For the season of Lent, I wrote a devotional for my congregation, Cayce United Methodist Church. I am sharing an adapted version of the adult version here on the blog.
The family devotional is similar but includes a TON of activities, coloring sheets, science and even some baking (maybe more than practical but I got excited). If you want to see the packets in their entirety you can download them on Cayce's website (www.cayceumc.com). On the website scroll down to below the upcoming events and there are download options: adult, family and the Jesus Storybook booklets.
6th Sunday of Lent, March 28 Palm Sunday
Set-up: You will need tea lights (or candles, or a simple pencil drawing of candles and an eraser to take away a flame) and a Bible (or access to an online Bible). Prepare your spirit and your space, set aside distractions. Then, light one of the six tea lights.
Read: Mark 11:1-11 Hosanna, Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! (11:9)
Wonder: Today we are switching gears from the covenants and promises in order to read the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. This story is a dramatic event in the beginning of Jesus’ moving towards his destiny, a destiny foretold by prophets and by Jesus himself (see John 8: 31-32, 9:30-32 and 10:32-34). We as modern readers know the whole story; we know this journey leads to the cross and ultimately to God’s victory, but the disciples did not. We also know that Jesus is not the messiah that the crowds expected or wanted. Since we have been reading and learning about how God longs for relationship with us (and has demonstrated that through covenants), do you see the entry of Jesus in Jerusalem differently than you may have in years past?
Do: For further wondering, and because I think I did a good job. I offer my sermon from Palm Sunday. The sermon starts at 14:26 right after Lydia's sweet solo "I've got the Joy." https://www.facebook.com/cayceumc/videos/855855664977135
Act: Extinguish the last candle.
Prayer: During this time of Lenten preparation, we think of those who turned away from the light of Jesus. And we remember that we, too, turn away. Peter was the one Jesus entrusted to "build his church." He was willing to step out in faith. But he was the one who denied . . . who chose the way of darkness rather than light. We, too, deny Jesus — even when we feel so very close to him. We refuse to follow his example day in and day out. We recoil from service. And in the face of social pressure, we are floundering witnesses to his love for us. We extinguish the sixth candle with the confession that we have allowed others to define us rather than the light of Christ.
Additional Readings: The Servant King story booklet, Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16, Philippians 2:5-11, Mark 14:1-15:47.
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