Easter at Home checklist Traditions are important. Yet, this year, celebrations might look different. Grab the family and turn your eyes upon Jesus. We are confident that, together, you will find a way to make Easter memorable for your family.

WEEK BEFORE EASTER WEEKEND SOMETIME AFTER Prepare as a family Choose a service time Mark the moment Ask how everyone is Know your options. Encourage and affirm one feeling about Easter. Easter services will be another. And, share Honesty is key. Nothing streamed online on pictures. They’ll remind is a surprise to God. Be Saturday, April 11 at 4:30 you how strong your family real and kind to yourself and 6:30pm and Sunday, is and show a watching and to one another. April 12 at 9 and 11am. world how good God is.

Ask what is one thing Prepare an experience BONUS: spread the everyone does, eats, for your kids good news of Jesus wears, sees, etc. that makes Easter special? KidsCrossing will provide Is there a person, family or Make a list and work an age-appropriate, video group of people you know together to make it so. message for kids age 2 (or don’t) who could use a Appreciate each other’s to 5th Grade. Decide little encouragement? creativity and effort. whether to view these If so, check out some ideas as a family or have them and resources posted at Read the Easter Story. watch it while you are TheCrossing.church or come Check out John 12-21 in streaming service. up with your own. Whatever the Bible, grab an Easter you choose – big or small – storybook or log into The Either way, they will be will shine a light and spread Crossing’s Bookstore available on-demand at God’s love. Facebook page at 6:30pm https://thecrossing. nightly for story time. Ask church/kidsresponse each other what stood out. The next page outlines God so loved the world Experience Good Friday two activities that are mentioned in the videos. that he gave his one Take time to consider the Feel free to do them as a and only Son. Anyone who cross and what it means to family anytime or gather believes in him will not die you. One way to do that is supplies ahead of time so but will have eternal life. to pick a time, gather the your kid(s) can participate John 3:16 family and enjoy an online, as they watch. on demand, 30-minute worship experience at @kidscrossingstl TheCrossing.church. [email protected] Learn How To Tell The Greatest Rescue Story Ever! Jesus coming back from the dead gave Him power to save each one of us. That means we are part of the miraculous story of Easter, too! Below are two ways to help kids understand this true story and easily explain it to family and friends.

After Jesus rode into town on the donkey, ACTIVITY #1 He told His friends He was going away but This activity will be featured that He would come back. in the Two’s and PreK videos. Then some mean men came and took Jesus What you’ll need: away. They put him on a cross and He died. Activity cutouts (inc.) Jesus’s friends were sad. Crayons/markers Scissors They took his body, laid it in a tomb and rolled Optional: paper, craft a big stone in front. Then 1, 2, 3 days passed. sticks, glue, tape, etc. Print out activity drawings Jesus’ friend, Mary, went to the tomb. When she (pages 1-2 below). Color got there, she saw that the big rock was moved, and cut out drawings. and that Jesus was gone! Mary was sad. Use any of the optional supplies to bring your An angel appeared and told her: “Jesus is alive! story (right) to life! He came back just like He said.” Jesus loves us SO much, and wants to be our friend forever!

Open the egg, add in the items below one at a time ACTIVITY #2 as you tell the Easter story. This activity will be featured in K-5th Grade videos. The red cloth (or alternate item) reminds us that we are all sinners. Romans 3:23 What you’ll need: Plastic Easter egg The picture of Jesus reminds us that He came to Anything red: cloth, save us from sin. Matthew 1:21 piece of paper, etc. Picture of Jesus The toothpick broken in half and laid down like a (see activity cutouts cross reminds us that Jesus died to save us. page 3 below or draw) Romans 5:7-8 Toothpick Stone (or rock) The stone reminds us that His tomb was empty – Jesus is ALIVE! John 20 Anything white: cloth, piece of paper, etc. The white cloth (or alternate item) reminds us that Jesus can forgive us and make us clean. John 3:16 ACTIVITY #1 CUTOUTS, PAGE 1 ACTIVITY #1 CUTOUTS, PAGE 2 Picture of Jesus

Summary of Egg Pieces

ACTIVITY #2 CUTOUTS, PAGE 3