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.
A4 drawing paper
textas
Community playing toys such as doll house, trains or cars
FIRST READING: Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23
READ:
What is better than Gold and Silver?
To be respected.
God made us all.
If you are mean
It will backfire on you.
Always share
You will be the blessing.
Do not make the poor poorer
Because God loves us all.
DRAW/MAKE: Illustrate the words of the Proverb. Make a Wise Words book, by folding 2 A4 sheets together in the middle. Write the words for your toddler from my rewriting of the Proverb, Rows 1 and 2 on page 2, Row 3 on p.3, rows 4 and 5 on p.4, row 6 on p.5, row 7 on p.6, and row 8 on p.7, and row 9 on p.8. Than draw a wonderful front page for your collection of Wise Words.
You can reread your new book over the week, then put it away for a couple of weeks then bring it out again.
PSALM 125
READ: http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-125-good-balance.html
Psalm 125: Good Balance
(for children & all-age worship)
When we trust in God we will not be shaken, (shake all over)
we will not be thrown off balance. (stand on one leg)
The mountains stand tall and strong around us, (stand tall as you can)
and around the holy hill in Jerusalem – (walk in a circle)
so God is all around us. (hold out your hands at shoulder level)
He protects us from falling. (wrap your arms around yourself -give yourself a hug)
Evil will not knock us down, ( wobble but don’t fall)
we won’t get twisted and do what is wrong. (twist your body from side to side)
Dear Lord, be good to people who are good; (hold your hands in prayer)
bless people who have upright hearts, (hold your hand out in front of you)
who stand tall and strong for what is true. (stand as tall as you can)
We trust you, ever-lasting God. (make a T with your hands)
Grow our hearts up right in you. (make a heart shape with your hands and grow it bigger and bigger until your fingers can’t touch)
Dear Lord, give us peace. (bow your head)
Amen.
Words by Rev Silvia Purdie, actions by me.
DO: practice walking on a low fence, or in church there might be a low ledge, or find a line they can walk on. Stand tall.
DRAW: Some of the beautiful images in the Psalm
SECOND READING: James 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17
READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0yZzaCgfSY start this at the 30 second mark. Shelter by Celine Clark as recommended by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-september-9-2018/
COLOURING-IN: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-fall-2018
PLAY: communal toys, such as house, or trains or cars, anything that allows your child to practice being a part of the community.
GOSPEL READING: Mark 7:24-37
READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfBw0vMCkyE Horton Hears a Who by DR Seuss
It’s a pity that i could not find a children’s version of the Mark reading, especially as it has a child as the recipient of its parents faith. But these unlikely people came to Jesus with great faith in the same way that the Whovians’ trusted in Horton. So once again I suggest this well loved book. a few years ago so did http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-sept-9-2012/
PRAY/DRAW: https://www.paracletepress.com/Content/Site186/FilesSamples/187734pdf_00000107705.pdf
https://www.paracletepress.com/Products/5952/praying-in-color.aspx?bCategory=CHILDB
IF YOU HAVEN’T TRIED THIS GIVE IT A GO
I start with a space in the centre and draw out from that, no drawing skills necessary.
One of my leaders who was very artistic always drew a tree.
Dear God Thank you that you don’t say NO to anyone who needs you God. Amen
Blessings
Wendy L
The Cross in My Backyard 