Good Friday

Good Friday - one of the hardest and saddest days to experience and unpack for kids. We need to think intentionally how we can accomodate all ages in our Good Friday services. 

Wrapping the cross

A powerful activity that all ages can be involved with - it could be used either as a standalone service, or as a reflective moment within a larger service. Find out more about it here

One Friday 

One Friday have some fantastic prayer stations that can be adapted for all age settings. We love the watercolour images, and themes of judgement, disloyalty, and hopelessness. They are available to download here (sign in needed)

St Michael's Newlands ran these stations recently, with a couple of additions of their own, and gave each person a card to take around as they explored each station, collecting a small sticker along the way. The stickers spelt out 'Not the end' when they were all collected. 

Things to consider

Good Friday can be a tricky one to engage the kids in such a sad part of the gospel story. Some questions to think about: 

• What songs are you  singing? Will the words make sense for kids? 
• Is your service accessible for non-readers? 
• If this was the only service a child experienced at your church, what would it tell them about God? 
• Are there any creative prompts or images you could use to help convey the story to young people? 
• Is your service interactive? 

Printable resources

• The Diocese of Dunedin have some printable Good Friday resources on their website for 0-5yr olds and 5-13yrs

Stations of the Cross

Samuel Marsden School in Wellington have put together a Stations of the Cross resource which contains readings and images.

marsden_stations_for_readers.docx
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marsden_stations_paintings__2_.pptx
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Children's stories: Not the end! 

Well known children's stories have moments of peril and normally end with a happy ending. Chose a story that would work for your children and your context, and consider telling the story and stopping at the sad part. Close the book and wait for the children to realise that the story doesn't end that way. 

An example used in All Saints Palmerston North was using the Hungry Caterpillar, and finishing when the caterpillar dies. Children soon realise that thats not the end of the story. The Good Friday story is not the end of the story... 

Intergenerational litany

Here’s an intergenerational candle litany for Good Friday.  It was written by Elsie Rempel for use in a family context. 

Intergenerational Litany for Good Friday

When we hate or are unkind to each other, 
the world becomes a darker place.
(extinguish one candle)
Jesus taught us to love each other.

When we want everything for ourselves, 
the world becomes a darker place.
(extinguish one candle)
Jesus taught us to share with others.

When we scare or bully others, 
the world becomes a darker place.
(extinguish one candle)
Jesus taught us that love is better than fear.

When we are jealous of others, 
the world becomes a darker place.
(extinguish one candle)
Jesus taught us contentment.

When we lie, 
the world becomes a darker place.
(extinguish one candle)
Jesus taught us honesty.

People’s hatred, greed, selfishness, jealousy, 
and dishonesty placed Jesus on the cross.
(extinguish one candle)

For Jesus’ friends 
the world seemed like a very dark place.

In the darkness, Jesus said,
“O God, forgive them, for they
don’t know what they are doing.”
(extinguish one candle)

— from Called and Shaped by Jesus: Lent-at-Home 2011 written by Elsie Rempel, and published by Mennonite Church Canada. Posted on the Leader Online website. 

Songs

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