The stone’s been rolled away: Messy Church at Home for April 2021

Bible story Activities

Matthew 28:1–10, 16–20 (NIV) Gaekkebrev ( snowflake letter) Did you notice that it snowed a bit earlier this week? After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other You will need: paper in different colours; Mary went to look at the tomb. coloured pencils; fine marker pens; scissors; envelopes; example poems (download online) There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, Create and send a gaekkebrev – a Danish going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and Easter tradition. Fold one piece of coloured sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, paper in half a few times, then cut out shapes. and his clothes were white as snow. The Unfold it again, and stick it to a different guards were so afraid of him that they shook coloured piece of paper. Write a ‘teaser and became like dead men. poem’ on to your card (copy one provided or write your own). Sign the card with a few The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be dots, corresponding to the number of letters afraid, for I know that you are looking for in your name. If the recipient can guess who , who was crucified. He is not here; he it’s from, the sender owes them an Easter has risen, just as he said. Come and see the . If they can’t guess who it’s from within place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell three days, they owe the sender an Easter his disciples: “He has risen from the dead and egg. is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.” Now I have told you.’ Talk about someone you’d like to share the Easter story of Jesus’ resurrection with. Think So the women hurried away from the tomb, about who you’d send this unique letter to, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his and whether they would be able to guess who disciples. Suddenly Jesus met sent it. them. ‘Greetings,’ he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and Felt Easter tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me’… You will need: felt; buttons; rhinestones; ribbon; glue; string; the template PDF Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to (download online); scissors the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped Trace around the template on your him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to felt and cut it out. Lay out your design first or them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on just have fun gluing on different materials. earth has been given to me. Therefore go and Trim any excess ribbon or felt embellishments make disciples of all nations, baptising them if you need to. Add string to the top of the egg in the name of the Father and of the Son and for hanging, if you would like. of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely Talk about how the egg was a symbol of I am with you always, to the very end of the rebirth, adopted by early as a age. symbol of the at Easter. What does it take for someone to give their life to Christ?

The stone’s been rolled away: Messy Church at Home for April 2021

Easter marshmallow pops of text to put on the little cards; the following miniature items for each person: string, red You will need: big marshmallows; chocolate ribbons, crossword prints, pencils, (white or dark); skewers; decoration for eyes matchsticks, twigs, hearts, buttons, tin foil, and mouth birthday candles, nails, plasters, coins, Skewer each marshmallow. Melt chocolate, flowers, puzzle pieces, stones then dip each marshmallow halfway into the Decorate the box with gift wrapping or chocolate. (If you are making a face, the patterned paper. Cut out 16 cards a little chocolate will be the hair.) Decorate the top smaller than the box. Use zig-zag scissors to however you like, but do it right away so the cut different coloured papers slightly smaller decoration sticks to the marshmallow. than the cards, then glue them on to your Talk about how Easter reminds us of Jesus’ cards. Glue cut-out texts on the patterned love for us. How do we celebrate Easter at paper or write them on. Then glue on items home? matching the text. Place all cards in your box.

Talk about the different texts on the cards and how they impact your life. Use this box Wooden cross occasionally to remind you of God’s great love You will need: scrap wood (timber stores for you. often give away scrap for free); nails; wood You could make a second reminder box to glue; a hammer; permanent marker pens; give to someone you know. sand paper; a saw

Make a small rugged cross with a stand. Sand the wood lightly so as to remove splinters but Egg tapping still retain the roughness. Cut the wood into You will need: hard-boiled eggs - cooled; red shapes for the cross – the horizontal piece paint and paintbrushes or markers around 30 cm long and the vertical piece around 50 cm long. Cut out a base, if you are Paint your egg (or add red food colouring to making one. Drill holes for the nails and then the water when you are boiling it). When it is attach the pieces together. Decorate or write dry, hold your hard- and use it to on your cross, perhaps choosing your tap another participant’s egg, intending to favourite Bible verse. break the other’s without breaking your own.

Talk about how the rough and untreated Talk about how egg tapping is a tradition in wood reminds us of ‘the old rugged cross’ that many eastern European countries. The eggs Jesus was crucified on. Every year on Good are dyed red to represent the blood of Christ, Friday we reflect on it. This was a very difficult with further symbolism being found in the journey that Jesus chose to walk for our sake. hard shell of the egg symbolising the sealed The roughness of this cross also reminds us tomb of Christ – the cracking of which that we don’t have to be perfect to be loved symbolises his resurrection from the dead. by God. How does the resurrection of Christ impact your life?

Reminder box

You will need: boxes (e.g. little empty tea bag box); white card; glue; gift wrap or patterned paper; scissors with zig-zag blades; print-outs The stone’s been rolled away: Messy Church at Home for April 2021

Do join us for our celebration on YouTube on Sunday afternoon – link to follow.

You may be able to see pictures of some of the crafts if you follow this link and scroll down to April

Get Messy Jan21_WebMaterial- compressed.pdf (messychurch.org.uk)

Mealtime discussion starters:

• What does it mean to go and make disciples? • What would happen if Jesus suddenly appeared to you like he appeared to the disciples? • What do you find strange about today’s session?

Gaekkebrev poems

Guess my name, I humbly beg. Your reward – an Easter egg! Let these puzzling dots proclaim Every letter of my name. …

One letter on each line spells my name. It’s up to you to guess my little game. But if by Easter Day The answer hasn’t come your way, Then you owe me an Easter egg – what a shame! …

If by the end of Easter Day, The answer hasn’t come your way, Then you owe me an Easter gift – A chocolate egg is on my list! …

Or write your own poem

The stone’s been rolled away: Messy Church at Home for April 2021

Reminder box Texts to cut out and stick onto decorated cards. Silver

God’s a refiner and the purifier or silver. A rope. He wants to see his reflection in me.

Reminds me that I used to be a slave to my sins and now I’m free. Birthday candle

To celebrate the day I became a A red ribbon new creation in Christ.

To remind me to pray always and in all things to give thanks. A nail

Reminds me of the shame and suffering A crossword that my Saviour endured for me.

Reminds me that Jesus is the answer and solution to every problem I face. A plaster

Reminds me that he is the great physician A pencil who heals all my wounds.

To write down and remind me of all my blessings from God. A coin

Reminds me that good health, love and A matchstick happiness cannot be bought – they are gifts from God. To remind me to be a light burning bright for Christ.

A flower

Wood To remind me that as God clothes the flowers in the field, so does he provide for Reminds me that if I delight in God’s law, I my needs. will be like a tree planted by the river.

A puzzle piece A heart To remind me that God gave me a unique Reminds me that I am to love my place in this world to fit into. neighbour as I love myself.

A stone A button Jesus is the cornerstone and foundation Reminds me that when I accepted Christ, on which I must build my life. he fastened me securely to himself.