I expect none of you are thinking about Good Friday right now – that is, unless you’re in charge of an event taking place on Good Friday. If that’s you, then I have a super-duper resource for you. Feel free to use it in its entirety, or just nab the bits you like.
The story is that last year I was given the responsibility of planning an all-age service on Good Friday.
It’s a notoriously difficult service to get right, because what you feel you should be doing on Good Friday (being quiet, still, reflective, meditative, contemplative) does not exactly sit right with the phrase ‘all-age’.
I knew it would not necessarily be a quiet affair (a three-hour meditation would be taking place the same afternoon for those who wanted ‘quiet’) – but, none the less, I was determined that, through interaction, all ages would be able to gain something from the story of Good Friday, and feel like they’d had a chance to think about it a bit more.
And I was cheered by the reminder that Good Friday is not a sad day…after all, it was on Good Friday that Jesus proclaimed those incredible, life-changing words: “It is finished!” So we didn’t need to be morbid!
My approach was to simply let the gospel accounts speak for themselves – with a little application from the service leaders. There was no sermon. (Just another chance for little bottoms to get fidgety!) I wanted the service to include plenty of opportunity for all ages to respond, and lots of movement. The service had to last under an hour.
A cycle consists of a gospel reading (in present tense), some application, and then a song, during which something is added to the Easter garden.
If you’re interested, simply click here to get your FREE downloadable resource. Any questions, feel free to ask. You’re welcome to use this resource however you like – but I’d love to know if/where it’s being used so do drop me a line!
Hello there, I am so very interested in this service, but when I downloaded the file I only got two pages… I’d love to know the rest. Do you mind reposting it or sending it along?
I’ll check it out. Thanks so much for letting me know!
Hi again Carolina, I’ve just checked both files and both seem to be complete. Did you click on both files? The second is only two pages long (it contains the readings only). The first, though, is the outline for the service with activities, and is several pages long (ending with ‘Copyright Lucy Rycroft’ so you know you’ve got to the end). Have another go and if it doesn’t work will you let me have your email address and I’ll send it to you in an attachment. (I’ll delete your comment from the blog once I’ve sent the email, so that your address isn’t visible for all to see!) Thank you.