Holy Week

Day 35: March 29th
This is the first day of what we call Holy Week. For many of our children they are calling this week Spring Break. During Holy Week we will follow Jesus through the last few days and hours of His life. Then on Sunday we will celebrate His resurrection.
As we go through this final week there are going to be times when it is hard to understand all that is happening and why it happened, especially for children. Listen to their questions and hear their stories as they recount what they saw or heard. It is important for them to know that although this is a sad week it is a happy one too. Keep them looking towards Easter but help them to understand there is a lot that had to happen before that day could.
Palm Sunday = the entrance into Jerusalem
Holy Thursday = institution of Communion and betrayal by Judas
Good Friday -= the arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, and burial of Jesus
Holy Saturday = the Sabbath on which Jesus rested in the grave










Day 36: March 30th
Remembering Jesus
Today look up the different symbols that we have for the Easter season.
1. Torn curtain Luke 23:44-46
2. Dice Mark 15:24
3. Sponge/ Vinager John 19:28-29
4. Bowl & Towel John 13:3-17
5. Wooden cross Mark 15:21
6. Alabaster vase Mark 14:3-9
7. Nails Luke 23:32-34
8. 30 Silver coins Matthew 26:14-15
9. Palm Branches Matthew 21:8-9
10. Chalice Luke 22:17-18
11. Jug of wine Luke 22:14-20
12. Grapes Mark 14:23-25
13. Loaf of Bread Luke 22:14-20
14. Unleavened bread Luke 22: 14-20
15. Donkey Matthew 21:1-3
16. Rock Matthew 27:57-28:2
17. Praying Hands Mark 14:32-36
18. Rooster Mark 14:27-31
As you look up each item talk about why each one of these items are important to the journey to the Cross.








Day 37: March 31st
Foot Washing

Read: John 13:1-20


Why did Peter not want Jesus to wash his feet?


Why did he change his mind?



What can we do to serve others?











Day 38: April 1st
Maundy Thursday
Communion
Maundy Thursday, also called Holy Thursday, is a service to commemorate Jesus' Last Supper and the beginning of our sacrament, the Lord's Supper. The word Maundy comes from the Latin mandatum, which means "commandment." At the Last Supper, Jesus gave the disciples a new commandment to love one another as he had loved them (John 13:34). Prior to breaking the bread with the disciples, Jesus washed their feet. Maundy Thursday worship services include Holy Communion and sometimes foot washing as well. (http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=2873)
Jesus surrounded himself with people who, like us, had failings and shortcomings. The events of Holy Week reveal the disciples' human nature and weaknesses: Judas betrays Jesus for a pocketful of coins; the disciples sleep while Jesus agonizes in the garden; Peter's anger causes him to take up a sword and strike the high priest's slave; the chief priests act out of fear or jealousy of Jesus; Pilate's willingness to hand over a man he believes to be innocent; and perhaps most poignant of all, Jesus' own very human desire to escape the Crucifixion. And is it possible that even today, our own human nature, weaknesses, and failings cause us also to betray, deny, convict, and crucify again? (http://www.gbod.org/worship/default.asp?act=reader&item_id=1850&loc_id=1,32,49)








Day 39: April 2nd
Good Friday
"Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. When they heard it, they were greatly pleased, and promised to give him money. So he began to look for an opportunity to betray him" (Mark 14:10-11, NRSV).
Today make Hot Cross Buns with your family (http://www.faith-at-home.com/recipes/hotcrossbuns.html)
Ingredients:

3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup milk
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 packages active dry yeast (2 1/2 tsp.)
1/2 cup warm water (about 110 degrees F)
3 eggs
4 cups sifted flour, divided
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 cup currants
1 egg white
1 tsp. cold water
Frosting (see recipe below)

Scald milk in a small saucepan, add salt, sugar and shortening; cool to lukewarm.
Sprinkle yeast on top of the warm water; stir to dissolve. Add yeast mixture, eggs, 1 cup flour and cinnamon to milk mixture; beat with electric mixer at medium speed about 2 minutes, scraping the bowl occasionally. Stir in currants and enough remaining flour, a little at a time, to make a soft dough that is easy to handle. Beat well.
Place in lightly greased bowl and turn dough over to grease top as well. Cover and let rise until just about doubled. This will take about 1 1/2 hours.
Punch down the dough. Turn onto lightly floured board. Roll or pat to a 1/2 inch thickness. Cut in rounds with a 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter or bottom of a glass. Pat the shapes to a bun like shape. Place about 1 1/2 inches apart on greased baking sheets. Allow to rise until almost doubled, about 1 hour.
With a very sharp knife (serrated works well) cut a cross into the surface of each bun. Brush tops with unbeaten egg white mixed with cold water. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool on racks for about 5 minutes. With a tip of a butter knife or a small spoon, fill in crosses with white frosting. Makes about 18 buns.
Frosting:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons margarine or butter, softened
1-2 tablespoon milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Combine all ingredients and mix well until smooth.
Read: Psalm 22

Day 40: April 3rd
Easter Vigil
Read: Matthew 27:57-66
Today is a the Sabbath day that Jesus laid in the grave. Take some time today to go through the stations of the Cross. Remember what Jesus went through, the journey that He took to get to the Cross.
http://www.cptryon.org/prayer/child/stations/index.html
1. Jesus before Pilate
2. Cross given to Jesus
3. Jesus fall the first time
4. Jesus meets his mother
5. Simon helps carry the cross
6. Veronica wipes Jesus’ face
7. Jesus falls a second time
8. Crying women
9. Jesus falls a third time
10. Jesus’ clothes are taken away
11. Jesus is nailed to the cross
12. Jesus dies on the cross
13. Jesus is taken down from the cross
14. Jesus is buried
15. Jesus raises from the death