These are suggestions only to help parents engage their children in services that use the Revised Common Lectionary. They can be used by parents or those who help out in small congregations that can not afford to pay Child and Families Ministry. Some congregations use all 4 readings in their services others only two. Prepare a special church bag in advance each week so that you are ready for the rush on Sunday Morning.
Read during the Bible readings,
Pray during the prayers,
Colour, Draw or Craft during the sermon.
Remember that little ones will need their own space to move and wiggle,
Sit towards the front so they can see what is going on. Craft or drawing or play are for spiritual responses not for a perfectionist piece that can be shown off.
Remember you have bought your child to worship. Enjoy engaging them in it.
You might need to prepare these in advance, and place them in a special Church Bag ready to go for Sunday Morning.
The longest season of the ecclesiastical year has begun, so point out the colour changes in the church this week . They are now GREEN
If your church is recognising Reconciliation Week you will find some stories to share here http://sa.uca.org.au/covenanting/c-resources/reconciliation-sunday-resources
in particular the three spears
or take some Aboriginal story books to read, such as Tiddilick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y3Ta5xcKV4
or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDl5QwAR8DI or Biladurang The Platypus
The new season of https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/coloring-sheets-posters/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-summer-2018 Will get you 14 colouring in pages, that is 14 Sundays worth and I will refer to them over the coming weeks. To reduce the cost further, you could share with other families or ask your church to purchase them for you. Note this is a USA publication so the season for them is Summer, and the price is in US$, so it will cost a little more and possible attract international transaction charges depending on whom your credit card is with)
The Lion Story Bible https://www.koorong.com/search/product/the-lion-story-bible-sophie-piper-ruth-rivers/9780745964003.jhtml
The Beginners Bible Timeless Children’s stories THE BEGINNERS BIBLE TIMELESS CHILDREN’S STORIES https://www.koorong.com/search/product/the-beginners-bible-timeless-childrens-stories-beginners-bible/9780310750130.jhtml
The Rhyme Bible by L.J. Sattgast https://www.word.com.au/The-Rhyme-Bible-Storybook-Bible/Linda-Sattgast/9780310726029
Stiffened felt
cellophane
thick paper
People shapes
sticky felt
Journal or drawing paper
Quiet noise maker
If the first 2 readings and activities look familiar its because they were also read on the 14/1 Epiphany 2
FIRST READING 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)
READ: The Rhyme Bible pp.114-116
DRAW: https://www.cbcgb.org/files/public/children/resources/Really%20Big%20Book%20of%20Bible%20Story%20Coloring%20Pages/pp89-90.pdf this also has the story attached. Just print off both pages and no need for the story book bible suggested above
PLAY: Play listen games;
Chose a word, such as Jesus and ask them to tell you when they hear it in the sermon.
Take a quiet baby rattle or other quiet noise makers (macaroni in a plastic container etc.) and use them during the Hymns to find the rhythm in the music.
PRAY: Speak Lord, I (insert name) am listening
PSALM 139:1-6, 13-18
SING: https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/when-you-lie-down-lullabies-scripture-songs/# no.3 Fearfully and Wonderfully made.
You might like to read the book or ebook When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner.
https://www.koorong.com/search/product/when-god-made-you-matthew-paul-turner/9781601429186.jhtml
Or
Read from the Beginners Bible NiRV
And ask them after each verse if the words make them happy or sad. Make happy or sad faces too.
Draw Sad face
Draw Happy face
SECOND READING: 2 Corinthians 4:5-12
READ/WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6rp0SZX7lg Alexander’s Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst
Thanks to https://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2018/05/year-b-proper-4-9th-sunday-in-ordinary.html for this suggestion
MAKE: Cut out a person shape in a piece of thick paper (use one of the people chains we made recently or find a colouring in shape from the internet.) Cut it out and cover the shape with cellophane, to let God’s light shine through.
PRAY:
God: help me be your Hands and Feet (point to your hands and feet) Amen.
GOSPEL READING: Mark 2:23-3:6
READ: The Lion Story Bible, Rules, Rules, pp.154-155.
COLOURING-IN: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/coloring-sheets-posters/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-summer-2018
PLAY: make your own felt board, stiff felt as a base, cut out people shapes, wheat shapes, etc. Or you can cut out people to colour in and attach some sticky felt on the back. Let them play. Don’t make the pieces too small as they may become a chocking hazard. Avoid this suggestion if they are at the stage of putting everything into their mouths. Use dolls or soft toys instead.
Blessings
Wendy L.
The Cross in My Backyard 