The start of a new season, Lent, has begun, so make sure you point out the colour change ( now a purple more towards the red spectrum rather than the blue spectrum of Advent) to those in your care.
You might like to explain that it is the season of preparation. A book that explains the season well for children is Make Room: a child’s guide to Lent and Easter by Laura Alary https://paracletepress.com/collections/childrens/products/make-room or https://www.amazon.com.au/Make-Room-Childs-Guide-Easter/dp/1612616593/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1551752337&sr=8-1&keywords=make+room
If you are a parent or Guardian
Prepare a special church bag in advance each week so that you are ready for the rush on Sunday Morning.
Sit towards the front so they can see what is going on.
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,
You have bought your child to worship. Enjoy engaging them in it.
If you are a small congregation without a Child and Family Minister have an area available near the front for parents/guardians to worship with their children, and print off this information so that it is readily available or direct them to this site. Set up an area with books and toys in it that will enhance their spiritual experience. (Ie not just toys for “keeping them quiet”).
If you would like these ideas as a PDF file sent to you each week, please contact me.
FIRST READING: DEUTERONOMY 26:1-11
WATCH: Pingu in the City: Pingu at your service http://www.abc.net.au/abcforkids/video/show.htm?show=PINGU-IN-THE-CITY&videoId=ZW1585A006S00
or ABC Kids App
PLAY: with toy food, and toys, sharing and preparing good things from God.
PRAY:
with the toy food, pray thank you God as you pick up each piece and show your child, or that they pick up and show you.
PSALM 91:1-2, 9-16.
READ: Psalm 91: The Trust Psalm
Trust! Trust in God!
God is our shelter, (make a tent with your hands)
we are safe in his shadow.
God is our refuge, (put your tent shape above your head)
we are protected in his power.
God is like a mother bird and we are like chicks, (flap your arm like a chicken)
tucked warm under her wing.
God is our shield and our armor (hold your arm across your body as if holding a shield)
nothing can strike us down.
God is with us all the way
our guard and our guide. (point your finger as if showing someone something)
You may trip on a stone
but angels will catch you. (hold your arms out as if to catch something)
So don’t be afraid of snakes and spiders, (wiggle your hand up your arm)
don’t be afraid of evil attack.
In God’s love we are safe, no matter what. (make a love heart with your hands)
In God’s strength we are saved!
words from http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-91-an-invitation-to-deeper-prayer.html actions by me
Draw: places where you feel safe
OR how this Psalm makes you feel. happy, safe etc.
SECOND READING: ROMANS 10:8b-13
READ/WATCH: Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun, by Maria Desmondy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dRF0pJekUU as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-march-10-2019/
DO: share, share stickers or a bookmark (some of the Lost sheet books have free bookmarks to collect and colour at the end of the books print some off and have your child colour them in then share them with those around you at church https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/jesus-and-the-storm/
OR make a love heart card that says i love God and I love you to give to members of the congregation.
GOSPEL READING: Luke 4:1-13
READ: My first read-a loud Bible by Batchelor and Boshoff A test for Jesus pp.152-153
OR The Jesus Storybook Bible, by Sally Lloyd-Jones Let’s go pp.208-209 stop at the words and “nothing would ever be the same” on the second page.
Make a desert. Make it three dimensional, use yellow or red material not sand so it doesn’t require a lot of cleaning up or make it two dimensional with felt pieces or make a picture using coloured paper. Include felt rocks, plastic snake, plants etc.
Colouring In: A new season starts today if you want to buy these colouring in sheets for the next 14 weeks. https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/lent/products/illustrated-worship-resources-spring-2019
PRAY: Like Jesus
Help me trust you always.
Amen
Blessings
Wendy L.
The Cross in My Backyard 