Easter may look a little different this year...
This resource was created for our Easter of 2020, when New Zealand was in a Level 4 lockdown in the Covid-19 pandemic. Our Easter traditions looked a little different that year, as we adjusted to life in our 'bubbles'. A great joy in being part of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia, are the taonga (treasure) found in journeying through Holy Week with one another, and the richness of the services, experiences and activities to mark each day.
Holy Week is a beautiful, deep, colourful, emotive and wonderful experience. Whether it's Palm Sunday services with donkeys and palm leaves, chrism services with the water and anointing of oil, foot washing, Good Friday contemplative and combined services, and then a huge Easter celebration on Easter Sunday. Many of our young people would have normally be attending Easter Camps across the country, and while we may have be acutely aware of what we are missing out on, we had a unique opportunity to explore what Easter means to us in our bubbles.
Holy Week is a beautiful, deep, colourful, emotive and wonderful experience. Whether it's Palm Sunday services with donkeys and palm leaves, chrism services with the water and anointing of oil, foot washing, Good Friday contemplative and combined services, and then a huge Easter celebration on Easter Sunday. Many of our young people would have normally be attending Easter Camps across the country, and while we may have be acutely aware of what we are missing out on, we had a unique opportunity to explore what Easter means to us in our bubbles.
Celebrating Holy Week in our Bubbles
Each day we will hear a story about Jesus, ask some questions, and have a Bubble blessing
Look up!
to see what God has to say to us today |
Look in!
to see how to live out the story with faith-filled friends |
Look out!
to see how we share this story with others |
Bubble Blessing
Share a blessing with your Bubble |
Palm Sunday | Sunday
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Story: Jesus enters Jerusalem, Mark 11:1-11
Palm Sunday reminds us of the true story from the Bible, when Jesus arrives into Jerusalem. He didn't come in a flash car or with security guards - Jesus rode in on a donkey. The people knew that there was something special about him though, and they lined the streets, cheering and waving palm branches. Creative ideas to celebrate Palm Sunday in your bubble
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Look up! to see what God has to say
“Hosanna in the highest! Jesus is King!” the people shouted. What an unusual king, riding in on a humble donkey! God often does things in the most unexpected way. Where have you seen God in the last week? |
Look in! to see how to live out the story with faith-filled friends
Jesus was humble – he didn’t show off, make himself look more important, or put others down. Whether we are good at something, or struggle with other things, we have a choice about how we respond to the good time and tough times, and how we show love and humility. |
Look out! to see how we can share this story with others
We can encourage others by cheering them on! We might not have palm branches, but we can use our words to build others up. Who can you cheer on this week? |
A blessing for your Bubble
We welcome you Jesus, we welcome you here. You are the King of all, show us how to draw near. Hosanna to the King, Jesus is Lord! |
Monday | Holy Week
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Jesus and the Temple
Today's story can be found in the Bible, in Mark 11:15-19. When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, he was angry when he saw what was happening in the Temple. The temple was a place where God's people met to worship, pray, read scriptures and offer God sacrifices. But instead, it had been turned into a market place and people were cheating each other for money. A place that was meant for good, was being used for bad purposes. Being 'house churches' in our bubbles, we have a chance to notice what is important in our faith. What do we miss about church? What don't we miss? What could be different? We hope that this time together in our bubbles will grow our faith and when we gather back together, we will be stronger for it. |
Look up! to see what God has to say
Sometimes we can lose sight of what is important. Maybe we take our friends or family in our bubble for granted, or we forget to include God in our day. What can you do to help your bubble out tomorrow? |
Look in! to see how to live out the story with faith-filled friends
Think about your home and neighbourhood. Are you taking good care of it? Could you do something to look after the space and people better? |
Look out! to see how we can share this story with others
God is already at work in your neighbourhood and community, restoring and fixing the world. Can you see what He is doing? How can we join in with God in His mission to heal and restore your community? |
A blessing for your Bubble
We rejoice in the gift of each other We rejoice in the gift of you We bless each other with joy today We bless each other in you. |
Tuesday | Holy Week
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Mary and her perfume
You can read this story in the Jesus Storybook Bible: Washed with tears, P.280-285. You can also read this story in the Bible, in John 12:1-8 Today we hear about a friend of Jesus, who gave him her greatest possession. The perfume that Mary pours on Jesus' feet reminds us of the frankincense he was given as a baby, a sign that he is a King. It would have cost Mary a huge amount of money to save up for this treasure, and she gives it all to Jesus - even when others disaprove or thing she's crackers! |
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Look up! to see what God has to say
Mary gave Jesus her most precious possession. If Jesus was here now, what would be your greatest gift to him? |
Look in! to see how to live out the story with faith-filled friends
Sometimes we can misunderstand situations or people too, if we can’t see the whole picture. The disciples didn't understand why Mary pouring her perfume on Jesus - but it made perfect sense to Jesus. Have you misunderstood someone? How you can be kind in the way you respond? |
Look out! to see how we can share this story with others
Find something that smells beautiful, and surprise someone in your Bubble with it. Perhaps it could be a flower, a cookie, a candle…. Be creative! |
A blessing for your Bubble
The Lord bless you and keep you. Make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you, like he was to Mary. May the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace Amen. |
Wednesday | Holy Week
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The Last Supper
You can also read today’s story in the Jesus Storybook Bible: The Servant King and A dark night in the garden, p.286 - 301, and in Mark 14:12-26 in your Bible. It was a special time of the year in Jerusalem, as families celebrated a festival called Passover. Jesus gathered his closest friends in an upstairs room, and surprised them all by washing their feet. This was a servants job, but Jesus showed that he was a Servant King. Jesus also shared a special meal of bread and wine, and told his friends to not be afraid of what was about to happen to him. It was part of God's rescue plan. |
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Look up! to see what God has to say
That evening, Jesus celebrated the Passover with his friends – this was a special meal to remember how God had rescued them from being slaves in Egypt. But this year, God was getting ready for a greater rescue. What are you thankful for today? |
Look in! to see how to live out the story with faith-filled friends
That evening, because he loved his friends, Jesus washed their dirty feet. This was usually a job for a servant, but Jesus showed he was a servant king! How can you lovingly serve others this week? |
Look out! to see how we can share this story with others
Think of a creative way you can send a friend a message to say you're thinking about them. Maybe you could send a video message, write it with chalk outside their house, or make them a card. |
A blessing for your Bubble
Thank you for the food we eat, the fresh water we drink, the people who cook kai for us, the farmers that grow our crops, and the supermarket workers that are working so hard to keep us fed. Thank you for the gift of life. |
Maundy Thursday | Holy Week
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The Garden of Gethsemane
You can read this story in the Jesus Storybook Bible : A dark night in the garden, p.294-300, and in Luke 22 / Mark 14 / John 18 The night before Jesus died, he took his best friends with him to a garden to pray. He wanted to spend some time with his Father, and as the evening went on, he was betrayed by a close friend. Peter was so angry, he cut off the ear of a soldier!
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Look up! to see what God has to say
"Who do you think you are?" said the leaders of the city to Jesus. Who do you think Jesus is? What words would you use to describe him? |
Look in! to see how to live out the story with faith-filled friends
Sometimes we can be impulsive like Peter, snapping back at friends who hurt our feelings. Jesus showed Peter how to be calm and loving even when he was in the right. Have you ever had to hold back your anger, when others have been unkind? |
Look out! to see how we can share this story with others
In today’s story, Peter jumps up to defend Jesus when the soldier arrive to arrest him. We can help defend our friends with our words by praying for them. Think of someone who is in trouble, and ask God to protect them. |
A blessing for your Bubble
God, may we know your peace, even when we don't understand. Jesus, may we know you are our rock in times of trouble. Spirit, thank you for always being with us, and for your peace deep inside of us. Amen. |
Good Friday
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The Saddest Day
You can read today’s story in Mark 15:1–47 and The Jesus Storybook Bible - ‘The sun stops shining’ p.302-308 Rock prayer As you get some exercise today, keep your eyes out for a rock or pebble on your walk, or in your garden. Today's story is a sad, important one. Jesus knew what pain, sadness, sorrow and fear felt like, and we can know that when we feel these things too, we are not alone. Feel how heavy your rock is. Is it smooth or rough? Imagine how big the rock would have been to cover the tomb where Jesus’ body was. Write a message to God on the stone, or decorate it with pictures and words that describe how you feel about this true story. |
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Look up! to see what God has to say
It was the saddest day. When Jesus died, it looked like everything had gone wrong. But what people had meant for bad, God used for good as part of his great rescue plan for the world. When you’re in a tough situation, remember it’s not the end of the story… Why do you think Friday is called ‘Good’ Friday? |
Look in! to see how to live out the story with faith-filled friends
After Jesus died, a loyal man called Joseph summoned his courage and asked Pilate for Jesus’ body. Joseph wrapped Jesus in linen cloth, and put the body in a tomb cut out into the rock. He covered the entrance with a large stone. How do you think Jesus’ friends felt after they had put him in the tomb?Think about someone who has been loyal to you, and thank God for them. |
Look out! to see how we share this story with others
Good Friday reminds us that God is there with us, in the worst of times. No matter what has happened, Jesus understands and can help us stay on the journey to Easter Sunday. The story isn’t over… |
A blessing for your Bubble
Nothing can separate us from your love, God. Neither death or life, neither fears or worries - you are always with us and you never leave us. May we know this in our hearts today. Amen |
Easter Saturday
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A sad, dark day
The Bible doesn’t tell us what happens on that Easter Saturday, as Jesus’ body lay in the tomb. His friends and family would have been ‘looking up, in and out’ to see where God was, in such a sad time. God’s rescue plan for the world was taking place, as Jesus took our place for the pain and wrong things in the world. It seemed like death had the last word. But the story is not over… |
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Look up! to see what God has to say
Jesus' friends would have been looking up to see where God was in this sad time. They would have had questions and worries. Grab a piece of paper and write God a letter to let him know how you are feeling today. Are you worried about anything? Ask God for peace in your heart. |
Look in! to see how to live out the story with faith-filled friends
As New Zealand gets used to being at Alert level 4, it may feel like we're stuck on Easter Saturday, waiting in the unknown before we can see friends and family again. God knows how we feel, and how hard it can be in a stuck in our bubbles. Spend some time praying for friends or family that you miss spending time with. |
Look out! to see how we share this story with others
One of the best bits about reading the story now, is that we know how it ends. Easter Saturday didn't last forever... God had a plan that will be revealed tomorrow! Send a message or FaceTime a friend you miss, to remind them that you'll see each other again soon! |
A blessing for your Bubble
God in our watching, God in our waiting, God in our hurting, God in our healing. Be our everything. |
Easter Sunday
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Story: Jesus is alive!
You can read today's story in The Jesus Storybook Bible : God's wonderful surprise, or in the Bible in Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20. Three days later, after Jesus died on the cross, God revealed his wonderful surprise. Jesus was not dead anymore, he was alive! God could take the even the worst event, and turn it for good. We celebrate Jesus today! As we celebrate Easter in our Bubbles, how can you make this day special? |
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Look up! to see what God has to say
Draw a picture to show how you feel about this good news. Stick it up somewhere you can see it each day, to remind you that Jesus is the Risen King! |
Look in! to see how to live out the story with faith-filled friends
Easter Sunday is a day of celebration, hope and joy! Have fun with family and friends today, celebrating that Jesus is alive! You might like to play some party games, make some decorations, and dress up for a Bubble meal. |
Look out! to see how we share this story with others
When Mary found out the news, she ran as fast as she could to tell everyone. Her heart was full of joy! How can your bubble be a joyful presence in your community this week? |
A blessing for your Bubble
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Jesus, you are the Risen King! May that truth be in our hearts all the days of our lives, and may we know the hope, peace and freedom that this brings. |