John 20:1-18
The aim of today is to understand that Jesus rose from the dead and brings us hope of new life in him, and that something happy and wonderful can come out of something very sad.
Intergenerational ServicesIntergenerational Services from Scripture Union
Wrapping the CrossI wonder questions
Worship ResourcesThe Church of Scotland have some worship resources for today
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Gospel ReflectionsThose who preach have the odd situation in Holy Week where they need to prepare a sermon for Easter Sunday while they themselves are walking with Jesus through the betrayal, torture, death, and emptiness of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. So, for those people, here are some insights from Kelvin, Jan, Michael and Peg to help you along! For those who watch this just for interest, bless you - but maybe wait until Sunday to view it rather than flipping through the story to the final page too quickly!
Easter BubblesLast year, Strandz put together some 'Easter Bubbles' resources to help families navigate the Easter story at home. This would be good for those families who cannot join in the Easter celebrations this year, and who want to do something at home.
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Easter Egg Relay RaceThis is a great game for people of all ages; children and adults can both be accommodated easily.
What you need:
What you do:
Variations:
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Transformation
Bead NecklacesFor our craft activity today we are going to make bead crosses which you can take home and hang up somewhere, or wear to remind you that God loves you, even you, always, even when you forget about Him, He never forgets about you!
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The Easter Story CrossEaster story sequence cards to colour, cut out and paste into the form of a cross. Found on the Teachers Pay Teachers website (you'll need to sign up for a free account) here
Cross CraftsDanielle's Place website has a page dedicated to making different cross crafts, including:
Hand printed crossThis activity could be done on a large sheet of newsprint paper, to include everyone's handprints on the one sheet, or each child could have their own smaller piece of paper to make a cross. It could be done as described, with the hands forming a cross, or in reverse, with the handprints providing the background to a white cross (as per the pictures below).
Craft idea was taken from this website "PAINTED HAND PRINTS: Spread some paint on each child's one hand and let them place their painted hand print on a poster board and all the hands need to be in a formation of a cross when the prints are completed. When I did this activity, I did these cross-formation-hand-prints on our class room wall for decoration. The kids loved it and enjoyed it for years!" |
Papier Mache TombsNote: These tombs take a long time to dry. If possible, children should take them home still wet on their paper plate. Those that are left will be dry by the following week.
What you need:
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Media
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Seeing is believing (John 20:19-31)
This story looks at Jesus appearing to his disciples, and how Thomas doubted that he was really the resurrected Jesus.
Gospel ConversationsJesus appears to his confused, scared, doubting disciples - 2000 years ago and still today! Joel Stutter joins Michael Godfrey and the Dunedin Diocese 'Gospel Conversations' team for the first time, with James Harding and Trish Franklin, as we move deeper into the joyful season of Easter.
Interviewing ThomasWrite a script for a 'Resurrection Interview', where a journalist can interview Thomas. Thomas can describe the impact the resurrection had on the disciples and then on himself. You can do this sketch live, or prerecord it using a camera or phone. It is a great way to get young people involved in your all age services.
Questions can include:
For a script of something similar, see the All-Age Lectionary Services: Year C from Scripture Union Telescope CraftOne of the key messages in today's passage is in John 20:29b -- Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed
We may never see Jesus face to face on earth, like his disciples, but we are reassured that we will be blessed by believing in what we have not seen. What you need
Doubting Thomas gameA game with paddles and true/false questions, from the Easy Breezy Sunday School website. See the website for instructions on how to make the paddles. Each child gets an "I Doubt It" sign, which they use to respond to a list of unusual facts about the bible/life etc. If they doubt the fact, they show the 'I doubt it' side, but if they believe the statement, they do nothing. Give the correct answer and award a point
Possible statements could include:
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Preschool brainstormYoung children can have difficulty distinguishing between fact and fantasy, so do not worry too much about explaining things that are not real to them in today's session.
Brainstorm a list of things that we know are real, including things we can touch, taste or see, e.g.
Activities
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