Laura Canale has worked tirelessly to recruit “virtual acolytes” during these pandemic months. In the weeks to come, we are once again featuring families lighting our Advent Wreath each week. The Canale Family offered a beautiful message last week, as they helped us light the candle of hope.
Families
Paul Escapes
Based on Acts 9:20-25
May 20, 2020
Saul did not believe in Jesus and he was very good at hurting people who did. One day while traveling he had an extraordinary experience, became blind, and was cared for by a stranger and Christ-follower named Ananias. As a result, his heart was changed, his eyes were opened, he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to see all people with love instead of hate. After this change Saul is often called Paul. He began preaching and teaching about Jesus in the city of Damascus. He became stronger in faith and this confused people. Some of the leaders wanted to kill him.
Paul heard about a plan to kill him and asked his new friends for help. Late at night they lowered him in a basket through an opening in the city wall. Paul escaped to safety with the help of his friends.
Read the scripture in Acts 9:20-25 and answer these questions:
- Why is Saul sometimes called Paul?
- How did Paul’s friends help him escape from Damascus?
- Do you think Paul was scared when his friends were helping him escape?
- Do you have 2 names? A middle name? Or nick name?
- What makes you feel safe?
- Who makes you feel safe?
Paul was afraid for his life; he trusted his friends to help him escape from a dangerous situation. They had a plan for safety. We can plan to be safe in an emergency, too. At school we have fire/dire drills. At home we have plans or can make safety plans in case of a fire. Create or review those plans today. What other actions or plans can you make to be safe?
Do you touch a hot stove? Do you look both ways before crossing the street? Do you wear your helmet when riding your bike?
It is good to be safe and have plans. It is good to ask for help and to give help. Let us pray for courage and strength to receive and give help.
Video recorded 05202020 By Carmen Talbott
Thomas Believes
Thomas Believes Craft and Video
April 23, 2020
Thomas did not believe that Jesus had come back from the dead. He had never seen anyone come back from the dead before. He wanted to see for himself. Jesus did appear to Thomas. Thomas saw the marks left by the nails in Jesus’ hands and touched the wounds on Jesus’ side. Seeing and touching Jesus made Thomas a believer. (Download the study guide here)
Cross & Cave Craft
The Cross and the Cave: A Holy Week Craft and Video
April 7, 2020
Video recording by Carmen Talbott 04072020
The Cross & Cave Craft for Holy Week helps us remember Jesus, the Son of GOD, who died for us and rose from the grave to give everlasting life to all people everywhere. His Spirit lives with us now and will comfort us as we pray and ask GOD to help us put GOD first in our lives every day.
- Holy week begins with great joy. Jesus celebrated Passover with his friends. Crowds of people cheered in a parade with palm branches as Jesus entered Jerusalem. Like Jesus and his friends, we share a meal by breaking bread together and passing the cup.
- After sharing the Passover meal with friends, Jesus goes to the garden to pray. He feels alone and afraid. GOD assures Jesus that GOD is in control and will be with Jesus no matter what happens
- Later that evening, Jesus is arrested, tortured and put to death on the cross. His friends are very sad. His body is placed in a cave.
- Three days later more of Jesus’ friends, the women, go to the cave and discover that his body is gone. Jesus has come back from the dead! There is confusion, wonder, questions, happiness and fear. What will happen next?
Read the stories of Holy Week in the gospel of Luke:
- Luke 22: 39 – 46 Jesus in Prayer
- Luke 23: 1 – 49 Jesus before death, on the cross, and his burial
- Luke 24: 1 – 12 The empty tomb
Talk with your family about these sacred stories. Use your faith imagination to wonder how Jesus felt, how his friends felt, and what it might have been like to find the empty cave the next day. Where is God in these stories?
Pray with you family. Thank Jesus for the sacrifice he made for us. Thank God for never leaving us alone.
