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Isaiah 50.4-9a; Psalm 31.9-16; Philippians 2.5-11; Luke 23.1-49

Gather

Bringing people to community

Adult & All Age

Prepare the space

Refresh your signpost from previous weeks

Make the signpost you have used over the last few weeks into a cross. If you want to put something on the arms, then have ‘Jerusalem’ on one horizontal arm and ‘Here and Now’ on the opposite arm.

Gathering words

Gathering words on Holy week

During our time together we have an opportunity to remember the events of the first Holy Week and think about how they affect us here and now.

A gathering prayer

Heavenly Father, look upon the family

Heavenly Father,
look upon the family of your people,
and as we gather to hear again of the cross of your Son,
enlighten us with your Holy Spirit:
that we may hear, understand, and respond
to the gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

A gathering prayer for children

Almighty, ever-living God

Almighty, ever-living God,
you are great and you are mighty.
As we reflect today on the cross of Jesus,
we pray that you will fill us with your wisdom and understanding
to see how greatness and might
can be shown in gentleness and forgiveness.
Amen.

Children & Young People

Prepare the space

Display the rucksack from previous weeks

Display a rucksack on a table with the rope, compass and map, journal, boots, a tub of ointment (foot rub or hand lotion) and white flag. Allow some time for the children to look at the different items, perhaps reminding them of previous sessions where you have used these items.

Gathering activity

Think about the end of our journey to Jerusalem

As you look at the items together, say,

We have had a long journey through Lent. We have arrived in Jerusalem but our journey is not over.

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