YOUTH easter PLAYLIST
Read
Merciful Easter: Abolish the Death Penalty “For Christians who believe that all humans are created in the divine image of God, we must also ask ourselves, “Is God commanding me to kill this person?”
This question is answered by Jesus, who himself was killed via capital punishment by the Roman Empire, something we are keenly aware of this week. “Love your enemies” Jesus commanded (Matthew 5:44) and “Do unto others” (Matthew 7:12) is the golden standard by which Christ instructs his followers to live by. If anyone had just cause to kill in self-defense or execute someone for the sake of justice, it was Jesus. Yet the Prince of Peace never gave us a precedent to take someone’s life. On the contrary, he gave up his own life for the sake of others. If you believe the person of Jesus is the ultimate example of how we should live as Christians, your stance should be pro-life instead of pro-death.”
Recommended books for Eastertide, to live like Easter People -
- Social Justice Bible Challenge by Marek P. Zabriskie
- Being Christian by Rowan Williams
Being Disciples by Rowan Williams - Crazy Christians by Michael Curry
Following the Way of Jesus by Michael Curry
Love is the Way by Michael Curry
Watch
The Easter Story, told wordlessly by a continuous line drawing
Want to feel like you’re there, in Jerusalem, looking for Jesus after his crucifixion? With action, adventure, mystery, and suspense, Risen from 2016 delivers all!
Luke 19-23 Good Friday and the Crucifixion - Jesus treats every person he meets with respect, offering kindness and comfort to others even as he is being executed. Where are the places around you where you sense injustice and selfishness? How can you extend mercy to those places, whether in your own heart, thoughts, or actions?
Luke 24 Resurrection - For Jesus' family and friends, the empty tomb and the risen Jesus himself were a shocking surprise. Despite Jesus preparing them for his death and resurrection, they simply couldn't imagine how Jesus' death fit into God's purpose. Luke’s resurrection account shows how the only way to embrace the risen Jesus is to let go of our normal ways of viewing the world. Only then can we open ourselves to the surprising power of God’s love for our world.
The Hogwarts Chaplain preaches on Easter and, spoiler, the last book of the series and how it relates to resurrection!
Participate
- Pick up an Easter swag bag at church
- Easter tide youth activities outside
- Stations of the Resurrection on Jackson Avenue
- Youth Group - Molly’s House renovations are complete! After Easter Break, Youth Group will reconvene on Sunday, April 11th, to watch The Risen, where a Roman soldier is on the dangerous hunt for the body of the one they call the Messiah, in this modern action-adventure movie.
- Upcoming Youth Group Dates:
- April 11th The Risen movie night
- April 18th Devotional Candle Making and Stations of the Resurrection on Jackson Ave
- April 25th Water Balloon Game Day!
- May 2nd Canoeing with LOOP Nola in City Park RSVP required. 2pm - 5pm meeting at 1031 Harrison Ave., New Orleans, LA 70124
- (No Youth Group on Mother’s Day May 9th)
- May 16th Fire Crafts to get ready for the season of Pentecost
- May 23rd Pizza Party and Game Night for the end of the semester
Pray and Reflect
- Become aware of God’s presence.
- Review the day with gratitude.
- Pay attention to your emotions.
- Forgive, and ask for forgiveness.
- Look toward tomorrow.
Based on the practice of the Examen, this prayer practice is an invitation to see God all around us. For guidance through the five steps of self reflection and prayer, read https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-prayer/the-examen/how-can-i-pray/
A Prayer attributed to St. Francis Book of Common Prayer page 833
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
A Prayer from the Easter Vigil Book of Common Prayer page 291
O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquillity the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Collect for Easter Day Book of Common Prayer page 222
Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord's resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
A Collect for Eastertide Book of Common Prayer page 223
Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Stations of the Resurrection are a prayerful way of journeying through Eastertide by meditating on biblical scenes related to Jesus’ resurrection, ascension and sending of the Holy Spirit.
Slowly read and meditate on the scripture passage for a particular station. You may wish to notice what word or phrase captures your heart and attentiveness and to ask what the Holy Spirit is inviting you to in this word or phrase (as one might do in Lectio Divina).
Or perhaps wonder with the Godly Play questions: I wonder what you like best; I wonder what is most important; I wonder if there is any part that we could leave out and still have all the story we need; I wonder where you are in this story.
Then offer the prayers that follow the Station’s reading, or something similar from your heart. Close your time by holding space for specific prayer intentions and concluding with “Our Father, who art in heaven…,” a spontaneous prayer, or some other prayer.
https://www.saintjameslancaster.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Stations-of-the-Resurrection.pdf
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