Hosanna RECOGNIZING GOD S GRACE... Goal: To celebrate Jesus as the coming king.

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1 Hosanna Goal: To celebrate Jesus as the coming king. RECOGNIZING GOD S GRACE In Mark 11:1 10 Jesus Palm Sunday entry into Jerusalem was a significant event. Jesus arranged for a colt to be available. When his two disciples were questioned about their untying the colt, they answered as Jesus instructed: Its master needs it, and he will send it back right away (v. 3, CEB). When Jesus entered Jerusalem, many people spread out their clothes on the road while others spread branches cut from the fields. Those in front of him and those following were shouting, Hosanna! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessings on the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest! (vv. 8 10, CEB). Hosanna means Save now! It was originally a cry for help among the Hebrews (Psalm 118:25). It became a shout of joy and praise cried at all major Jewish festivals when crowds gathered. The crowds blessed Jesus as the one who comes in the name of the Lord! (Psalm 118:26), acknowledging Jesus entry on a colt as fulfilling a messianic prophecy in Zechariah 9:9. God s Messiah was entering Jerusalem! Jesus was establishing the coming kingdom of David. We celebrate God s grace in Jesus, the king our source of greatest gratitude and praise!... In Your Children s Experiences Who doesn t love a parade? Your children may be familiar with neighborhood or community parades on the Fourth of July or Christmas. They are always fun, full of festivity, music, and action. That s why parades engage us; they invite our imagination and participation. The children you teach may or may not know about this festal parade that Mark describes in the story for today. Processing into the temple was a common practice in the Old Testament. Children can be invited to experience this parade with Jesus from a variety of perspectives as one of the disciples, or one of the people in the crowd, as the donkey, or as Jesus. In this way, they can experience this moment of shouting hosannas, celebrating Jesus and his life.... In Your Relationships with the Children For some children in your group, this may be a familiar story of Jesus entering Jerusalem for the last time. Others may be hearing it for the first time. Also, be aware of the lives of your children and school schedules for spring or Easter break and any family plans for travel. Helping children move through the events of Holy Week are important reminders of Jesus journey. Participation in these days of celebration and memory are important as we help children to celebrate Jesus life again on Easter Sunday. Renew me, O God, in the joy of Jesus coming. Inspire our celebrations with grace and gratitude. Amen Presbyterian Publishing Corp. 35

2 Hosanna Supplies basic supplies (see p. vii) e-book or story audio (see p. vii) Music & Melodies (MM) Stories, Colors & More (SCM) 4, 4a, 30, 37, pool noodle large wiggle eyes sock 2 sheets of craft felt hot glue gun with glue sticks yarn or rope biblical costumes Guided Play choice 2: green construction paper, paper towel tubes choice 3: SCM magnifying glasses (optional) Exploring choice 1: fabric scraps choice 4: copies of Grace Notes (GN) 1 GATHERING IN GOD S GRACE Before the Children Arrive Select the activities that will work best for you and your children. You do not need to do everything suggested. Designate a story corner and lay out a blanket or individual mats for the children so their backs will be to the door. Use SCM 45 46, Your Visual Schedule, to provide clear expectations and a visual cue for the group. See SCM for the key to icons (for example, ) and ways to adapt for children with special needs or disabilities. Before the session, for use in Welcoming and Guided Play choice 2, fold sheets of green construction paper in half lengthwise and cut an arc from the fold. See sidebar below. For Hearing the Story, use the instructions on SCM 30 to make a pool noodle donkey. Exploring God s Grace choice 1 requires more prep. Welcoming and Guided Play Greet children as they arrive and say, Grace and peace be with you. Prompt them to respond, And also with you. Be sensitive to any children who might be coming for the first time. Introduce yourself to parents/caregivers that you do not know personally. Tell the parents today s story is about Jesus being welcomed into Jerusalem. Invite the children to choose a guided play activity to start: 1. Have a Parade Invite the children to play with animals and toy people and make a parade. Engage them in conversation as they are playing. Ask them who is in the parade, what is the parade for, where is the parade going, and so forth. 2. Make a Palm Branch Provide the green palm leaf shapes and scissors. Invite the children to make slits in the open side of the paper. Have paper towel tubes available for the children to tape to the back as handles. Set aside for Exploring choice Examining Leaves and Branches Invite the children to look at the trees on SCM Put out magnifying glasses, if you have them. Engage the children in conversation about the branches. Ask them what is similar and what is different about the branches. Share with them that they are going to hear story about a parade and palm branches. If transition times have been difficult, consider introducing an object such as a baby Jesus doll or a stuffed lamb. Show the children where the object will be next and allow them to follow. Assure them that the object will follow them throughout the session and that they will see it when they return again Presbyterian Publishing Corp.

3 Hosanna Transitioning to Story Time When you sense the children are ready to move into group time, call them to the story corner, playing and singing Hosanna Sing MM 16; SCM 37. Repeat words and phrases as appropriate. Follow the Leader As you walk, tap each child on the shoulder, inviting them to join in line, following as you go. Wander throughout the room and return to the story corner. Come and Hear Say or sing the following song to the tune of The Bear Went Over the Mountain and do the motions indicated. Invite the children to join in with you. Come and hear God s story. (Walk four steps to the right.) Come and hear God s story. (Walk four steps to the left.) Come and hear God s story. (Walk four steps to the right.) Sit down and fold your hands. (Fold hands in your lap.) Hearing the Story Open the Bible to Mark 11 so the children know the story comes from the Bible. Tell the children that they are going to hear a story about Jesus and his friends coming to Jerusalem and the parade that people had for Jesus. Read SCM 4 or 4a. Express the emotions of the story in your voice, gestures, and facial expressions. Conclude the story by prompting the children to say, Amen. After you have read the story, provide biblical costumes and the donkey made before the session. Read the story again or tell it in your own words. Allow the children to take turns being Jesus riding on the pool noodle donkey. All other children can be part of the parade, waving the palm branches they made during Welcoming and Guided Play choice 2. Consider using items from the room to represent the cloaks that people placed on the donkey and the ground Presbyterian Publishing Corp. 37

4 Hosanna more Do not worry about your artistic abilities to draw a donkey or Jesus. It can look as simple as this: Practice singing the song ahead of time. prep EXPLORING GOD S GRACE 1. Make a Mural Draw a large picture of a donkey on a sheet of craft paper. Place it on a wall. Draw a simple picture of Jesus to place on the donkey. Invite the children to glue fabric scraps as cloaks on the donkey and the road. Invite them to draw the crowd of people and palm branches on the paper. Add the picture of Jesus, gluing him to the donkey. Write a title on the mural saying, Hosanna! Hosanna! Use the mural for a parade in your church or hang it around the church for people to enjoy during Holy Week. 2. Cheer and Sing Sing to the tune of Yankee Doodle or say as a poem if you don t want to sing. Use the palms from Welcoming and Guided Play choice 2 and have a parade. Jesus came to Jerusalem Riding on a donkey, Rode into the big city Where everyone could see him. Refrain: Wave and cheer for Jesus. Wave with palms and cheer. Celebrate our Savior. Jesus Christ is near. The people were excited, Waved the palms and called, Hosanna to our king, Jesus, You re the king of all! Refrain: (see above) Jesus is our Savior. Jesus is God s son. Jesus loves us all, Each and every one. Refrain: (see above) Wave your palms for Jesus. Wave your palms so tall. Wave your palms for Jesus, Savior of us all. Refrain: (see above) Presbyterian Publishing Corp.

5 Hosanna 3. Making the Path Tell the children they are entering Jerusalem with Jesus. Allow the children to select the first Jesus. Give Jesus the pool noodle donkey. Give the other children three of the palms from Welcoming and Guided Play choice 2 and two sheets of colored construction paper to represent cloaks. Have the children make a path for Jesus with the palms and cloaks. Jesus can only move forward if there is a palm or cloak to step on. The children must pick up the branches behind Jesus and then place those in front of him so he can move forward. Play and sing Hosanna Sing MM 16; SCM 37 while the parade processes. Repeat the song as necessary so that everyone who wishes to pretend to be Jesus may have a turn. Use wonder questions that do not force a child to remember facts. Wonder questions help a child think aloud. Answers are neither right nor wrong. They help teach children to speak from their hearts. 4. Coloring Page Hand out GN 1 and crayons. Invite the children to color the picture of Jesus riding a donkey. Engage the children in conversation as they color Zusing the following wondering questions. ZI wonder, ZI wonder, Z How does it feel to ride on a donkey? Why did the people cheer for Jesus? Z What did the people think Jesus was going to do? ZI wonder, Transitions can be difficult. This may be a good time for some quick physical activities, such as riding a donkey, walking in a parade, waving palm branches, and so forth. LOVING AND SERVING GOD Call the children together, playing and singing Hosanna Sing MM 16; SCM 37. Ask the children what they will do this week to celebrate Jesus. If you would like to share a snack, now would be a good time. Pray: Ask parents and caregivers for their addresses so you can send the Grace Sightings link, or invite them to visit gracesightings.org. For food to eat, (Raise hands to your mouth.) and friends to share, (Hold hands out.) for those we love everywhere, ( Place hands over your heart.) we thank you, God. (Put hands together in prayer.) As the children leave, send and bless them: (Name), Jesus loves you! Celebrate that love by loving others. The grace of God is with you Presbyterian Publishing Corp. 39

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7 Grace Notes March 25, 2018 GN 1 Hosanna Cheer and sing for Jesus the king Presbyterian Publishing Corp. 41

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