We are back in the book of Acts this week, the story of the beginning of the church. The news of Jesus raising from the dead travels from Jerusalem, to Samaria, to the ends of the earth! The Christian church is now global. Its nearly 2000 years later-- and we are now a part of the story!

• Imagine if your life was written about in the Bible. What stories would it include? What would people learn from you?
• Bonus: write your "Bible" story out to share!

Our Bible story today is about a man who was born crippled, meaning he could not walk. He would wait outside the temple every day, asking people for money to help him survive. One day, he got a lot more than he was expecting! 

• Have you ever asked for one thing, then received something else? Was what you received a good surprise, or not so good?
• Do you like to be surprised? 
• What is something that has surprised you during the time you've spent at home recently?

Today's Bible story comes from the book of Acts, chapter 3, verses 1-10. Listen to the reading by our friend, Marie!

Click here for the link to worship! 

Discussion Questions:

• ​How did the man respond to his healing? How do you think you would have responded?
• What do you think this story has to do with Jesus' resurrection?
• Which character in this story do you relate to the most? (e.g. the apostles Peter/John, the man being healed, the onlookers at the temple, etc.)

Activities are adapted from Spirit&Truth Publishing, 2020.

Help Center
Brainstorm different helping professions (e.g. firefighter, police, military, medical, teaching, store clerk...the list goes on!). Pick your favorite one and pretend you are helping someone in need. Take turns asking for help and offering it.  What are some ways you can be a helper this week?

Designing the Beautiful Gate
The man in the story waited outside the temple, at an entrance called the Beautiful Gate. It was 75-feet tall (!) and made of decorated Corinthian bronze (read: expensive!). Using craft supplies or blocks, create your own version of the Beautiful Gate. Where do you think the man was sitting? 

Healing Relay
Outside, mark a start and finish line. We are going to have a race! The first person in line must hop on one leg all the way to the finish line, where they are "healed." Then they must run back to the start and tag the next person in line. If you have enough people in your family, create two teams. See who can finish fastest! 

This is the second Sunday in the season of Easter, but the first time we've worshiped together since Easter Sunday! Wow. Do you ever celebrate a big holiday and then, once the fun comes to an end, you wonder what's coming next? 

• What is the next thing your family will be celebrating? (birthdays? Mother's Day? The end of quarantine?!)
• Imagine what it would be like to hear that Jesus had come back to life, and to see him alive again for the first time. What do you think that would be like? (scary? shocking? exciting?)
• What is the next thing you would do? What do you think the disciples did next?

Interestingly, when Jesus first visited his closest friends, he found them huddling together inside their homes (not unlike we are now!). They were then told to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came to them (waiting for the next thing, how familiar!). Finally, after they received the gift of the Holy Spirit (a holiday we now call Pentecost), they were told to go out and share the story of Jesus with the whole world. 

• Where is somewhere in the world you've always wanted to travel? 
• What is the first thing you are going to do when you are done waiting for the quarantine to be lifted?

Our Bible story for today comes from the book of Acts 1:1-14, what we call the Ascension. Jesus sends his disciples out into the world before he leaves them to go up to heaven. Read it in your Storybook Bible or online here. 

Activities are adapted from Spirit&Truth Publishing, 2020. 

Looking Up
Go outside and lay on the ground. Look at the clouds (or the stars!). Do you see any shapes or patterns? Imagine what it was like to see Jesus rising to heaven, being hidden by the clouds (Acts 1:9). 

Tell the Story Through Art

• Create a picture of Jesus going up to heaven (a great reason to bust out some cotton-balls and make some clouds!) 
• Or, create a comic strip of the story. Make speech bubbles of Jesus talking to the disciples-- either copy the verses, or make a modern day version!
• Take a picture of your creation to share with all of us! 

We Lift Our Praises To You
Blow up a balloon for each family member (if you have them, if not find some balls of some kind) and write what you are grateful for on them (or, hold them while you thank God for what you are grateful for). Jesus rose from the dead, and then rose from earth to the sky. Toss your balloons (or balls) up into the air and bounce them up with your hands (or feet?!).  See how long you can keep them from touching the ground! Pray, "God, we lift up our praises to you!"
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On the eve of his death, Jesus gathered for a final meal with his closest friends. As we read later, he was overwhelmed with sorrow and grief, fear and dread. He knew what was coming. And yet, at that last supper, Jesus washed his disciples' feet. He provided  them with bread and wine. To the very end, Jesus was a servant to them. To the very end, Jesus loved them (John 13:1).

Among the treasures we receive from this Holy Week story, Jesus gifts us with his example of how to treat others: to love and serve them in all times and places, even when (especially when) things are dire. 

I've been overwhelmed by the outpouring of loving action in response to the coronavirus. Everyday, I have seen people making masks for others; packing and delivering meals and supplies; and spreading faith and encouragement. When I posted looking for volunteers to assist our families in the Ham Lake Apartments, I had the list filled in less than a day. The response of this congregation has filled me with hope.

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that fear and despair cannot keep us down. Rather, like our Teacher and Lord, we love and serve even in the most difficult times.

May God be with you in this Holy Week,
Pastor Kristina 

The work is packing food bags (no contact with recipients). If your family (including older children!) is interested, please get in touch with Kay Swenson, myself, or call NACE directly (763-434-7685, http://www.nacefoodshelf.org). Please spread the word to anyone who might be interested.

In Christ+
Pastor Kristina Hill ​

Working, taking care of the kids, distance learning, no leaving the house, and teaching faith? You parents are super heroes. Its easy to get overwhelmed with everything (am I speaking from experience? Maybe.). We are all in unprecedented territory. Its okay if you can't get to everything-- we give these resources to help you, not to burden you. As I mentioned here, this is a great opportunity for us to realize again God's grace in our lives.  

Here is my prayer for you: may God give you moments of rest and peace;  strength in your weakest moments; and  renewed faith and hope for the future. Gracious God, who brings good from even the worst situations-- be with our families in this challenging time. Give us everything that you know we need. In Jesus' name, amen. 

Let's have our own celebration! 

• You can make palm branches using this printable or using construction paper (or, find some plant outside to wave around?!).
• On your palm (or a post-it) write the words "Hosanna! Save us!" On the back, write your prayer needs: from what do you need saving today?
• You could also lay down coats, making your own red carpet for Jesus to walk on. (We don't call it Coat Sunday, but since we are stuck at home, we have to get creative!) 
• How can you act out the procession? In church, we walk into the sanctuary together waving our palm branches and singing. You could go for a walk, march around your living room, or have a dance party! Crank up the worship music!

This is considered one of the most important weeks in the church calendar. We typically have worship Thursday, Friday, and Sunday this week! In this document, Carrie has put together activities and prayers for your family to use to focus on Jesus' journey this week.  Each day only takes a couple of minutes to complete. Take a look for your Palm Sunday activity and prayer! 

Take heart, in these heavy days, as we recall the story of Jesus' death and resurrection. In these moments, we see that Jesus is with us in our pain and loneliness. We see that "no one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends" (John 15:13). But most importantly, we see that nothing, not even death "will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39). That, my friends, is the good news. 

​Go in peace, and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God! 

Hi everyone-- we are nearing Holy Week. This upcoming Sunday we celebrate Jesus' entry into Jerusalem with palms and shouts of "Hosanna!" To start getting into this story, join us for coffee and conversation!

Discussion Questions:

• What do you remember about celebrating Palm Sunday in the past?
• How do you hear the story differently this year? 
•  What do you think Jesus knew about what would happen in Jerusalem?
• What is one question you have about this story?

Prayer:
Almighty God, you are with us at all times and in all places. As we get closer to Holy Week, help us to better understand your heart for us in Jesus. Be with us in our grief and in our celebration. We remember especially....
​In Jesus' name, Amen.