Observing Memorial Day with kids

This Memorial Day weekend will be an unusual one, but my hope is that it will be a meaningful and enjoyable one.  This post is a collection of resources to give you some additional ideas to observe Memorial Day with your family.

Prayers (perhaps before a meal):

Jesus said "greater love hath no man than this: to lay down his life for his friends."  This Memorial Day, we remember those who have died serving in our country's armed forces. 

Gracious God,

On this Memorial Day, we pray for those who courageously laid down their lives for the cause of freedom. May the examples of their sacrifice inspire in us the selfless love of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Bless the families of our fallen troops, and fill their homes and their lives with Your strength and peace.

In union with people of goodwill of every nation, embolden us to answer the call to work for peace and justice, and thus, seek an end to violence and conflict around the globe.

We ask this in your holy name. Amen. 

(-Anonymous)

Thanksgivings: each person can share one freedom that they are thankful for, for example, our rights to choose our own religion, our freedom of speech, our safety, etc. 

The Lord's Prayer:

Our father, who art in heaven

Hallowed be thy name

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread

And forgive us our trespasses

As we forgive those

who trespass against us

and lead us not into temptation

but deliver us from evil

for thine is the kingdom,

and the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

Craft and Recipe Ideas: 

Patriotic Windsock (made from a toilet paper tube!) 

Paper Plate Star Wreath (while you may not be able to take the wreath to a war memorial or cemetery, you can display it at home!) 

Popsicle Stick Stars 

Flag cake

Red, white and blueberry popsicles

Happy Memorial Day!