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What is Easter?
Easter is the day Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This day, which we now call Easter, was the beginning of the movement we now call Christianity. It is the most important day of the Christian year. We celebrate Easter not on a specific date, but on a day referred to as a "moveable feast." Specifically, Easter happens on the first Sunday on or following the spring equinox. (If that's confusing for you, do as I do and ask Google to tell you the date!)
Though Easter has very specific (and important!) religious significance for Christians, it is celebrated broadly in our culture. Symbols of Easter can be both religious and non-religious. Many parents trying to teach their children the spiritual and religious significance of Easter want to keep the holiday secular (non-religious) symbols such as the Easter Bunny, jelly beans, or Easter eggs. In my view, these secular symbols can add to the celebration of the holiday and even enrich our celebration of it.
*Taken from Faithful Families for Lent, Easter, & Resurrection by Traci Smith
Though Easter has very specific (and important!) religious significance for Christians, it is celebrated broadly in our culture. Symbols of Easter can be both religious and non-religious. Many parents trying to teach their children the spiritual and religious significance of Easter want to keep the holiday secular (non-religious) symbols such as the Easter Bunny, jelly beans, or Easter eggs. In my view, these secular symbols can add to the celebration of the holiday and even enrich our celebration of it.
*Taken from Faithful Families for Lent, Easter, & Resurrection by Traci Smith
Easter Services
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All ages are invited to linger or pass through the courtyard to make some crosses, paper flowers, read an Easter Story book and then have fun surprising friends by cracking confetti filled eggs over one another’s heads (for those who wish) as a joyful expression of… Surprise, Jesus is Alive! There will also be donuts and refreshments located in the courtyard.
Where does the Cascarones tradition come from? Kids and adults alike in some countries are gearing up for another neighborhood game of "tag," but with this fun twist. During Easter, dozens of cascarones are brought out. Children will try to sneak up and surprise them by cracking the confetti-filled eggshells and shower them on an unsuspecting friend. The idea was first seen in Asia and later brought to Italy by the explorer Marco Polo. The eggs were often given as gifts and were filled with perfumed powder. The custom then traveled to Spain and was later brought to Mexico in the mid-1800s by Emperor Maximilian’s wife. It was in Mexico that the perfumed powder was replaced with confetti. Cascarones, pronounced kas-ka-ron-ez, are a Mexican tradition used for Easter, Cinco de Mayo and other celebrations.
Where does the Cascarones tradition come from? Kids and adults alike in some countries are gearing up for another neighborhood game of "tag," but with this fun twist. During Easter, dozens of cascarones are brought out. Children will try to sneak up and surprise them by cracking the confetti-filled eggshells and shower them on an unsuspecting friend. The idea was first seen in Asia and later brought to Italy by the explorer Marco Polo. The eggs were often given as gifts and were filled with perfumed powder. The custom then traveled to Spain and was later brought to Mexico in the mid-1800s by Emperor Maximilian’s wife. It was in Mexico that the perfumed powder was replaced with confetti. Cascarones, pronounced kas-ka-ron-ez, are a Mexican tradition used for Easter, Cinco de Mayo and other celebrations.
Worship Bags are available in the Narthex. The bags contain visuals that go along with some of the scripture content. We even suggest reading the scripture as a family ahead of time or sharing with them the tone they can expect will help prepare everyone to experience this service. Your family may also need help processing what they heard and felt following the service. I'm grateful to Anna Shuford for choosing appropriate books in the Fellowship Hall you can check out regarding the Easter Story.
Worship options available:
Following the Children's Message in the 8:30 & 11:00 am Traditional Service, all children will return to their families and explore visual elements of Easter in the worship bags located in the Narthex. Or Godly Play is available for children in Pre-K 3 - 1st Grade. There will be ample bulletins and children's materials available if children remain with their families during the service.
Following the Children's Message in the 9:00 am Contemporary Service, the Prayground will be open. Or Godly Play is open for children in Pre-K 3 - 1st Grade. There will be ample bulletins and children's materials available if children remain with their families during the service.
Nursery is available at any time between 8:15 am - 12:15 pm for infants through preschoolers (and truly any child that needs it).
Worship options available:
Following the Children's Message in the 8:30 & 11:00 am Traditional Service, all children will return to their families and explore visual elements of Easter in the worship bags located in the Narthex. Or Godly Play is available for children in Pre-K 3 - 1st Grade. There will be ample bulletins and children's materials available if children remain with their families during the service.
Following the Children's Message in the 9:00 am Contemporary Service, the Prayground will be open. Or Godly Play is open for children in Pre-K 3 - 1st Grade. There will be ample bulletins and children's materials available if children remain with their families during the service.
Nursery is available at any time between 8:15 am - 12:15 pm for infants through preschoolers (and truly any child that needs it).
Jesus Visits Jerusalem (Based on Luke 19:29-40) Reading
Dying is a part of the life cycle. Think about a plant, any plant, which begins as a seed. First is birth, the sprouting of a seed. Next is growth, the unfurling of stem and leaves. The plant lives and soaks up sunshine and rainwater. Then the plant dries up and dies. But the life cycle, the story of the plant, is not over! New seeds grow in what's left from the old plant. The story was not over for Jesus when he died either.
Jesus had been dead for more than a day. Early on the morning of the third day, Mary Magdalen, Joanna, Mary, the mother of James, and the other women who loved Jesus went to the tomb where he had been taken. They walked sadly and quietly, carrying sweet-smelling spices to place on his body.
When they got to the tomb, they were surprised! The stone was rolled away from the cave opening. They looked in, but Jesus was not there. The women were confused and scared. Who moved the body?
Suddenly, two men in shiny white clothes stood next to them. Afraid, the women turned away.
The men said, "This is where the dead are kept. Jesus is not here. He has been raised to life! Remember what he said when you were with him in Galilee? He said that the One sent from God will be taken by those who don't believe in him. This One will be killed. But on the third day, this One from God will rise to life again."
The women remembered that Jesus had told them theses things. They ran back to the disciples, eager to tell them the good news!
"Jesus is alive!" shouted the women. But the disciples didn't believe Mary of Magdala. They didn't believe Joanna. They didn't believe Mary, the mother of James. They didn't believe any of the women.
But Peter wasn't sure. He ran to the tomb. When he got there, he looked inside. This time, the two men in shinning whit clothes were not there. Peter saw only the cloth that had cover Jesus, but no body. He walked away, wondering if it could be true. Was Jesus really alive?
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
Jesus had been dead for more than a day. Early on the morning of the third day, Mary Magdalen, Joanna, Mary, the mother of James, and the other women who loved Jesus went to the tomb where he had been taken. They walked sadly and quietly, carrying sweet-smelling spices to place on his body.
When they got to the tomb, they were surprised! The stone was rolled away from the cave opening. They looked in, but Jesus was not there. The women were confused and scared. Who moved the body?
Suddenly, two men in shiny white clothes stood next to them. Afraid, the women turned away.
The men said, "This is where the dead are kept. Jesus is not here. He has been raised to life! Remember what he said when you were with him in Galilee? He said that the One sent from God will be taken by those who don't believe in him. This One will be killed. But on the third day, this One from God will rise to life again."
The women remembered that Jesus had told them theses things. They ran back to the disciples, eager to tell them the good news!
"Jesus is alive!" shouted the women. But the disciples didn't believe Mary of Magdala. They didn't believe Joanna. They didn't believe Mary, the mother of James. They didn't believe any of the women.
But Peter wasn't sure. He ran to the tomb. When he got there, he looked inside. This time, the two men in shinning whit clothes were not there. Peter saw only the cloth that had cover Jesus, but no body. He walked away, wondering if it could be true. Was Jesus really alive?
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
Engaging the Easter Story with Play
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
On Easter morning, we’re encouraging caregivers and children to "play" through the Easter story at home.
Lesson background
During Advent, many of us put out a nativity scene to remember and honor Jesus’ birth on Christmas Day. This year we encouraged children to use their family’s nativity set or to create one of their own to “play” with the Christmas story at home on Christmas morning. On Easter morning, we’re encouraging you to do the same. Since most families do not display a set of Easter figurines, we’re including a downloadable template for your children to make their own. It’s our hope that your children will develop a deeper connection to and understanding of the remarkable story of Jesus’ resurrection by imagining events surrounding this miraculous event.
You will need
- A set of cut-out Easter story characters. You can download and print these templates on cardstock for your children to make their own. Alternatively, children can draw and cut out their own characters or they can use toy figurines they have at home. The Easter story (as told in the Gospel of John) includes these figures: Mary Magdalene, Simon Peter, another disciple, two angels, and a risen Christ.
- A Bible (NOTE: You may choose to share a retelling of the Easter story in a children’s Bible. The characters listed above are those who appear in John’s Gospel. If you read a version based on one of the other Gospels, the characters may not line up.)
- A die (optional)
- Read aloud the story of Jesus’ resurrection (John 20:1-18) while your children move the figures around enacting the story. If your children are unfamiliar with the characters, spend some time introducing each figure before you tell the story.
- Using Legos or some other set of building blocks, create a “set” for the scene. Discuss what the setting would have looked like. How would it be different if the story took place today?
- Ask your children to pair up different figures from the story. Imagine conversations the two characters might have with one another. For instance, what would a conversation between Jesus and Simon Peter be like? How would Simon Peter react to Jesus’ resurrection? Some pairings you might like to try include:
- An angel and Jesus
- Jesus and Simon Peter
- The other disciple and an angel
- Mary Magdalene and an angel
- The story ends with Mary Magdalene telling the disciples, “I have seen the Lord.” Imagine conversations between the disciples after Mary shares this shocking news. What would the other disciples say? How would they react? Would they believe Mary? Why or why not?
- Have each of the characters retell the story from their perspective. How would Simon Peter tell this story? How would the angels share it? What would Jesus say if he was telling the story? Compare the different versions.
BY JOELLE BRUMMIT-YALE
PUBLISHED: MARCH 27, 2023 |UPDATED: MARCH 28, 2023
The Outlook
This video is 2:57 minutes long
I Wonder...
- What Mary thought when she discovered the stone was rolled back and Jesus was not in the tomb?
- What the disciples thought when they heard Mary tell them about what she saw?
- About a time when you expected something and were surprised. I wonder what you thought or felt.
Discussion Questions
- How does Luke tell the story of Jesus’ resurrection?
- What are the most important parts according to Luke?
- What story did the women have to tell the disciples?
- Why do you think they responded with doubt?
- What was Peter’s response when he went to the tomb?
- What did Peter do after he saw the tomb was empty?
- What was the difference between what the women did after they discovered Jesus had risen and what Peter did after he discovered Jesus had risen?
- Why is the story of God raising Jesus from the dead considered “Good News?”
- What difference does it make to the world, the Church and to you that Jesus is risen?
- What story do we have to tell of the good news of Jesus’ resurrection?
- How will you tell the story of the good news of Jesus and the message of Easter?
Videos
Godly Play
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Jesus is Risen: Appearance to Mary Magdalene by Westminster Presbyterian Church
This video is 8:08 minutes long
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The Mystery of Easter by The Godly Play Foundation
This video is 9:16 minutes long
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Children's Message at PCPC
This video is 3:52 minutes long
Holy Moly
This video is 2:49 minutes long
Crossroad Kids' Club
This video is 4:36 minutes long
Saddleback Kid's
This video is 2:58 minutes long
Read Aloud
Twas the Morning of Easter by Glenys Nellist
This video is 5:04 minutes long
Songs
Songs by Palma Ceia Singers and Musicians
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Jesus Christ is Risen Today played by Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church Musicians
This song is 3:16 minutes long
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Christ is Risen played by Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church Praise Band
This song is 4:22 minutes long
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Hallelujah played by Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir
This song is 4:30 minutes long
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He is Risen played by Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church Praise Band
This song is 4:31 minutes long
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Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks sung by Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir
This song is 1:16 minutes long
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Jesus Christ is Risen Today sung by Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir with Brass Quintet
This song is 3:12 minutes long
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Because He Lives from the Praise Band at PCPC's Connection Service
This video is 3:14 minutes long
Prayer
We started the week by saying "Hosanna!" We end it by saying "Hallelujah!" Thank you, God, for all the good gifts of Easter. Thank you for the hope that comes when the tomb is empty. Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed.
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Sources
Materials are taken from excerpts of :
- Faithful Families for Lent, Easter, and Resurrection by Traci Smith (Chalice Press; 2021, All Reserved Rights)
- Easter Sunday — Family faith formation for April 17, 2022 by Rebecca Davis (© Copyright 2022 The Presbyterian Outlook. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Statement. Website Design by Poka Yoke Design)
Author of Easter Sunday - Family faith formation for April 17, 2022
Rebecca Davis is the associate professor of Christian education at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. A teaching elder and certified educator, she served congregations for over 20 years before moving into academic teaching. In addition to teaching and mentoring students, her passion is child advocacy and ministry.
Author of Faithful Families for Lent, Easter, and Resurrection
Traci Smith is an ordained minister, mother of three, and author. Traci's passion is helping families find times for connection and spiritual nourishment amid the hustle and bustle of daily life. What began as a quest to help her own family has provided valuable insight for thousands of others. Traci believes faith practices should be fun, easy to fit into daily life, and accessible to all.