This year, Christ Church is offering an online Lenten Calendar designed specifically for children, youth, and families, featuring daily spiritual practices to guide you and those you love through Lent. Check back here each day of Lent for a new activity or reflection.
Families have marked this day by making pancakes as a way to use up sugar, butter, flour and other rich ingredients before the fasting season of 40 days of lent. Make pancakes for dinner with your family, snap a picture and send it to Mark Miller (mmiller@ccsn.org) for this week’s service!
Lent is the season of the Christian year when we focus on growing closer to God as we remember the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Think about the ways your family prepares to celebrate a special event, such as a birthday, anniversary, or graduation. Lent invites us to prepare for Easter by connecting with God in prayer, letting go of things that distract our attention, and starting new practices that enable us to love God and other people.
Take today to set an intention for yourself for Lent. What can you do in these 40 days to bring you closer to God? Write your intention down and place it somewhere you can see it often as a reminder.
So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived!
2 Corinthians 5:17 (CEB)
Plant a seed, and watch it grow. You might put grass or bean seeds into a small cup of soil and place it in a sunny window. Lily of the valley and paperwhite bulbs will also sprout indoors. Let your emerging plant be a reminder that God promises us new life in Christ.
You are enough! Watch this video of Miss Mattie reading I Am Enough by Grace Byers:
For one day, give up screens. Disconnect from your phone, computer, tablet, video games, and TV. Use this time to connect with your family and friends IRL—play board games, build or bake something new, take a walk or work out together, have real conversations. Find new ways to be with God during this day—listen for God’s voice in scripture, walk through your neighborhood and pray for those who live nearby, show God’s love to family members who sometimes might be hard to love.
Tune into our worship service on Facebook or YouTube and share the link with a friend.
Please enjoy "Music Monday": "I Believe" sung by the Chancel Choir of Christ Church
In many Easter traditions around the world, eggs are a symbol of new life and rebirth. In Germany, egg artists turn quail, chicken, and ostrich eggs into tiny works of art. Easter egg trees, or Ostereierbaum, are a popular tradition there. One German man has 10,0000 eggs hanging on a tree in his yard.
What Lenten and Easter traditions do you and your family observe? What are your favorite traditions? Research Lenten and Easter traditions around the world. Then, with your family, decide on one new tradition you would like to adopt this year.
Please enjoy today's Lenten meditation with Reverend Chuck Rush:
“Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
Luke 3:11 (NIV)
Bridges in Summit is a local organization for homeless outreach started at Christ Church more than 20 years ago. They are looking for clothing donations year round. Click this link to see a list of current needs, drop off times and an Amazon wish list.
https://www.bridgesoutreach.org/clothing-donations/
Spend some time in prayer with your family for people who do not have all the things they need.
Watch Kirk Johnson reciting "The Bond" by Inez Clark Thorson
Mary, you who tasted grief
When Christ went up the Calvary way,
Stretch forth your hand in sympathy
With mothers of today.
You gave your Son, a sacrifice
That souls in bondage might go free;
We mothers offer up our sons
To purge the world of tyranny.
When darkness ruled men’s heart you gave
Your Son that light should come through Him;
We give our son’s to freedom’s cause
That its pure flame shall not grow dim.
Sweet mother of the hill-side cross,
You bore its crushing weight alone;
Help us bear our crosses now,
As bravely as you bore your own!
– Inez Clark Thorson
Robert, Cyril. Our Lady’s Praise in Poetry. Poughkeepsie, New York: Marist Press, 1944.
Praise the Lord, all you nations;
extol him, all you peoples.
For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Psalm 117
Create a praise tree using this tutorial as a family. Place the Praise Tree somewhere everyone in your family will see it. Let this tree become a reminder to pause each Sunday (and any other time) during Lent to offer God thanks and praise for all your blessings.
Tune into our worship service on Facebook or YouTube and share the link with another friend.
Please enjoy "Music Monday": "I Breathe" by Dan Rufolo
Write notes of thanks to people in your community whose hard work may be overlooked (for example, trash collectors, mail carriers, school cafeteria workers, fast-food workers, or store clerks). As you write your notes, pray for each of the people. Leave these notes where the people you are thanking will find them.
How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures!
Psalm 104:24
Take a moment today to think about the other living creatures in the world and how we can best serve them. Collect old towels and blankets to donate to a local animal shelter. Create a bird feeder and hang it outside for our feathered friends. Say a prayer of thanks for all creatures big and small.
If you have trouble staying focused when you pray, try a walking prayer today. Walk through your neighborhood or a nearby park. First, focus on what you will be doing during the day; and offer those times, events, and people to God. Then give thanks for what you see and hear as you walk: the songs of birds, the neighbors you pass, the children on the playground, the beauty of nature, the drama of the weather. Allow this active prayer practice to help you focus on growing closer to and more comfortable with God.
You could also come to walk the labyrinth in the lobby of Christ Church or visit one of the labyrinths found across the state.
"What Lent Means to Me" from Krista Witowski, Co-Leader of Women’s Quest Group Films
Did you know that pretzels are a traditional food during the season of Lent? One reason is that pretzels are shaped like two arms crossed in prayer. (Instead of folding their hands as we often do now, early Christians crossed their arms over their chests when they prayed.) Follow this simple recipe to bake your own batch of Lenten pretzels. Let them be a reminder to talk with God each day.
Send a picture of your pretzel wins or fails to Mark Miller (mmiller@ccsn.org) to include in our worship service.
Tune into our worship service on Facebook or YouTube and share the link with another friend.
Please enjoy "Music Monday": "Child of God" performed by the Ubuntu- Drew University's Pan African Choir
Take one minute to sit outside or look out your window in silence. Name to yourself 5 things you see, 4 things you hear, 3 things you feel, 2 things you smell, and 1 feeling you have in your body. Remember that Lent is a time to slow down as a way to bring yourself closer to God. Try to repeat this activity in the remaining days of Lent.
Please enjoy today's Lenten meditation with Reverend Chuck Rush:
GRACE kitchen provides fresh produce to families in need in the Summit area. As a result of the pandemic, the number of families served has increased dramatically. GRACE always benefits from monetary donations, but also often posts additional needs on their Facebook page.
Say this prayer of grace when your family sits down to dinner tonight:
In a world where so many are hungry, may we eat this food with humble hearts; in a world where so many are lonely, may we share this friendship with joyful hearts. Amen.
- Author Unknown
In Oaxaca, Mexico, the fourth Friday of Lent is known as El Día de la Samaritana, the Day of the Samaritan Woman.
In John 4:1-42, Jesus asks a Samaritan woman for a drink of water and, in a candid conversation with her, reveals that he is the Living Water, the Christ. And she runs to tell others about Jesus. On this day, people all over the city of Oaxaca honor this woman by offering cold water, fruit drinks, or ice cream to passers-by. These simple acts of generosity celebrate the Samaritan woman’s transforming encounter with Jesus.
Today, enjoy an ice-cold cup of water or juice with your family. Talk about what it means to you that Jesus is the living water. How does the image of water symbolize eternal life?
In Bermuda people fly homemade kites during Easter weekend. Made from wood, string, and colored tissue paper, the kites are often in the shape of a hexagon with a long tail and humming noisemaker attached. Some kites are so big that they require a few people to lift them into the air. The kite-flying tradition typically begins on the afternoon of Good Friday and is thought to represent Jesus ascending into heaven.
Get out today and fly a kite. Can’t make it outside? Watch this clip:
Tune into our worship service on Facebook or YouTube and share the link with another friend.
Please enjoy "Music Monday": "Lead Me To The Cross" performed by Hillsong United
Visio Divina - divine seeing - is a way of looking at a piece of art in a prayerful way in order to bring you closer to God. Look at this image of Christ and the Woman of Samaria. Spend some time thinking about how Christ and the woman are both depicted in the painting. What details stand out to you.
Read John 4: 4-26. How does this add to your understanding of the image? What lessons does it teach you about how we can best serve God by serving others?
Read the following prayer:
May the Strength of God pilot us.
May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us.
May the Hand of God protect us.
May the Way of God direct us.
May the Shield of God defend us.
May the Host of God guard us
Against the snares of the evil ones,
Against temptations of the world.
May Christ be with us!
May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us,
Christ be over all!
May Thy Salvation, Lord,
Always be ours,
This day, O Lord, and evermore. Amen.
The shamrock is a symbol often associated with St. Patrick’s day. It is said that St. Patrick used the shamrock as a symbol for the holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Go outside and search for a clover. Pick it and put it in your pocket. Use it as a reminder today that God is with you.
Create cards of pictures, scripture verses, or words of affirmation that can bring a smile to the face of another. Consider sending a card to those who are isolated during this pandemic or to a local nursing home. Kids who prefer to color might choose to participate in Color a Smile. Find more information here.
Pray for those who may be lonely.
Please enjoy Reverend Julie reciting reciting "Wings of Eagles" by Reverend Steve Garnaas-Holmes.
Cascarones or Confetti Eggs are a tradition that can be tied back to Mexico. Egg shells are hollowed out, dyed, and filled with confetti. The eggs are then cracked over someone’s head, releasing confetti and good luck. Many consider the eggs to be symbolism for Jesus’ rebirth and Jesus’ resurrection.
Use this tutorial to make cascarones with your family. Take pictures of your confetti celebration and send them to Mark Miller (mmiller@ccsn.org) to include in future worship services.
Tune into our worship service on Facebook or YouTube and share the link with another friend.
Please enjoy "Music Monday": "I Need You To Survive" performed by Christ Church Children and Young Adults
Please enjoy Janet Quartarone reciting a modern retelling of Jonah and the Whale from Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bible!, by Jonathon Goldstein.
Please enjoy today's Lenten meditation with Reverend Chuck Rush:
Take a break from social media today. Instead of “connecting” with others through your common channels of Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, think old-school in how you connect today. Call a friend out of the blue. Drop a postcard into the mail. Take a socially distanced walk with a friend.
Check out this link outlining some of the benefits of a social media detox. Did it feel good? Try to sprinkle social media detoxes throughout the rest of Lent.
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.
Matthew 25:35
The homeless population has always been extremely vulnerable, but has been even more strained due to the challenges of the pandemic. Today consider ways that you can help the homeless and home insecure individuals of our community. Consider doing one or more of the following:
Pick up palms from the church and use this tutorial to help make a palm cross in preparation for Palm Sunday tomorrow.
Tune into our worship service on Facebook or YouTube and share the link with another friend.
Please enjoy "Music Monday": "Draw the Circle Wide" performed by the Drew Theological School Seminary Choir & Drew Ubuntu Pan African Choir
Please enjoy "Hope's Song" from VeggieTales: An Easter Carol
Spring has sprung! Take a walk outside and take time to truly notice all the new signs of life around you. Recite the following prayer to help you remember to be thankful for the rebirth happening all around you.
God, thank you for Spring and the hope of warmer, longer, brighter days.
Thank you for the coming of growth and life and birth.
Thank you that things are coming awake in the world.
This is what our calendar says, and we do see some signs that it is real.
But we also still struggle with the residual layover of winter.
Now we ask that you bring into reality all that belongs in this season. Your word says that we will have provision, and hope, and joy, and health and loving relationships here and now in this life.
We ask that what belongs in this season would become actual in our practical lives.
We hope in you and in your promises. We hope in your gift of Spring.
- Author Unknown
On this day we remember Jesus’ last supper with his disciples. Watch this video to learn more about Leonardo daVinci’s painting The Last Supper. Consider including some of the typical foods of a sedar in your dinner tonight: matzoh, wine, hard boiled egg, salt water, bitter herbs, and haroset.
Many remember the death and burial of Jesus by walking the stations of the cross. This is a way to walk with Jesus from his trial to the crucifixion to his burial. You can watch a virtual stations of the cross here:
Families with younger children can watch this representation of Jesus’ last days here.
Hot cross buns are a traditional Easter treat. One legend says that about 600 years ago an English monk made them to give to poor people at Easter. The cross of white icing is a reminder of the life and death of Jesus. Try making your own hot cross buns using biscuit dough and this recipe.
Tune into our worship service on Facebook or YouTube and share the link with another friend.
