Many traditions have shaped Mothering Sunday into the celebration recognised today. For example: from the 16th Century (500 years ago) people would make a journey to their ‘mother’ church once a year; also those working in the fields on wealthy farms and estates in England would be allowed to have the day off (which was more family focussed).
On Mothering Sunday, churches around the country will be sharing their own traditions, celebrating and giving thanks to the huge impact mothers have on each of our lives. We recognise that the day may be difficult for some people and so we include prayers for those who don’t find the day particularly easy.
Why not make this bookmark and offer it as a gift to somebody? It doesn't have to be just on Mothering Sunday!
You might like to print this bookmark onto lightweight card, colour it in then cut it out and give it as a gift to somebody to show that you care about them.
Lent
Lent is a time when we repent (say sorry) for the bad things we have done or said or thought, and get closer to Jesus. It starts about 40 days before Easter which reminds us of the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert on his own, facing temptations (things that would have been wrong to do).
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, this year that's 14th February. Usually, in a service, we use ashes from burned palm crosses from last year and the Vicar makes the sign of the cross on our forehead with them, as a sign of REPENTENCE, HUMILITY and MORTALITY. That's why he says the words:
"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return" and "Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ".
This year we have some activities you might like to do at home to remind you of Jesus in these 40 days.
"Lent in Three Minutes”
Older children might want to watch this video from Busted Halo. (Busted Halo is a Catholic YouTube channel, but most of what’s included in this video is what we'd do at St Michael's too).
Here's a great song for Lent
Listen to the lyrics of this song 'Alive' from the brilliant band Hillsong and see how they fit into the Lent story. In fact, it's a lyric video so you can sing along too!
Think about this artwork
⇔ Click to enlarge
One of our young people, Mimi Broughton, painted this wonderful artwork to help us think about Lent and Jesus' time in the wilderness. Mimi says, "It symbolises that you must follow this path if you believe in God. Sometimes it can get a bit bumpy and sometimes a whole chunk can fall off. However you must keep on going and not fall into the sea of Satan because it is hard to get back up to God".
Why not use the picture with your families. Spend some time looking closely at it.
What do you see?
What does it make you think of?
How do you feel?
How would you imagine Jesus in the wilderness?
Why not finish with a prayer, either on your own or with your family ... perhaps a thank you, a sorry, or a please prayer.
Colour a Lenten calendar
Click on the picture on the right to print a large version ⇒
• Choose a word to think about or a person to pray for. Write the word or name in the space and draw around it.
• Let the word or name speak to you. If words come to you as you draw, pray them. If not, just continue to draw, stay quiet, and let the word or name burrow into your mind and heart.
• The aim of the doodling and drawing is not to make a beautiful work of art, but to create a visual prayer.
• Really young children might like to simply colour the shape whilst their grown-ups say a prayer.
Watch this cartoon, 'Jesus in the Desert'
Using wonderful pictures "40" by Si Smith (an artist from Leeds), and the song "How he loves" by John Mark McMillan this YouTuber created a great video,
'Jesus in the Desert' which you can enjoy with your families as a quiet time of worship.
Try a Lectio Divina (divine reading) for Lent - something for those in Y7 upwards
Never heard of it? Click on the image for some info, which will tell you a little bit more about a simple form of Lectio Divina and will help get you started. Why not give it a whirl!
This more simple form is based on focussing on one word in a phrase from Scripture. Each week in Lent we'll share the Sunday Gospel reading for you to think about:
Palm Sunday: Mark 11. 1-11
Jesus and his followers were coming closer to Jerusalem. They came to the towns of Bethphage and Bethany near the Mount of Olives. There Jesus sent two of his followers. He said to them, “Go to the town you see there. When you enter it, you will find a colt tied which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here to me. If anyone asks you why you are doing this, tell him, ‘The Master needs the colt. He will send it back soon.’” The followers went into the town. They found a colt tied in the street near the door of a house, and they untied it. Some people were standing there and asked, “What are you doing? Why are you untying that colt?” The followers answered the way Jesus told them to answer. And the people let them take the colt. The followers brought the colt to Jesus. They put their coats on the colt, and Jesus sat on it. Many people spread their coats on the road. Others cut branches in the fields and spread the branches on the road. Some of the people were walking ahead of Jesus. Others were following him. All of them were shouting, “Praise God! God bless the One who comes in the name of the Lord! God bless the kingdom of our father David! That kingdom is coming! Praise to God in heaven!” Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the Temple. When he had looked at everything, and since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the 12 apostles.
Come to church and receive a Palm Cross on Palm Sunday!
In the Bible we hear how Jesus came to Jerusalem and people broke off palm branches and went out to meet him waving their palms, cheering 'Hosanna!' At our 10am service on Palm Sunday, 24th March, we'll be sharing in a procession around the church, receiving our Palm Cross, then learning more in our Godly Play session.
Holy Week and Easter
In the week leading up to Easter, Christians think about those last important few days before Jesus died on the cross. It starts with a special service on Maundy Thursday. Then the church is open all day on Good Friday and 10am-1pm Easter Eve and there's special 'Young Person's space' with artwork, poetry, prayer corner, our own special display and more.
Finally there is a family service at 10am on Easter Day when we'll decorate our special display and turn it into a beautiful Easter Garden to remind us that Jesus is risen and gives US new life. After the service we have an Easter Egg hunt in the churchyard, with little Easter Eggs to take away!
Why not try these activities over the Easter break?
Make an Easter Card
Create a Colourful Poster like the one with the cross and the heart
Try this Wordsearch
Who is Saint Michael?
He's an Archangel (one of the most important of God's angels) and is mentioned a few times in the Bible - why not see if you can find him:
Daniel, Chapter 10 and 12
Jude, Chapter 1
The most famous story is mentioned right at the end of the Bible:
Revelation, Chapter 12, verses 7–9
"Then there was a war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back. But the dragon was not strong enough. He and his angels lost their place in heaven. He was thrown down out of heaven. (The giant dragon is that old snake called the devil or Satan. He leads the whole world the wrong way.) The dragon with his angels was thrown down to the earth." International Children's Bible
Click on this picture of St Michael to print and colour it in ⇒
You can find pictures of St Michael in a few places in our church too: he's one of the four archangels in the West Window and there's a banner of him too.
We celebrate St Michael's special day on 29th September, or the Sunday nearest to it.
You might want to think of St Michael whenever you feel lonely, scared, or tempted.
Tiny Tots is here! Wednesdays at 10:45 for 11:15am