& letting. holding. Easter Sunday Prayer of Thanks April 4, a new look at lent At-Home Lent Resource

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1 Easter Sunday Prayer of Thanks April 4, 2010 Dear God and Father of our living Lord Jesus Christ, we praise you for the power of your forgiving, life-giving love. We thank you for raising Jesus from the dead. We thank you for the wonderful gifts of forgiveness and salvation that we can enjoy because of Jesus. We thank you for the Bible, which helps us see how God s love holds us and helps us let go of things that distract us from God s way. We thank you for the way your love transforms our own lives and communities. We love you and want to follow Jesus. We see your love at work in (Add own observations) Thank you for continuing to live in and around us. Thank you that your love leads through suffering to joy. Thank you that your love is stronger than death. Amen. Song: There s a Jubilee a-comin, Bryan Moyer Suderman (CD-My money talks, holding on & letting go a new look at lent 600 Shaftesbury Blvd Winnipeg MB R3P 0M4 Toll free: T: F: E: resources@mennonitechurch.ca W: At-Home Lent Resource

2 Holy Saturday Holy Saturday is a day for silence and quiet anticipation of Easter Sunday joy. The sadness of Jesus sacrificial death lingers with us, but we already anticipate resurrection joy. If our family life includes young children it is good to let them know that we will soon be singing alleluias. This is a day where Easter eggs are traditionally painted, so we can crack them open and eat them on Easter Sunday, like the tomb that held Jesus body for a while was opened on Easter morning. Here are some other activities that could enrich this day in a silent, anticipatory way. Take the chocolate that you may have been resisting during Lent and quietly chop it into chunks. Use the chunks in your favourite chocolate chip cookie recipe, and quietly shape the cookies into rock shapes, so they can remind you of the rock closing the tomb in which Jesus body lay. Allow the smell to remind you that Easter and its joy are almost here. Save the Rock-Chocolate cookies for Easter breakfast and beyond. Holding on and letting go 2010 At-Home Lent Resource Lectionary Cycle C Bake Empty Tomb buns. Use your favourite dinner roll recipe and quietly shape each dinner roll around a marshmallow. Seal it tightly. Quietly wonder what will happen. As the roll bakes, the marshmallow will dissolve and leave a mysteriously empty, but sweet, tomb. Save these Empty Tomb buns for sharing the good news, Christ is risen! He is not here! with each other on Easter morning. Mennonite Church Canada 600 Shaftesbury Blvd, Winnipeg MB R3P 0M4 Toll-free: P: F: E: office@mennonitechurch.ca By Elsie Rempel, Director of Christian Nurture Sources: Lent writing team Mennonite Church Canada & Mennonite Church USA Illustrations and layout by Ryan Bartel Proof reader: Lois Bergen Mennonite Church Canada, 2010 This material may be reproduced and adapted by Mennonite Church Canada congregations free of charge. Please add an explanatory note acknowledging by whom it has been adapted. For other permissions contact: office@mennonitechurch.ca; December 2009 Printed in Canada 21

3 Option: Stop here on Thursday or Friday and continue on Easter morning. One: On that first Easter, God raised Jesus to life and the world became a brighter place. (light Christ candle) All: Jesus love came to lighten the world. One: Jesus love shines through each of us and makes the world a brighter place. (light one candle) All: Jesus love shines through loving actions and words. One: When we share with those who have less, the world becomes a brighter place. (light one candle) All: Jesus wants us to share. One: When we trust God and are no longer afraid, the world becomes a brighter place. (light one candle) All: Jesus wants us to trust. One: When we are content with what we have, the world becomes a brighter place. (light one candle) All: Jesus will supply our needs. One: When we are honest, the world becomes a brighter place. (light one candle) All: Jesus helps us be truthful. One: When Jesus lives in us, the world becomes a brighter place. (light one candle) All: Alleluia! Christ is risen. (You may want to add your own spontaneous prayers here.) Sing: Sing or play a favourite Easter carol before you disperse. Contents Introduction... 2 Getting ready for Lent... 4 Shrove Tuesday, February 16, 2010 Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2010 Trusting God s Word Lent 1, February 21, Sheltered by God for a change Lent 2, February 28, God s life-giving drink Lent 3, March 7, Learning to see God s dream for us Lent 4, March 14, Becoming God s gift Lent 5, March 21, Jesus, our model and saviour Lent 6, Passion Week, March 28, Maundy Thursday Litany April 1, Easter Prayer April 4,

4 Introduction By Elsie Rempel During the season of Lent, God s children reflect on the life and death of Christ in ways that set us apart from a society that celebrates Easter with chocolate bunnies and chicks. We see Lent as an opportunity to draw near to God, to ponder God s words to us in scripture, to hold close what we value, and to identify with Jesus and his mission. This soul searching leads to confession that prepares us for rejoicing in God s great demonstration of love and power at Easter. This year s texts focus on calling back believers who have fallen away and include two parallel invitations: (1) to hold on to what is most important and (2) to let go of what is peripheral or gets in the way of further growth. These invitations are no strangers to the world of parent-child relationships and help to give this year s devotions a particular appeal for families. This resource for the home is adapted from the congregational resource for Lent, which is available in the Mennonite Church resource: Leader Equipping the Missional Congregation, prepared for us this year by the New York Conference. Use the resource whenever and however it fits into your home s routines and life stage realities. If your family has younger children, feel free to simplify, shorten and paraphrase the prayers and pondering thoughts. To use this booklet for daily worship times, repeat the litany for each day of the week, and read the daily scripture recommendations. The lectionary readings have been divided into seven short readings. Both the pondering questions and the activities correspond loosely to the scripture selections listed there. Maundy Thursday or Good Friday Litany One: When we are unkind to each other, the world becomes a darker place. (extinguish one candle) All: Jesus taught us to love each other. One: When we want everything for ourselves, the world becomes a darker place. (extinguish one candle) All: Jesus taught us to share with others. One: When we scare or bully others, the world becomes a darker place. (extinguish one candle) All: Jesus taught us that love is better than fear. One: When we are jealous of others, the world becomes a darker place. (extinguish one candle) All: Jesus taught us contentment. One: When we lie, the world becomes a darker place. (extinguish one candle) All: Jesus taught us honesty. One: People s hatred, greed, selfishness, jealousy and dishonesty, placed Jesus on the cross. (extinguish one candle) All: For Jesus friends the world seemed like a very dark place. One: In the darkness, Jesus said, O God, forgive them, for they don t know what they are doing. (extinguish one candle) Sing: Were you there, or while you burn up your confessions, lighting them with the still-burning Christ candle. 2 19

5 Maundy Thursday or Good Friday April 1 or 2, 2010 (Maundy comes from the Latin, dies mandatum which means the day of the new commandment. This Friday is considered good because not even death can overwhelm God s love and grace.) 1. Make a copy of the litany page for each reading participant. 2. Prepare for this service with some quiet worship music and silence. 3. Light all the Lent candles and the Christ candle. 4. Add a metal bowl in which you can burn up your confession slips. 5. Write personal confessions on slips of paper before beginning the litany. (Keep them for the middle of the litany.) 6. Have family or household members take turns snuffing out the candles. 7. Have family or household members take turns reading the One parts. Pondering Questions: The pondering questions are designed to help each household member hear God speak in a personal way. Enjoy a short time of silence after each question and feel free to share or ponder these thoughts in your heart. The collection of recommended worship items listed below can help you make a holy space in your home and your hearts for God during the season of Lent. Adapt them to suit your home. Worship items: 1. Cloth: A festive cloth to cover a worship area. A purple table cloth would reflect both the royalty of Christ, our Lord, and the attitude of repentance, which dominates the season. 2. Visual Symbol: develop a display that echoes the one in your congregation, or set up a cross and the Bible you will use for your devotional readings in your worship area. 3. Candles: Set one larger white Christ candle in the centre and place six candles in transparent candleholders around it. Use simple tea lights or purple candles, representing repentance, to reinforce the theme. 4. Family Lent Journal: in which you can write responses to reflective activities. 5. A Bible and this booklet. Families with younger children may want to read from the NRSV Children s Bible, the International Children s Bible, the New International Reader s Version, The Adventure Bible, or the NIV Beginners Bible. The additional pictures and explanations in these versions help children experience the Bible as a book they can approach and read. 6. Music Resources for families that sing, such as Hymnal: A Worship Book (HWB); Sing the Journey (STJ); Sing the Story (STS); the CDs: My Money Talks, and A New Heart, by Bryan Moyer Suderman, com. 18 3

6 Getting Ready for Lent Shrove Tuesday, February 16, 2010 Shrove comes from the old word, shrive, which means to hear a person confess their sins and receive forgiveness. On Shrove Tuesday, it was traditional to make pancakes to use up the eggs, fat and sugar that were in the house, because people used to give up eating these foods for Lent. Invite another family from your church for a pancake supper, unless your congregation already hosts such an event. Write words of praise such as, Alleluia, New Life, Love Wins, and Christ is Risen onto cloth or paper banners. Play a gentle game of holding on and letting go of the decorated banners to introduce this year s theme. Decorate your dining area together, using balloons and the banners to give it a Mardi Gras look. Enjoy your pancake supper together. Promise to encourage each other on your Lent journey this year. Send half of the banners home with the invited family. Activities to choose from: 1. Read Psalm 118: 1-9, 10-18, 19-29; Isaiah 50: 4b-6, 7-9; Philippians 2: In the sixth home of your Lent poster, write this week s theme: Jesus, our model and saviour. Add a fountain of overflowing love in front of it. 3. Think of people in your family or congregation who humbly help others. Add pictures of them to your Lent scrapbook alongside of pictures of the people you meet in this week s Bible texts. 4. Record the questions and feelings that arise as you reflect on Jesus passion in your Family Lent Journal. 5. Water and quietly watch the barley or sprouts you planted last week grow. Invite Jesus spirit to watch with you and be quiet. 6. On Maundy Thursday, or on Good Friday, use your Lent candles and the litany on the following pages to help you understand why Jesus had to die and why God raised him back to life. 7. When you decorate your Easter eggs, think about the new life that God gave Jesus and offers us. 4 17

7 Jesus, our model and saviour Lent 6, Passion Week, March 28, 2010 Family focus statement: We re invited to follow Jesus, a vessel of God s sacrificial love. Call to worship: One: Loving, saving God, we remember how Jesus was obedient unto death. We honour Christ who emptied himself and became a servant. All: We celebrate Jesus, our model and saviour. One: Thank you, God, for your amazing and enduring love; love that is there on days that are happy and on days that are sad. As we light this sixth candle of Lent, we come to you as willing servants of your love. Amen. Listening to God s Word: Read Luke 19: Pondering thoughts to choose from: 1. I wonder what it was like to be in that first Palm Sunday parade. 2. I wonder what Jesus was feeling and praying about this week. 3. I wonder how we can be vessels of God s love. Songs for the week: STS 63 God, fill me now; HWB 239, Ride on, ride on in majesty, Tengan La Mente de Cristo (Phillipians 2:1-11) by Bryan Moyer Suderman (CD-A New Heart, Closing prayer: One: Loving, living God, your Son has become our teacher and brother, our example and companion, our servant king and Lord. Help us to stay with Jesus and serve with him, even when others turn against him. All: May we walk humbly with Jesus into God s way of life even after we blow out this sixth Lent candle. Amen. Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2010 Take down the celebration banners from your Shrove Tuesday supper. Fold them up carefully and bury them, or store them in a dark place until Easter morning. Discuss how Lent helps us look at ourselves and choose activities that renew, or strengthen, our faith in God. Lent helps us let go of things that distract us from God. Lent helps us walk with Jesus and remember his journey to the cross and the resurrection. Pick some food or activity from your normal family routine that you are willing to temporarily let go of and replace with faith-building activities during Lent. Read God s Word: Matthew 6: 1-6, Make and record your Family Lent Plan for the next 40 days. How will you help each other hold on to what is important? How will you help each other let go of things that distract us from God s way. What will you do in secret? How will you prepare to celebrate a Holy Feast at Easter? Your plan could be something like holding on to this booklet and a time for daily devotions and letting go of a TV show you watch regularly. Perhaps there are foods (such as chocolate), or restaurant meals, you will let go of and give up eating. The money you hold on to in this way can then be donated to a project that helps make this world more the way God wants it. Brainstorm freely and respect the ideas of your children. If the idea of holding on and letting go in a spiritual way is hard for children to understand, think of holding, or receiving, God s Spirit each time we breathe in and letting go of things that make God seem far away each time we breathe out. Sign your Family Lent Plan with your names or fingerprints. (A bit of washable marker on a thumb makes a great fingerprint.) Burn up the Family Lent Plan, in a safe manner, as a way of sending it to God. Watch the smoke rise and disperse. Call the family you shared Shrove Tuesday with and tell them about your plan. Set up your Lent Worship Centre, using the suggestions in this booklet. 16 5

8 Trusting God s Word Lent 1, February 21, 2007 Family focus statement: When we remember that God is our home, our hearts learn to trust God s Word. Call to worship: One: We live in the shelter of the Most High and place our trust in God. All: When we are in trouble, God will be near. One: As we light this first candle of Lent, we remember that you are our home. Thank you that we can be at home in you, God. Amen. Listening to God s Word: Read Psalm 91: 1-2, Pondering thoughts to choose from: 1. I wonder how we can have God as our dwelling place. 2. I wonder how God was at work in our neighbourhood today. 3. I wonder how trusting God s Word will help us live God s way today. Songs for the week: Sing the Story (STJ) 63, God, fill me now, (this year s theme song),or I Can hear Your Message, by Bryan Moyer Suderman (CD-A New Heart, or HWB 532 I am leaning on the Lord. Consider singing or listening to one of these songs to open your devotional time. Good music has a way of preparing our hearts to worship. Closing prayer: One: Trustworthy God, please remove anything that blocks our way to you. We hope that our Lenten journey to you will be one of joy, peace and love. All: May God bless us with joy, peace, and love even after we blow out this first Lent candle. Amen. Activities to choose from: 1. Read Psalm 126: 1-3, 4-6; John 12: 1-8, Philippians 3: 4b-8a, 8b-11, In the fifth home of your Lent poster, write this week s theme: When we are exhausted, God gives us hope. How will you add some signs of hope to it? 3. Add to your Lent scrapbook pictures of things that have given you hope and energy. If the Bible texts you read this week bring images of energizing, hope filled things to your mind, draw pictures of those things as well. 4. Notice signs of the new things God is doing in your family and your congregation and record them in your Family Lent Journal. 5. Plant some barley for Easter, or start some sprouts to show you how new life and hope spring forth from seeds. 6. Interview an older person from your congregation, or a grandparent, about when they followed God s leading and how God gave them hope. 7. Give new hope to someone who is discouraged by doing something loving for or with them. 6 15

9 Becoming God s gift Lent 5, March 21, 2010 Family focus statement: When we are exhausted, God gives us hope. Call to worship: One: When God helps us, it is like a dream. We laugh aloud and shout for joy. All: Those around us will notice the difference. One: Saving, helping God, thank you for the difference your saving presence makes in our lives. Thank you for giving us hope and energy. Accept our thanks as we light this fifth candle of Lent. Amen. Listening to God s Word: Read Isaiah 43: Pondering thoughts to choose from: 1. I wonder how nature thanks God. 2. I wonder what keeps God from getting tired. 3. I wonder how God will re-energize us. Songs for the week: STS 63 God, fill me now; HWB 324 Seek ye first the kingdom of God, HWB 522 My Jesus, I love thee or I Can Give With Joy, by Bryan Moyer Suderman (CD-My Money Talks, Closing prayer: One: God of hope, give us eyes to see the ways you love us and are helping us. Even when we are exhausted, we will look to you for hope and not give up. We want to partner with you, our forever Rock. All: May God s hope bless us and bless the world through us even after we blow out this fifth Lent candle. Amen. Activities to choose from: 1. Read Deuteronomy 26: 1-3, 4-11, Romans 10: 8b-13, Luke 4: 1-4, 5-8, Make a Lent poster which features a path that leads to a cross and to an empty tomb. Add the title for this Lenten season at the top and place six homes along the path. In the first home, write this week s theme: Trusting God s Word. 3. Start a Lent scrapbook with images of your family being at home with God. Ideas for pictures can emerge from this week s Bible texts. 4. Spend some time thinking about what it was like for Jesus to be out in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13). How did he stay with God out there? Share and then record your reflections in Family Lent Journal. Add a few illustrations. 5. Look for signs of God s trustworthy activity in creation. Think of ways you can participate in what you see God doing in nature. 6. Try playing house in such a way that the house is a place God is at home. 7. Find and enjoy a picture book about homes that are places of joy, peace and love. One excellent example is Jane Hoober Peifer s, The Family Song, illustrated by Ingrid Hess, 2008 Herald Press. 14 7

10 Sheltered by God for a change Lent 2, February 28, 2010 Family focus statement: When fear is dark, God s face is bright. Call to worship: One: Sometimes we stumble in deep darkness. Sometimes we clutch onto things that are not really good for us, and insist on staying the way we are, even though Jesus wants to help us change. All: When fear is near, God is our shelter. When we are willing to change, Jesus can transform our lives. One: God of Light, help us see the brightness of your way. As we light this second candle of Lent, we wait for you to help us with the things that frighten us. Amen. Listening to God s Word: Read Psalm 27: 1-6. Pondering thoughts to choose from: 1. I wonder what dangers frightened us today. 2. I wonder how the brightness of God s face helps us have courage. 3. I wonder whom we could imitate because they live as courageous friends of Jesus. Songs for the week: HWB 12, Come, let us all unite STJ 105 Don t be afraid, God will Guide You, by Bryan Moyer Suderman (CD-A New Heart, Closing prayer: One: God of light, you are the source of all true seeing. Your bright face helps us overcome our fears. Help us to open our eyes to you, the source of light. All: May God s light shine on us and spread out through us even after we blow out this second Lent candle. Amen. Activities to choose from: 1. Read Joshua 5: 9-12; Psalm 32: 1-5, 6-11; 2 Corinthians 5:16-17, 18-19, In the fourth home of your Lent poster, write this week s theme: Learning to see God s dream for us. Add some signs of a welcome home party to it. 3. Continue your Lent scrapbook by adding current pictures of finding the right path and celebration to it. Add images that remind you of the good partying in this week s Bible texts. 4. Pretend to get lost: and help each other find the way back to your worship center where you can have little welcome Home parties. Write your thoughts about this combination of getting lost, finding your way back, and celebrating in your family Lent journal. 5. Share stories about people, including your parents and grandparents, who got lost and found their way back home. Thank God that they did. 6. Spend some quiet time pretending you are the prodigal son returning home and enjoying your father s loving hug. 7. Enjoy one of these thematically related picture books, Nicolas, where have you been, by Leo Lionni, 1987, Random House, New York and Toronto, or Psalm Twenty Three, Illustrated by Tim Ladwig, 1993, African American Family Press, New York,

11 Learning to see God s dream for us Lent 4, March 14, 2010 Family focus statement: When we run away from God, God invites us back for a party. Call to worship: One: When we get lost or mess up, look, God shows us the path to walk. All: In this we can rejoice. In this we can party. One: Help us return to your pathway, God. As we light this fourth candle of Lent, we think of your light showing us the way. Amen. Listening to God s Word: Read Luke 15: 1-3,11b-32. Pondering thoughts to choose from: 1. I wonder why it can be easy to mess up and make bad choices. 2. I wonder how we can remember God s dream for us when we need to start over. 3. I wonder what a party would be like that celebrates a return to God s path. Songs for the week: STJ 8, We are people on a journey, HWB 139, Far, far away from my loving father; STJ 47, Oh Lord have Mercy; Listen Up, People, by Bryan Moyer Suderman (CD-A New Heart, Closing prayer: One: Dreaming God, we trust in your dreams for us. When we see that we need to get back to your way of living, we are so grateful that you welcome us, bring us back and restore us to your blessing. All: May the blessings of being with God s people on God s path stay with us even after we blow out this fourth Lent candle. Amen. Activities to choose from: 1. Read Psalm 27: 7-14; Philippians 3:17 4:1; Genesis 15: 1-6, 7-12, 17-18; Luke 13: In the second home of your Lent poster, write this week s theme: Sheltered by God for a change. Decorate it with bright windows. 3. Review and renew your household s emergency response or fire safety plans. Draw your escape plans in your scrapbook. 4. Continue your own family Lent journal with stories of how the light of God has helped you when you are afraid. Search the Bible texts to find out how God helped people who were afraid. 5. Read the children s book by Rebecca Seiling and Cindy Snider, Don t Be Afraid: Stories of Christians in Times of Trouble, (MPN, 2009). 6. Go on a hike or bike ride on a designated path. Use a flashlight to look for ways this path protects its users and the animals that live beside the path. 12 9

12 God s life-giving drink Lent 3, March 7, 2010 Family focus statement: When nothing satisfies, God does. Call to worship: One: O God, when we see your power and glory we lift our hands in praise. All: God is the one we will seek; God is the one we ll hold on to. God is the one who satisfies. One: Satisfying God, quench our deep needs with joy in you. As we light this third candle of Lent, we call you and thank you for satisfying us with your love. Amen. Listening to God s Word: Read Psalm 63: 1-8. Pondering thoughts to choose from: 1. I wonder what it is like to be thirsty in a land without water. 2. I wonder how praising God blesses us as well as God. 3. I wonder how God will satisfy our deep needs today. Songs for the week: HWB 515, Jesus, Rock of ages; STJ 46 O breathe on me, O breath of God, or As the deer, by Bryan Nystrom (Maranatha! Music, 1984), I will bless you, by Bryan Moyer Suderman (CD-A New Heart, Closing prayer: One: Letting go of what doesn t really satisfy, we look to our thirst quenching God, who satisfies us and helps us share what we ve received. All: May God s face shine through us and help us refresh others after we blow out this third Lent candle. Amen. Activities to choose from: 1. Read Isaiah 55: 1-4, 5-9; 1 Corinthians 10: 1-5, 6-13; Luke 13: 1-5, In the third home of your Lent poster, write this week s theme: God s Life Giving Drink. Add a picture of a refreshing fountain to it. 3. Make a collage of advertisements of foods and drinks that promise to satisfy us on one side and how following and loving God satisfies us on the other side. Add it to your scrapbook. 4. Continue your own family Lent journal with stories of how seeking God has helped you to be satisfied and content. Search the Bible texts to find out whom God helped to not be afraid. 5. People who share the rich satisfaction of living as children of God are filled with gratitude for God s good gifts in creation. Find a way of showing your gratitude and refreshing the world we live in. 6. Plan a refreshing and satisfying meal and invite someone who needs that refreshment and welcome to join you for it. 7. Plan an evening where everyone in the family plays the music they find most satisfying. Enjoy experiencing each other s favourite music