Easter Cookies

I'm back from the island and I expect to have a fairly hectic day as I've got lots to tidy up before Susan and I leave on our vacation. Though I love spending time with my pretty wife, sometimes I wish our daughters had not grown up and were going with us. Some of my favourite memories are of the times we spent together travelling, playing games, etc.

Here's something you can do as a family on Saturday just before bedtime. Younger children are always amazed by what they find in the oven Easter morning:

EASTER COOKIES
(by Wanda Long)

Ingredients:

1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch of salt
1 cup sugar
ziplock baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible



Preheat the oven to 300 (this is important-don't wait until you're half-done with the recipe).

Place the pecans in the baggie and let the kids beat them with the wooden spoon to break them into pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.

Read John 19:1-3

Put the vinegar into a mixing bowl. Let each child smell the vinegar. Explain that when Jesus was on the cross and he became thirsty, He was offered vinegar to drink.

Read John 19:28-30

Add the egg whites to the vinegar. The eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life so that we could have life.

Read John 10:10-11

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand and let them taste it. Put the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.

Read Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup of sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him.

Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat the egg whites with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes, until stiff peaks form. Explain that the color white represents the purity in god's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in the broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus body was laid to rest.

Read Matt. 27:57-60

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven off.
Give each child a piece of tape and seal the door. Explain that Jesus tomb was sealed.

Read Matt. 27:65-66

Go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight and that Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

Read John 16:20-22

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! ON THE FIRST EASTER Jesus’ followers were amazed to find His tomb empty.

Read Matt. 28: 1-9

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If you don't have a home church or you're wondering what Easter is all about, why not consider visiting us this Sunday? Our fabulous choir, under the direction of Maureen Reid, will be performing. We'd love to meet you. For service times, please visit our website or call 604-942-7711 (Port Coquitlam) or 604-484-8907 (Coquitlam).

I'm not sure if my Blackberry will work while I'm away, but I will try and keep my blog updated.

Barry