Jesus’ words with symbols that will remind you of his promise of eternal life. Display this reminder of Jesus’ promise in a prominent place in your home and keep it there until Easter. Pray that you will always remain confident in Jesus’ promise of eternal life. Conclude by praying together the Apostles’ Creed or the Nicene Creed.

Activities for Children

For kids in Grades 1, 2, and 3
When Jesus heard that Lazarus had died, he went to the home of Lazarus' sisters, Martha and Mary. There Jesus promised life after death for all who have faith in him. As a sign of that promise, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. We are called to be like Martha and Mary, confident in Jesus' promise of eternal life.
Materials Needed

Small rubber ball
Sheet of newspaper
Tape

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

Before class, tape a small rubber ball to the corner of a sheet of newspaper. Being careful not to reveal the ball to the children, show them the newspaper and then quickly scrunch the paper with your hands to form a ball with the rubber ball inside.
Ask: Do you think this newspaper ball will bounce? Ask for a volunteer to toss the ball on the floor or on a desktop. Say: I never knew paper could bounce, did you? There must be something more to this paper ball. [Have the volunteer open it to reveal the rubber ball.] Oh, I see, at the core of the newspaper ball is a rubber ball and that's what made it bounce. Sometimes things happen that surprise us. In the Gospel this week, Jesus brings back to life a man who had died. Jesus performs the miracle so that everyone who heard about it could believe that he was sent from God. Jesus also says that if we have faith in God, we will never die.
Tell in your own words or read the story of the raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-45) to the children.
Say: God gave Jesus the power to give us all life forever.
Pray together that we will always believe in Jesus' promise of eternal life. Then pray together: “Jesus, we believe that you are the Resurrection and the life.”

For kids in Grades 4, 5, and 6
In Jesus’ conversation with Martha, Martha tells him that she believes in resurrection. Her response shows great faith, affirming her belief in eternal life and Jesus’ connection to this promised salvation. We too make this profession of faith every Sunday when we pray the Nicene Creed.
Materials Needed

Copies of the Nicene Creed (one for each child)
Highlighters

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

Distribute a copy of the Nicene Creed to each child. Invite volunteers to read aloud different parts of the Creed. Ask: Is this prayer familiar to you? When have you heard this prayer prayed? (at Mass) Say: This prayer is called the Nicene Creed. We pray it at each Sunday Mass. It’s a summary of what we believe as Christians. When we pray the Creed with the Church community, we are affirming our commitment to the beliefs stated in it.
Distribute the highlighters. Instruct the children to highlight the parts of the Creed that present what we believe about Jesus’ own death and what happens after death. Help the group identify the following phrases: “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end,” “I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come,” and “For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate . . .”
Say: In today’s Gospel, we will hear what Jesus taught about Resurrection, and we will hear about when Jesus raised his friend Lazarus from the dead.
Invite several volunteers to read today’s Gospel, John 11:1-45.
Ask: What belief did you hear about in today’s Gospel that is also found in the Nicene Creed? (Resurrection) What do you think it means to say that Jesus is the Resurrection and the life? (Accept all reasonable answers.)
Say: When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he showed his power over death. We believe that by Jesus’ death and Resurrection, he conquered death and won eternal life for us. Our faith tells us that those who are like Martha and Mary—people who believe that Jesus is the Resurrection and the life—will find eternal life.
Pray together that we will share Martha and Mary’s faith that Jesus is the Resurrection and the life. Conclude by praying together the Nicene Creed.

Palm Sunday - April 2

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.

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
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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 - February 26

THE SUNDAY READINGS

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THE Second SUNDAY IN LENT - March 5

tHE sUNDAY rEADINGS

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THE Third SUNDAY IN LENT - MARCH 12

​THE SUNDAY READINGS

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THE Fourth SUNDAY IN LENT - MARCH 19

​THE SUNDAY READINGS

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The Fifth Sunday in Lent - March 26

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Palm Sunday - April 2

​​THE SUNDAY READINGS

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Holy Week

Godly play Online!

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THE SUNDAY READINGS

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THE SUNDAY READINGS

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THE SUNDAY READINGS