Alleluia Christ is risen! He is Risen indeed Alleluia! 

I am sorry we cannot meet in person at the moment but to help keep everyone safe we are remembering, Stay Home! But this does not mean we haveforgotten you. You are constantly in our prayers.

By now I am sure you have made a rainbow for your window. These rainbows are spreading a sign of hope and love across the country. If you haven’t made one yet why not paint, collage or colour one for your window? Do you remember the rainbow in the story of Noah and the flood, you can find it in the Bible - Genesis 9.8-17. This rainbow was a promise that God had not forgotten about Noah and his family, or even us today. Today we can take reassurance in the rainbows we see that God remembers us and hasn’t forgotten us. He is sending us a sign of hope and love.

Easter is a time when we remember that hope and love when Jesus died on the cross for us. Last week Fr John helped us to remember the story of Jesus’ journey from the cross to the grave. On Sunday we celebrated Easter day when Jesus rose from the dead and Fr John and his family celebrated Holy Communion for us all and lit the paschal candle that reminds us that the Light of Christ is shining in our world. If you would like to listen to the story of Easter then please use this link: https://youtu.be/HL8R158Ujp4 It tells the story of Jesus as told last week.

Stories are a great way of teaching what is happening to both children and adults and Jesus loved telling stories. Even after his death and resurrection he continued to tell stories and one of these was on the road to Emmaus. Please look on St Andrew’s Messy Church Facebook page and listen to the story as told by myself, this will be posted over the next few days. For now though If you want to read it for yourself you can find it in your Bible in Luke’s Gospel chapter 24 verses 13-35. Below are some activities to get you thinking and links that will help you to think about Easter, remember if you do any of the activities please take a picture and share them. We would love to see them. More will be posted, along with videos next week, so please like the page, share with your friends and get creative.

Just like the Paschal candle shines as a light to remind us of Christ’s light and love for us all, these activities will help you to share that light at home.

Tissue paper crosses (use the download link below to see a picture)

You will need: some card (maybe a cereal box) or paper, tissue paper or some wrapping paper, glue, pencil and scissors.

1. Draw a cross shape onto the card and cut it out, you will need two of these the same size.

2. Tear strips of tissue paper then put glue onto the edge of one of the cross shapes and stick the tissue paper strips across. It looks even better if you overlap the strips a little.

3. Put glue around the edge of your second cross shape and stick it onto the cross you have just stuck tissue paper onto. You will now have the outline of the cross on both sides.

4. Hang in your window or somewhere where the light can shine through it.

Light Ray Crosses (use the download link below to see a picture)

You will need: some plain paper or card, pencil, scissors, blue tack, chalk or crayons, (optional: cotton wool or tissue paper)

1. Draw a cross onto a piece of card and cut it out.

2. Stick this cross template onto another piece of paper use the blue tack to hold it in place

3. Use the chalk (or crayons) to quickly draw lines from the template onto the plain paper

4. Keep drawing lines from the middle to the edge of the paper changing the colour and overlapping the colours till you are happy with the finished look. If you are using chalk you can rub the chalk from the middle to the edge of the paper with your fingers, cotton wool or tissue paper.

5. Remove the template to see your finished design.

Songs

● My lighthouse by Rend collective https://youtu.be/reAlJKv7ptU (or sing along with the words https://youtu.be/lFBZJGSgyVQ)

● This Little Light of Mine https://youtu.be/cKkbIZtqhyQ

● He’s the Light, Light, Light, Light of the World https://youtu.be/p4YEB48T48U

● Shine Jesus Shine https://youtu.be/4UIR0VJlK6k

Prayers

Think about the light shining through your art work, or through your windows, or think about the tiny flickering light of a candle and remember Jesus who shines for you and ask him to shine on all your family and friends.

May the light that is Jesus lead us always. 

May our hearts be more for the people around us than for ourselves. 

May our resolve be to reach out in love and come alongside those in need with God’s generous compassion.

And may our lives be a witness of the blessing that comes with giving, for the sake of all God’s children, and for the glory of God’s name. 

Amen.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (hold out your hands as if taking a present)

and the love of God (give yourself a hug) 

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit (hold hands with someone)

be with us all, now and forever. Amen! (raise joined hands in the air)