Hi, I’m Cat!

Children’s

Stewardship Bulletins For the Seasons of Lent and Easter, plus Pentecost Sunday, Lectionary Year B

And I’m Dog.

My Own Special Bulletin Illustrated by J.K. Morris Designs

The United Church of Canada Copyright © 2003

Children’s Stewardship Bulletins For the Seasons of Lent and Easter, plus Pentecost Sunday, Lectionary Year B Copyright © 2003 The United Church of Canada

Permission is granted to congregations to reprint the bulletins for use in worship services, provided the copyright notice printed on the bulletins appears on each copy. All biblical quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Illustrations: J.K. Morris Designs Layout and production: Graphics and Print Printed in Canada

Acknowledgements I have really enjoyed creating these bulletins. Thank you so much Pam Harrison for your time and creativity. It has been a true pleasure to work with you on this project. Jennifer K. Morris

The Maritime Conference team that designed these children’s bulletins welcomes your feedback on how you used them. Please contact us! Pam Harrison, Atlantic Region Gift Planner Gifts and Giving Committee c/o Maritime Conference Office 32 York St. Sackville, NB E4L 4R4 [email protected]

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How to Use the Children’s Bulletins This new series of children’s bulletins designed by members of Maritime Conference for Lent, Easter, and Pentecost includes one reproducible bulletin for each Sunday. The reverse side (inside pages) will carry your church’s Order of Worship for that part of the service that children attend. The remaining space can be used to print weekly announcements that are of interest to young people—or might be left blank, with an invitation to the children to fill the space with pictures of their own reflections on the day’s Bible story. Remember: Don’t destroy these originals—you may want to photocopy them again!

chat between the cat and the dog, maybe calling this the “cat and dog chat time.” You might • use two puppets or toy animals as props to tell the story • ask two children to act as the cat and the dog, making cat and dog sounds while reading the words • use a hat like the one the dog is wearing and pass it around

Suggestions for Stewardship Discussion

The bulletins should be passed out to children as they are welcomed and greeted at the door (remember to have crayons and pencils available). To use this resource most effectively, read the related scripture while the children are in church, before or during the children’s time, to help them connect the Bible readings with the activity.

One stewardship objective during Lent is to help children understand that Jesus gave his life; it was not taken. It was a choice, an outcome of choices he made in his ministry. Over the weeks, the cat takes the hat from the dog, the cat later gives it back, and finally the dog gives the hat unconditionally. This is never spoken of on the bulletin covers, but it is a message that the storyteller can use. Other possibilities for stewardship discussion include the following: • How does it feel to give and to take? What is the difference?

Those who conduct the children’s time should be familiar with all the bulletin covers and the instructions for their use. At the beginning of the children’s time, invite the young people to bring their copy of the bulletin to the front. Please also see the “Stewardship Links” in the Lent-Easter-Pentecost issue of Gathering magazine for more ideas for using these bulletins for the children’s time.

• We give an offering; it is not taken. • Discuss bullies or taking things without permission.

Related Activities and Discussion Third Sunday of Lent

Have fun with these bulletin covers while you help children learn about the Lent, Easter, and Pentecost stories.

The children join the dots, draw themselves inside the light, and plug into God. You could use the picture of the three-pronged plug to introduce the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Suggestions for Telling the Story The front page of each bulletin cover contains the theme of the chosen scripture. This relates to the activity on the back page. The bulletin covers feature a cat and a dog. The cat always makes the announcements, and the dog responds. Each week, read this

Fourth Sunday of Lent Ask the children to follow the butterflies. They might like to sit cross-legged like the child in the drawing. Repeat these

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Seventh Sunday of Easter

words while doing the actions that follow: “Give thanks because God’s love is forever” (Psalm 107:1–3, 17–22). Put out your hands with the palms facing upward as though you are giving something. Look up toward God with a smile. Make two large circles with your hands, beginning and ending in the centre, suggesting the infinity symbol. Then show the children how to trace a continuous infinity symbol in the air with one finger. Infinity is a math symbol for something that has no beginning or end, like God’s eternal love.

The children draw themselves inside a church. You might instead put a photo of each child inside the image and add his or her name below. All the photos could then be displayed for everyone to see.

Pentecost Sunday This Sunday offers the idea of teaching children to say “yes” in other languages: • Ja is German, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish (and probably other languages!).

Ask the children to repeat these words in front of a mirror at home while doing the actions, maybe making this part of every day: “Give thanks because God’s love is forever.”

• Oui is French.

Second Sunday of Easter

• Shi is Mandarin (Chinese).

The children design a T-shirt with the words “Peace be with you.” This activity might be used over the next few weeks in these ways:

• Hai is Japanese.

• Sí is Spanish; sì is Italian. • Sim is Portuguese.

The Japanese and Mandarin words are spelled in Latin letters to help with pronunciation.

• The children could display their designs for everyone to see.

If members of your congregation come from various nationalities, be sure to add their languages to the story.

• You could choose one design to actually have printed on a T-shirt and sell as a fundraiser for the church school or the Mission and Service Fund. • A computer-savvy member of the congregation could scan and print the children’s designs onto transfer sheets for the children to iron onto their own T-shirts.

Fifth Sunday of Easter The children create “stained-glass windows.” You might enlarge the image to a full 8.5” x 11”, have the children decorate it, and then hang their creations in a window.

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Draw a symbol of your promise.

Hey! Did you know today is the first Sunday of Lent?

God’s Promise Genesis 9:8–17

God made a special promise that never again will all living things be destroyed by floods. God created the rainbow as a symbol of this covenant. Have you ever made a promise? Was it to your parents or a friend? What did you promise?

Ummm… what is Lent?

My Own Special Bulletin Illustrated by J.K. Morris Designs.

The United Church of Canada Copyright © 2003

Write the first letter of each picture in the boxes below to discover the secret message.

It’s the second Sunday of Lent. Know what Lent is yet?

Can You Keep a Secret? Mark 9:2–9

After seeing Jesus speak with Elijah and Moses, and hearing a voice come from a cloud, Peter, James, and John were told by Jesus to tell no one about it. Has anyone ever told you a secret? Did you promise not to tell? Have you ever told someone a secret?

It’s getting ready for Easter!!!!

Answer: Grapes Owl Dragonfly Light bulb Orange Viking Elephant Snake Yo-yo Octopus Umbrella

My Own Special Bulletin Illustrated by J.K. Morris Designs.

The United Church of Canada Copyright © 2003

Connect the dots and draw a picture of you inside to see what happens when you get plugged into God.

Today is the third Sunday of Lent. What have YOU learned?

This Little Light of Mine 1 Corinthians 1:18–25

Wisdom is knowing to turn the light on when it is dark. When we know God is in our lives, we are connected and that brings light into our lives.

Something really big is going to happen in our church!

My Own Special Bulletin Illustrated by J.K. Morris Designs.

The United Church of Canada Copyright © 2003

Follow the path of the butterflies with your arms to sign “eternal love.”

The fourth Sunday of Lent is here! Did you see all of the plants and decorations?

God’s Love Psalm 107:1–3, 17–22

Be thankful because God’s love is forever.

Yeah, and I heard the choir practising too! Must be something special!

My Own Special Bulletin Illustrated by J.K. Morris Designs.

The United Church of Canada Copyright © 2003

In the heart below, write a law you think God would write in your heart.

It’s the fifth Sunday of Lent today. Know how many Sundays left till Easter?

God’s Law Jeremiah 31:31–34

God said, “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts.…” Do you know any of God’s laws? Do you know any other kinds of laws?

Yup, two! Next Sunday they’re bringing palm branches to church!

My Own Special Bulletin Illustrated by J.K. Morris Designs.

The United Church of Canada Copyright © 2003

Write in the donkey’s thought bubble what your thoughts would be if it had been you that day.

Hurray! It’s Palm Sunday! Um… what are you doing?

Jesus and the Donkey Mark 11:1–11

The young donkey had never given a ride to anyone before Jesus, and this first job was an important one. Have you ever had an important job to do? How did it make you feel…nervous, proud, excited?

I’m pretending I’m the donkey that Jesus rode.

My Own Special Bulletin Illustrated by J.K. Morris Designs.

The United Church of Canada Copyright © 2003

Write the first letter of each picture in the boxes below to solve the mystery! Hey! Wake up! It’s Easter!

A Mysterious Disappearance Mark 16:1–8

When they went to the tomb, Mary, Mary, and Salome saw a young man, who said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.… he is not here.”

I must be dreaming.… Do I smell Easter flowers?

Jet Elephant Sandwich Umbrella Sun Heart Apple Snake Ring Ice cream Ship Egg Nails

My Own Special Bulletin Illustrated by J.K. Morris Designs.

The United Church of Canada Copyright © 2003

Answer:

Design a T-shirt in the space below, keeping in mind Jesus’ words: “Peace be with you.”

It’s the second Sunday of Easter! Hey, whatcha got there?

“Peace be with you” John 20:19–31

This is what Jesus said to his disciples.

It’s a symbol of peace, ’cause that’s what Jesus wanted.

My Own Special Bulletin Illustrated by J.K. Morris Designs.

The United Church of Canada Copyright © 2003

Connect the dots to see with your own eyes who appears.

It’s the third Sunday of Easter! See all the Easter People?

Believe! Luke 24:36b–48

Jesus said to his disciples, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts rise in your hearts? Look at my hands and feet; see that it is I myself.”

Does that make me an Easter Dog?

My Own Special Bulletin Illustrated by J.K. Morris Designs.

The United Church of Canada Copyright © 2003

Connect the dots to see what Jesus gave to us when he gave up his life. Inside, write a letter to thank him.

Wow! It’s the fourth Sunday of Easter! Isn’t that amazing?

A Gift! John 10:11–18

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Jesus gave up his life for us, as a gift. Have you ever given a gift to someone? How did giving feel?

I learned that Jesus was raised from the dead. Now that’s truly amazing!

My Own Special Bulletin Illustrated by J.K. Morris Designs.

The United Church of Canada Copyright © 2003

Create a stained-glass window. 1. Colour. 2. Cut out the X pieces. 3. Glue coloured tissue paper on the back.

This is the fifth Sunday of Easter! We are Easter People!

Abide in Jesus John 15:1–8

Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower.… Abide in me as I abide in you.” What do you think “abide” means?

Can I be an Easter Donkey instead of an Easter People?

My Own Special Bulletin Illustrated by J.K. Morris Designs.

The United Church of Canada Copyright © 2003

Draw hearts in all the blanks, then pretend they are “O”s to read what Jesus wants us to do.

Dog, today is the sixth Sunday of Easter, and I want you to know… I love you! 

And Put Your Heart into It! John 15:9–17

Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

Oooh…thank you! I love you too!

My Own Special Bulletin Illustrated by J.K. Morris Designs.

The United Church of Canada Copyright © 2003

Since church is not complete unless U R in it, draw yourself in the little church below.

Oh Dog! Today is the last Sunday of Easter!

Church John 17:11

For seven weeks we have been living as Easter People, coming together as friends in church. Jesus prayed that his followers would be one. So ch_ _ch is not complete unless U R in it.

That’s OK. I like coming to church even when it’s not Easter!

My Own Special Bulletin Illustrated by J.K. Morris Designs.

The United Church of Canada Copyright © 2003

Read what the kids below are saying to learn how to say “yes” to Jesus in six languages! Today is the day of Pentecost.… Amen.

Tongues of Fire! Acts 2:1–4

On the day of Pentecost, tongues of fire appeared, the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak other languages.

My heart feels filled with the Holy Spirit.

My Own Special Bulletin Illustrated by J.K. Morris Designs.

The United Church of Canada Copyright © 2003