Ahmed's Gift
Children's Liturgy and Story
Call to Worship:
The angel said, "Jesus has been raised from the dead, and is going ahead of you." Jesus still goes ahead of us today. In our worship, let us find out where Jesus is going and follow him.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, help me to listen for your voice.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, call me and enable me to hear you.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, lead me in the way in which I should go.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Matthew 28:1-10 (NRSV)
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. [2] And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. [3] His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. [4] For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. [5] But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. [6] He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. [7] Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.' This is my message for you." [8] So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. [9] Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. [10] Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
Story:
Resurrection is about bringing something new and better out of the ashes and pain of destruction. This is as true in this life as it is in life after death.
Ahmed's Gift
When Ahmed was eight he had his first lesson in clay modelling. Each member of the class was given a ball of modelling clay and a bowl of water and encouraged to make an ashtray to take home. But nobody at Ahmed's home smoked, so he decided to make a vase to give to his mother on Easter Day.
Ahmed could see his vase quite clearly in his mind. It was tall and elegant, with a slim swan neck and a perfectly rounded base. He would bake it in the oven, paint it in bright and glorious colours and then glaze it so that it was strong and shining. His mother would be thrilled.
As he started working with the clay, Ahmed discovered that it wasn't quite as easy as he had anticipated. It was difficult to master a perfect symmetry and as he stretched and fashioned the neck, the whole vase wobbled dangerously and threatened to collapse. But he worked hard, and by the end of the hour was delighted with his progress. His vase looked very good. It was ready for baking and he could tell that it was the envy of the other children.
At that moment there was a commotion behind him. Ahmed turned to see what was happening. Rosie had a nosebleed. She jumped up with a tissue clutched to her nose and pushed past Ahmed to rush to the cloakroom. But as she went, her skirt caught Ahmed's tray. The tray fell on the ground, the soft clay vase splatted onto the floor and Rosie inadvertently trod on it.
Ahmed was devastated. His work lay in ruins and there was no time to fashion another vase.
Miss Abbott eyed him sympathetically. "Why don't you take the clay home, Ahmed?" she suggested. "You can produce anything you like at home and I'll bake it for you first thing tomorrow."
Ahmed nodded glumly. Somehow he knew he'd never be able to make such a beautiful vase again and he didn't feel much like trying. But he took the clay home anyway.
Ahmed sat at the kitchen table gazing at his clay for ages. He was unable to muster the energy to start work all over again. He just didn't feel like it. So he simply sat and looked at the ball of clay.
After a while he noticed something rather amazing. There, nestled inside the ball of clay was a tiny rabbit. The more he looked, the more Ahmed was able to see the rabbit. He picked up the clay and began to pinch it and stretch it, roll it and pull it and knead it, to enable the rabbit to emerge. As he worked he felt strangely at peace. It was almost as though his hands were working of their own volition, for his mind was engaged just with seeking the rabbit.
In ten minutes the ball of clay was transformed into a tiny, life-like rabbit. It was almost real to Ahmed, who cradled it gently in his hands. He still wasn't sure how he had done it. He took it to school next day and there was a hushed silence as everyone gazed in awe at Ahmed's rabbit. Miss Abbott baked it and Ahmed painted it in natural, rabbit-like shades, so that it became even more life-like.
On Easter Day Ahmed presented the rabbit to his mother. "Here," he said. "It's your Easter Bunny. He saw me when he was in the clay and I helped him to come out."
Ahmed's mother hugged him with tears in her eyes. She kept the Easter Bunny with her for the whole of her life. And as for Ahmed, why, he grew up to become a sculptor.
Activity:
You need:
Some bits of white cloth, to represent grave clothes.
Lots of pots of small flowers, such as primulas.
If possible, some green grass or something to resemble grass.
Today, complete the Easter garden. Cover the hill in grass. Plant pots of primulas throughout the garden, so that the garden becomes a riot of colour. Move the stone away from the tomb. Put the folded grave clothes in the tomb.
Tell the story of Easter Day, pointing out that churches are bare and plain for the six weeks of Lent, but that on Easter Day they burst into life with flowers and colour. Tell the children that their Easter garden also represents resurrection, for it has burst into bloom.
Remind the children that Easter eggs represent the tomb. When you open them, they are empty (hopefully!) to show that Jesus was not there but had risen.
Prayers:
Creator God, may your world-wide church learn not to fear death but to accept it in the knowledge that when one thing dies, you will create something new. May your church learn new ways of being, so that all your children can be welcomed into your arms.
Creator God, we pray for all who try to bring life out of death, especially those who work in field hospitals with the wounded and dying, and those who work amongst AIDS victims. Give them the skills, the courage and the strength that they need and enable them to bring your comfort to those in dire circumstances.
Creator God, teach us all to constantly seek for renewal and to face the pain and suffering that precedes it. As we move again and again through the cycle of crucifixion and resurrection, may we grow stronger in mind and spirit and ever closer to you.
Creator God, bring hope and happiness to those who are sick and their carers. May they never lose sight of you and may their feet remain on the narrow way which leads to your kingdom. We name them in our own hearts ...
Blessing:
Through this Easter
May you be given strength
To endure the pain of crucifixion
so that you may know for yourself
the joy of resurrection
and the delight of a new life.
And may the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Be with you, be in your homes
And in your families,
With those whom you love
And with those for whom you pray,
Both now and always. Amen.
The angel said, "Jesus has been raised from the dead, and is going ahead of you." Jesus still goes ahead of us today. In our worship, let us find out where Jesus is going and follow him.
Invitation to Confession:
Jesus, help me to listen for your voice.
Lord, have mercy.
Jesus, call me and enable me to hear you.
Christ, have mercy.
Jesus, lead me in the way in which I should go.
Lord, have mercy.
Reading:
Matthew 28:1-10 (NRSV)
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. [2] And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. [3] His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. [4] For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. [5] But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. [6] He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. [7] Then go quickly and tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.' This is my message for you." [8] So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. [9] Suddenly Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. [10] Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
Story:
Resurrection is about bringing something new and better out of the ashes and pain of destruction. This is as true in this life as it is in life after death.
Ahmed's Gift
When Ahmed was eight he had his first lesson in clay modelling. Each member of the class was given a ball of modelling clay and a bowl of water and encouraged to make an ashtray to take home. But nobody at Ahmed's home smoked, so he decided to make a vase to give to his mother on Easter Day.
Ahmed could see his vase quite clearly in his mind. It was tall and elegant, with a slim swan neck and a perfectly rounded base. He would bake it in the oven, paint it in bright and glorious colours and then glaze it so that it was strong and shining. His mother would be thrilled.
As he started working with the clay, Ahmed discovered that it wasn't quite as easy as he had anticipated. It was difficult to master a perfect symmetry and as he stretched and fashioned the neck, the whole vase wobbled dangerously and threatened to collapse. But he worked hard, and by the end of the hour was delighted with his progress. His vase looked very good. It was ready for baking and he could tell that it was the envy of the other children.
At that moment there was a commotion behind him. Ahmed turned to see what was happening. Rosie had a nosebleed. She jumped up with a tissue clutched to her nose and pushed past Ahmed to rush to the cloakroom. But as she went, her skirt caught Ahmed's tray. The tray fell on the ground, the soft clay vase splatted onto the floor and Rosie inadvertently trod on it.
Ahmed was devastated. His work lay in ruins and there was no time to fashion another vase.
Miss Abbott eyed him sympathetically. "Why don't you take the clay home, Ahmed?" she suggested. "You can produce anything you like at home and I'll bake it for you first thing tomorrow."
Ahmed nodded glumly. Somehow he knew he'd never be able to make such a beautiful vase again and he didn't feel much like trying. But he took the clay home anyway.
Ahmed sat at the kitchen table gazing at his clay for ages. He was unable to muster the energy to start work all over again. He just didn't feel like it. So he simply sat and looked at the ball of clay.
After a while he noticed something rather amazing. There, nestled inside the ball of clay was a tiny rabbit. The more he looked, the more Ahmed was able to see the rabbit. He picked up the clay and began to pinch it and stretch it, roll it and pull it and knead it, to enable the rabbit to emerge. As he worked he felt strangely at peace. It was almost as though his hands were working of their own volition, for his mind was engaged just with seeking the rabbit.
In ten minutes the ball of clay was transformed into a tiny, life-like rabbit. It was almost real to Ahmed, who cradled it gently in his hands. He still wasn't sure how he had done it. He took it to school next day and there was a hushed silence as everyone gazed in awe at Ahmed's rabbit. Miss Abbott baked it and Ahmed painted it in natural, rabbit-like shades, so that it became even more life-like.
On Easter Day Ahmed presented the rabbit to his mother. "Here," he said. "It's your Easter Bunny. He saw me when he was in the clay and I helped him to come out."
Ahmed's mother hugged him with tears in her eyes. She kept the Easter Bunny with her for the whole of her life. And as for Ahmed, why, he grew up to become a sculptor.
Activity:
You need:
Some bits of white cloth, to represent grave clothes.
Lots of pots of small flowers, such as primulas.
If possible, some green grass or something to resemble grass.
Today, complete the Easter garden. Cover the hill in grass. Plant pots of primulas throughout the garden, so that the garden becomes a riot of colour. Move the stone away from the tomb. Put the folded grave clothes in the tomb.
Tell the story of Easter Day, pointing out that churches are bare and plain for the six weeks of Lent, but that on Easter Day they burst into life with flowers and colour. Tell the children that their Easter garden also represents resurrection, for it has burst into bloom.
Remind the children that Easter eggs represent the tomb. When you open them, they are empty (hopefully!) to show that Jesus was not there but had risen.
Prayers:
Creator God, may your world-wide church learn not to fear death but to accept it in the knowledge that when one thing dies, you will create something new. May your church learn new ways of being, so that all your children can be welcomed into your arms.
Creator God, we pray for all who try to bring life out of death, especially those who work in field hospitals with the wounded and dying, and those who work amongst AIDS victims. Give them the skills, the courage and the strength that they need and enable them to bring your comfort to those in dire circumstances.
Creator God, teach us all to constantly seek for renewal and to face the pain and suffering that precedes it. As we move again and again through the cycle of crucifixion and resurrection, may we grow stronger in mind and spirit and ever closer to you.
Creator God, bring hope and happiness to those who are sick and their carers. May they never lose sight of you and may their feet remain on the narrow way which leads to your kingdom. We name them in our own hearts ...
Blessing:
Through this Easter
May you be given strength
To endure the pain of crucifixion
so that you may know for yourself
the joy of resurrection
and the delight of a new life.
And may the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Be with you, be in your homes
And in your families,
With those whom you love
And with those for whom you pray,
Both now and always. Amen.
