Seventh Sunday of Easter - Jesus' Ascension
Photo: Robert Nyman
3-7 year olds
1. Opening Prayer: "Lord Jesus, this week we remember your return to your Father in HEAVEN. Help us also remember that we all are God's children and help us to share your love. Amen"
2. This week we celebrate Ascension, so let's talk about HEAVEN. Heaven is like a massive playground, where all people have the most happy time. It is a day of joy, which does not have an evening. A birthday party with God and friends. Now, what is your favourite playground and why? Have you been with your parents to a local Waterpark (e.g. Coral Reef Waterworld)? Do you like bouncy castles? Do you enjoy riding your scouter? Tell us more about your happy memories.
3. Watch this video about Jesus:
4. The question: why did Jesus go to heaven?
-To prepare more rooms for us so that one day we can join Him, His Best Friend (the Holy Spirit) and God the Father in the greatest party in the whole universe!
5. Prayers:
- We thank you, Lord Jesus, for you love and invitation to share the joys of heaven.
- We pray for our teachers, friends and families, may your blessing be upon us.
- We pray for those who are not well or sad.
- We pray for our church St Mary's and all people who live in Twickenham.
- We pray for each one of us.
Amen
6. Activity: colour the picture (see my attachment).
8+ years
1. Opening Prayer: "Lord Jesus, this week we commemorate and celebrate your return to Your and our Father. Help us to remember that we are never alone, and your Holy Spirit is with us. Amen."
2. Reading:
Acts 1:1-11 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Taken Up Into Heaven
1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
What images come to your mind when you read this story? Why Jesus went 'up'? Where is heaven. Can we "measure" the distance to heaven? How many miles from our homes? Is heaven is hidden on earth as its most beautiful dimension?
What if the closest door to heaven is... in our heart? By completing acts of kindness with can share the treasures of heaven.
3. Watch this clip:
4. So what should we do now? Sit and wait for his return? Or... live our life inspired by His teaching and the grace of the Holy Spirit?
5 Prayers:
- Let us pray for our schools and teachers. - Let us pray for our local community and especially for those who are lonely or homeless.
- Let us pray for our neighbours, people who live on our street
- Let us pray for our church community
- Let us pray for our families.
We say the Lord's Prayer.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.