Join the AUMC Lenten Challenge 2015

Transcription

1 Join the AUMC Lenten Challenge 2015 Your family is invited to join us on a 40-day Lenten Journey. The following pages include lots of ideas for ways your family can walk through the 40 days of Lent. It s hard for children to understand all the meaning and symbols of this season, so we have tried to put something together that is kid-friendly. Pick and choose your activities from this list, or use your own ideas. The Lenten Road Map, on Page 11, can be used to track your family s journey through the season. Turn in your family Lenten Road Map to Carrie Lahmeyer on Easter Sunday for a prize. The trip toward Easter will be even more fun if we share it with each other. So go over to the church Facebook page, and post pictures of your family doing the activities or of your completed projects. Tag your pictures and posts on the page with #AUMClent2015. Children s Ministry Team

2 Use the Lenten Road Map to Track Your Lenten Journey Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, and ends on Holy Saturday, April 4. It is a season of 40 days that represent the time Jesus spent in the wilderness as he prepared to begin his ministry. Sundays aren t counted as part of the 40 days of Lent because each Sunday represents a mini-easter. Lent is a time for self-examination and reflection as we prepare for the coming of Easter. We invite you to use the Lenten Road Map to track the activities and events that helped you in your Easter preparation. Here s what you can do: Post the map (found on Page 11) on your refrigerator or in another place where you ll see it often. Write in the activities you choose to do. Take pictures of your activities. Join the closed Facebook group, AUMCroadmap, by ing Carrie Lahmeyer, carrie@aldersgateumc-ks.org, so she can send you an invitation to the group. Post the pictures of your Lenten activities to the group, using the hashtag #AUMClent2015. Return your completed Lenten Road Map to Carrie on Easter Sunday. If you complete a minimum of six activities, you ll get a prize. People who complete 20 or 40 activities will get bigger prizes. 1

3 40 Days of Renewal Share your Lenten activities Submit pictures of things you are doing during Lent on the group Facebook page AUMCroadmap, using #AUMClent Create a daily quiet time. Choose a time of day when you can dedicate a few minutes to pray and do Lenten activities individually or as a family. It could be in the morning, driving to or from work or school, at a meal, before bed. 2. Start a prayer rhythm. This is taking time each day to say a prayer. Examples may be when you wake up, eat a meal, when you see an emergency vehicle, while you re driving, or before bed. 3. Research the meaning of Lent Take some time and research what Lent means and look up some facts about Lent. Share this as a family or with a friend. 4. Make a collection jar Create a collection jar to collect change to donate each Sunday of Lent to Feed My Sheep to help provide food for those in need. 5. Resurrection Rolls Consider making these and sharing them with family and friends. Explain the significance of the rolls. See the recipe on Page Jelly Bean Prayer Share the Jelly Bean Prayer with someone while enjoying a jelly bean snack. See prayer on Page Hungry Caterpillar Read the story The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle, and talk about how with Jesus in our lives, we are like the caterpillar and the butterfly. 8. Homemade Soap: Jesus washes our troubles away Place one bar of Ivory soap in the microwave till it forms a big glob of foam. Place the glob in a large bowl. Then using a mixer, add desired food coloring. Add warm water a little at a time, just enough that it sticks together when you make a fist with it. Using cookie cutters for molds, press the soft soap into shapes if desired or using hands, form shapes. Leave molds around your soap if you used any shapes. Place them in a cool dry area to sit for hours, depending on your bar sizes. Once solid, you can use the soap. Each time you use it, it can remind you that Jesus washes away all our troubles or bad choices. 2

4 9. Swedish Fish & Crackers: Feeding of 5,000 (John 6:1-14) See how many times we can break the bread and fish. Read the story in John 6. Talk about what it might have looked like and note how everyone got enough to be full and not just tiny pieces. 10. Play dough: Use to make the word Jesus (Luke 1:26-33 and 35-38; Philippians 2:10) Read the story of the Angel coming to Mary in Luke 1. Talk about what the name of Jesus-Immanuel God with us means. Talk about the meaning of our own names. Read Philippians 2:10 together and discuss. Use the play dough to spell out the name of Jesus. 11. Jesus Calms the Storm: Make a paper boat or use a toy boat (Mathew 8:23-17) Read the story in Matthew 8, Mark 4 or Luke 8 and talk about why this is so amazing. Make a storm in a pan of water or during bath time. Place your boat in the storm and try to calm it instantly, which can t be done. 12. Jesus Heals the Blind Man: Blindfold experiences (John 9:1-17) Lead children in a few activities with the blindfold on. Talk about how hard it would be to live life that way and how you d feel if you were healed. Note how the blind man reacted when Jesus told him who He was. In what ways is God revealed in our lives? How should we react? 13. Crown & Travel Soap (John 13:1-20) Make or use a premade crown, and get a dishpan, small bar of soap and a towel. Talk about the meaning of royalty and the things that kings, queens, princes and princesses are supposed to do. Explain how Jesus is the King of all Kings and what that means. Then read the story of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples in John 13 and how he came to serve and not be served. Is that what you d expect the King of Kings to do? Take turns putting on the crown and washing each other s feet, talking about how we can serve the way Jesus did. 14. Mary Magdalene anoints Jesus: Perfume/lotion (John 12:1-11) Read the story of Mary pouring the perfume on Jesus feet from John 12. Talk about how expensive this was back then and what a significant thing it was for her to do. Discuss some other things that are important to us now and how we can give them as an offering to God, things like time, money, etc. 15. Rich Young Ruler: Four Quarters and Giving (Matthew 19:16-30; Acts 20:35) You will need to have four quarters. Talk about what children like to do with the four quarters. Read the story Jesus tells of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19: 16-30, then read Acts 20:35 when Jesus says it is better to give than to receive. Now revisit the quarters and talk about what they d like to do with the four quarters. 3

5 16. Jesus Visits Zacchaeus: Sharing small treats or candy (Luke 19:1-9) Read the story in Luke 19. Talk about why people didn t like Zacchaeus back then and how cool it is that Jesus not only saw and acknowledged him, but wanted to spend time with him and how it changed the man s life. Lead children to think about some people that they (or the world in general) haven t noticed. Invite them to seek out the person and share an extra treat and play or spend time with them. 17. Jesus Loved the Children: Time Coupon (Mark 10: 13-16) Read the story in Mark 10. Talk about adults in our lives who obviously love children. How do you know and what do they do to show it? How do we think Jesus showed it? How would you like someone to show you that they love you and value spending time with you? Create a time coupon together, listing what you or your child wants to do with you or another adult. Set time to make this happen! 18. Jesus Wept: Tearjerker or sour gum (John 11: 1-45) Chew a piece of Tearjerker Gum or something extremely sour. Read the story of Jesus healing Lazarus in John 11. Talk about how Jesus was a real person with real emotions like us. Note how he was sad, but never lost hope. He knew God was going to use Lazarus story for God s glory. Talk about times when we feel sad, hurt, scared at times and how awesome it is to have hope like Jesus did in this situation because God is supporting us and hears our prayers. 19. Jesus Died for Us: Crayon and a slip of paper (Luke 23: 13-56) Get a crayon, a small slip of paper and a plastic Easter egg. Read the story of the crucifixion in Luke 23 and talk about how it must have felt to love Jesus and be there that day... and how it might have felt for those who didn t love Jesus but saw what happened. Write the word that you feel on the piece of paper and put it inside the plastic egg to read on Good Friday. 20. Write a Thank You note to someone Take a few minutes and make a card or write a Thank You card to someone for something they have done for you recently. 21. Read one chapter Sit down in a quiet area and read ANY chapter you want in the Bible. For those who cannot read, have someone who can read to you read one chapter. 22. No electronics. Set aside some time (maybe an hour, maybe a day or more) without using any electronic devices such as phone, electronic game, TV, music players, computer. Take time at the end of the designated time to reflect how electronics can cause problems and/or can help us in our daily lives and spending time together. 23. Forgive someone Is there someone in your life that you need to forgive or maybe you need to forgive yourself for something? Say a prayer asking for forgiveness for the person or yourself. 4

6 24. Do something kind for someone Do something unexpected that would help someone or share something that you did for someone today. 25. Volunteer for a minimum of one hour There are lots of ways to help others. Set aside at least one hour in your day to help someone, do a community service, volunteer at a church or school, or pick up trash in your neighborhood. Take time to write a note to yourself about how this made you feel, or share as a family about this. 26. Pray for someone Take time to pray for someone who needs Jesus love in their life. 27. Do a chore or something to help someone without being asked Brighten someone s day by doing something that they need done without being asked. 28. Give up something for a day. Every time you feel the need to do or have this item, say a prayer. 29. Do a puzzle Jesus makes all the pieces fit together. Take time to do a puzzle with someone or as a family and reflect how it is Jesus makes all the pieces fit together. 30. Heart in the shoe Using felt or paper, cut out a heart and place it in your shoe to be a reminder that with Jesus we can stand firm on his love. 31. Pretzel Prayer History. Share the Pretzel Prayer History with someone while enjoying a pretzel snack. See the history on Page Decorate Easter eggs Decorate Easter eggs with your family and/or friends and talk about how an Easter egg relates to Easter. 33. Read devotional magazines Read Upper Room, Pockets (children s magazine), or devozine (youth magazine). As a family, talk about what you learned. 34. Make a Cross Craft Make a cross craft and hang it where you can see it often to remind you that Jesus died for you. 35. Draw or make an Easter Garden Look up Easter Gardens on the internet and create one for your home Blessings Make a list of at least 10 blessings you have experienced today and say a prayer thanking God for them. 5

7 37. Help Animals Donate money or needed items to an animal shelter zoo. Talk about how caring for animals is a way of sharing God s love for us. 38. Attend a Passion Play or a Palm/Passion Sunday Cantata Talk about how the music or the play makes us feel. 39. Wear Purple Wear purple clothing. Talk with your family or friends about purple being the color of royalty, and that wearing purple reminds us that Jesus is the King of Kings. 40. Read the story of the Last Supper (Matthew 26:17-30) Read the story of the Last Supper and consider having a family dinner together. Talk about how Jesus took the bread and wine that he and his disciples would share and gave them new meaning. We remember the Last Supper when we share Communion. What does having Communion mean to you? Additional Ideas 41. Plant Something Plant a flower bulb. If it s too cold outside, plant some grass seed in a cup of soil. Talk about new life and how Jesus gives us a fresh start. 42. Sing Learn an Easter song like Christ the Lord Is Risen Today, or one of the Veggie Tales Easter songs. 43. De-clutter Fill a donation bag to de-clutter your house and take it to a location donation site. 44. Go on a Garden Walk Go on a garden walk and explain the story of the Garden of Gethsemane while you re walking. 6

8 Holy Week Activities Palm Sunday: March 29 Make a palm leaf. Print or cut out a paper palm leaf. Tell someone or discuss as a family why we celebrate Palm Sunday. Monday, March 30 Read about Judas Betrayal in Luke 22:1-6. What are some things that you do to betray Jesus? Tuesday, March 31 Read Luke 2: 7-23 about the Last Supper during a meal with family and/or friends. Wednesday, April 1 Read Luke 22: & Like Judas, Peter also betrayed Jesus by denying him. Have you ever denied being friends with someone? Why was that? How did it make you feel? Maundy Thursday, April 2 Read Jesus in Pilate s Hands (Luke 23: 26-49) Why did Pilate hand over Jesus? Sometimes we choose to tattle or tell on others. When is this okay to do and when is it not okay to do? Good Friday, April 3 Invite a friend or family member to attend Good Friday Service at Aldersgate at 7:00 PM. Holy Saturday, April 4 Read Isaiah 53. Reach out to someone and invite them to Aldersgate for Easter Worship tomorrow. Easter Sunday, April 5 He is risen! Use a plastic egg to illustrate that Jesus is alive. Come celebrate at Aldersgate. Here are our service times: SonRise 6:30 AM Breakfast at 7:30, Worship at 8:30 & 11:00 AM There will be NO Children or Youth Sunday School Classes on this day Remember to bring your completed Lenten Road Map to Aldersgate UMC on Easter Sunday and give it to Carrie Lahmeyer. If you complete a minimum of six activities, you ll get a prize. (There will be larger prizes available for people who complete 20 activities and 40 activities.) 7

9 Resurrection Rolls Ingredients 1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls 8 large marshmallows 1/4 cup melted butter 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons white sugar Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 2. Lightly grease a baking sheet. 3. Separate crescent rolls into individual triangles. (If you can find the big and flaky ones, the marshmallows will fit better.) 4. In a small bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar. 5. Dip a marshmallow into melted butter, then roll in sugar mixture. Place marshmallow into the center of a dough triangle. Carefully wrap the dough around the marshmallow. Pinch the seams together very tightly to seal in the marshmallow as it melts (or cut a bit of the marshmallow off to fit). Place on a baking sheet. Repeat. 6. Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes. 7. Makes Eight Resurrection Rolls 8. ** I have made these without dipping them in any butter, cinnamon/sugar mixture and they are still delicious. The butter just makes them an extra special treat. Make sure you seal the seams really well. If you don t, the marshmallow will ooze out the sides, which is just fine in our home. You have the option of making the rolls bigger by using two crescent rolls, but still using only one marshmallow. This way, the marshmallow won t come out at all. Have the kids play around with making these. On some of them, we wanted the empty tomb effect, so we left a little part of the roll open but made sure the side had a little lip to contain the melted mallow. 8

10 Jelly Bean Prayer RED Is for the LOVE God gave. GREEN Is for the GRASS he made. YELLOW Is for the SUN so bright. ORANGE Is for the edge of the NIGHT. BLACK Is for the WRONG choices we made. Is for the GRACE he gave. PURPLE Is for the HOUR of Sorrow. PINK Is for our NEW tomorrow. An egg full of Jelly Beans, colorful and sweet, is a prayer, is a promise, and is a special treat. May the joy of Christ s Resurrection fill your heart and bless your life. ~Unknown 9

11 10

12 Lenten Road Map 11