From Cindy Rushton's Desk(TOP!)!

A MEDLEY OF EASTER IDEAS

I was surprised to learn that the word “Easter” originates from a pagan holiday. As a result we have the traditional Easter egg. Several yearsago my sister, Carisa, shared the following idea with me and we have since celebrated the resurrection of Christ in a new and especially meaningful way. If you would like to try these you will need:

• Resurrection Eggs
• crown of thorns 
• large nails or spikes 
• red or purple cloth 
• reed (an imitation of a scepter) 
• piece of old wood 
• hammer or mallet
• spear (this is fun to make!)
• jar of vinegar
• sponge

Wrap each one in aluminum foil and hide them outside. Instead of having a contest to find the most have each child find only one item and then help the other children. After everything has been found, see if they can tell what their item represents. If you do it outside by a fire it adds one
more dimension since you can talk about Peter denying Jesus while he
stood by the fire outside the high priest’s palace.

Have each child who can, look up and read these related Scriptures:

· Crown of thorns: Matthew 27: 29; John 19:2
· Purple cloth: Mark 15:17,20; John 19:2
· Reed: Matthew 27:29
· Spear: John 19:34
· Jar of vinegar: Matthew 27:28
· Sponge: Matthew 27:48; Mark 15:36; John 19:29

This year we are also going to read the arrest, trial, crucifixion,
death, and resurrection of Christ in chronological order. With a
chronological Bible this is easy since it is all laid out for you.

Jelly Bean Nests

If you want a fun project to enjoy those festive colored jellybeans, as
well as some cute decorations for the holiday, try this.

· 2 cups miniature marshmallows (3 oz)
· 1/4 cup butter
· 1 (6-oz) package (4 cups) chow mein noodles
· jelly beans

In a 2-qt saucepan combine marshmallows and butter; cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until melted (6–8 minutes). Stir in noodles until very well coated. With buttered fingers, press mixture on bottom and up the sides of each cup of a buttered 12-cup muffin pan or use paper liners sprayed with Pam. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or until firm. Remove from cups and fill with jelly beans for 12 adorable nests!

Hot Cross Buns are a special and meaningful tradition to have on Easter morning.

The Biblical feasts seem to blur together in my mind. Look at the spring Biblical Feasts like this and you will find them easy to understand and remember.

· Passover Jesus’ death
· Unleavened Bread Jesus’ burial
· First Fruits Jesus’ resurrection
· Pentecost indwelling of the Holy Spirit

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Lorrie Flem and her husband Randy, homeschool their seven children (eight in July!) in Washington, the evergreen and often wet state. She is the publisher of TEACH Magazine, a quarterly publication for Christian moms, convention speaker, and the author of two books, What’s For Dinner, Mom? and Welcome Home, Daddy! She can be reached through TEACHmagazine@integrityol.com or seen on the web at TEACHmagazine.com ~ under construction.