Kids and Youth Spotlight — April

Easter is a wonderful time to celebrate, no matter how young or old you are! There is so much fun to be had sharing with kids the good news about Easter Sunday - our big party day celebrating how Jesus beat death, came back to life, and is our living Rescuer! 

This year, we celebrated Easter with children and youth in:

• Wiggle Worship with Nursery and Reception at both of our Parish primary schools 

• Experience Easter with 120 Year 3 pupils visiting church

• Messy Church in March

• Kingdom Youth which met on Palm Sunday

• Our Kingdom Kids Easter Party during the 11:00 worship on Easter Sunday, as well as all the fun during the cafe time between both services and the Easter packs available during the 9:30 service

• And even a little introduction to Easter at Kingdom Play

However, helping children to be able to commemorate and reflect on the significance of Good Friday, when Jesus suffered and died, before the wonderful news of Easter Sunday, is more tricky. We wondered how we could support families to talk about and mark this hugely important but very sad day with kids, in an age-appropriate way. And how could we do this together, as a larger Family of God? 

So, we made our first attempt at hosting an Interactive Family Worship on the afternoon of Good Friday. We had some whole group songs and a bit of discussion, but the main goal was to provide a space for family units to engage with tactile objects or in activities that facilitate discussion. There were instructions and information provided at each station for this purpose. 

It is hoped that the depth of Jesus’ love for us would be more real by understanding what he was willing to go through, in order that we could have a fixed friendship with God. There is no greater love than this!

Please pray with us…

Lord God, thank you for making a way for us to be forgiven for the wrong things we do, and to be able to be in right relationship with you. Thank you for how much you love us. We praise you, for all that you have done to rescue us, Lord Jesus. 

Please help the children and youth of our parish to remember that they are loved and precious to you, and what you did on Good Friday is evidence of that. Please also help them to understand more of the significance of Easter Sunday - your victory over sin and death forever. Nothing is impossible for you, God. And you offer forgiveness and the promise of new life to us as well. May anything that was confusing or unhelpful to their young minds drift away, and may your truth be firmly planted in their precious hearts

We ask this in the name of our Rescuer, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen!

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For a run down of all our regular activities and groups, check out our Kids and Youth pages.