Holy Week - Jesus shares his final meal with his disciples

Reading - Matthew 21: 1 - 11 (Palm Sunday)

or Matthew 26: 26 - 30 (Maundy Thursday Meal)

Kids Talk:

• Have you even been to a procession? What what was it like? (Discuss)
• Today we remember Jesus coming into Jerusalem riding on the back of a donkey
• People were so excited they took off their coats and waved them around (A little like the previous AFL Essendon coach, Kevin Sheedy did some years ago). Others cut down palm branches and waved them around
• They were so thrilled that this special person called Jesus had come into town
• But Jesus rode on a donkey (a sign of peace) to show he wanted to win people's hearts through peace and love
• Later in the week he had a special meal with his disciples and at that meal the very first communion service (the Eucharist) was experienced
• We are very lucky as we are able to share in that special meal sunday after sunday
• Some of you have been admitted to Communion or confirmed and will receive these special gifts today
• When we receive the bread and wine we celebrate it the same way Jesus did
• He took bread, broke it and said this is to remind you of my body which will be bruised and broken by the soldiers
• Then he took the wine and blessed it and said "This is to remind you of the blood that I will shed as well"
• Today we receive this special gift Jesus left us because when we receive the bread and the wine, we receive what we called the Real Presence of Jesus
• That means we receive Jesus special strength each time to we receive these gifts
• Jesus spirit becomes a part of the bread and wine in a very special way, and it is his special spirit we receive.
• Today we give thanks that Jesus gave his life for us not long after this donkey ride. This happened on Good Friday when he was nailed to a cross
• Thanks Jesus for being so brave and loving.

Kids Church Activity:
Activity: Palm Pictures

• Give each child a palm branch, a sheet of white paper, and some crayons.
• Have children place their pieces of white paper over the palm branches.
• Guide children to scribble color the white paper all over. • As they color, the shape of the palm branch beneath the paper should show up.

What you need to get ready:
Require: • Palm branches (1 per child) • White paper • Crayons

Children's activity that could be included in the newsletter this week for them to use during the service

The activity is related to this week's Holy Week theme

Today you need to find as many chalices as you can
and then colour in the Maundy Thursday picture

A simplified reading of the Gospel for today making it easier for children to comprehend.

If you have found these weekly Lent Pages helpful, you may like to consider signing up for the kid's church pages that are produced weekly throughout the year.

The cost is a very small 94¢ a week and contains a mountain of valuable resources.

Check out an overview of the pages at www.grassroots.com.au

THE SPECIAL KID'S CHURCH WEB SITE CONTAINS
• Weekly activities based on the Sunday Lectionary
• Theme days Eg: Pet Sunday, Mother/Father’s Day etc
• Numerous themes from previous weeks
• Simplified biblical stories for children
• Biblical reference of themes
• Powerpoint presentations
• Activity Work Books
• Newsletter activities
• Children’s Talks
• Scripture plays
• Craft activities
• Graphics

Plus other ministry resources for general parish needs.