Knox Sunday School

Alleluia!   Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!  

Over the past days we have  walked through the events of Holy Week -- the shouts of “Hosanna!” on Palm Sunday; Jesus’ last meal with his disciples; his prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane; Jesus’ arrest, trial and betrayal by those closest to him; his death on the cross and burial. 

Today is Good Friday, when we take time to reflect on these events, and on Jesus’ suffering and abandonment. In our current time of isolation, we can relate to feeling alone, overwhelmed and afraid. However, as Christians, we know that this is not the end. We know that the sorrow of Good Friday will be followed by the joy of Easter morning. As this week’s Sunday School materials say, it may be more difficult this year to see and feel that joy, and we may be tempted to see each day as a dark Good Friday. This week’s readings remind us that generations before us have also felt the darkness, and have found ways to continue “to see the presence of the living God right before us.”

EASTER SUNDAY -- On Sunday we will join with Christians around the world as we recognize Jesus' resurrection with shouts of Alleluia! Together we will say the glorious words, "He is risen! He is risen indeed!" In whatever way you may choose to celebrate this most joyous of occasions, in your own home this year rather than gathering in the Knox sanctuary, we hope that you will experience the deep meaning of this key event in the life of Christ on earth.

The attached curriculum materials provide a variety of activities that can be used to explore and celebrate the Easter message with children and adults. The Sunday School teachers discussed together the text on the focus scripture, John 20:1–18. We were struck in particular by the exploration of the following points:

• “John does not tell us about God’s grace but invites us to use all of our senses to experience it.”
• “In John’s gospel, light is a symbol of belief and understanding.”

We hope you will also find items in the attached materials that help you to expand and explore your family’s understanding of the Easter story.

Joan, Grace, Kyle, Molly and Aidan, Knox Sunday School teachers