Year C – Christ the King/ Reign of Christ - Proper 29, 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 27th Sunday after Pentecost (November 24, 2013)

 

The “Reign of Christ” is generally preferred to “Christ the King” as the name for this Sunday in order to de-emphasize hierarchy.  That is a worthwhile goal.  But especially non-reading children hear “Rain of Christ” instead of “Reign of Christ” and are confused.  So if you use Reign, define it and point out with a laugh what it is not.

U Then explore Christ the King in children’s terms.  In children’s stories kings may be good or bad or simply may be people in a set role.  The king has the right and power to make all the rules and demand that people do what he wants.  When the people do not obey the king has the right to punish them.  Good kings use this power and right well.  Bad kings do not.  Jesus is the very best king ever.  Jesus has all the power and chooses to use it to take care of people.  When his people disobey him (think crucifixion), he forgives them.  In the context of today’s texts, King Jesus chooses to be a Good Shepherd and a forgiver.

U Unless you want to save this for Palm Sunday, display a crown of thorns and a king’s crown from a costume shop.  Talk about the choice Jesus made about the kind of crown he would wear and the kind of king he would be.

U If you are using white and gold paraments today, point them out, explain the significance of their color and any symbols on them.  Recall the other holy days on which they are used.

U If there is a collection of teaching pictures from the life of Jesus in a church school closet, select a series that tell the whole story of Jesus.  Display them one at the time for the children and recall the story behind each.  Then, sing “Jesus Loves Me” or a well-known song praising Jesus. 

U To put the Lord’s Prayer in the context of Christ’s kingship, use the phrase “Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory” of the Lord’s Prayer as a congregational response to each of the other lines of the prayer. 

U Songs that trace the life of Christ in words children can follow:

“O Sing a Song of Bethlehem”

“Lord of the Dance”

“The King of Glory Comes the Nation Rejoices”

 

 

The Turn of the Christian Year

This Sunday and next, we are at the end and the beginning of the Christian Year.  That is a good opportunity to review and celebrate the entire year.  In the USA in 2013 reviewing the whole year might be a wonderful, relaxed way to worship on the Sunday at the end of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.  The first Advent candles could be lit, but fuller observance of the season could wait until the following week when more folks will be around.  In other countries, it might be better observed on the last Sunday of the year so that you are ready to go fully into Advent on its first Sunday.

_ The simplest way to review the Christian Year is to bring out all the stoles and/or banners for all the seasons of the year.  As a children’s time, display them for the children and recall which colors go with which seasons.  Link each season to a well-known story about Jesus.  Conclude by grouping them together and looping the white one around them noting that Jesus holds the whole year together.

_ The University Hill Church in Vancouver has created a Christian year calendar for 2013-14 with seasonal rather than monthly pages.  Each page includes art for that season and a list of ways to celebrate that season in worship.  I have not seen the calendar “in person” but based on sample pages on their web site have ordered one for myself and mention it to you.  Get the details and order it at Salt of the Earth: Christians Seasons Calendar.  Sharing this calendar with children would be a good children’s time for this day.

_ The same church shares a plan for a supper reviewing the Christian Year at Celebrating a Christian New Year's Party.  It includes directions for tables decorated for different seasons.  Congregations that are informal in their worship might use the tables as stops along a worship path set up in the sanctuary.  The University Hill list of items for each season might also be a start for a more formal procession of the seasons in other congregations.

Advent - blue with advent wreath/candle
Christmas - white & gold with nativity
Epiphany - green with star, three gifts, bowl of water
Lent - purple with bowl of ashes & crown of thorns
Holy Week - red with palm leaves, cup & plate, crucifix
Easter - white & gold with resurrection cross & figure, white candle
Pentecost - red with circle of friends

_ Another way to celebrate and review the church year in worship is to follow a lessons and carols format.  For each season read a key story or text and sing one song.  Embellish these with bringing in a banner for that season and or highlighting the color changes.  (Perhaps the worship leaders for each season wear stoles for that season.)

_ To sing through the Christian year, sing one or more verses from these songs which are more child friendly than others.

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” or “Let All Mortal Flesh”

    Children follow the feelings rather than the words in

    these songs

“Once in Royal David’s City” or “Away in the Manger”

    Simple words retell the story and our relationship to it

“We Three Kings of Orient Are”

“Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley”

    The verses tell what Jesus did and what he calls us to do

“Were You There When the Crucified My Lord?”

    Simple words tell the story

“Jesus Christ is Risen Today”

    Even non-readers can join on the Alleluias

“Breathe on Me Breath of God” or “Spirit”

    The words of the first tell the story better, but

    the chorus of the second invites early readers to sing

    along

“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” or “He is King of Kings”

    For Christ the King Sunday

Today’s Texts

Jeremiah 23:1-6

U Especially in the United States this fall, most people of all political persuasions, resonate with Jeremiah’s wish for political leaders who are good shepherds, i.e. leaders who have the well-being of the people as their focus.  In the context of today’s theme, Jesus is that leader.  He is a king who has the good of the people as clearly in mind as a shepherd has the well-being of the sheep in mind. 

U For children shepherds are people who take care of sheep.  They will need to be clearly told that in the Bible Jesus is often referred to as a shepherd not of sheep but of people.  One way to do this is to show a picture of Jesus with sheep in his arms (Google “good shepherd pictures”) and a picture of Jesus with people (you may have a picture of Jesus and the children in the church school). 

 

Catacomb of Callixtus - The Good Shepherd,
from Art in the Christian Tradition,
a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.
 http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54382
[retrieved October 23, 2013]. Original source:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimforest/2594526135/

U The earliest painting of Jesus is this painting of Jesus as a good shepherd.  It is found in the catacombs  (tunnels under the city of Rome) where the first Christians hid out from Romans who wanted to feed them to the lions.  This painting on the wall reminded them that Jesus would take care of them.

 

U If you are celebrating Christ the King/ Reign of Christ gather symbols for Christ, perhaps processing them in as you read the various texts.  Or, simply present and explore one of the symbols.

Jeremiah: a shepherd’s staff

Colossians: crown

Luke 23: a cross

Jeremiah says God is the kind of king who cares for or shepherds his people.  Note how odd it is to see one person wear a crown and carry a staff.  Enjoy God/Jesus who does just that.  (If bishops carry staffs in your tradition this would be a good day to point to and explain them.)

 

Luke 1:68-79 – (It’s a song paired with Jeremiah here)

U Before reading Zechariah’s song, briefly tell the story behind it.  Elderly, childless Zechariah had not believed the angel who told him he would have a son.  Because he had not believed, he was unable to speak until the baby (John the Baptist) was born.  These were his first words after nine silent months.  Either invite worshipers to imagine old John holding his newborn son in his arms saying these words to God and everyone around him.  Or, if your congregation includes an older man who could speak the words dramatically from memory , ask him to present the reading (perhaps holding a wrapped baby doll in his arms).

U MERCY as a key word todays texts.  Jesus is the King of Mercy.  To help children understand this word that is not used everyday today, write it on a large poster.  Present the poster and define the word before the call to worship.  Encourage worshipers to listen for the word in today’s worship and draw a star on their bulletin every time they hear it, sing it, or say it.  Jump to the Luke 23 resources for ideas about highlighting mercy in the prayers of confession. 

Synonyms for children: kindness, forgiving, pity, compassion

Antonyms for children: harshness, demanding, unforgiving

 

Psalm 46     GOD IS WITH US, WE FEAR NOTHING

U This psalm celebrates what the other texts for the day describe.  We are safe in the presence of God.  We don’t have to be afraid.  Verses 10-11 sum it up most simply for children. 

U “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” is based on this psalm.  Martin Luther’s words are difficult for children to understand.  What they can get is the feel of fearlessness and the passion with the congregation sings this familiar, loved hymn.  Before singing it, note that Martin Luther wrote this song while his friends were hiding him in a castle from people who wanted to kill him.  Invite singers to imagine how he felt as they sang his song together.

Colossians 1:11-20

U The hymn to Christ in verses 15-20 is the heart of this text.   Unfortunately for children, it is filled with so many pronouns and interchangeable names for Jesus that it is hard to follow.  Choosing to read either Today’s English Version or The Contemporary English Version rather than the King James or NRSV may help.  But, even they need to be interpreted.  The hymn boils down to six statements about Jesus.  Children will recognize some of them and be interested in exploring them as a set of ideas about Jesus. 

Jesus is God made visible.

Jesus is better than anyone else or anything else in all creation.

God made the world through Jesus and for Jesus.

Jesus (and God) existed before anything else.

Jesus is the head of the church and what keeps it alive.

God forgave us through Jesus’ death on the cross.

U If you must offer a children’s time, invite the children to join you with the big Bible from the front of the church.  Introduce the text as a song about Jesus that the very first Christians sang.  Pause in your reading to put each big idea about Jesus in your own words.  You might want to reread this without interruptions later or this might be the epistle reading for the day.

U No matter which translation of this song you use, three names appear – Jesus, Christ, and Son.  Before reading the text, point out these names and briefly explain each one.  To add a visual, present each name on a poster that can be left in full view during the reading.

Jesus is the name his family and friends called Jesus – like Susan or Lou.

Christ is actually a title rather than a name.  It is not Jesus’ last name (a common misperception among children).  The title means God’s Chosen One and applies only to Jesus.

Jesus is called God’s Son or simply the Son.  Just as people say of a son that he is just like his father, people say of Jesus that he not only is like God but is God in human form.

U The text refers to Jesus at both the beginning and end of time.  If there are Alpha and Omega symbols on today’s paraments or elsewhere in the sanctuary, point them out and explain them.  Enjoy the children’s question “but what came before that…” and the mysterious answer that before anything there was God and Christ.  And, after everything there will be God and Christ.  

 

U After exploring this text, add a crown to the worship center with words about Christ’s lordship over all times and places.

Luke 23:33-43

U Luke’s account of the crucifixion centers on Jesus’ forgiving those who crucified him and the thief who asked for forgiveness.  On this Sunday it emphasizes Christ’s work forgiving us.  In children’s stories kings don’t have to forgive.  But, King Jesus, the king of the universe, chooses to forgive us at great cost to himself. 

U It is a good day for worship education about confession and assurance of pardon as they are practiced in your worship.  Point to that section of worship in a bulletin.  Walk worshipers through the prayers and responses, putting things in your own words as you go. 

In my congregation it would go something like this:  We say together that we all know we do things that are sinful, then in the silence we each tell God some of the bad stuff we have done in the last week.  We ask God to forgive us and then hear the minister remind us that God will forgive us.  We respond with a happy song thanking God for forgiving us and shake hands to “pass the peace” that we get from God to those sitting around us. 

U Rehearse any standard responses or refrains together.  For example, explain that “Kyrie Eleison” means “Christ have mercy” or “Christ forgive us,” then sing it through once.   

U To emphasize the purpose of the prayer of confession, create a responsive prayer.  The congregation’s response to each plea is “Christ, forgive us.”

U After exploring this story, add a/another cross to the worship center

Year C - Passion/Palm Sunday (March 24, 2013)

The readings, except for the gospel, for this Sunday are the same all three lectionary years.  Go to the links below to explore what has been posted for years A and B, then read on for additional ideas for all the texts based on the Year C Lenten themes.

U Go to Year A - Palm/Passion Sunday to find

Information about making palm crosses during worship

A script with motions that trace the up and down movement of the Philippians hymn to Christ

A Psalm 118 script with readers scattered around the sanctuary in a way that recalls the Palm Sunday praise filled parade

An answer to the child’s question, “Why did they hate Jesus so much?”

A passion narrative script based on Matthew’s account and edited with children’s presence in mind (mainly changing readers reading in short sections)

U Go to Year B - Palm/Passion Sunday to find

 A passion script based on Mark’s account with suggestions for readers of different ages and props to go with each section of the story

U When you order palms consider ordering from Eco-Palms at Ecopalms.org.  Eco-Palms are harvested in a sustainable manner and workers are paid a fair wage. Many denominations endorse them and your green-conscious children will be pleased!


If you have been exploring the phrases of the Lord’s Prayer… 

Today’s phrase is “For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever.”

U “Thine” is an old word for “yours” that children will not understand unless you define it for them.  Rephrase this line, “all the power and glory in the world belong to you, God.” 

  

 

U Make a word poster for each key word in this phrase.  Kingdom features the word under a big crown.  Power is printed in big black letters like the POWER in a comic book.  Glory is printed in gold glitter pen.  To explore the meaning of the phrase, present and discuss each poster in sequence.  Then produce pictures of events in Holy Week  - Palm Sunday parade, Last Supper, Crucifixion, etc.  (Find pictures in church school picture files or in great art collections on line.)  Challenge children/all worshipers to match the pictures to the word posters.  Ponder together the fact that there are no obvious to us matches.  During Holy Week Jesus changed our ideas about kingdom, power, and glory look like.  Walk through the pictures using the three words to describe what Jesus was showing us about these.  Finally, put into your own words what we are saying when we pray this line of the Lord’s Prayer.  (This could be a rather complex children’s sermon aimed at older children or it could be the beginning of the real sermon on power.

U When children think of power and glory, they often think of super hero/ines.  Explore the difference in Jesus’ ideas about power and those of these characters.  Display pictures of several super hero/ines – Spiderman, Batman, Wonder Woman, etc.  Identify their efforts to “save the world” from different bad guys and the special powers they use to do this.  Then, present a picture of Jesus on the cross.  Ask what Jesus was doing here and how he was doing it.  Identify forgiveness as Jesus’ super power.  Name some of the people he forgave during Holy Week (Peter, the soldiers who whipped and killed him, the people who teased him while he was dying, and us).    Then, either

ponder Jesus’ insistence that forgiving is more powerful than fighting or leaping tall buildings – not as cool, but way more powerful. 

OR

           

insist that while we do not have the powers of the superheroes, every one of us has the power to forgive.   We can use that power to save the world and the people around us every day. 

IF YOU FEEL BRAVE ENOUGH TO FACE DOWN SOME ADULTS, name some adult superheroes like James Bond who win the day with violence and explore the fact that fighting violence with violence is not Jesus’ way.

U After exploring the meaning of Jesus’ power and glory during Holy Week, have the congregation pray the phrase in response to a series of situations in the world and in our lives.  For example,

When friends have said words that hurt and we want to hurt back…

When we are facing a bully at school or work…

When our nation is being bullied by other nations and people…

When people are taking unfair advantage of others…

When we want to use our power to get what we want even when it hurts others…

If you have been pursuing a love theme during Lent…

U Use the pictures in a children’s storybook about the events of Holy Week to tell the story in your own words putting the focus on Jesus’ continuing to love people throughout the events of the week.  Make the following points…

On Palm Sunday Jesus enjoyed the parade with people singing their love for God, but he was sad when he got to the Temple and found it filled with people selling things instead of praying.  That is love – both happy and sad love!

On Thursday, Jesus ate with his disciples.  He knew it would be his last meal with them.  When no one washed the disciples' feet, Jesus did the job.  He even washed the feet of Judas who would turn him in to the soldiers and Peter who would pretend he did not even know Jesus later that night. That is love!

On Friday, Jesus endured whipping and being nailed to a cross.  He forgave the soldiers who did the job.  He endured the crowds who teased him as he died and forgave them.  He watched his mother watch him die on the cross and asked John to take care of her.  That is love! 

By the time he died on Friday, his heart was broken by his enemies, by the crowds, and even by his friends.  But Jesus kept on loving them all.  That is love – God’s love!

U After exploring the Holy week stories, display a large red valentine heart that has been cut into two jagged pieces and held together by a big band-aid (or piece of wide masking tape cut to look like a band-aid) with a red heart drawn on it. 

Looking Ahead into Holy Week…

U Challenge households to read part of Luke’s story of the events of Holy Week each day this week.  Provide a bookmark with readings.  The readings below are chosen with families with children in mind, but would be appropriate for all-adult households.  Last year one person shared her beautifully illustrated bookmark on the Facebook page.  Share what you do this year to inspire others.

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

The Holy Week Story

Sunday             Luke 22:24-27     Who is the greatest?

Monday            Luke 22:7-20       The Last Supper

Tuesday           Luke 22:47-53      Jesus is arrested

Wednesday      Luke  22:54-62     Peter denies Jesus

Thursday          Luke 23:13-25      Pilate condemns Jesus

Friday               Luke 23:33-49      Jesus is Crucified

Saturday           Luke 23:50-56      Jesus is Buried

Easter              Luke 24:1-12        The Tomb is Empty

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

If it is spring break in public schools and many families will be traveling and so miss Holy Week services, encourage them to take their bookmarks with them and to take a picture of themselves reading the Bible together at the beach, in the mountains, in their den at home, or wherever they spend Holy Week.  Post their photographs on a bulletin board titled something like “First Church families read THE STORY during Holy Week.”  This is one way to resource families to do home worship and to encourage them to pay some attention to the Holy Week story even if they do not come to the church during the week.

U As you make announcements about Holy Week services and if you really do want children to attend them, tell them and their parents so very directly.  Give them a hint about one thing that will be particularly interesting or important for the children as well as for the adults.  For example, “On Thursday evening we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on the night Jesus invented it.  We will hear the story of how it came to be.  This is a night for children and parents and grandparents, for kids and teenagers and adults, for all Christians who love and follow Jesus.”

The Texts for the Day

Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

This psalm of praises echoes the parade into Jerusalem and makes most sense to children when used by today’s worshipers to join the praising.  Go to Year A - Palm/Passion Sunday and scroll down to Psalm 118 for a script in which readers scattered throughout the sanctuary yell one verse each.  Or, simply use verse 24 “this is the day the Lord has made…” as a call to worship. 

Isaiah 50:4-9a and Psalm 31:9-16

On a day with so much story, both of these prayers will go past most children.  To those who do hear them, they are mainly prayers Jesus might have prayed as he faced the coming week.  One of them is probably enough for any service.

Philippians 2:5-11

U Go to Year A - Palm/Passion Sunday and scroll down to Philippians for a script including motions for this great hymn.  It could be used as a children’s time or the children could be invited forward to lead the congregation in moving through it as the Epistle for the day.

U Children (like all of us) work hard to get their fair share of all the goodies.  They speak about it in terms of what is my fair share and justice, but underneath it is the drive to get what I deserve and want.  Jesus came from God and should have been treated royally.  He deserved that treatment.  Instead he ignored what was rightfully his and spent all his time and energy caring for others.  That is love!  Use this to explore the down and up theme of this hymn.

Luke 19:28-40

U Though Luke doesn’t say anything about the presence of children in the parade, most worshipers will assume it.  That makes it a good passage to be read by an older child.  Because it is a rather long story, a good rehearsal in the sanctuary helps a child prepare to read it well.

U A reminder about Palm Sunday processionals.  Luke’s account says nothing about the presence of children.  It was an adult inspired and led event in which I’d bet some children joined!  To be accurate a processional should be intergenerational.  It is also true that children quickly feel “silly” walking down the aisle waving a palm branch while the congregation sings a song they do not know.  So, either plan for an intergenerational processional with all singing a repeated short song of praise they have just learned together or instruct a children’s choir or class to enter carrying their palm in a stylized way (held in one hand across their chest and over their shoulder).   Or, try the idea below that was left as a comment by “Allison in Pennsylvania” last year….

 “My church has “always done” a Palm Sunday parade with the kids during the first hymn which is usually, “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna, the Little Children Sang” (which I think the adults like better than the kids.)

So to liven things up, last year I made sure that the inside and outside aisle seats had palms (since not everyone takes a palm on their way in). And I put the robes we use at Christmas on the inside aisle too.  As the kids did a circuit around the outside of the sanctuary, people waved their palms at them as they went by and they waved back (minor sword fighting ensued, but they were moving so it didn’t last long).

As the kids prepared to come down the middle aisle, the grown-ups sitting on the end threw down the robes to cover the aisle and threw down the palm branches too.

It ended up being much more dramatic than usual, which I count as a blessing ! :0)  This year, I may not do it during the hymn but rather as part of reading the Scripture… so people can watch what is going on instead of burying their faces in the hymnal!”

U For a different palm processional, save the palm processional until the end of worship when worshipers will have heard and explored the story together.  Just before the benediction give out the palms and send people out to declare God’s presence in the world.  Leave singing a Palm Sunday hymn or some other praise chorus.  Encourage households to display their palms on their dining table or some other prominent place this week.

Public Domain from Wikipedia article

U Year A suggests comparing a costume kings crown with a crown of thorns to talk about what kind of king Jesus is.  IF you have already used the crowns, today talk about kingship by comparing two pictures, one of a king or soldier riding a large horse and the other of Jesus riding the donkey.

Luke 22:14 – 23:56 or Luke 23:1-49

U This very long Passion Narrative is filled with conversation between Jesus and both his friends and enemies.  Point this fact out to the congregation before reading it.  Then, to help children (and all listeners) keep up with the conversations and the action, use Rev. Jim Taylor’s reader’s theater script based on The Message.  (Go to Rumors and scroll way down the post to find the script.)    Or, use the script below which reworks his plan a little using the NRSV.

UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

The Passion Story

Luke 22:14 – 23:56

The Narrator and Jesus remain the same throughout the five scenes.  The same reader should read Peter in Scenes 1 and 3.  The Narrator probably reads from the lectern.  Other readers may read different parts in different scenes.  They read from scripts in black folders and stand as directed for each scene.  There can be as many as 14 readers, or a lot fewer.  Provide chairs for those not in a given scene and/or times between the scenes.  At least one good rehearsal will be essential.

SCENE ONE: The Last Supper

Jesus stands at the center behind the Table.  Three readers stand to his sides facing the congregation.  One reader reads Peter’s part and responds with the other disciples.  Other readers read the “Disciples” lines in unison.

Narrator:  When the hour came, he took his place at the table, and the apostles with him.  He said to them,

Jesus:  I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 

Narrator:  Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he said,

Jesus:  Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.

Narrator:  Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying,

Jesus:  This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. 

Narrator:  And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying,

Jesus:  This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.  But see, the one who betrays me is with me, and his hand is on the table.  For the Son of Man is going as it has been determined, but woe to that one by whom he is betrayed!

Narrator:  Then they began to ask one another which one of them it could be who would do this.  Pause.   A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest.  But he said to them,

Jesus:  The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves.  For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  Pause turning to Simon Peter.

Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.  

Narrator:  And Simon Peter said to him,

Peter:  Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death!

Jesus:  I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day, until you have denied three times that you know me.

Narrator:  Then he said to all of them,

Jesus:  When I sent you out without a purse, bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?

Disciples:  No, not a thing. 

Jesus:  But now, the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one.  For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me, ‘And he was counted among the lawless’; and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled.

Disciples:  Lord, look, here are two swords.

Jesus:  It is enough.

SCENE TWO: The Garden of Gethsemane

Jesus stands in the center surrounded by several disciples only one of whom reads the disciple line.  Several other readers come forward with their backs to the congregation as the crowd to confront the disciples.

Narrator:  He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him.  When he reached the place, he said to them,

Jesus:  Pray that you may not come into the time of trial. 

Narrator:  Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed,

Jesus:  Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.”

Narrator:  Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength.  In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.  When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and he said to them,

Jesus:  Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.

Narrator:  While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, (a few readers silently rise from their seats and stand facing Jesus with their backs to the congregation) and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him,

Jesus:  Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man? 

Narrator:  When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked,

Disciple:  Lord, should we strike with the sword?

Narrator:  Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.  But Jesus said,

Jesus:  No more of this!

Narrator:  And he touched his ear and healed him.  Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him,

Jesus:  Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!

SCENE THREE: At the Chief Priest’s House

Peter stands at the center surrounded by the Servant Girl and 2 men.  All read in place.

Narrator:  Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them.  Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said,

Servant Girl:  This man also was with him. 

Narrator:  But he denied it, saying,

Peter:  Woman, I do not know him. 

Narrator:  A little later someone else, on seeing him, said,

Man 1:  You also are one of them.

Narrator:  But Peter said,

Peter:  Man, I am not! 

Narrator:  Then about an hour later still another kept insisting,

Man 2:  Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean. 

Narrator:   But Peter said,

Peter:  Man, I do not know what you are talking about!

Narrator:  At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed.  The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

SCENE FOUR: Jesus’ Trial

Jesus stands between 2 priests on one side and a soldier and Pilate on the other side.  When Herod’s line comes up the Herod reader steps forward to read from the side with Pilate and the soldier.

Narrator:  Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; they also blindfolded him and kept asking him,

Soldier:  Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?

Narrator:  They kept heaping many other insults on him.  Pause.   When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council.    They said,

Priest 1:   If you are the Messiah, tell us.

Jesus: If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God. 

All of them asked,

Priest 2:  Are you, then, the Son of God?

Jesus:  You say that I am.

Priest 1:  What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!

Narrator:  Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate.  They began to accuse him, saying,

Priest 2:  We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king. 

Narrator:  Then Pilate asked him,

Pilate:  Are you the king of the Jews?

Jesus:  You say so. 

Narrator:  Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds,

Pilate:  I find no basis for an accusation against this man. 

Narrator:  But they were insistent and said,

Priest 1:  He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.

Narrator:  When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean.  And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time.

Herod (coming from a seat to stand on the side with Pilate and the soldier):  When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign.  He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer.  The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him.  Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate.   That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.

Narrator:  Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, and said to them,

Pilate:  You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him.  Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death.  I will therefore have him flogged and release him.

Narrator:  Then they all shouted out together, “

Both Priests:  Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us! 

Narrator:  This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.  Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; but they kept shouting,

Both Priests:  Crucify, crucify him! 

Narrator: A third time he said to them

Pilate:  Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.

 Narrator:  But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted.  He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.

SCENE FIVE: Jesus is crucified

Jesus stands at the center.  Criminals enter and take places on either side of Jesus. A crowd of 2 stand off to one side facing Jesus a level below Jesus if possible.  The soldiers stand on the other side of Jesus facing him.

Narrator:  As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus.   A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him.  But Jesus turned to them and said,

Jesus (looking to one side):  Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.  For the days are surely coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’   Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us’; and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’  For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”

Narrator (criminals take places on either side of Jesus):  Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him.  When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.  Then Jesus said,

Jesus:  Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.

Narrator:  And they cast lots to divide his clothing.  And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying,

Crowd of Two(standing opposite the soldier and maybe below Jesus):  He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!

Narrator:  The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying,

Soldiers in unison:  If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself! 

Narrator:  There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”   One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying,

Criminal 1:  Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us! 

Narrator:  But the other rebuked him, saying,

Criminal 2:  Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?   And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.   (Turning toward Jesus) Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. 

Jesus:  Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.

Narrator:  It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two.   Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said,

Jesus:  Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

Narrator:  Having said this, he breathed his last.  When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said,

Soldier 1:  Certainly this man was innocent.

Narrator:   And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts.  But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid.  It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning.  The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid.  Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.  On the sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Man enters from the side to lead Jesus out the central aisle.  Other readers leave quietly by side doors.

Narrator:  This is the Word of the Lord.

Congregation:  Thanks be to God.

UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

U Some children may be hearing this story for the first time or at least understanding parts of it for the first time.  They may not know or remember that the story does not end here with Jesus dead.  They need to be told very clearly that at this point the story seems very sad but that the story does not end here.  Indeed, the story has a wonderful surprise ending  which we will read and celebrate with flowers and happy songs next Sunday.  Without this reassurance, children can leave the service quite alarmed by what they have heard. 

HOSANNA!     CRUCIFY HIM!    ALLELUIA!

U Trace the events of the week by reviewing crowd responses to the them.  With children or the whole congregation practice saying each one and talk briefly about its significance.

“Hosanna!”  The cheer with which the people welcomed Jesus on Sunday.

“Crucify him!”  The angry demand they made on Friday.

“Alleluia!”  Our shout on Easter morning at the empty tomb – today just practice  whispering this one to remind yourselves of the surprise that is coming.