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 may wish to download these before Sunday
https://e2epublishing.info/posters/
ttps://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.
You may need,
a paper plate,
coloured paper cut into scales
texta’s
Play mat or dolls house with dolls, or cars or animals
FIRST READING: JOB 23:1-9,16-17
READ/WATCH: YOUR’E A CRAB BY JENNY WHITEHEAD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx1VWpvW5GM
as recommended by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-october-14-2018/
PLAY: You can down load the feeling cards from https://e2epublishing.info/posters/ (scroll down a long way to find them) and find the feelings that suit the READING (SAD AND ANGRY) .
PRAY: God sometimes I look forward (put one hand over your eyebrow and move your head slowly from side to side)
Or backward (step back a few times)
I step left (step left)
or turn right (turn and walk to the right)
looking for you
but you always know where I am.
Amen.
PSALM 22:1-15
Psalm 22: Don’t leave me!
My God, my God, how could you leave me?
Just when I needed you most, you are gone!
I am eaten up by pain,
my life is pouring down the drain
Around and around rage the forces of hate.
Is this the end? Is this my fate?
The answer bursts open the grave –
Christ, who died, is alive!
Tell the world, for all time –
death is defeated, Christ is alive!
from http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-22-the-crucifixion-psalm.html
Most children in this age bracket can relate to separation anxiety and how much they don’t like it.
You could Read/Watch When I’m feeling scared by Trace Moroney https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CStIchbqnzM
or Are you my Mother by P.D. Eastman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4Koi-RJATE
to discuss the feeling of aloneness
PLAY: You can down load the feeling cards from https://e2epublishing.info/posters/ (scroll down a long way to find them) if you didn’t do it last week and find the feelings that suit the Psalm.
SECOND READING: Hebrew 4:12-16
READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ujHTeptBP0 Eli’s Lie-o-meter: A story about telling the truth by Sandra Levins
suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-october-14-2018/
SING: https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/the-word-of-god-vol-8/# No 1.
PRAY: Using a play mat, or a dolls house. Pray as you play together. ie, Pray for enough food in the kitchen, or for safe play at the playground etc.
GOSPEL READING: Mark 10:17-31
READ: The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9mryuEKkKc&vl=en
CRAFT: https://www.artycraftykids.com/book-club/paper-plate-rainbow-fish-craft/ Make a rainbow fish from a paper plate
COLOURING IN: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-fall-2018
Blessings
Wendy L
The Cross in My Backyard 