Life, Death, Resurrection Collages for All Ages!
The Christian Education Board has loved inviting the ENTIRE Congregation to join in making collective and reflective masterpieces for the Lenten season. This year, inspired by the Gospel of John, we are looking for artwork that resemble symbols of Water (Life), Candle (Death), and Sunrise (Resurrection).
We are looking for artwork of any medium – photography, drawings, paintings, lego masterpieces; let your creativity go wild! We hope to have the artwork displayed during the Lenten Season inside Currier Hall as the artwork is received.
Please either drop off a picture at the church (in the mailbox between the double doors if after office hours) or email a digital picture of your artwork to cedirector@fpc-ucc.org. Feel free to let us know if your having trouble sending it and we’ll be happy to help you: Office @ #603-434-0628 or Christine @ #603-264-9261. Learn more about these symbols and the project on our website coming soon!
Here are some ideas of what we’ve seen online of pictures when we’ve searched for these themes (THESE ARE ONLY EXAMPLES -PLEASE USE YOUR CREATIVITY to paint, draw, photograph or use whatever medium speaks to you)
Water as a symbol of Life:
(John 4:13-14); (John 3:5); (John 7:38)
Read: Matthew 3:16–17 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
Reflect: Water is essential for life! Did you know that the human body is 60 percent water? Our brains and hearts are about 73 percent water, and even our bones are 31 percent water. Without water, human beings cannot survive. We use water every day for drinking, washing, cleaning, and cooking. Water is an important symbol of our faith, too. We are baptized with water, just as Jesus was. Jesus’ first miracle was transforming water into wine. Jesus calmed the waters during a storm. Jesus gave several important teachings around water. When we use or drink water, we can remember Jesus’ life and teachings.
Practice: Drink a cool glass of water and notice how refreshing it feels. Water gives us life and quenches our thirst. We are made from a lot of water! As you drink your water, say thank you to God for the gift of water.
Smith, Traci. Faithful Families for Lent, Easter, and Resurrection: Simple Ways to Create Meaning for the Season (p. 82). Chalice Press. Kindle Edition.
The Candle as a Symbol of Death:
Now the true light had come ( John 1: 3-5 )
Read: Luke 23:44–46 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.” Having said this, he breathed his last.
Reflect: During his life on earth, Jesus performed many miracles, taught many important things, and became friends with many people. When he died, his friends became so sad. In this scripture we hear that the sun’s light failed, and the whole earth was in shadow—all the light went away. Sometimes when we are sad after someone has died. It feels like we are in a shadow too. It feels like a cloud has covered our hearts. Former President Roosevelt’s wife and mother died on the same day. On that day he wrote in his journal, “All the light has gone from my life.” I wonder if the disciples felt the same way.
Practice: Light a candle and look at the flame for a few seconds. Read the scripture above and then blow out the candle. After you blow it out, say, “God, even when shadows cover the earth and light is gone, help us to know that your Spirit is with us always. When we miss someone who has died, give us comfort. Amen.”
The Sunrise/Sunset as a Symbol of Resurrection and Hope:
(John 2:19-22); (John 10:17-18); (John 20:1-18)
Read: Mark 16:2 (NLT) Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, [Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome] went to the tomb.
Reflect: Have you ever seen the sun slowly rising in the morning? It can be a magnificent sight! The sunrise happens slowly and majestically, with colors coming into view bit by bit. The darkness eventually fades away until the light of day is everywhere. When the three women went to Jesus’ tomb, it started out dark, but bit by bit, the light came. It was a majestic morning. They came expecting to find death but instead found life.
Practice: Watch the sun rise. Take a moment to reflect on the beauty of each stage as the sun gets brighter and brighter. If the weather doesn’t allow this, look at pictures.
How can a sunset symbolize resurrection in the Bible?
