Bible story
The practice of storytelling
Directions
- Listen to “We Remember.”
- Passover is a celebration that remembers God’s liberation of the Hebrew people. Draw some of the symbols that you associate with celebrations of remembrance.
Younger children Draw pictures of the Hebrew children and their parents sitting down to share the Passover meal together.
Hanging hope
The practice of creativity
Directions
- Cover four coasters or pieces of card with the patterned paper, wrapping paper, or pieces of recycled magazines.
- Next, draw the letters “h,o,p,e” on your four coasters and use the paint to either trace the outline or paint the letters in.
- Punch two holes at the top and bottom of each coaster -- evenly spaced on each one. Use pieces of string or ribbon to connect the letters vertically to spell “hope.” You can use the glue to tack down the ribbon on each coaster and create some space between the letters. Create a loop of string or ribbon at the top of “hope” for a hanger.
- Think about how the Hebrew people longed for God to free them from slavery. Imagine how hopeful they felt when they painted their doorposts on the first Passover. When have you had hope like that – hope that God would save you from a situation? If the setting allows, talk about this question with the other people at this station.
Younger children Help younger children create a “hope” door hanger. Ask them to think about things that they look forward to or hope for (birthdays, holidays, visiting friends, going to school, etc.).
God’s presence
The practice of remembering
Directions
- Take a few moments to calm yourself with some deep breaths. Become aware of God’s presence around you.
- Light the tall pillar candle.
- Remembering how God was present with the Hebrew people during their captivity and liberation, spend five minutes reflecting on these questions in your journal or on the paper provided:
- How have you experienced God’s presence in your life?
- When have you felt close to God?
- What was happening?
- Who was there?
- Now, use a taper candle and light one of the small tealights with the flame from the pillar candle. Place the lit tealight on the plate as you tell about one of the moments when God was with you. (Share that moment briefly with a phrase or sentence.)
- After someone has shared her/his moment, everyone should say responsively, “God, thank you for your presence in this moment.”
Option You might set up a similar station of remembering at home and reflect each day on God’s presence in your life.
Younger children Ask younger children to think of a time when they felt God’s love very close. Help them light a candle and tell about that moment.
New beginnings banner
The practice of reflection
Directions
1. The Hebrew people are about to begin living as the liberated children of God. Think about the Hebrew people’s opportunity for a new start after years of oppression in Egypt. Think about other examples of new beginnings that you’ve seen in Scripture, the news, your congregation, and personal life.
2. Next, capture the contrast between these new beginnings and what preceded them. On index cards (one side), write a word or phrase or draw a picture to represent what’s ending. On the reverse side of the index card, write a word or phrase or draw a picture to represent the new beginning. For example, on one side of a card, you might write the word “slavery” or draw a picture of chains and on the other side of a card you might write the word “Passover” or draw a picture of the painted door frames of Hebrew homes. This represents the end of the Hebrew people’s bondage and their new beginning as free people.
3. Punch two holes in the top corners of each card and using the string, create a banner of these endings and beginnings. Find a place to hang the banner in your sanctuary.
Younger children Ask younger children to draw a picture of how God helps people or how they or the people they know help others. Add their drawings to the banner.
Digging deeper
The practice of social action
Directions
- Follow the instructions on the resource sheet, “Modern-Day Slavery.”