Easter: A Special Time for Chapel at JNP

Last week, we celebrated Palm Sunday, gathering as one school in the Fellowship Hall of the Emerson Center. We talked about how Jesus and his friends went to a special city called Jerusalem for a big party and feast. All 49 children harmoniously sang our beginning Chapel song together. Then we sang "Sing Hosanna-Hallelu, Hallelu" and waved palms as the little Jesus puppet rode his donkey into the city. The children danced and sang and learned that the "Palm" in our story represents Joy, Celebration, and a Special Welcome. They also learned that "Hosanna" is an expression of Adoration, Praise and that we are So Happy! To close our time together, we rocked it out to the kids' fan favorite song, "The B-I-B-L-E," and then ended with our school-wide prayer: 

"God in Heaven, Hear My Prayer.

Keep me in your loving care.

Help me in all that I do,

And bless those who love me, too.

Amen." 

The children and teachers of JNP gather together to celebrate Palm Sunday.

All of the children received a palm to wave and welcome Jesus.

Every Chapel session includes an age appropriate message.

Jesus and His donkey entering the Fellowship Hall.

This week, each classroom attended a Chapel session that continued sharing the Easter story. The children learned that Jesus was a special person who loved everyone very much and that Jesus was loved back by many. Through role-playing with puppets as well as referencing parts of a preschool Easter story, they heard that sometimes people can feel jealous when others get more attention or seem more popular. This happened to Jesus, and he was sent away for three days. The people who loved Him were sad; BUT he came back! With the use of simple language and visual aids, the children learned about new life and symbols of Easter (the cross, eggs, baby animals, flowers, spring renewal, etc). We celebrated together by sharing our "lights" and dancing with tealights, singing "This Little Light of Mine," as well as our "B-I-B-L-E" favorite. 

The PreK class and their bright lights.

The Easter message.

Ms. Emily helping a child snuff out a candle to end the Chapel session.

"This Little Light of Mine" lyrics.

The children dancing to "This Little Light of Mine" with tealights.

All the children adore Ms Emily, our Assistant Director and Chapel teacher.

As always, our lessons, songs, and puppetry are all delivered in a developmentally, age-appropriate way, with the focus being on joy, community respect, and all things done in love and kindness. No matter what faith our families practice at home, our Chapel messages are all-inclusive so that children can take what they will from their own experiences to understand them. What a joyful time of year it is!