If you’ve been on church staff for any length of time, you know what it feels like to prepare, plan, and market a great idea only to have so few come that you wonder, “Why don’t they come?” It happened last night at the Family Drive-In Movie.

We have access to a huge stand up movie screen and a high end LED projector. We have a fantastic back parking lot that could hold 200 lawn chairs with beautiful shade and a fantastic breeze. We had a girl scout troupe with fresh movie popcorn and lemonade to sell at 50 cents each to support a local animal shelter with the theme of lost animals as we showed “Homeward Bound.” We had picnic tables and a sno cone machine. We had indoor bathrooms. We had beautiful weather. It was free.

Who came? I’m glad you asked.

Our pastor and his family came. He is kind enough to set the projector and screen up. The moms of 5 girl scouts came. Our staff parish chairperson and his family came. The lovely champion of Family Movie Night came. Our youth director came.

And a new family came with 3 little people who had never before set foot on campus. They were welcomed by the few in attendance, but had to wonder, “Where is everyone?”

Yes indeed, it takes only a few to build a faith community. But it happens so much easier and more quickly when the founding community comes out: to visit, to welcome, to greet, to show around, to make connections with new people, to introduce themselves to new faces, to make some new friends-in-the-Lord, to perhaps be the answer to someone’s prayer through the relaxed time of shared fellowship.

It is not my intention to be negative, but it would be dishonest to not express my disappointment. So, even when you do all the preparing, marketing, sharing, and planning well, sometimes they just don’t come.

This Sunday, we have a giant, inflatable, dual water slide inviting everyone in the community to come. It was originally scheduled for 2 weeks ago, but the bad weather caused us to reschedule. Sliding Into Summer may be about running through a water slide for little people, but what will our surrounding community think about us if the founding community of faith doesn’t come out to welcome and greet them?

“I am carrying on a great project and I can not go down.”  Nehemiah 6:3

There is so much going on in my head today. Let’s just start there:

The 2013 Confirmation Season is finished and we experienced 50% participation in almost 50% of what took place. The time and energy and resources that were involved are almost like pulling off a vacation bible school for 5 months. I love it…but 50%? Recapping what is experienced, taught, and shared, I have to look at the wins. These are the wins: New retreat based on Micah 6:8, additional late night, active involvement of 2 more churches, additional element of worship art, active involvement of confirmation alumni, and 50% participation. The measure of success comes from the “after”: who/which families are continuing to choose active faith development in the (any) local church one year later: Over the last 2 years, we can say 70%. I feel like the girl in the commercial, “We want more! We want more!”

A Church Nursery is a deal-breaker or a non-issue for new and visiting families. Our goal is that it is a non-issue. Best vehicle to do that? train for unity. Stop the baby sitting and start the baby loving. A Mom once shared that she knew her baby was loved when “I see lipstick kisses on her forehead and she smells like her caregiver’s perfume.” Faith of little people begins on the floor…and the forehead. That’s what I’m talking about!

Vacation Bible School supplies have taken over the hallway outside my office. We’re doing two. One as always, 5 nights, last week of June. But in response to last fall’s reading of “Deep & Wide,” we’ll be taking what we already do well, change the date and time, and the audience can more easily change. we are offering a 3-day daytime VBS for community outreach and as a vehicle to train our youth to lead VBS and grow beyond helpers. I am hearing more and more movement to move VBS from a Children’s Ministry-only endeavor to a partnership with a church’s Missions and Evangelism Committees. That makes this gal downright giddy! 6 months of time and resource investment for 10 hours. A good investment? Oh, yeah!

North Georgia United Methodist Church Conference Discipleship Team on-going continuing education opportunity to offer a certification, or whatever we can call it, to give tools to those hired from the pew into professional ministry. Supported by the Conference, championed by influential clergy, and implemented by those who have had a taste of it. Lunches, teas, Skype, car rides, late night events, phone calls, emails, blogs, hallway meetings…all for the cause of implementing a top notch continuing education program that empowers, teaches, builds relationships, and shares resources so that local staff hired from the pew can experience the thrill of personal and professional discovery. Collaboration abounds, but I am so ready to get this ball rolling, that I about can’t sleep. I am consumed with waving the banner to equip lay people called and tapped by their local churches to move beyond paid volunteers into professional ministry.

#1 Son and our Daughter-in-Love have started premarital counseling and considering wedding dates.  They love a certain month, but those weekends have been booked for me for months.  I’m making phone calls to get some items shuffled.  He’s already told me that no matter what, they’ll be coming home for supper twice a week.  Grin.  SO excited to see the face and get to know the heart of the one I’ve been praying for since he was a little boy.

What’s going on in your head?

“I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down.” Nehemiah 6:3

Vacation Bible School season is one of my favorites of the year. June and July are truly Kingdom-building months.  The Leadership Luncheon is a great way to kick it off and let the ones totally sold out (like this church lady) get a jump start on what to expect and plan.

This year we will be having 2 vacation bible schools: a night time in June and a 3-day daytime in July. The night time will be Kingdom Rock published by Group Publishing. My servant leaders find it very leader friendly and it does a great job of addressing all the learning styles of students and servant leaders.

Post cards to invite everyone to the Leadership Luncheon went out 3 weeks ago to everyone who served last year, all the retired folks on our church roster, and all the families.

Lunch will be PB&J sandwiches cut out with castle cookie cutters found at Wally World in Orlando at the CPC conference, fruit kabobs on sword toothpicks, and Pepperidge Farm Chessman cookies.

The Confirmation class will be setting up the room with gold table cloths, paper plates, cups, and napkins. The tables will be set with colored balloons for the table centerpieces.

For fun we put together a Royal Bible Quiz that included the following items with tshirts to the winners:

Royal Bible Quiz

1. What woman’s name is translated “princess?” (Genesis 11-25)

Diana      Sarah      Deborah      Bathsheba

2. Who was the first King of Jerusalem? (1 Samuel 10:1)

David      Og      Abraham      Saul

3. Which is the first Queen mentioned by name in the Bible? (1 Kings 10:1)

Sarah      Tahpenese      Sheba      Esther

4. Which King danced half-naked in public? (2 Samuel 6:16)

Solomon      David      Joash      Hezekiah

5. What was the fate of evil Queen Jezebel? (2 Kings 9:30-37)

She was thrown off a high place     Trampled by a horse
Eaten by dogs             Died a natural death
All of the above           None of the above

6. Which King ate grass like an animal for 7 years? (Daniel 4:25-32)

Ahab      Nebuchadnezzar      Ahaz      Artaxerxes

7. Which King did God say was a man after His own heart? (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22,26)

Solomon      Samuel      David      Paul

8. Which King wrote Psalm 23? (Psalm 23)

Ahaz      Paul      David      Samuel

9. Who encouraged Queen Esther to do the right thing? (Esther 1-9)

Haman      Artaxerxes      Holy Spirit      Mordecai

10. Nehemiah was the cup bearer to which King? (Nehemiah 1:11, 2:1)

Artaxerxes I      Nebuchadnezzar      Ahab      Pharoah

11. Who was 8 years old when he became King, and reigned in Jerusalem 31 years and did what was right in the sight of the Lord? (2 Kings 22:1)

Ahab      Hezekiah      Josiah      Jehoiachin

12. Who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? (1 Timothy 6:14-15, Revelation 17:14, 19:16)

Jesus      Jesus      Jesus       Jesus

And we’ll give everyone a chance to make a crown to wear in June to help publicize the event.

Gotta go…on my way to Hobby Lobby and Dollar Tree for goodies!

“Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.” Isaiah 26:4

Serving on staff at a local church calls for a calendar assessment at it’s basic level: Christmas, Easter, Mother’s Day, Summer Vacation Bible School. What about the rest of the year?

Ministry takes place every day of the week. Ask any Church Secretary or Admin and you’ll be told what happens on Monday, Tuesday, etc through Friday. This is why we must be ready for “company” all the time and not just on the big 4 holidays.

I am a big fan of parking lot greeters. Folks who come early, armed with a smile and a peppermint, who chit chat other folks all the way to the door. They toss up their heads in acknowledgement. They wave.  They talk about the weather. They can say “Good Morning” with such a lilt in their voice that you’d think they were singing. And you know they mean it when they say, “It is SO good to see you today!”

This is the easiest and best way to meet new people, work on your handshake, and get “face-time” with everyone from the widows to the little people. This is not a time for long discussions, just a kind and gracious Christian greeting. This is not for huggers, but for wavers and shakers.

I recall a sermon during my children’s teen years of the importance of greeting at home. The first 3 seconds can change your home into a sanctuary by a loving, kind, and enthusiastic greeting. In this simple 3 seconds, whether they are coming or going, I can express to someone how important he/she is to me. Now that my kids are young adults, an enthusiastic “HEY!”; a humorous, “Friend or Foe?”; a kiss on a Mama’s cheek when #1 Son comes home or leaves; all these are life skills that express value and love.

We’ll be practicing this life skill of greeting this summer with our youth and little people during Summer HEAT (Helping Everyone All Together). We’ll finish Sunday School 10 minutes early to cover the front lawn and parking lot. We’ll teach our young people how to start a conversation, shake a hand, continue a conversation, and show in their faces the joy and skill of a Christian greeting.

“When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it; the light of my face was precious to them.” Job 29:24

As a christian educator, we teach the Christmas story and Easter story every year. To keep it fresh and exciting this teacher tries to learn something new every year. This year I learned…

1. Thanks to a message shared at Children’s Pastor’s Conference by Beth Guckenberger, we must be ready with a tambourine and a dance when God rescues and leads us to something different.
As told in Exodus 15, Miriam has rushed to pack what she can carry along with all the Israelites leaving Egypt. Of everything she could have taken, “a tambourine made the backpack.” She is led from all she knows to the unknown, yet she is ready to sing and dance before the Lord. Thanks to a great friend, I am now packing a tambourine in my purse. You never know when a song and a dance is just what is needed.

2. The visual art of history makes a literal stamp upon the mind and heart for Christ’s life, death, and resurrection.
Reading James Bryan Smith’s “The Kingdom and the Cross”, he challenges the reader to build in margin during the season of Lent to look at sculpture, ancient cathedral drawings, watch a couple of movies, and visually add to the biblical texts of the Easter story. Profound for this visual learner.

3. Building in margin in my daily walk with Christ, has helped me be fully present rather than run around like a baby chick looking for what is next.
Taking a season with other women of faith, we are taking The Apprentice Series together. We gather monthly around my kitchen table to speak of our strolls through the scriptures, building in habits of sleep, solitude, margin, the 23rd Psalm, counting/listing our blessings, lectio divina, and reading the Gospel of John along the way. Holy habits of Christ, we are experiencing in our own lives.

4. Bunny Ear headbands are the “candy” of youth.
Our youth have taken an active role in “hoppin’ in” to lead the little ones in their faith. On Easter Sunday, after they prepared Hygiene Kits for a Honduras mission trip, they made and placed fish hook bracelets on little people, and themselves, to begin praying about where God wants each of them to “go into the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Seeing a young man in his formal suit AND a pair of bunny ears in the sound booth made me and the little people during services smile. This same young man served on Easter Sunday from the sunrise service through the last one of the day.  Looks like I’ll be shopping for headbands where ever I go.

What did you learn this Easter?

“Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing.”  Exodus 15:20

“Camping programs are high yield. Taking people away from their regular life for a few days, and offering them a season of activity, intense focus without distractions, peer-to-peer interaction and Bible influence is perhaps one of the greatest investments in people’s lives.” (from “Teacher: The Henrietta Mears Story”)

Taking a small group of tweeners on their first overnight spiritual retreat has me dancing before the LORD today. From our arrival on Friday evening through our giddy “name three” game on our trip home in the church van on Sunday, spiritual memories have been carved on hearts, especially my own.

Our students earned some of their monies to go by selling luminaries in memory or honor of loved ones and putting on a bake sale on Super Bowl Sunday.  They prepared, set out, and discarded the red and white luminaries that beautifully lined the entryway into the sanctuary on Christmas Eve.  They baked and wrapped and sold baked goods at our youth’s SouperBowl of Caring luncheon with the leftovers delivered to the local fire station by their very own hands.  An adult who loves them very much even matched what they raised so they could go.  This made for some great team building.

Sharp Top Cove (a Young Life Retreat center) was the location of the 2013 Spring S.C.R.E.A.M. (Students Celebrating And Rejoicing Enthusiastically in the Almighty Messiah) led by Mark Manuel and his fantastic team. The natural setting was glorious, the night stars especially bright, and large green spaces were magnificent. The speakers spoke of a kid’s influence on the world, God’s grace and forgiveness, and how nothing can separate us from the love of God.  The messages and interactions were developmentally appropriate as well as memorable.  The games were positively engaging, the skit teams were hilarious, and the Young Life youth servants in the dining hall were precious. The free time activities ranged from dual zip lining into the lake alongside a giant water slide, a giant swing, jousting, clay sculpting, paintball, rock climbing, fishing, and even a crawdad rodeo, just to name a few of the irresistible opportunities to make memories and face fears.

Facing fears was my favorite part.

We want so badly for our kids to be safe and comfortable, but followers of Jesus are anything but safe and comfortable. At a young age, these students were able to do challenging feats. When I asked one why she did it, her response was, “I was so afraid, but I knew that Jesus was with me.”

Small group discussions and watching the sun rise on Sunday morning as we searched for the golden nugget (these folks are geniuses to find a way to keep kids out of their cabins and get out of bed WAY before the sun rose on the last day) were exceptional times of teamwork and problem-solving. Though we were not the first to find the treasure, I believe these students can work together to solve just about any problem that arises in the church and in life even as 4th & 5th graders.

Henrietta Mears had a definite philosophy about camping that could be summed up in one word: decision. “If Sunday School was the place where people were built up in the faith, then camp was where they made their decisions about following the Lord.”

Our students’ comments:

“My favorite thing at SCREAM was the worship services. I grew closer to God. I got to know my friends better.”
“My favorite part of SCREAM was the zip line. God gave me the courage to do it. Now I love it!”
“You have worship every morning and every night. The zip line is the length of 2 to 3 football fields.”
“SCREAM was very fun and exciting. I felt like I got closer to God.”

Decisions to face our fears and get closer to God. Now THAT’S camp ministry!

For more information on SCREAM Ministries, go to http://www.screamministries.com

January 2012 found me immersed in the Hunger Games trilogy. It was the first download on my new Kindle Fire and I was consumed with the characters, the storyline, and the excitement of it all. My family ate cereal for dinner for 3 days while I finished all 3 books. It was my filter for most conversations and I thought about it all the time. When I realized what a CrAzY I was over it, I wondered if my little people felt the same way when they read books. With that thought in mind, we started The Saints Book Club last summer.

The K5-2nd graders were invited to read books from our church library from the Old Testament in June, the New Testament in July. When they returned the book, they were invited to draw a picture about what they read. This was one of those seemingly great ideas that fell flat. I got one sweet taker one time.

The surprise came from the tweeners, 3rd-5th graders. They were instructed to read any book in the church library related to a missionary and we’d meet each month of the summer at the local Starbucks to discuss. Three kids showed up and for an hour and a half, they talked enthusiastically about what they’d read.

At the end of the summer, the group of then 5 girls wanted to continue to meet, but wanted to read the same book. The group is growing and we’ve been meeting every other month at Starbucks on a Sunday afternoon.

Last month, a gracious woman of faith invited The Saints Book Club to meet at her home to have a formal tea at her home for our Sunday afternoon meeting. The girls discussed the book with personal transparency and honesty while learning about the art of tea. One girl expressed, “This is WAY better than Starbucks!” We presented our hostess with a plant to express our thanks and the girls are still talking about it. Our hostess has graciously invited us to return in the fall for an afternoon on her back porch.

The girls are reading and the parents are reading along, as well.  Having the influence and time with other Titus 2 women is turning out to be an unexpected delight of The Saints Book Club.

We read the two Max Lucado books first.  We’re now reading Beth Guckenberger’s book as it goes along with our 2013 church theme, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation”  (Mark 16:15).  The next will be from Elizabeth George as we want them to experience some spiritual disciplines to best equip them for the middle and high school years.

Any other suggestions?

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2a

Yesterday was the grand opening of our Bible Bucks store. I think all but 1 family was in attendance for this much anticipated event.

In cooperation with our 2013 theme from Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation,” Children’s Ministry began a Bible Bucks program to positively reward our students to encourage the use of their Bibles, “The Good News”.

Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Students received their Bible Bucks from their teachers in Sunday School, Club345, Wednesday Night Light, Children’s Church, and any special services each week as follows:

Attendance = 1 Buck
Bring your bible = 1 Buck
Parents bring their bible with them to church = 1 Buck
Bring a 1st time friend = 5 Bucks
Bring a 2nd time friend = 1 Buck
Bring a 3rd time friend = 1 Buck
Answer and return a weekly Bible Detective Question = 1 Buck (will be added throughout the year on the pew clipboards)
Answer and return the weekly “My Bible Journal” page = 1 Buck (will be added throughout the year on the pew clipboards)
Recite the Lord’s Prayer = 5 Bucks
Recite the Apostle’s Creed = 5 Bucks
Serve in some way for others through church activity (ex: making sandwiches for the hungry, visiting New Hope Homeless Mission, etc.) = 2 Bucks

For instance, if Junior goes to Sunday School (1 from Sunday School teacher), brings his bible (1 from his Sunday School teacher), Mom brings her bible to church (1 from Ms DeDe), attends Children’s Church (1 buck) and brings his bible (1 from Ms. DeDe), Junior has earned 5 Bible Bucks for that Sunday morning.

As the year goes on, there will be other opportunities to earn more Bible Bucks. For instance, in April the 3 students who bring the most new people will earn a stack of Bible Bucks (to be determined.)

The Bible Buck Store is open on the 4th Sunday of each month after the last worship service on Sunday where our disciples will tithe 10% (1 buck minimum), save 10% for another time (1 buck minimum), shop for special holidays, and purchase special items like VBS t shirts, field trips, school supplies, toys, and other discipleship tools. The premise is that “we tithe 10%, we save 10%, and we can spend the rest.”

Bible Bucks remain at the church in each student’s file, located in the file box, placed in the breezeway next to the Sanctuary.

The congregation can get involved with our store by donating funds or toy items. They can also volunteer to help stock and run the store on a once a month basis.

A fellow blogger wrote, “If a child looks forward to coming to church for any reason whatsoever, God is going to do something incredible in his/her life. It is our intention to offer our youngest disciples opportunities to learn about stewardship, giving, grace, Bible verses, regularly using their bibles, bringing friends, love, forgiveness, perseverance, friendship, and most importantly, Jesus.”

Borrowing a collection plate from the church office we situated a fine man of faith at a pulpit to collect the tithe. That was the first station in the hallway outside the Bible Bucks Store.

Further down the hallway, a fine woman of faith was situated with a file box for the students to save 10% in the student’s mini file folder before entering the store.

Youth and Dads guided the students in front of 5 tables, color coded with paper, with the greatest priced tables first in the door to lowest priced items at the exit. We had tables labeled with $25, $20, $10, $5, and $2. The toys (many were donated from a local grocery store when they needed to move their Christmas merchandise) were on the higher price range. The faith related stuff was on the lower end, because I want them to buy THAT stuff! Freebies I receive at conferences, trainings, along with fellow ministry friends who place huge orders and have leftovers, make up the lower-priced, faith-related items, along with office supplies.  What kid doesn’t like office supplies?

Our youth director picked up blue and pink bunny ear headbands to offer to any youth who “hopped in and helped” at the grand opening.  Perfect incentive to involve the youth!

Once the students paid for their items at the exit, they stopped back by the “saving lady” and re-deposited any unspent Bible Bucks to save until next month.

The students who returned later in the day for other programs spoke highly of the Bible Bucks store and are already looking forward to next month.

I got the template for the Bible Bucks at  http://www.kidssundayschool.com/Main/Resources/BibleBucks/biblebucks.php and printed them on red card stock (just because that’s what we had the most of already in the office supply closet after all the Christmas printing was finished).  Then, delivered a stack of the red Bible Bucks with the “guidelines” to each leader in all the KidMin programming areas.

Goals (1) Kids getting used to bringing and using their own bibles, (2) Kids getting used to inviting others to everything, (3) Kids to begin financial habits that were biblical, (4) involve adults in a very infrequent entrance to service that may grow into something greater.

Oh, and I’m not going to buy junk for the store.  No outlay of precious funds when we all have basements and closets full of stuff (games, stuffed animals) that we don’t use anymore.  But we will place hand-made gift certificates for upcoming programming events and marketing items for the church.  Any other ideas for a Bible Bucks Store?

Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Faith sticks when little people can experience the family stories of the bible. The greatest story ever told is the Good News of Jesus. With Easter coming, we are preparing for a sticky faith formation experience for Palm Sunday’s Sunday school hour.

Family Friendly Holy Week Stations

1. Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.

After Jesus had His LAST SUPPER with His buddies, and sang a song, He went out to pray.

Luke 22:39-43 “Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.”

Item: Praying Hands, Communion Cup and plate

Did you know? Nowhere else in scripture did God kneel on this earth, but here. How often do you kneel before God?

2. Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane.

While Jesus was asking his buddies to “Watch and pray,” Judas, one of the 12, arrived. At once Judas came up to Jesus and kissed Jesus. Then a crowd came and arrested Jesus.

Matthew 26:47-50 “While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the Meaners of the people. ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.”

Item: Handcuffs, leather cord, chains (the bigger and the heavier, the better)

Did you know? Jesus came back to his buddies to ask them to “Watch and Pray” 3 times. Do you have buddies you can ask to “Watch and Pray?” Pray that God will send them to you.

3. Jesus was taken to the religious leaders.

The Meaners took Jesus to the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law looking for evidence against Jesus so they could put him to death.

Mark 14:61-64 “The meaners took Jesus to the high priest and the whole Sanhedrin who were looking for evidence against Jesus. They all agreed to send Jesus to die. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and yelled at him. And the guards took him and beat him.”

Item: a Pastor’s stole

Did you know? The religious leaders were afraid of how the people loved Jesus. Are you afraid of people who love Jesus?

4. Jesus taken to the government leaders.

Since the religious leaders were not allowed by law to put someone to death, they sent Jesus to the government leader to put Jesus to death.

John 18:28-37 “In the early morning, the meaners took Jesus to the palace of the Roman governor named Pilate. Pilate asked Jesus “What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. My kingdom is not from here.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.”

Item: Judge’s gavel

Did you know? Pilate wanted to let Jesus go and thought that having Jesus “spanked” would be enough punishment for the crowd. Do you let other people make you do things you know are wrong?

5. Pilate hands Jesus over to be beaten.

John 19:1-3 “Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail king of the Jews!” And they struck him in the face.”

Item: Crown of thorns and leather whip.

Did you know? The first mention of “thorns” in the bible comes in Genesis as part of the punishment of Adam and Eve as they leave the Garden of Eden and were then required to grow their own food among the “thorns and the thistles.”

6. Pilate hands Jesus over to be crucified.

John 19:16- “So the meaners took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, Jesus went out to the place of the Skull (which is called Golgotha).

Item: Railroad tie, cross beams, cross the kids can pick up and hoist onto their shoulders

Did you know? that the sickness of sin and selfishness is heavy? Do you really want to carry around something that separates you from God?

7. Simon helps Jesus carry the heavy cross.

Luke 23:26 “As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced Simon to help Jesus carry the cross.”

Item: Table mirror or cross kids can pick up and hoist onto their shoulders here, instead.

Did you know? That someone helped Jesus carry His cross when it got too heavy? Would you help Jesus carry His cross?

8. Many of the ladies who loved Jesus followed him crying.

Luke23:27 “A large number of people follow him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.”

Item: Box of Kleenex

Did you know? The term “Daughter” is a term of endearment for a family member. Jesus was claiming these ladies as part of his family. Do you claim Jesus as part of your family?

9. The Meaners take Jesus’ clothes.

John 19:23-When the meaners crucified Jesus; they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, “They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.” (Psalm 22:18)

Item: Dice, purple/scarlet robe

Did you know? It is a great insult to human dignity to rob a person of everything, even his clothing. Most of us will never know the shame and suffering of being penniless and virtually naked in a public place, as many of the homeless on the streets of our cities today. Have you offered anything to help clothe the people in our community?

10. Jesus is placed on the cross.

Luke 23:33-34 “When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Item: Nails, rubber mallet

Did you know? Jesus could have chosen not to take the pain and humiliation; he could have zapped those who mocked him – but he suffered through it all because he loved even his enemies. Does this even matter? Does Jesus matter to you? How?

11. Criminals speak to Jesus

Luke 23:39-43 “One of the criminals who hung there hurled/yelled insults at Jesus: he said, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t’ you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today, you will be with me in paradise.”

Item: First Aid kit, Stephen Ministry kit

Did you know? From the very words of Jesus, it’ll take no longer than a day to get to heaven. Do you only pray to ask for Jesus to rescue you, bless you, protect you? Is it all about you?

12. Jesus asked for something to drink.

John 19:28-30 “Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty,” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When Jesus had received the drink, Jesus said,”It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

Item: Vinegar in various cups, sponges to smell and touch

Did you know? This vinegar was a cheap wine that the Roman soldiers drank while waiting for those crucified to die. Do you offer Jesus your whole life, the best of you (everyday prayer, bible reading, regular giving, and regular church attendance), or a cheap life (prayer only when you are in trouble, don’t use your bible at all, giving what’s left over, and choosing anything else over church attendance)?

13. Jesus dies on the cross

Luke 23:44-46 “It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.”

Item: Altar cross covered in black sheeting

Did you know? Complete darkness covered the earth from noon until 3pm after Jesus died on the cross. All nature seemed to mourn over the stark tragedy of the death of God’s Son. Sunday matters because of what happened on Friday.

14. Jesus is laid in the tomb.

John 19:38-42 “Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple/follower of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He and Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night, took Jesus’ body, wrapped it in strips of linen, with spices. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. A stone was placed over the entrance.”

Item: Heart-shaped stone, Resurrection Garden pot, a plant.

Did you know? John 3:16 God loved . . . God gave . . . We believe and trust/ put our weight on it . . . We receive eternal life, new life, Christ life. What will you do now with what you know?

15. Jesus is Alive!

Item: Basketful of empty eggs, live plant, live lily

Did you know? That God loves you so much, He sent his one and only Son, Jesus, to take the punishment for our sins (when we don’t love God and don’t love others) so that we can go to the big party in heaven one day when our time on earth is done. Jesus is preparing a place for all who love Him in Heaven. In the mean time, God wants us to talk like Jesus, and act like Jesus, by showing love to God and others. One way to do that is telling others the Good News that Jesus came to show us God’s love for us and others. Who will you tell this week? Another way to do that is to help someone in need. Who will you help today?

You can place the information in plastic stand-up frames which can be placed at each station, or use a small, cheap photo book with the information if the stations are not in one location.

Let me know of other ideas to keep the story fresh and new in the hearts of our families and in my own heart. A good challenge each year is to discover something new about the Easter story to share with your little people. This IS the Good News…may we be found faithful in sharing it well and in a way that let’s little people and their families engage in conversation about our great Jesus.

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:18 NIV

(This blog was originally posted in February 2016)

Lent, the period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, is a great time to make our little people aware of how children live around the world. We purchased some books to share with our little people to later place in our church’s library and we are handing out a penny donation lenten calendar to our families beginning this Sunday.

This is the calendar…printed on a word document. We chose a global ministry as the recipient found on the Advance UMC website that relates to children.

Making a World of Difference this Easter
Children in the USA live very different lives from those living in other countries around the world. Take this Lenten challenge to think about how your life is different from a little child born in another country. The money that you donate will go to help the Brighter Future Children Rescue Center in Liberia, Africa

Donate a penny for every shoe in your home 2/15
Donate a quarter if you ate three meals today 2/16
Donate a penny for every blanket in your home 2/17
Donate $1 if you go to school 2/18
Donate a nickel for every video game you own 2/19
Donate a dime for each mattress in your home 2/20
Donate a penny for every book in your room 2/21
Donate $1 if you have a hand-held gaming system or iPod 2/22
Donate a quarter if you ate ice cream this week 2/23
Donate a quarter if you ate at a fast food place this week 2/24
Donate a nickel for every ball you have to play with 2/25
Donate 50 cents if your home doesn’t leak when it rains 2/26
Donate $1 if you have a Bible teaching church to attend 2/27
Donate a nickel for every soda you drank this week 2/28
Donate a penny for each spoon your family owns 3/1
Donate a dime for every shower or bath in your home 3/2
Donate a quarter if you’ve ever been to the dentist 3/3
Donate $1 if you know how to read 3/ 4
Donate a quarter if you can see a doctor when you are sick 3/5
Donate a penny for every glass window in your home 3/6
Donate a dime for every faucet in your home 3/7
Donate a penny for every piece of clothing in your closet 3/8
Donate a penny for every chair in your house 3/9
Donate a quarter if your family owns a washing machine 3/10
Donate $1 if someone said, “I love you” to you today 3/11
Donate a penny for every band aid in your house 3/12
Donate a dime for every TV in your house 3/13
Donate a penny for every picture on your walls 3/14
Donate a nickel for every tree in your yard 3/15
Donate a penny for every lamp in your home 3/16
Donate a penny for every table in your home 3/17
Donate a dime for every shower or bath in your home 3/18
Donate a nickel for every hat you own 3/19
Donate $1 if you own a Bible in your own language 3/20
Donate a dime for every jacket in your house 3/21
Donate a quarter for every car your family owns 3/22
Donate a penny for every door in your house 3/23
Donate 50 cents if you own a cell phone 3/24
Donate a quarter if you have a toothbrush 3/25
Donate a penny for every light in your house 3/26
Donate a quarter for every pet that lives at your house 3/27
Donate a nickel for every clock in your house 3/28
Donate a penny for every toy with wheels you own 3/29
Donate a penny for every stair/step in your house 3/30
Donate a penny for every stair/step outside your house 3/31
Bring your collection to church for the Easter Offering today

“Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation.” Mark 16:15

http://www.wesleychapelumc.com
Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church

These are the books we ordered to share with our students….

And we are using Easter Sunday to hold a one-room-Sunday School for all our students and inviting a young missionary to share with us her experiences serving the Lord on mission trips out of the country. We plan to follow up with a monthly missionary visitor to come to various KidMin programming events for 2013 to keep our kids mindful that we are to “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation” Mark 16:15

If you’d like me to email you a copy of the Word calendar document, just send me an email at dedereilly@comcast.net and I’ll get it right out to you.