Materials adapted from: The UCC GO Project (Copyright 2022)
Story
Easter — the story of Jesus’ resurrection — is one of the most important stories for Christians. Every Sunday when Christians gather together, they celebrate a mini version of this day, remembering how Jesus died and rose again, and how that has changed the world. There are four different stories about the resurrection in the Bible. In this one, from the Gospel of John, we hear that Jesus appears first to Mary Magdalene and then tells her to share the news with all the others. You can also notice that
Mary doesn’t immediately recognize Jesus, as though she isn’t quite ready to believe in what God can do.
Video:
Wondering
I wonder why Mary didn’t recognize Jesus?
I wonder why Jesus chose to appear to Mary?
I wonder what it would feel like for Jesus to call us by name, especially when we’re sad?
I wonder how we can share the news of the resurrection with others?
I wonder how God’s love can change the world?
Music
Response Activity Ideas
Lenten Toolbox: Butterfly
The butterfly has long been a Christian symbol of the resurrection, for a caterpillar disappears into a cocoon and appears dead, but emerges later more beautiful and powerful than before. The four stages of the butterfly’s life are symbolic of the stages in the life cycle of Christ:
Stage 1: The butterfly begins as a tiny egg; and Jesus began as a dream from God, made real through Mary carrying the baby Jesus.
Stage 2: The egg turns into the larva/caterpillar stage; and Jesus grows into a child and then man - learning each day.
Stage 3: Chrysalis stage - when the caterpillar cocoons itself breaking down its cellular forms and becomes something new; and after Jesus is crucified and spends days in the tomb preparing to resurrect.
Stage 4: Adulthood - when the butterfly emerges from the cocoon and flies away, and when Jesus is resurrected and leaves the tomb.
Make yourself a butterfly! Try these folded paper butterflies or search for another idea online.
When you’ve made it, think of it emerging from your Lenten Toolbox – full of new life! Your self-care tools and efforts can leave you refreshed and renewed!
Flowering Cross
Explore the move from sorrow into joy by decorating a cross with flowers, butterflies and other symbols of joy. Jesus died on the cross. It was a symbol of fear for people in the ancient world. But from this cross comes new life. It is now a symbol of God’s love and the new life that God makes for us. On Easter Sunday we celebrate how God overcomes our fear and death with new life and love.
Print out the cross template, and, using any colouring tools you wish, fill the cross with flowers, butterflies, and other symbols of new life. We can remember that something that made people afraid can also bring us great joy.
Click to print PDF
God’s Love Slideshow
God’s love can bring life when things seem hopeless, as God does by raising Jesus from the dead. God transforms the death of Jesus into something unexpected, bringing a new experience to the followers of Jesus. We can see the ways in which God is at work in the world, bringing new life to places of despair through love.
Do a web search for news stories, images, or articles that show God’s love at work in the tough and scary places in the world. Look for helpers, new chances, fresh starts, unexpected generosity and kindnesses. Gather your findings in a slideshow presentation format. Share with your family, explaining where you see the new life, love, and hope in your collection.
(Alternatively, search physical magazine and newspapers, and cut out articles, images, and headlines, and collect them in a scrapbook format)
Resurrection Rolls
This fun baking project reminds us of the empty tomb. The marshmallows inside the crescent roll will melt and stick to the pastry, as though they disappear from inside the “tomb.” But the rolls will still taste good!
Supplies: 2 8oz cans of crescent rolls, 16 large marshmallows, ½ cup of butter, 2 tbsp cinnamon, ¼ cup of sugar
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375˚F.
2. Open the cans of crescent rolls. Unroll the dough and separate.
3. Melt the butter in a microwave.
4. Mix the cinnamon and sugar together in a small bowl.
5. Dip each marshmallow into the melted butter. Then dip it into the cinnamon-sugar.
6. Place each marshmallow in the centre of a crescent roll. Close the dough around the marshmallow.
7. Place on a baking sheet. Bake for 10–12 minutes.