Lenten Memory Verse Tree

We're doing a Lenten Memory Verse Tree this year, much like our Memory Verse Garden last year. We're using the same verses from Sunday's Gospels, but we've simplified things by just adding leaves to our tree each week. I'm feeling pretty good about this lower maintenance version, and I like using a tree as our imagery going into Lent and Holy Week.

 We're starting this week with the Triodion! Find the instructions and printables below.

PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

1. Make a tree on a poster or wall (or a window) using brown construction or kraft paper. I used kraft paper and packing tape I already had to make my tree, seriously, in about 5 minutes. The kids were very impressed, but it was very easy! [You can see an example with instructions here.]

2. Print memory verse leaves on green construction paper. You can either use blank leaves and write your own verses, or use the leaves with verses already on them. [These leaves fit 2 per page; if you are making a smaller tree, you may want to print your leaves at 50% or other scale.]

3. Follow the weekly guide, cutting out and adding leaves to the tree each week as you discuss the Sunday’s Gospel. [Remember you can bookmark the Sunday's Gospel page from the Antiochian website and listen each week!]

4. [Optional: We have dogwood trees in our yard. Dogwood flowers are white with four petals like a cross. I intend to cut out a dozen or so of these and put them on the tree on Pascha night as a pretty surprise for the children after the Liturgy. The Dogwood flower template is also provided, and you can find "A legend of the Dogwood Tree" by Catholic Icing. You could also add fake flowers, butterflies or other pretty things to your tree.] I'll try to remember to add pictures after Pascha.

WEEKLY GUIDE

1. Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” – Luke 18:13

2. Sunday of the Prodigal Son: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.” – Luke 15:18

3. Sunday of the Last Judgment: "Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”--- Matthew 25:40

4. Forgiveness Sunday: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Sunday of Orthodoxy: “Come and see.” – John 1:46

2. Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas: “When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven you.’” – Mark 2:5

3. Sunday of the Cross: “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” – Mark 8:34

4. St. John of the Ladder: “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” – Mark 9:23

5. Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt: "Whoever would be first among you must be servant of all.” – Mark 10:44

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Palm Sunday: “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” – John 12:12

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Great and Holy Pascha: “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” – John 1: 4, 5

Pascha morning - you can see our tree full of leaves, and dogwood flowers added that morning.