The following originally appeared as part of "Grief over Injustice, Hope for Wholeness—Lent 1: War."
Children’s Message
Note: During the weeks leading up to Lent, the children used charcoal to create cross art that we then framed and displayed in the sanctuary during the season as a constant reminder of our frailty and brokenness and of God’s great love for us.
[Invite kids forward to discuss their charcoal cross art now on display, then talk to the kids about ashes.]
Ash Wednesday was this past week, marking the start of the season of Lent, which is what we call the season in the church leading up to Good Friday and Easter. This can be a hard season. We talk a lot about the suffering and death of Jesus and about suffering and death in the world. God calls us in the season of Lent to turn from the things that keep us apart from God and to turn toward the things that bring us closer to God.
Thank you for helping us worship by sharing the crosses you made. [Ask one or two children to talk about their pictures.] The ashes remind us that eventually we will all die because we disobeyed God. The cross reminds us of our hope in Christ: that Jesus has already defeated death. The beauty of the flowers, trees, and sunshine in your pictures reminds us that God will make everything new and beautiful in its time.
Prayer of Confession
Dear Jesus,
We are sorry for not always doing what is right and good.
We turn away from you and go our own way.
Forgive us, Lord, when we do bad things or think unkind thoughts.
Forgive us when we don’t help someone in need.
Help us to live justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with you, our God.
Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
God promises us that God will make everything beautiful in its time.
The book of Isaiah describes a beautiful picture of the joy creation will have when God makes all things new:
The desert and the dry ground will be glad.
The dry places will be full of joy.
Flowers will grow there.
Like the first crocus in the spring,
the desert will bloom with flowers.
It will be very glad and shout for joy. . . .
Everyone will see the glory of the Lord.
They will see the beauty of our God.
—Isaiah 35:1–3 NIRV
