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www.scriptureunion.org.uk

Combining years of Scripture Union experience with exciting new ideas, this book will give you almost everything you need to get the most out of Easter.

New material and Scripture Union favourites

ISBN 1 84427 189 7

ËxHSLIOEy271894zbarcode book halfh template 14/1/04 5:09 pm Page 1

Quick ideas for Easter evangelism

Party ideasEvents

Drama Craft

Stories

All-age services

Creative prayer ideas

Theme gamesAssembly outlines

Quizzes and puzzles

For resources for other festivals and holidays, pick up Celebrations

Sorted!

For Christmas resources, pick up Christmas Wrapped Up!


Party ideasEvents

Drama Craft

Stories

All-age services



Quizzes and puzzles


EasterCelebration-final.indd 4-5 20/7/05 9:34:33 am

© Scripture Union 2005

First published 2005

Reprinted 2007

ISBN 978 1 84427 189 4

Scripture Union, 207–209 Queensway, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK2 2EB, UKEmail: [email protected]: www.scriptureunion.org.uk

Scripture Union Australia, Locked Bag 2, Central Coast Business Centre, NSW 2252, AustraliaWebsite: www.scriptureunion.org.au

Scripture Union USA, PO Box 987, Valley Forge, PA 19482, USAWebsite: www.scriptureunion.org

All rights reserved. The activities and illustrations in this book may be photocopied for use. Thispermission is granted freely to owners of this book. This arrangement does not allow the printing ofany of the published material in permanent form. Nor does it allow the printing of words or illustrationsfor resale or for any commercial use.

Apart from the above permission, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrievalsystem, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording orotherwise, without the prior permission of Scripture Union.

Scripture quotations are from the Contemporary English Version © American Bible Society 1991, 1992,1995. Anglicisations © British and Foreign Bible Society 1997, published in the UK byHarperCollinsPublishers. Used by permission.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data.A catalogue record of this biook is available from the British Library.

Printed and bound in Henry Ling Ltd, Dorchester.

Cover design: Paul AiryInternal design: Alex TaylorCompiler: Christine WrightArtists: Pauline Adams, Alex Ayliffe, Clive Edwards and Andy Robb

Scripture Union is an international charity working with churches in more than 130 countries,providing resources to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to children, young people and families andto encourage them to develop spiritually through the Bible and prayer.

As well as our network of volunteers, staff and associates who run holidays, church-based events andschool Christian groups, we produce a wide range of publications and support those who use ourresources through training programmes.

Easter template.qxp 29/11/2006 12:04 Page 2


Con

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4

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Easter eventsPassover picnic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7An event for younger children and their families

Celebration meal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8A low-key evangelistic event for familiesby John Hattam

Cracking Easter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10A presentation for junior school childrenby Wayne Dixon and Jem Sewell

Easter corners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13A meditation for children, following theevents of Holy Week

Bread for the world . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Worship for early Easter morning

Good Friday walk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18An outdoor meditation for Good Fridayby John Grayston

Short talks for all agesWhat are kings like? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20A short talk for Palm Sunday by Mary Hawes

A meal to remember . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20An explanation of the Last Supperby Tracey Wheeler

Following Jesus’ example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21A talk suitable for a Good Friday serviceby Tracey Wheeler

Cross words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22A short talk for Good Friday

From hate to love . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22A short talk for Good Friday

Can you believe what you see? . . . . . . . . . . . .22A short talk for Easter-time by John Forrest

Easter E G G . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23A talk for Easter Day, following a gospelreading about the resurrection, by John Forrest

DramaLet’s take part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24Easter-time drama for younger children

I was there . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25A dramatisation of the Easter storyfor four readers

Meetings with Mary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26Drama for children, telling the Easter story

Angel story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27An Easter Day drama suitable for all ages

Shadow of doubt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28A mimed story for Easter timeusing shadow play

Paid on the nail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29A Good Friday dramaby Dave Shailer and Andy Riordan

A bug’s (after) life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30An allegory on the theme of resurrection andnew life by Dave Shailer and Mike Titley

StoriesOne special day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31A story for Palm Sunday,based on Luke 19:28–40

The donkey’s story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31The Palm Sunday story witha home-made puppet

One special night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34The story of the Last Supper,based on Luke 22:1–23

The missing piece . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34The story of Jesus’ arrest and trialusing a jigsaw puzzle

Jesus feels sad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36A story about the arrest of Jesus,based on Matthew 26:36–56

View from the hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36A monologue for children based on thecrucifixion story

Uncover the truth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37The resurrection story combinedwith ‘Pass the parcel’

Jesus explains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37Jesus’ appearance on the Emmaus road,as told by Cleopas

Easter garden story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38The story from Palm Sunday to Easter Day,combined with making an Easter garden

Mary meditation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40A story for young people and adults, suitable for Easter Sunday

Just the facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41A story activity for 11 to 14s

CraftEaster frieze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42Daytime and night-time pictures for youngerchildren to make

Get the flags out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42Flags and bunting for a Palm Sunday celebration


Contents

Contents

Praise scarves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42A simple ‘make’ suitable for Palm Sunday

Waving palms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42Another easy Palm Sunday craft for children

Glittery poster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43A poster for younger children to celebrateJesus being alive

Easter egg glory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43A gift to make for Easter time

Son rise painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43An Easter poster for younger children

Group Easter garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43An activity for Easter Sunday (or thereabouts)

Easter message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44An Easter card made from card, paperand chalks

Easter tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44A simple tree with your own Easter message

Rolled away! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44Painting stones as a take-home reminder thatJesus is alive

Fold-up card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45A fold-up card for younger children

Fold-up card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46A fold-up card for older children

Small Easter garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47A yogurt-pot garden that will go on growing

Donkey in a spin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48An optical illusion based on thePalm Sunday story

Palm crosses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49Making palm crosses from paper

Easter basket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50An Easter craft

Son rise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51A stand-up Easter card

All-age servicesHere comes our King! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52A service for Palm Sunday by Christine Wright

Remember, remember . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54A Passover meal by Keith Civval

Journey’s end . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58A service for Good Fridayby Catherine Hammond

Totally eclipsed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61A service for Good Friday by Jonathan Mortimer

The greatest story ever told . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64An Easter Sunday service by Mary Hawes

A cracking time! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66A service for Easter Sunday by Marjory Francis

Assembly materialJesus comes back to life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68A Key Stage 1 assembly for Easterby Heather Butler

What are you like? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69A Key Stage 2 assembly for Easterby Andrew Smith

Egg race . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70A Key Stage 3 assembly for Easterby Andy Banks

Creative prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

Cookery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

Quizzes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

PuzzlesEaster wordsearch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

Garden anguish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

Spot the difference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Easter ‘Who’s who?’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Easter numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

Easter crossword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85

Songs, rhymes and rapsFor younger children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

For adults or all ages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

Quotes and anecdotes . . . . . . . . . . .93

5


Intr

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Introduction

Easter is the high point of the Christian year! Ithas been celebrated by the Christian churchfrom its very beginning. Although Christmas ismore widely observed in today’s society, it isEaster that holds the true meaning of theChristian faith.

So let’s celebrate it together! Easter Cracked ispacked with ideas for bringing all ages together,not just for Palm Sunday and Easter Day but forthe whole of the Easter period. This is not alwayseasy, since the Easter story is very sad andharrowing in parts – and it may seem better toexclude younger children at certain points duringour Easter worship. However, the resources inthis book are designed to suggest ways ofincluding children in everything, encouragingthem to experience at their own level, both thesadness and the joy of this wonderful time of theChristian year.

There is plenty for everyone – whether you arelooking for a school assembly, an all-age event,an all-age service or a short talk. In addition,there are Easter crafts, cookery, rhymes, songsand raps, puzzles, games and prayers. As aspecial feature, there are carefully crafted storiesfor younger children through which they canhear and understand the whole Easter story fromPalm Sunday to Easter Sunday and beyond. Thestories use different methods that involve the

children, engaging all their senses. For anyoccasion on which you wish to help people thinkbeyond Easter eggs and hot cross buns, lookinside Easter Cracked for ideas to give meaningand depth to your celebration of this special timeof the year.

There are fresh ideas for children and adultsalike – those who are new to the Easter story andthose who know it well. You might wish to havean evangelistic event for the families, or learnabout the meaning of the cross in an all-ageservice. You might have the opportunity to takean assembly in school, or hold a children’s eventthat has a serious purpose but is fun. You maybe looking for additional resources to add intoservices and events you have already planned.Easter Cracked provides all this! We hope thatyou will enjoy dipping into the resources here,adapting them to your own situation so thatpeople of all ages will learn to love Easter, get toknow Jesus and understand what he did for all ofus that very first Easter-time.

Some of the material in Easter Cracked has beenwritten especially for this book, while otheritems are favourites from previous publications.We are grateful to all the writers for theircontributions.

Christine Wright

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Easter eventsPassover picnic

You will need: Passover food: hard-boiled egg,unleavened bread or Matzo crackers, watercressor parsley (representing hyssop), salt water, redgrape juice or red fruit squash, stewed gratedcarrot and apple (as a substitute for haroseth,which is made with nuts), a large round platter

With any activity involving food, be aware ofhealth, safety, hygiene and allergy issues. Findout from parents and carers beforehand if thereare any food allergies or intolerances.

To help everyone appreciate the ‘specialness’ ofthe meal, provide decorated paper plates andbrightly coloured napkins. Add something sweetlike fruit or raisins to round off the meal. Ifeating indoors, lighting some candles would addto the atmosphere, but obviously put these wellout of the children’s reach.

Explain that Jesus and his friends shared a specialmeal just like this one and Jesus thanked God forthe food. Say or sing a simple grace.

Give tiny samples of everything. (The traditionallamb and horseradish have been omitted in thisversion.) Encourage the children to tasteeverything. As you break the matzos and pourthe juice, remind the children that Jesus wants usto remember him.

Remind everyone that at the end of their specialmeal, Jesus and his friends sang a song. Sing apraise song together as you finish.

An event for younger children and their families

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Let CS Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and theWardrobe provide a way in to the meaning ofEaster. Watch the film and end with a celebrationmeal.

The aim: To help people of all ages to engagewith the Easter narrative, allowing the allegory ofthe film story to shed light on the meaning of theScripture passages.

Preparation: Prepare place settings in advance,with an eye for graphics and good presentation.The place settings for adults include the words ofEphesians 2:1–10. For children, use a resurrectionscene which they can colour when they havefinished eating but the adults have not! Supplyplenty of felt-tip pens.

Have some booklets ready for handing out.Suggested booklets are: for adults, What’s thepoint? Norman Warren, Lion; for under-7s,Friends with Jesus, Scripture Union; for 8 to 9s,Me+Jesus, Scripture Union; for 10 to 12s,Jesus=friendship forever, Scripture Union; foryoung people, Big Questions about You andGod, David Lawrence, Scripture Union. Allow thebooklet to do the talking! However, thinkthrough some prayerful, sensitive follow-up.

Prepare some A4 cards, enough for everyone tobe able to see one. Make sure you have a dicefor each table. Write the following words on thefront of the card:

Snow reminds me of the time when…What makes Christmas special for you?Imagine what it would be like for it always to bewinter and never Christmas.What do you think is going to happen when Lucyreturns to the house through the wardrobe?Narnia in winter could represent… (Children canask an adult to help finish this sentence.)

On the reverse side of the cards, draw boxeswith the following words inside:

Box 1‘We are people of flesh and blood. That is whyJesus became one of us. He died to destroy thedevil, who had power over death.’Hebrews 2:14

Box 2‘God loved the people of this world so much thathe gave his only Son, so that everyone who hasfaith in him will have eternal life and never reallydie.’John 3:16

Food: This is eaten in three stages, the realfeasting and party poppers being reserved forthe final stage, after the end of the film. Youcould provide all the food yourself, or ask gueststo bring some celebration food for the main meal(to be eaten cold). Form people into groups or‘tables’. Serve the main meal immediately afterthe end of the film. Have ‘nibbles’ to eat duringthe showing of the film (see below). Cover theseeats with a cloth.

The film: This meal uses the BBC Family ClassicsSeries (DVD and Video, running time 165minutes) version of the story. There are otherversions available, including a short cartoonversion from STL (DVD and Video, running time95 minutes). The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion,the Witch and the Wardrobe (Disney, released incinemas in the UK December 2005) may beavailable, depending on when you do this event.Make sure your projection and sound are ofgood quality.

Start the film, and run it to the point where Lucyreturns after having said goodbye to Tumnus theFaun.

Interval 1: Remove the table covering to revealthe ‘nibbles’. Hand out the A4 cards with thequestions on one side and have enough foreveryone to be able to see one. Also provide adice for each table. Read (or ask someone elseto read) the words inside one of the ‘boxes’ onthe other side the card. (It doesn’t matter if thesame words are read more than once.)

To play the game, take it in turns to throw thedice. If you throw a ‘1’, answer question 1; throwa ‘2’ and answer question 2 and so on. Speak forno longer than one minute. Say ‘pass’ if youcan’t think of anything to say! Everyone helpsthemselves to a nibble after each throw.

Allow maximum 10–12 minutes for this interval,and then restart the film.

Interval 2: Stop the film at the stone-tableincident as Aslan dies.

A low-key evangelistic event for families by John Hattam

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Easter eventsCelebration meal

Ask everyone to be still for the next fewmoments. Explain that the film has paused for afew minutes at a serious place in the story. Theend is not far away, when the celebration mealwill begin. But for a few moments, listen to anaccount of another execution, from Luke23:32–43, Mark 10:45, John 10:17–18.

Choose two or three people, male or female,who can read with dramatic effect. (They shouldpractise thoroughly beforehand.) Have a good PAsystem so that when the readers drop theirvoices, they can still be clearly heard. Thereadings could be supplemented with good-quality crucifixion images via PowerPoint and/ormusic.

Make this as brief an interval as is necessary toallow, perhaps, for a ‘comfort stop’ as well asthe readings. Resume the showing of the film tothe end.

The main meal: Invite each table to set out theircelebration meal and eat it!

Farewell: Avoid a speaker prolonging the eventwith an ‘epilogue’ saying: ‘The meaning of thefilm is…’ Your target audience may be expectingthis, so give them a pleasant surprise by omittingit! Instead, say briefly, that as they will haverealised, hidden behind the story of Aslan isanother death and resurrection story which isn’tfiction! Christians would like to tell the worldthat Jesus is alive, and he is the only one whooffers forgiveness and new life to those who willcome to him. But sometimes we need time andspace to think through such claims and so ratherthan saying any more now, you would likeeveryone to accept a booklet to take home andread at leisure.

9


This presentation was originally an Easterpresentation one and a half hours long for Year6 pupils, devised by Scripture Union schools’worker Wayne Dixon and Jem Sewell of SloughBaptist Church. This is a brief outline of theevent, but if you would like more information onrunning an event like this in your church, pleasecontact either Wayne Dixon or Jem Sewell atSlough Baptist Church on (UK) 01753 523058 oremail [email protected] [email protected]

PreparationWrite to the schools you are asking to participatein January to give them time to fit thepresentation into their schedule. Give details ofhow long the event will last and what will behappening. These invitations are more likely tosucceed if they are built on already-existingpositive relationships and personal contact.

Be aware of the ethnic and faith backgrounds ofthe children you are coming into contact with.This must be taken into account when talkingabout Easter, as some children will haveaffiliations to other religions. It may be worthtaking advice from teachers on ways of handlingthis. Children will need to opt in to the sessionand parents will have to sign a consent form.

You need to make sure that your church is asecure place for the children to come to. Checkthat the building will be warm, that the toiletsare safe and clean and that everybody involvedhas been CRB-checked. One person will need tobe on the door as people arrive and stay there toensure that the door is secured.

You will needA booklet (already made up) for each child (seebelow); five or six story boards describing thekey events of Holy Week, put up around thechurch; four eggs to be hidden around thechurch for the Easter egg hunt, each containing aclue (Clue 1: Where is the body of Jesus? Clue 2:The disciples changed as a result. Clue 3: Therewere more than 500 witnesses who saw Jesusalive. Clue 4: People still change as a result ofbelieving that Jesus is alive.); chocolate Eastereggs to distribute.

The programme could include:1 Welcome and introduction.2 Catchphrase quiz with two teams on an Eastertheme.3 Distribution of booklets and pencils.4 Symbols we use today – helping the childrenunderstand the use of symbols in everyday lifeand connecting this with Christian symbols.5 Presentation: a brief biography of Jesus in thefour Gospels until the Palm Sunday accounts,perhaps told dramatically.6 ‘Action on Palm Sunday’: dramatic entry ofdressed-up ‘local’ describing the events of PalmSunday (for sample script see page 12).7 Discovery time: time for the children to goaround the church to look at the story boards.There should be space in the booklet to recordthe sequence of events. Children who finish thisactivity early could do the wordsearch in thebooklet, or draw a design for a cross.8 Summary of the pictures and story boards (alltogether).9 Evidence for the resurrection combined withan Easter egg hunt game.10 Easter remembered: this section could bedone in two groups, one learning abouttraditions and practices associated with Easter;the other learning how Holy Communion andbaptism serve as a reminder of the resurrection.The groups change around after ten minutes.11 The Easter Rap: learning and performing anEaster Rap.12 Questions, conclusion and distributechocolate.

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A presentation for junior school children by Wayne Dixon and Jem Sewell


Easter eventsCracking Easter

Content of bookletsThese booklets can have any number of quizzes,wordsearches or puzzles in them to give thechildren something quick to do. Make them asvisual as possible and leave plenty of room forthe children to write in, where required. Consulta teacher when compiling the booklet if youdon’t have expertise in teaching this age-group.The following items are essential parts of thebooklets, as they’ll be discussed from the front.

Symbols we use today Text: Easter is fun, but it can sometimes beconfusing. For some people it is only a holiday,and for others the Christian festival of Easteruses a lot of symbols they may not understand.But we all use symbols a lot! What do thesesymbols stand for?

(You could include the logos of some well-knowncompanies, other symbols giving directions orinformation and a cross. Leave room for childrento write the answers beside each symbol.)

The Easter story toldText: In the Bible there are four accounts of theEaster story, each written by a different person.Normally when writing a biography of someonefamous, you look mainly at their life. When welook at the amount of space given by these fourwriters to the death of Jesus, it must haveseemed pretty important to them.

Percentage of book focusing on the last week ofJesus’ life:Matthew 10%Mark 20%Luke 15%John 40%

This is how John finishes his biography of Jesus:

‘Jesus did many other things. If they wereall written in books, I don’t suppose therewould be room enough in the whole worldfor all the books.’

We have lots of evidence that Jesus lived inIsrael and died on a cross about 2,000 years ago.As well as all the writing in the Bible, otherhistorians around at the same time as Jesus, whowere not Christians, have written about him.

The Easter MiracleWhat evidence was found for the resurrection?

Write down four clues in the boxes below.

Easter remembered1 The crossThe cross was a device, invented by the Romans,for killing criminals. It was such a horrible way ofdying that no Roman citizen was allowed to bekilled in that way. Because Jesus was killed on across, Christians ever since have used the crossas a symbol of what God has done for themthrough Jesus.

2 CommunionAll Christians believe that Communion is veryimportant. The basic symbols are bread andwine. Jesus used a Jewish festival called Passoverand gave it a new meaning for Christians.

The Easter story boardInlcude pictures in order, similar to those on thestory boards around the church. Beside eachpicture, put a box in which to write the event towhich the picture refers.

Modern traditionsInclude this quiz for the children to do:

1 Which animal has the mark of a cross on itsback?a) Lion b) Tiger c) Donkey

2 Which bird produces the largest egg?a) Ostrich b) Eagle c) Parrot

3 What substance makes up 80% of an egg?a) Yolk b) Water c) Shell

4 What is the earliest date Easter can be?a) 8 April b) 10 March c) 22 March

5 On what day did Jesus come back to life?a) Good Friday b) Palm Sundayc) Easter Sunday

6 The custom of giving eggs can be traced backto China in…a) 900 BC b) 150 BC c) 70 AD

7 What was the price of Thornton’s mostexpensive Easter egg last year?[This changes every year – use the most recentprice, plus two other options.]

8 How many Crème Eggs do Cadbury’s make inan hour?a) 6,000 b) 66,000 c) 600

9 Rearrange the letters EASTER to make anothersix letter word!

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Easter wordsearchInclude a wordsearch in the booklet. There is agiant one you can use on page 80, if you cancram it in!

Easter rapThere is a rap on pages 89 and 90 which youmay like to include in the book, depending onhow much space there is. Raps always go downwell with children of this age. So, no matter howself-conscious you may feel performing them, aslong as you perform them whole-heartedly, theywill be appreciated! They will go down evenbetter if you have backing tracks, actions andways for the group to join in!

Other materialIt would also be good to include in the bookletsome fun Easter facts, the answers to thequestions (but in an unobtrusive place) andsome contact details for your church.

Script for ‘Action on Palm Sunday’This monologue is told from the point of view ofan eye-witness at Jesus’ Palm Sunday entranceinto Jerusalem.

The eye witness enters in costume, excitedly.

There I was, going about my usual business onSunday afternoon and there was… there was abuzz about the place.

Now I knew it was Celebration Time and manypeople were coming together to remember ourfestival of Passover. That was important...

Then it happened! Loads of people were out onthe streets, shouting and singing and screaming.It was an amazing carnival atmosphere. Let metell you what they were doing. Some of themwere breaking off palm branches and layingthem on the ground. Others were taking off theircoats and laying them on the ground. ‘What wasgoing on?’ I thought.

Then, in the distance I could see this figure of aman sitting on a donkey, cruising into town. Asthe man got closer I could recognise him. It wasJesus!! Jesus the Carpenter. Jesus, who had beentravelling around saying some amazing thingsand doing some incredible things.

Yet now here he is coming into Jerusalem, ascalm as you like, sitting on a donkey. Now Ihappen to know that a donkey is an animal thatrepresents peace. Jesus certainly looked peacefulwhilst all around him were going crazy withexcitement.

As I listened, I got the gist of what the crowdwere shouting. It was ‘Praise God! Praise God!Bless him who comes in the name of the Lord!’

Man, it was quite a sight. It was amazing. I’venever experienced anything like this before. Yetamongst all this, Jesus remained cool and calm –as if he knew exactly what he was about to doand what would happen next.

Then Jesus just got off his donkey and wentstraight into the temple – and events carried onfrom there.

Do you want to know what happened next? Well,just watch this space. Anyway, I thought I mustjust tell you this – it was the start of an amazingweek. It was no ordinary day. See you! (Run offexcitedly.)

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www.scriptureunion.org.uk

Combining years of Scripture Union experience with exciting new ideas, this book will give you almost everything you need to get the most out of Easter.


ISBN 1 84427 189 7

ËxHSLIOEy271894zbarcode book halfh template 14/1/04 5:09 pm Page 1


Party ideasEvents

Drama Craft

Stories

All-age services



Quizzes and puzzles

For resources for other festivals and holidays, pick up Celebrations

Sorted!

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