Children’s Liturgy 5th Sunday of Easter

Begin with a few moments of quiet.

Invite all present to sit comfortably.
When sitting comfortably, take three deep breaths, as you breathe in feel your lungs filling all the way up, when they are full slowly release your breath and feel your lungs emptying out fully. Repeat this three times.
Now return to breathing normally.

Opening ourselves to the Presence of God in our lives

Have a conversation, allowing each person present a few moments to think about and to reply to the following.
Thinking back over the week, let us share with one another
What is it that I want to say thank you for?
What is it that want to say I am sorry for?

If you like to listen to some quiet music during this, click on it below .

Now begin with the following prayer:

Dear God,
Thank you that we can celebrate Jesus
Thank you for all He did for us
And all that He continues to do
Help us to trust in you
Even when we don’t understand what’s happening
We know you work things for good
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!

Introduce the Gospel

Today is the Fifth Sunday of Easter

If you were going somewhere you had never been before, you would need a map and follow the signposts. Otherwise you would get lost!

Today Jesus tells his disciples that they already know the way to the place he is going, even though they have never been there before. We will see how confused they became and how Jesus explained all that they needed to know.

Read the Gospel John 14:1-12

Jesus said to his disciples, “Do not be afraid or worried; trust in me as you trust in God. In my Father’s house there are many rooms, and I am going there to prepare a place for you. Then I shall come back to take you with me, and we will be together again. You, already know the way to the place I am going.”

Thomas felt unsure and asked Jesus, “Lord, how can we know the way, if we do not know where you are going?” Jesus answered “I am the way, the truth and the life. Through me you will know how to find my father’s house.”

Have a Conversation about the Gospel

For older children:

Right at the beginning of today’s gospel, Jesus tells the disciples not to be worried and to trust in him.

What does it mean to trust someone?

Trusting someone means believing that they are always there for us, that they are always willing to help us, that they will comfort us when we are upset or frightened.

We all need people in our lives that we trust. Who do you trust?

Do other people trust you? How can we help other people to trust in us?

People are more likely to trust us if we are kind, if we listen to what others are saying, if we are willing to help, and if we tell the truth.

We can also trust in God. We know that God is always there for us and wants what’s best for us. God is always ready to listen.

How can we share our worries with God? How can we show our trust in God?

We can talk to God through prayer. When we pray we can share all our worries and fears and also all our joys and hopes with God.

And we can show our trust in God by listening to what Jesus asks of us and trying to follow him. By loving one another and by doing what is right, we are doing what God wants us to do.

This week how will you show your trust in God?

For younger children:

Why did the disciples feel anxious and afraid?

Because Jesus had told them that soon he would be leaving them.

When Jesus talked about going to his father’s house, where do you think he meant?

He was talking about heaven.

Jesus said that he is “the way.” Do you know what he meant?

The word “way” can have several different meanings. If I asked you to show me how you wash your hands, this show us how to do something. If I you told a friend the way to your house; this tells us how to find a place. Jesus is “the way” because he shows us what we must do so we can find heaven.

When we are born, we being our journey through life, following Jesus who shows us the way towards heaven. Our signposts which guide us as we travel are God’s commandments and all the things Jesus taught us. If we follow these signposts and do what pleases God, then we will find the right path which leads us to everlasting happiness.