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.
My First read aloud Bible https://www.koorong.com/search/product/my-first-read-aloud-bible-mary-batchelor/9781860247712.jhtml
OR The Beginners Bible https://www.koorong.com/search/product/the-beginners-bible-timeless-childrens-stories-beginners-bible/9780310750130.jhtml
OR The Rhyme Bible storybook https://www.koorong.com/search/product/the-rhyme-bible-storybook-linda-sattgast-laurence-cleyet/9780310726029.jhtml
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 paper or Journal
Texta’s
Food play such as a picnic set or tea set
Play mat
Cars, or people or animals
Dolls house or farm set etc.
FIRST READING: Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22.
READ: My First read a loud Bible Esther saves the Jews, pp.124-125
OR The Beginners Bible The Brave Queen pp.240-246
OR The Rhyme Bible storybook Esther saves the Day.154-161
PLAY: With a food set, or picnic set or tea set.
Introduce the idea of Grace, by suggesting a prayer before eating
PRAY: When I’m scared I can talk to you God.
OR
Thank you for the food we eat. Amen
PSALM 124
READ: If it wasn’t for God
we’d be a wreck! (drop your shoulders, lower your head)
If God wasn’t on our side
we’d be wiped out by our enemies. (put one hand on top of the other at chest height then move them apart keeping them at chest height)
If God had not been there for us
anger and fear would have swept us away. (stamp your feet)
If Christ had not saved us
we would be totally lost. ( shade your eyes with your hands)
Thank you, thank you Lord
for you rescued us from the trap we were snared in. (put your hands together)
Our help is in the name of the Lord
who made heaven and earth (open your arms out wide)
and is on our side!
Word thanks to Rev Sylvie Purdie http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-124-like-a-mouse.html actions by me
DRAW: a part of this Psalm.
SECOND READING: James 5:13-20
READ/WATCH: https://www.paracletepress.com/Products/8531/the-little-angels-book-of-prayers.aspx?bCategory=CHILDB The Little angels book of prayers
OR any book of children’s prayers you might have
OR https://www.paracletepress.com/Products/5257/praying-with-my-fingers.aspx?bCategory=CHILDB
COLOURING-IN: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-fall-2018 THIS IS A NEW SEASON, AMERICAN FALL OUR Spring
PRAY: If you have a play mat such as this Ikea mat https://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/10361911/
Then take your cars or people or animals and pray as you work around the mat.
GOSPEL: Mark 9:38-50
LISTEN/SING:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPz9ylXtT7g Mr Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-september-27-2015/
PLAY: Communal play such as with a dolls house, or cars or animals, as we continue learning to be a part of community.
The Cross in My Backyard 