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You are here: Home / Archives for Lent

Lent

3 Dynamic Ways to Engage Kids on Ash Wednesday

Alissa Ellett Leave a Comment

Ash Wednesday is fast approaching, peep, and the beginning of Lent is right around the corner!

ash wednesday 101

So, you wanna celebrate with your kids but need some ideas. We’re here to help! Use these ideas to foster discussions and more fully engage your kids.

How do you invite your kids into the celebration of Ash Wednesday? We want to know and so does your ICM community. So, share in the comments below!

How’d We Get to Forehead Crosses?

The ashes we receive today are a relic of what was long ago called the order of penitents. Before the Middle Ages, it was only possible to receive forgiveness for one’s sins after Baptism once or twice, and sins had to be confessed publicly to the bishop.

The bishop would then place the person seeking forgiveness in the order of penitents for one to three years. The penitents would sit outside the church begging for alms, wearing itchy sackcloth and covering their heads with ashes.

Over time, churches began the ritual of placing ashes upon the foreheads of the whole congregation instead. Together, the community together recognizes the sinfulness all carry. And it takes notice of the fleeting nature of our earthen footsteps, for from dust we came and to dust we will return.

ash wednesday 101

Talking About Sin with Kids

Talking about sin with kids can be a daunting task. Since it’s a relevant concept to Ash Wednesday, try approaching it this way.

Explain to your kids that we all miss the mark sometimes by doing things that don’t lead to good things for us, the Earth, other people or creatures. Discuss some examples.

Missing the mark, which we call sin, is part of being human and God lovingly invites us to live each day in alignment with God’s hopes for the world.

When we celebrate Ash Wednesday, we recognize how we all miss the mark, no matter who we are. And in receiving the ashes on our foreheads we remind ourselves that we will continue in our quest to follow God’s ways each day.

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3 Ways to Engage Kids on Ash Wednesday

Create Ashes

If possible, it can be a fantastic experience for children to be a part of the burning of last year’s palm branches. Some churches gather in the courtyard or even at a location off-campus for Ash Wednesday worship, so they can participate together in setting the palms ablaze.

Color

Create a coloring station or hand out coloring sheets and utensils to children as they enter. This is a wonderful way to keep them engaged. And it helps them listen and reflect during the service. Pssst. This is great for kids and adults!

Lenten Practice

Give each congregant the opportunity to write what practice they will give up or take on during Lent. This can be done on paper cut in symbolic shapes. For example, try crosses or butterflies. Then, at a special time during the service congregants can take their intention to the altar or baptismal font.

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Benefits of Engaging Kids on Ash Wednesday

Sense of Belonging

Ash Wednesday is an opportunity for children to see themselves as part of the whole congregation. We all have a fundamental need to be part of something greater than ourselves. Children develop their identity in relationship to others, which means their church can be vital. Rituals like these are powerful reminders that they are not alone.

Learning by Example

The celebration of Ash Wednesday is a beautiful example for children of humility. Together, adults and children alike admit to messing up and commit to strive for God’s ways in their lives. Children learn the curriculum of honesty, vulnerability and grace represented in the practices of their faith family on Ash Wednesday. Additionally, and more importantly, children learn that in spite of missing the mark, we are in God’s presence loved and lovable.

Sensory Experience

Receiving ashes is a sensory experience, which brings to life the intangible elements of faith in the unseen. These experiences engage the body in a way that is not done at any other time during the church year. As a result, children connect more easily to the practice and theology.

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The Power of Ritual

Dr. Barbara Feise, psychologist and professor at Syracuse University, researches the power of ritual in community. She and her team find that it improves overall well being and strengthens relationships and identity. She tells us also that “rituals…provide continuity in meaning across generations.”

As you begin the preparation for the mystery of Easter, we hope you find these ideas helpful and that this Ash Wednesday creates and carries on meaning for your faith family.

And don’t forget to share with all of us in the comments what ways you’re inviting kids to engage in Ash Wednesday this year!

Seven Last Words Coloring Posters for Lent

Adam Walker Cleaveland 9 Comments

Seven Last Words Coloring Posters: The seven last words of Jesus from the cross, also known as the sayings of Jesus on the cross, are commonly used in churches around the world during Lent, specifically on Good Friday. Perhaps you’ve attended a Tenebrae service on Good Friday that focused on the seven last words of Jesus. Or maybe the seven last words aren’t focused on much in your tradition, and these are new to you. Either way, we think you’re going to love our Seven Last Words Coloring Posters.

SevenLastWordsofJesus

GRAB YOUR FREE INFO GUIDE: Would you like to learn all about the Seven Last Words Coloring Posters, and receive a FREE coloring page of one of the posters? Want to read a sample of the devotional? Don’t have time to read this blog right now, but want to print something out to read later or share with colleagues at a staff or committee meeting? CLICK HERE to download your Seven Last Words Infoguide.

Seven Last Words of Jesus for all ages

Seven Last Words of Jesus

As we shared this idea with a group of our customers, some shared an initial concern about the topic of the crucifixion, and how children would receive it. Illustrated Ministry serves communities from over 60+ denominations, and we wanted to create a way to reflect on these seven last words that would be visually appropriate for all ages and for people from different theological backgrounds.

We have spent a lot of time discussing this as a team, and we are excited about the poster designs and the content of the accompanying devotional guide. We think that the coloring posters and devotional guide are age-appropriate for young children, and will appeal to all of our customers.

One-word Focus

Aware that there was so much to focus on with the sayings of Jesus on the cross, we decided to focus on one specific word from each of the seven sayings. That word then informed the direction of our illustrations, as well as the content for the devotional guide.

As we have done in the past, we are publishing a Seven Last Words Devotional Guide, that can be used together with the coloring posters. The devotional guide focuses on the word we chose from each of the sayings. The devotions (appropriate for all ages) focus on connecting the chosen word and Jesus’ life-giving words from the cross, to our daily lives today.

Below you can see our focus word for the poster illustration and devotional guide:

  • Poster 1: KNOW – God, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34)
  • Poster 2: TRUTH – Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise. (Luke 23:43)
  • Poster 3: HERE – Here is your son. Here is your mother. (John 19:26–27)
  • Poster 4: FORSAKEN – My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46)
  • Poster 5: THIRSTY – I am thirsty. (John 19:28)
  • Poster 6: FINISHED – It is finished. (John 19:30)
  • Poster 7: COMMEND – God, into your hands I commend my spirit. (Luke 23:46)
  • Poster 8: BELIEVE – (with a focus on selected verses from Luke 24:1-12)

Product Lineup

We love seeing how communities use our large coloring posters! But if that project seems like a bit too much, we have many other ways to engage with the Seven Last Words theme. We have coloring pages, a devotional guide that one could use with the coloring pages, and more. All of the details are below:

  • Seven Last Words Coloring Posters: You can purchase the physical posters, digital files, or get both. We will also have a colored digital version available for purchase.
  • Seven Last Words Coloring Pages: Our 8.5×11 coloring pages include both the poster illustrations, as well as a simplified design for our youngest coloring friends.
  • Seven Last Words Devotional Guide: While you could go through this devotional guide without purchasing the coloring posters or pages, this guide is meant to accompany the coloring posters and coloring pages.
  • Christ is Risen Coloring Page & Poster: Our Seven Last Words Coloring Posters include seven posters from the seven last words, as well as an eighth poster that focuses on the resurrection and can be used for Easter. You can purchase a digital version of this poster individually.

Poster Details

Our Seven Last Words Coloring Posters include seven 2’x3′ coloring posters, as well as an eighth 6’x2′ poster that focuses on resurrection and Easter, and can be incorporated into your Easter preparations and plans. The seven 2’x3′ posters include an illustration with the seven last words included in a ‘black frame’ around the illustration (see above image for a sample of a colored Poster 1).

The posters will be printed on the same high-quality, 32lb heavyweight white paper that all of our posters are printed on. These posters will be shipped to you in a 25″ heavy-duty cardboard paper tube. For more details about pricing, as well as shipping information, please download your Seven Last Words Infoguide here.

Pricing and ordering information can all be found on our store here.

How would I use these Seven Last Words Coloring Posters?

We’re glad you asked! We have a blog post with many ideas for how to use our posters in many different settings, including churches, schools, nursing homes and retirement communities, and more! You can read it here.

Get ideas here: People are already starting to share ideas about our posters and Lent in our Facebook Group, and that’s a great place to get information – you can request to join here!

Good Friday Services: One of the reasons we are so excited about our these posters is that our community is so creative, and we can’t wait to see how they decide to use them! Since many churches have Good Friday Tenebrae services and use the seven last words of Jesus, we think there could be many ways to incorporate these posters into worship. Or maybe you could color the posters and then set up a guided prayer space for people to use during Holy Week, or they could experience it after a Good Friday Service.

We’ve found that some of the most creative ideas for how to use our products actually come from the churches and communities who use our materials. So, what are YOUR thoughts or questions?

Learn more

Learn more about the Seven Last Words Coloring Posters, and get some samples of the Seven Last Words Devotional Guide, by downloading our Seven Last Words Infoguide here.

5 Illuminating Ways of Celebrating Holy Week with Children

Alissa Ellett Leave a Comment

celebrating-holy-week-with-children

Holy Week with children seems like a time we could be cultivating rich traditions. It is, after all, at the heart of our faith. But, does it ever sneak up on you or pass you by without you giving any real intention?

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If you’re anything like me, you can feel overwhelmed finding ideas to make Holy Week “a thing.” Well, guess what? We’ve saved you a ton of time! We did the research and found five ways of keeping your family’s Holy Week holy this year.

We’d love to hear what traditions, new or old, you’re doing this year to celebrate Holy Week with children. So, don’t forget to leave your comments below!

Cultivating a Rich Holy Week with Children

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Do a Holy Week Easter Egg Hunt. Most of us do an Easter egg hunt annually. Yet, how often does the Easter Egg hunt communicate the significance of Easter?

So, how can we use this tradition to invite our children to reflect? It only takes a bit of prep in filling some of the eggs with Easter symbols. Head over here to learn how to make it happen.

holy week with children 2

Bake Easter bread or rolls. Baking is a really fun activity to incorporate into Holy Week with children. Of course, they get to learn a valuable life skill. Also, if you’re having family or friends over for a meal, the children enjoy showing off their creations.

Baking bread for Easter morning breakfast is a great option. For example, a yummy recipe can be found here. Alternatively, resurrection rolls are fun and easy to make. Head over here to learn how.

holy week with children 3

Take time to pray each day. During Holy Week, really any week, we often feel like we don’t have enough time. Parents and caretakers are often spread so thin. Perhaps this year, take the opportunity awaiting you to engage in your own spiritual practice with greater intention.

So often our children gather up our attention along with our jobs, the grocery and to-do lists, other activities, the house cleaning, on and on. But, as we all know, we cannot give from a well that is all dried up.

So, each day of Holy Week, carve out a couple minutes of stillness to say one prayer. A wonderful list of Holy Week prayers are here.

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Plan to do a coat giveaway. During Holy Week, we remember the crowds laying their coats down for Jesus as he entered Jerusalem. Additionally, we reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made for the world.

Spread love around to others by donating coats that your family no longer uses. Local shelters and charity organizations can almost always use more warm apparel. And consequently, opportunity opens to reflect on these two stories with children.

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Enjoy a Seder meal together. Attend an interfaith Seder meal as a family. The Seder is a meal shared on Passover in the Jewish tradition in remembrance and celebration of new life after liberation from slavery.

Invite your children to learn about the Seder meal prior to going. Find concise, valuable material here and here about what to expect and the meaning of the Seder’s symbols. With a little bit of preparation, the experience can be meaningful for your whole family and give way to illuminating conversations.

We hope you have a rich Holy Week and blessed Easter. And we hope this list has been helpful in making that so. Don’t forget to share your Holy Week traditions with all of us. We look forward to reading them!

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