Children’s Address Idea
(Please refer to Guidelines for Children’s Addresses in Worship document produced by the LCA Department of Liturgics - download guidelines here )
Sunday of the Church Year: Ash Wednesday (Year A, B or C)
Main Point (i.e. what good news message do we want the children to hear?): Lent is a time to repent and remember what Jesus did for us on the cross.
Scripture verse:
Application (if any): Lent
Aids (if any): Ashes
Address:
Discuss: Why do we come to church on a Wednesday?
This is a special Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Lent consists of 40 days, not including Sundays, when we prepare for Easter.
Forty is a special number in the Bible. Lent reminds us of the 40 days Noah and his family waited in the Ark to be rescued, of the 40 years that the Children of Israel wandered in the desert waiting for the Promised Land, and of the 40 days of prayer and fasting that Jesus spent in the desert.
Why do we call this ASH Wednesday?
A long time ago, people would throw ashes over themselves to show deep sadness, and also repentance. Ashes also remind us that will all die one day, and that we depend totally on God to rescue us and save us.
Where do the ashes come from?
We saved the palm branches from Palm Sunday last year, and then burnt them to ashes.
What will we do with the ashes?
Later on in the service, and if you would like, the pastor will use the ash to mark a cross on your forehead. He will say the words ‘From dust you came, and to dust you shall return.’
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, Thank you for the season of Lent when we remember what you did for us on the cross. Help us to remember what Easter is really about. Amen.
You may wish to hand out “Growing Faith at Home” or another resource before the children return to their seats.