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Seven Last Words Coloring Posters for Lent

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Seven Last Words Coloring Posters: Our newest collection of coloring posters for Lent are the Seven Last Words Coloring Posters, and they will be available for purchase on Tuesday, January 29! The seven last words of Jesus from the cross, also known as the Sayings of Jesus on the cross, are commonly used in churches around the world during Lent, specifically on Good Friday. Perhaps you’ve attended a Tenebrae service on Good Friday that focused on the seven last words of Jesus. Or maybe the seven last words aren’t focused on much in your tradition, and these are new to you. Either way, we think you’re going to love our Seven Last Words Coloring Posters.

GRAB YOUR FREE INFO GUIDE: Would you like to learn all about the Seven Last Words Coloring Posters, and receive a FREE coloring page of one of the posters? Want to read a sample of the devotional? Don’t have time to read this blog right now, but want to print something out to read later or share with colleagues at a staff or committee meeting? CLICK HERE to download your Seven Last Words Info Guide.

Seven Last Words of Jesus for all ages

Seven Last Words of Jesus

As we shared this idea with a group of our customers, some shared an initial concern about the topic of the crucifixion, and how children would receive it. Illustrated Children’s Ministry serves communities from over 60+ denominations, and we wanted to create a way to reflect on these seven last words that would be visually appropriate for all ages and for people from different theological backgrounds.

We have spent a lot of time discussing this as a team, and we are excited about the poster designs and the content of the accompanying devotional guide. We think that the coloring posters and devotional guide are age-appropriate for young children, and will appeal to all of our customers.

One-word Focus

Aware that there was so much to focus on with the sayings of Jesus on the cross, we decided to focus on one specific word from each of the seven sayings. That word then informed the direction of our illustrations, as well as the content for the devotional guide.

As we have done in the past, we are publishing a Seven Last Words Devotional Guide, that can be used together with the coloring posters. The devotional guide focuses on the word we chose from each of the sayings. The devotions (appropriate for all ages) focus on connecting the chosen word and Jesus’ life-giving words from the cross, to our daily lives today.

Below you can see our focus word for the poster illustration and devotional guide:

  • Poster 1: KNOW – God, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34)
  • Poster 2: TRUTH – Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise. (Luke 23:43)
  • Poster 3: HERE – Here is your son. Here is your mother. (John 19:26–27)
  • Poster 4: FORSAKEN – My God, My God, why have you forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46)
  • Poster 5: THIRSTY – I am thirsty. (John 19:28)
  • Poster 6: FINISHED – It is finished. (John 19:30)
  • Poster 7: COMMEND – God, into your hands I commend my spirit. (Luke 23:46)
  • Poster 8: BELIEVE – (with a focus on selected verses from Luke 24:1-12)
Sayings of Jesus Coloring Posters
As the rest of the poster illustrations go through layout, we’ll add them to this page, so come back and check them out!

Product Lineup

We love seeing how communities use our large coloring posters! But if that project seems like a bit too much, we have many other ways to engage with the Seven Last Words theme. We have coloring pages, a devotional guide that one could use with the coloring pages, and more. All of the details are below:

  • Seven Last Words Coloring Posters: You can purchase the physical posters, digital files, or get both. We will also have a colored digital version available for purchase.
  • Seven Last Words Coloring Pages: Our 8.5×11 coloring pages include both the poster illustrations, as well as a simplified design for our youngest coloring friends.
  • Seven Last Words Devotional Guide: While you could go through this devotional guide without purchasing the coloring posters or pages, this guide is meant to accompany the coloring posters and coloring pages.
  • Christ is Risen Coloring Page & Poster: Our Seven Last Words Coloring Posters include seven posters from the seven last words, as well as an eighth poster that focuses on the resurrection and can be used for Easter. You can purchase a digital version of this poster individually.

Poster Details

Our Seven Last Words Coloring Posters will include seven 2’x3′ coloring posters, as well as an eighth 6’x2′ poster that will focus on resurrection and Easter, and can be incorporated into your Easter preparations and plans. The seven 2’x3′ posters include an illustration with the seven last words included in a ‘black frame’ around the illustration (see above image for a sample of a colored Poster 1).

The posters will be printed on the same high-quality, 32lb heavyweight white paper that all of our posters are printed on. These posters will be shipped to you in a 25″ heavy-duty cardboard paper tube. For more details about pricing, as well as shipping information, please download your Seven Last Words Info Guide here.

Pricing and ordering options:

  • Physical Coloring Posters: $85
  • B&W Digital Files: $50
  • Color Digital Files (also includes the B&W Digital Files): $100
  • Bundle: Add the B&W Digital Files files to your purchase of the physical posters for only $25 when you use the discount code SEVEN-WORDS-BUNDLE at checkout. Offer only available with the B&W Digital Files, not the Color Digital Files.
Ordering timeline: The posters will go on sale on Tuesday, January 29, and we will be taking orders for the posters until Tuesday, February 19. We will ship the posters based on when we received the orders, starting February 4. So, the earlier you want your posters, the sooner you should order!

How would I use these Seven Last Words Coloring Posters?

We’re glad you asked! We have a blog post with many ideas for how to use our posters in many different settings, including churches, schools, nursing homes and retirement communities, and more! You can read it here.

Get ideas here: People are already starting to share ideas about our posters and Lent in our Facebook Group, and that’s a great place to get information – you can request to join here!

Good Friday Services: One of the reasons we are so excited about our these posters is that our community is so creative, and we can’t wait to see how they decide to use them! Since many churches have Good Friday Tenebrae services and use the seven last words of Jesus, we think there could be many ways to incorporate these posters into worship. Or maybe you could color the posters and then set up a guided prayer space for people to use during Holy Week, or they could experience it after a Good Friday Service.

We’ve found that some of the most creative ideas for how to use our products actually come from the churches and communities who use our materials. So, what are YOUR thoughts or questions?

Learn more

Learn more about the Seven Last Words Coloring Posters, and get some samples of the Seven Last Words Devotional Guide, by downloading our Seven Last Words Info Guide here.

Make It Stop! Recover from This Year’s Holiday Burnout

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Holiday burnout is real! Working in ministry during the holiday season can get you feeling frantic and fatigued. Where were the joy and the wonder?

holiday burnout

You don’t have to feel this way!

We SO hope this hasn’t been true for you this year. Perhaps you found ways to stay energized as Autumn came and went and Winter settled in. But, if you’re finding yourself feeling frayed and frazzled, we’re here to help.

It’s so common in our world’s efficiency-driven culture to feel there isn’t enough to go around. Maybe you’ve found yourself in the quiet-ish moments craving calm and wishing there was a way to get it. You aren’t alone. And the better news? You don’t have to feel this way.

How are you recovering after the holidays? It takes a village to raise…ourselves. So, share with us and your ICM community in the comments below!

holiday burnout

Recovering from Holiday Burnout

Recovering from holiday burnout is not difficult. But it does take time and a lot of intention. If you’ve gotten yourself to a place of burnout, you’re the type who is likely used to it. I speak from more experience than I would like to admit: people who get burned out get burned out often.

Let’s just say, I’ve been there.

When I live without boundaries that are supportive of my overall health, I begin feeling disconnected from God, exhausted, and hopeless. And voila! I have arrived at almost total burnout.

So, how do we dig ourselves out of burnout after it has set in?

Rest.

First, slow down. Perhaps you need more sleep. Maybe you need more quiet time alone. Or, maybe you need to schedule a massage or read a fun book. Give your body and mind a break in whatever ways feel life-giving to you.

When we aren’t resting, it impacts everything. Body chemistry gets all messed up when we’re tired. Then, we see the world with less hope. Our children get a more irritable version of us. Our partner often feels less supported. We enjoy our experiences less.

Live a more abundant life. Rest more.

Do less.

72% of ministry leaders work 55-75 hours per week. You may need to say “no” more often than you feel like you “should.” If you’re one who’s prone to burnout, then you likely fill your plate to the edge and even beyond at times.

Burnout is an opportunity to change this pattern. It’s as though burnout is a call for help from your spirit. Will you take the chance to listen to your truest self?

This doesn’t need to be a complicated endeavor. Simply make some intentional shifts in how much you commit to. You will see an increase in the richness of your life if you do.

Exercise.

Over 50% of ministry leaders don’t exercise. Yo! This is important. If you’re not, start caring for your body. It is the temple of God’s Spirit, one of the myriad ways the Divine chooses to experience human reality every day.

Also, and maybe even more importantly, know that you are loved, you are loved, you are loved. Love yourself enough to take seriously your health.

And if you’re prone to burnout, you may be prone to all or nothing thinking. Let’s throw that out the window and just take a walk around the block a couple times a day. You don’t need to train for a marathon to be active. Just do something.

Pray.

Does this need an explanation? It’s common for us ministry leaders to get so preoccupied with the relational and administrative responsibilities of our role that we forget to get quiet with God.

When you sit down at your desk, take a few minutes to quiet the chatter of the mind and connect to what’s beyond all things and infuses all life.

holiday burnout

Holiday Burnout Indicators

Feeling Far from God

It’s common, when holiday burnout settles in, to begin feeling disconnected from our spiritual grounding. This makes sense. Our body, mind, and spirit are all entwined. If our life isn’t supporting our health, our spirit will undoubtedly be affected.

However we name the Divine, it is a shift in our own resources and, therefore, our ability to perceive God’s presence with us that causes the feeling of disconnection.

So, not sensing God and been pushing too hard? You’re probably burned out.

Feeling Exhausted

Perhaps it goes without saying, but being tired is almost always a tell-tale sign of burnout. If you arrive at the office or to the worship service struggling to muster the energy you need, it’s possible you have been stretching yourself too thin over the holiday season.

Several demands weigh upon the shoulders of ministry leaders during the holiday season. There’s event planning, volunteer coordinating, worship services to prepare for, maybe a play to rehearse, gifts to buy and wrap, travel to make happen, parties to attend, kids’ productions to see. The list goes on.

Oh, my word. It’s a busy time.

Can you see why you’re tired?

Feeling Hopeless

When we begin feeling tired and disconnected from God, we can lose hope in a general sense. If we lose our felt sense of connection to the Source of All Being AND we’re exhausted, our ministry can start to look bleak.

If you’re beginning to doubt that what you do matters, if there’s any point to your ministry, if your role is valuable…you are probably lacking hope. And without hope, it’s hard to stay in touch with vision. Connection to God, self-care, and vision for what can be, impact one another and a cycle easily forms that can lead to utter depletion if needs aren’t met.

Thus, burnout.

holiday burnout

Avoid Holiday Burnout Next Year

Avoid holiday burnout with some simple steps to keep yourself in check next year.

It’s our hope that you find rest for your mind, body, and soul. We hope you avoid burnout, but even more, that you experience abundance in your life. So, you have our permission to be protective of your time, energy, and relationships in the new year and beyond. You and all you love and serve will benefit.

And don’t forget to tell us what’s working for you in the comments below!

6 Ways to Welcome Visitors at Your Church This Christmas Eve

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Welcoming visitors effectively to church on Christmas Eve takes a good deal of forethought and a multi-faceted approach. Here’s our list to help you!

christmas eve visitors 101

During the holidays more visitors come through the doors of the church than any other time of the year. It’s a great opportunity to welcome them with greater intention.

We’ve put together a list of five easy ways to help newcomers feel cared for and acknowledged.

We hope our ideas help to create a culture of welcome and hospitality within your community this season and throughout the year.

How are you welcoming newcomers this Christmas Eve? Tell us in the comments below!

christmas eve 2013

Have name tags. On a table near the entrance to the sanctuary, set out name tags and markers. Calling each other by name creates a sense of community and belonging. This helps visitors as well as those who’ve been in the pew for decades.

Make clear what your church stands for. Put in writing what your mission statement is and how your church includes the marginalized. This is important in order for all of us to feel safe and know if we’re a part of the faith family.

Say hello, Pastor. If a personal greeting from the pastor isn’t possible, create a team of leaders who keep an eye out for those who are new. Don’t assume it’s someone’s first time; it might not be. If you say something to indicate you think it’s their first time when it isn’t, things get awkward for you and them. Say hello, tell them you’re happy to see them.

christmas eve 201

Have quality refreshments. This goes for any worship service, in my opinion. If you have yummy stuff out, make it good. Most people have become familiar with boutique coffee and high-quality bakes. So, throw out the coffee in a giant can that goes beyond earthiness into muddiness. Also, offer tasty allergy-free options, too.

Additionally, think of families who would rather not have their kid on their way down from a sugar high as they drive home. Perhaps put out some festive cranberry granola instead of sugar cookies, for example.

Provide information for biblical passages. When reading scripture, describe where the text is located in the Bible. Additionally, give context for the passage. Consequently, people are more likely to feel there isn’t insider knowledge they don’t have. This is helpful for all of us, whether newcomers or long-time members.

Leaders, introduce yourselves up front. Have those who are up front speaking in any capacity give their name and role in the church. Do this whether the person is giving announcements, singing, or preaching. This helps visitors get to know who’s who. And it makes getting involved easier for them, too.

christmas eve 202

Hospitality as Community Culture

Welcoming visitors to church is more than checking boxes. Hospitality is for all of us. When we live out our faith through care with intention, we actually help those who are already regular attendees feel more connected, too.

Furthermore, we communicate our common humanity, our personhood as individuals, and worthiness as children of Creation. We hope you discover ways to welcome visitors to church this Christmas Eve as an expression of your unique faith community and continue them the whole year through.

Do you have more ideas? How are you welcoming visitors this Christmas Eve? Don’t forget to share with us in the comments!