Celebrate!

PHOTO CAPTION: Easter was nice this year, but when it’s rainy, this little miss is prepared.



Happy Easter!


How do you celebrate Easter? Do you travel to visit family or have a big celebration at your house? Do you color Easter eggs and take your kids to the closest Easter Egg Hunt rain or shine? Do you attend the early church service or a later one? Maybe you prefer to celebrate low key at home or maybe you even find yourself alone this Easter with no family or friends close by. However you decide to celebrate, it’s worth celebrating. 



Easter is about new life and hope because that is what Jesus brought to us. Jesus died a brutal death on a cross, not just because He was unfairly tried and found guilty of claiming to be the Son of God. Jesus died because God loves you and me. God had a plan to redeem us. We sinned – yes every one of us. Not one person, except Jesus, can claim that they haven’t made bad choices, messed up or done something that they shouldn’t have done. I think often times for me, I sin simply by wanting my own way instead of what God wants for me. It’s kind of like the child who doesn’t want to follow his parent’s directions because after all, he knows what he wants even if it’s not safe or good for him.

God knew we all would go astray and would need a savior or rescuer and so He sent Jesus. Jesus came to live among us and then when the time was right, He gave His life for us.
If we stopped there, the story would be remarkable and yet there would be no hope for the future. Thankfully God didn’t stop there. Three days later, Jesus rose from the grave. He won the battle over sin and death. 
He won that battle not just for Himself, but for us. Because Jesus lives, He offers us life and friendship, here on earth and for eternity. 
That’s hope and that’s worth celebrating. 

That’s hope for the here and now and hope for the future.

Hope for here and now: Hebrews 13:5 & 6 says, “‘Never will I leave you or forsake you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.’”



Hope for eternity: John 14:2 “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”

Because Jesus is alive we can talk to Him and have relationship with Him, in this moment and the days to come. Whatever we are going through, He knows. He promised He would always be with us, but He also promised we would be with Him for eternity. No matter what we are facing, even death, we can face it without fear, in confidence and hope because Jesus is alive! Yes, He is alive indeed. So celebrate this Easter. Celebrate Jesus!

PARENT PRAYER:

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for dying for me. Because of you, I have hope. I have hope in every situation I face. I can face life with confidence for today and tomorrow. Because of you, I don’t have to fear death, sickness or anything else. Jesus I am reminded today of just what you did and what you went through to rescue me and I am grateful. I am moved because of your amazing love; love that I don’t deserve, yet your love is unconditional. You only ask that I accept the gift of your sacrifice. I am also reminded that you are alive and because of your resurrection life, I have incredible hope. I have relationship with you moment by moment, day by day. Forgive me when I want my own way instead of your way, forgive me when I’m unkind and when I make bad choices. I want to live for you and love like you love. Forgive me when I worry or allow fear to take over instead of trusting you. Show me how to love my family, my kids, my husband and others as you love them. Show me how I can share your love with them. May we celebrate you and your resurrection as a family – not just on Easter, but throughout the year. Amen

WAYS TO CELEBRATE
* Go to church together as a family.

* Read the Easter story together as a family. If you have young children, get a simple children’s Bible to read it from or sit down and watch the Bible Ap For Kids video, “A Happy Sunday”. You can watch it on your phone or YouTube.

* Talk about what Jesus did for us. Young children may not understand what sin is or why Jesus died, but they can understand that Jesus want to be their forever friend.

* To young children, I like to explain sin as making bad choices or wanting your own way instead of what God wants.



* Even if it’s after Easter, invite a friend to church with you.

* Press pause, reflect and pray. Let Jesus know that you are thankful for His sacrifice.

* Of course there are traditional Easter dinners, Egg hunts, Easter bunnies and all the fun Easter trappings that we often participate in, but how about an Easter walk. Take a walk and look for how many plants are popping out of the ground. How many things are springing to life? From the cold, dark ground of winter, new life comes in the spring. From the cold dark tomb, Jesus came forth alive and well!

Kid’s Section

STORY: Matt. 28, Mk. 16, Lk. 24, John 20
God sent Jesus to the world because He loves you and me. (Give self a hug .) One day Jesus died on a cross. (Show cross.) Jesus died because He loves you so much (Give self a hug.) and He wants to be your friend. He died to rescue and forgive you. Did Jesus stay dead? No He didn’t! Something very wonderful happened and that is why we celebrate Easter. Let’s listen and find out what happened.



Early one morning some women went to the tomb (Put hands together like a cave or tomb.) where Jesus was buried, but Jesus wasn’t there! Where was Jesus? (Throw hands out to the side as thought puzzled.)The women were so sad. Their friend, Jesus, was gone! (Say, “Boo hoo!”)

Then the women saw an angel. (Hands by eyes.) Now the women were very surprised! (Look surprised.) They had never seen an angel before.

The angel said, “Jesus is not here. Jesus is alive! Come (Motion come with hands.) and see (Hands above eyes.) then go quickly and tell his friends that He is alive.” (Shout, “Jesus is alive!”)

The women were so happy and excited. (Smile.) They hurried to tell Jesus’ friends that He was alive! (Stand up and run in place and shout, “Jesus is alive!”)

Jesus is alive and wants to be your forever friend. Even though you can’t see Jesus, He loves you and will always be with you. Let’s thank Him for being such a good friend. You can tell your friends that Jesus is alive and Jesus wants to be their friend too. He is a very special friend!

PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, I’m glad that you are alive. Thank you that you are my friend. I know that you love me and care for me and that you hear me when I pray. Forgive me when I make bad choices or do things I shouldn’t. I love you and I want you to be my forever friend. Amen

KNOW: Jesus loves me & He is alive!
TALK ABOUT: Easter – Jesus is God’s Son. He died on a cross because He loves us, but He didn’t stay dead. He is alive!
ASK: Who wants to be your forever friend? Jesus
How did God show His love for us? He gave us Jesus.


AND DO: Celebrate Jesus!



MEMORIZE: John 3:16 – (Hands open like holding a book.)
God – (Point up.)
So loved – (Give self a hug.)

The world – (Make w’s with fingers & roll hands around each other.)

That He gave – (Extend hands out like giving.)

His only Son – (Pretend to rock a baby.)

FUN IDEAS FOR THIS WEEK:

 * Look for signs of new life or spring. When you see a crocus blooming or trees that are budding, say, “Thank you, Jesus, that you are alive and always with me.”

• Answer this question as a family, “What’s amazing about your friend, Jesus?” Celebrate and give thanks because Jesus is alive.