SAYING GOODBYE TO JESUS
 
P:  Saying goodbye is hard.
C:  We would rather not do it.
P:  Death is hard.
C:  We wish it did not have to happen.
P:  Knowing we will lose someone is terrible.
C:  Know that we grieve together is helpful.
 
P:  One of the best ways to say goodbye to someone is to honor their life by telling stories.  Sometimes, we get to do that while they are still alive, and other times we have to finish conversations with people as best as we can after they are gone.  Tonight, we know that Jesus is going to die.  Tonight, we have the opportunity to say goodbye well. 
 
I would like to invite you to quietly meditate on the ways you would finish these sentences:
 
Jesus, while you were alive, I loved the time when you . . . . . . . .
[You are invited to consider one of your favorite Bible stories about Jesus.]
 
Jesus, I did not like the time that you . . . . . .
            [You are invited to consider something Jesus said or did that you did not like.]
 
Jesus, I am confused about the time that you said . . . .
            [You are invited to consider something Jesus said you are confused about.]
 
Jesus, I feel this way about your death . . . . .
 
Jesus, I find hope because . . . . . .
 
Jesus, your impact on my life now has been . . . . . .
 
P:  Saying goodbye is hard.
C:  But it helps to do it together.
P:  Jesus, we will miss you.
C:  But we will see you again in three days.
P:  Goodbye Jesus.
C:  Goodbye Jesus.  ​

If you use this litany, please print the note below in your bulletin, and please consider contributing to the maintenance fees for this website.  It us up for renewal.  

Copy the picture above and hand out to all kids with crayons at the beginning of both the Ash Wednesday service and Lent 1 service.  Have them bring up their pictures at Kid's Time, talk though the idea, and have them put their pictures into the box.  Then, do this litany at the end of Kid's Time, saving one picture to put in the box during the litany.  

​P: Alleluia!
C: Christ has died.
P: Alleluia!
C: Christ is Risen.
P: Alleluia!
C: Christ will come again. 
P: Alleluia! Sometimes we must say goodbye for a time.
C: Alleluia!
P: It can help us focus on what needs to be done.
C: Alleluia!
P:  We will know the alleluia is there waiting for us.
C: Alleluia!
P:  We will sing it with a new understanding on Easter morning.
C:  Goodbye, Alleluia.
P:  Goodbye, we’ll see you again. 
(Alleluia banner or picture is placed in the box while silence is kept.)
P:  As Christians, we live in a time of the now and the not yet.  We know that Christ is not really gone, and at the same time, look forward to celebrating the new life and resurrection on Easter.  Putting away our most vibrant word of praise gives us a chance to slow down and take time to grow, and to have a new appreciation for what it means to us to praise with this word on Easter day. 

 
C:  Amen.