We gather together in Jesus’ name Worship Leader: We gather together in Jesus’ name All: Help us to explore, discover and learn together  

Mary, Joseph and Jesus on what is commonly called “the Flight into Egypt”. Matthew chp 2 vs 14 Here are three refugees. Where do you think they are? Who do you think they are?

Why have Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus become refugees? Matthew chp 2 vss 7-23. Herod wanted the wise men to inform him where the child Jesus was, with the intention that he would destroy him to prevent his becoming king. When the wise men didn’t return as instructed Herod sent troops to hunt out the family in Bethlehem. The Bible tells how Joseph was warned by an angel in a dream to flee with his family, and they remained in Egypt until after Herod’s death. Unhappily this obsession of Herod resulted in a massacre of boy children by the raiding soldiers, with the intention of making sure that they got the right one (a story frequently left out in Gospel readings in church, and probably best not included here as it could upset the children). Why have Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus become refugees?

The return The family were probably about three years in Egypt, until King Herod died. When they returned they went directly to Joseph and Mary’s home town of Nazareth. The area was being ruled by one of Herod’s sons, Herod Antipas, but it was safe. Note the map to compare with the next slide.

Note Hebron in the south of the West Bank for the next slide There are still thousands of refugees in Jesus’ home country today. This map shows camps where they live.

Hebron is on the map on the previous slide – in the south of the West Bank area. Here is a Palestinian Refugee School near Hebron. We need to remember them in our prayers and think about how we can help other children like these.

This week’s Lent Challenge Bishop Stephen is challenging us to do something special for other children who are in difficult situations and do not have all the good things that we have. Finish the sentence on this slide with whatever your theme is for this week’s challenge.

God our Father, Help us to follow Jesus’ example through all the days of Lent as we hear his story and listen to his message. Be with us as we take up Bishop Stephen’s Lent challenge, and, as we do so, help us to think about all the children around the world who live in difficult times, who have lost homes and families, or even become refugees. Amen You may like to change the prayer according to your challenge

Go in peace to discover God’s world and your place in it. Worship Leader: Go in peace to discover God’s world and your place in it. All: We go in Jesus’ name