Introducing the Unit: Option 1

If your group is using an Easter Garden (see p. 149), place it in the middle of the circle.

Can anyone tell me what this is?

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Accept children’s responses and ways of naming the garden.

This is our Easter Garden

with the dark cave in the middle.

​

We’re telling the stories of what happened

when Jesus burst from the ‘tomb’, the dark cave.

and won a new start for us.

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If your church shouts a special ‘Alleluia!’ at Easter, you could introduce it here. Examples follow, but adapt these to introduce the children to the words that they will hear around them in your church services. Encourage them to join in in church, too!

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We celebrate Easter with the Church’s special shout of joy:

Alleluia!

​

Either:

When I say, ‘The Lord is risen!’,

can you shout: ‘He is risen indeed, Alleluia!’

​

The Lord is risen!

He is risen indeed, Alleluia!

Repeat until the children are confident.

​

Or:

When I say, ‘Praise the Lord!’

can you shout: ‘Alleluia!’

​

Praise the Lord!

Alleluia!

Repeat until the children are confident.

​

Introducing the Unit: Option 2

Focus: the liturgical colour, white and gold and ‘Alleluia!’

 

Can anyone tell me what colour season we’re in now?

If appropriate: You may have seen it in church.

Accept responses.

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At the moment, the Church is in Easter!

The special colours of Easter are white and gold!

The colours of joy and celebration!

​

If your group is using an Easter Garden (see p. 149), place it in the middle of the circle.

Can anyone tell me what this is?

Accept children’s responses and ways of naming the garden.

​

This is our Easter Garden

with the dark cave in the middle.

​

At Easter, we celebrate Jesus

bursting from the ‘tomb’, the dark cave,

and winning a new start for us.

​

We celebrate Easter with the Church’s special shout of joy:

Alleluia!

 

Either:

When I say, ‘The Lord is risen!’,

can you shout: ‘He is risen indeed, Alleluia!’

​

The Lord is risen!

He is risen indeed, Alleluia!

Repeat until the children are confident.

​

Or: When I say, ‘Praise the Lord!’

can you shout: ‘Alleluia!’

Praise the Lord!

Alleluia!

Repeat until the children are confident.

 

At Easter, we celebrate Jesus bursting out of the dark cave

and winning new life for all of us!