Lent and Easter Resources

Easter Is: Cartoon characters Benji and Waldo discover the real meaning of Easter in this video. When Benji's dog, Waldo, is kidnapped just before Easter, the boy realizes just how much he is willing to sacrifice to get his dog back. It is then that Benji begins to understand what Easter is all about. The message in this video is valid any time of the year, not just Easter. Running Time: 25 min.

Family Films. VHS

Easter Today, Easter Forever: This is a 'Nanny and Isaiah' puppet adventure. Children receive the message once again through Nanny and Isaiah's experiences that Easter is not just one day of the year -- we can share Easter with one another each day of the year. Running time: 30 min. Family Films. VHS

The Legend of the Three Trees: A timeless retelling of the classic folktale of three distinct trees, each with its own hopes, dreams and aspirations. We follow a beautiful olive tree blossoming in the valley, a knotty oak tree clinging to the shore and a strong pine standing high on the mountainside. They each dreamed of becoming great-perhaps a majestic treasure chest, or a magnificent sailing ship or maybe the tallest tree in the forest.

But their dreams didn't seem to come true. Disappointed and dejected, the trees despair about their existence until they each finally interact, in their own unique ways, with Jesus Christ in His birth, ministry and ultimate sacrifice. In these experiences, they learn that God has a special purpose for each of them in His kingdom.   Running time: 30 min. TLC Entertainment. VHS and DVD

Martin the Cobbler: A retelling of one of the most beautiful of Leo Tolstoy's folktales. It is used for all seasons, especially Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.   Running time: 28 min. Claude Primeau and Associates Prod. VHS and DVD

The Selfish Giant: An animated story based on the Oscar Wilde fairy tale about a giant who builds a wall around his garden to keep out the neighbourhood children. It is an allegory for underlying Christian themes of healing and hope.   Running time: 27 min. Potterton Productions VHS

Oxford Bible Series: Jesus the King: This is part of a Bible study series for children on ten video tapes. The illustrated stories include original text with drawings; each video contains an average of five different stories. The stories included on this video are: - The Story of the Lost Sheep - Come Down, Zacchaeus! - Mary, Martha and Lazarus - People Jesus Met - Jesus the King - Jesus on Trial. Running time: 30 min.   Bridgestone Group. VHS

Oxford Bible Series: The First Easter: The stories included on this video are: - The First Easter   - Good News for Everyone - Paul at Damascus   - Paul and Friends - Paul the Prisoner. Running time: 30 min. Bridgestone Group. VHS

Rainbow Series: Jesus Gives His Life, Jesus Lives: This series includes ten New Testament bible stories taken from the words and teachings of Jesus. The stories are illustrated and accompanied by a script, songs and pictures written and drawn by Judith Klein, a French Canadian artist and Christian educator. As with the Old Testament 'Rainbow' series, this series may be used as a complete curriculum in itself, as supplementary material, or for midweek groups and vacation school. (Translated from the French.) Stories included on this tape: Jesus Gives His Life and Jesus Lives. Running time: 25 minutes. Berkeley Studio. VHS

Stations of the Cross for Children: Children, ages 7 - 12, are helped to view and understand Jesus' journey from his trial to his place of death, following the 'Via Dolorosa', stopping at each of the stations of the cross for reflection. Children are encouraged to think of ways they can follow Jesus' example and be helpful and caring to others and to have courage and faith. In addition to the study guide, each video is accompanied by a booklet, 'A Bible Way of the Cross for Children' by Gwen Costello. Running time: 15 min.   Twenty Third Publications. VHS

The Fourth Wiseman:   Based on Henry Van Dyke's classic, "The Story of the Other Wiseman". Artaban, the fourth wiseman, takes with him three precious gifts to present to the Messiah. For 33 years, Artaban and Orantes, Artaban's servant, pursue Jesus, only to miss him at every turn. Along the way, Artaban uses his gifts to help people in dire need. He now has nothing to present to the Messiah when he finds him. The story culminates on Easter Sunday as Artaban, old and dying, finally encounters the new King, bringing peace to his final moments of life. Starring: Martin Sheen and a young Charlie Sheen. Running time: 72 min. Ecufilm. VHS and DVD – recommended for older viewers.

Parable: At the end of a circus retinue rides a white clown on a donkey. He never speaks. He only acts. But he manages to do several things that make for him devoted followers and embittered opponents. Running time: 22 min. Mass Media. VHS and DVD. A classic allegory recommended for older viewers.

Resurrection: The resurrection of Jesus is proclaimed in this deeply moving video narrated by acclaimed actor, Jim Caviezel. This new Scripture translation of John 20.1-31 combines scholarly integrity with award-winning cinematography and direction. Experience the transformation from sorrow to joy in this contemporary approach to a traditional text. Running time: 11 min. ABS Scripture Video. VHS. Recommended for older viewers.

One Who was There: In the year 64 A.D. a woman sets out from Jerusalem on a journey toward Galilee. On the outskirts of the city, passing a place called Gethsemane, she is overcome by a searing memory: the events of a day years earlier when a man named Jesus was arrested there, tried and executed. The woman is a survivor, one of the few left who had been his followers. Tormented by the memory of his crucifixion, weary from long years of waiting for his return, she begins a search to find her life again.

During many days of travel from barren Judea to the fertile valley of the Jordan, the woman is transformed by her journey and the people she meets. She encounters a group of second-generation Christians whose joyful celebration of the Lord's presence begins to shake her out of her own despair. Others she meets, travelers who question or deny the faith, bring her face to face with events of her own life-seen in flashbacks-as a young woman who had been healed by him, who had loved and witnessed for him. Memories and encounters awaken the possibility of a new beginning for her life. Near Magdala, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, past and present come together in a powerful experience of reliving the long-ago moment of his resurrection. One who was there, the first to see the risen Lord, Mary Magdalene, too, has come back to life. Her journey begins again - back down the road she has traveled, to those who need her. Running time: 37 minutes. Ecufilm. VHS and DVD Recommended or older viewers.

The Last Supper – DVD

Filmed and dramatized entirely on authentic locations of the Holy Land and the Middle East, this is the most elaborate and extensive film available on the Last Supper. Jesus met with his twelve disciples in the "upper room" in Jerusalem, where they shared that historic meal. It was the traditional Jewish Passover "Seder" meal, which to this day symbolizes the deliverance from slavery to freedom and is commemorated for the last supper the ancient Hebrews shared before leaving Egypt, on their long journey to the Promised Land. Recommended for older viewers. 60 minutes

Peter and Paul – DVD

This epic network television mini-series brings to life the precarious existence of early Christianity. The new movement is beset by violent opposition from without and constant turmoil from within. Two key leaders emerge - Peter and Paul-who struggle to keep the faith alive. This dramatic presentation follows the pair, together and separately, through three decades. Included is the stoning of Stephen, the road to Damascus, their encounter in Jerusalem, their conflicts over how the work of Christ should be spread. Paul's travels to Asia Minor and Greece. Peter and Paul's clash over Jewish law, and Peter's decision to follow in Paul's courageous footsteps. The drama concludes in Rome in approximately AD 64 with the beheading of Paul and the crucifixion of Peter under Emperor Nero. Recommended for older viewers.

194 minutes

The Story of the Twelve Apostles – DVD

They started out as average, unexceptional men of their time: fishermen, farmers, and local magistrates. But their dedication to a prophetic Jewish preacher in the backwaters of the Roman Empire transformed them into revolutionaries and, in the process, changed the world itself in ways that would reverberate across time for two thousand years.

Now, discover the extraordinary untold stories of the men chosen by Jesus to bring God's plan to the world. Among them are Peter, who denied Christ three times but later became a "Rock"; James and John, the fiery tempered "sons of thunder"; Matthew, the tax collector later murdered by cannibals; Simon the Zealot, the anti-Roman fanatic eventually "cut to pieces" preaching in Spain; and Judas Iscariot, whose betrayal would be paid for with silver and suicide.

This is an inspiring and astonishing story of the little-known men who became "The Twelve Apostles".Recommended for older viewers. 100 minutes

Dateline Jerusalem – DVD

Here is the Easter story, as you have never experienced it. With anchor Martyn Lewis and special on-the-scene correspondents, these news bulletins and reports cover the story of Holy Week in an enlightening presentation that provides greater understanding of the circumstances leading up to and surrounding Christ's crucifixion.

Programs 1-4 begin with the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and examine the events and intrigues that follow: the dramatic challenge of the moneychangers, the trick questions of paying taxes to Caesar, and the "evidence" of blasphemy and treason when Jesus claims to be the Messiah.

Programs 5-8 cover Jesus' arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection. The politics and intrigue of first-century Palestine provide the backdrop for the betrayal and execution of a man who has changed the course of history. Recommended for older viewers. 120 minutes