These are suggestions only to help parents/caregivers engage their children in services that use the Revised Common Lectionary. They can be used by parents/caregivers 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.
https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-fall-2018 THIS IS A NEW SEASON, AMERICAN FALL OUR Spring . For $10 American dollars (about $Aus 16) you have 12 weeks of colouring sheets. Or you can combine with other parents or ask the Church to make the purchase for yourself and the families.
OR https://www.lostsheep.com.au/shop/browse/purchase
Paper for drawing or Journal
Texta’s
Community play toys such as dolls house, train set, road toys
FIRST READING: Song of Solomon 2:8-13
READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_aXBUHlTYo LOVE SONG FOR A BABY BY Marion Dane Bauer from http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-august-30-2015/
DRAW: All the beautiful things in the world. As the world is waking up again after Winter, draw all the new flowers and birds that you are seeing in your area.
PRAY: Father God,
I love you
No more to say
Amen
PSALM: 45:1-2,6-9
READ: http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-45-the-royal-wedding.html
DRAW: some of the ideas in this Psalm
SECOND READING: James 1:17-27
READ/WATCH https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/webster-the-preacher-duck/
also referred to by http://seedstuff.blogspot.com/2018/08/
COLOURING-IN: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-fall-2018
OR FOR $5 you will have many pages that the youngest and the oldest will enjoy doing https://www.lostsheep.com.au/shop/browse/purchase or find at end of story suggestion
GOSPEL: MARK 7:1-8,14-15,21-23
READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBiWt-ni_ok Andrew’s angry words by Dorthea Lachner as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-august-30-2015/
PLAY: Play with any community making toys, ie, dolls house, or cars or trains
PRAY: Thank you God,
For helping me
to be nice to
all I see (shield your eyes with your hands)
Amen
The Cross in My Backyard 