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.
Craft or drawing or play are for spiritual responses not for a perfectionist piece that can be shown off.
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.
Remember that you have bought your child to worship. Enjoy engaging them in it.
Older children might enjoy https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/illustrated-worship-resources-winter-2018-2019
FIRST READING: Isaiah 60:1-6
READ/LISTEN: When God made Light by Matthew Paul Turner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq7tscmPF7U
MAKE: you will need a black and a white or silver sheet of A4 paper. Glue the perimeter of the black sheet over the white (or silver )sheet. Now tear a hole in the middle, of the black sheet to let the white/silver sheet through. (like a star shining in the night sky)
MEDITATE: Turn on a battery operated candle. Ask the child to sit quietly looking at the candle for (how ever long the child can sit still, for some children it will be 5 sec for others it might be 30sec.
PSALM 72: 1-7, 10-14
READ: http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-72-long-live-the-king.html
How does this Psalm make you feel? Draw how it makes you feel or show it on your face.
DRAW a King
OR MAKE a crown. CUT out from crepe paper and stick “jewels”(sticky jewels from Spotlight or Riot).
SECOND READING: Ephesians 3:1-12
READ: The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones p.340 PAUL starting from the sentence “Paul got a new job” until the “stars in the sky”.
PRAY: Like Paul did not for individuals but for everyone to know God.
eg. Dear God,
May everyone know how good you are
Amen
GOSPEL READING: Matthew 2:1-12
READ: The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones THE KING OF KINGS p.192-198 (Rather a long version but if you already have it with you use it, just break it into small sections and when their attention wains, let them Play.
OR MY First Read aloud Bible by Batchelor and Boshoff pp,144-145 The Wise Men
COLOURING IN: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-winter-2018-2019?variant=13700704632930
PLAY: with a nativity or make your own http://www.catholicicing.com/diy-printable-nativity-for-kids/ (Hint if you print on heavy paper you do not need the toilet rolls. For hygiene reasons if sharing with others use cardboard rolls.)
You might need to bring
MY First Read aloud Bible by Batchelor and Boshoff
The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones
crepe paper
stick on Jewels
A battery operated candle
nativity that children can play with
black paper
white or silver paper
glue
You might need to print off
https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-winter-2018-2019?variant=13700704632930 IF purchased this week (about $15 Aus ) it will supply you with colouring in sheets for the next 9 weeks)
http://www.catholicicing.com/diy-printable-nativity-for-kids/
If you are a small congregation please feel free to print these pages and hand them to parents/guardians as they arrive.
Blessings
Wendy L.
The Cross in My Backyard 