How wonderful that you have bought your young child to church, don’t waste this opportunity to share the faith stories and experience the wonder of worship.
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.
Always have plain drawing paper, washable texta’s, the books that are suggested and the toys or craft suggested for this week
Remember to download the colouring sheets and check out the links before Sunday morning.
Sit towards the front so they can see what is going on.
Sing or sway during the Hymns
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
that can be shown off. Don’t throw these out when you leave the church. Keep them at home in a special box, and bring them out to remind your child what has been happening or use as future prayer points.
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”).Spiritual Delights or Toy Box tat! andMake the books appealing
If you would like these ideas as a PDF file sent to you each week, please contact me.
FIRST READING: 2 Kings 5:1-14 Story of Naaman
READ: My First read a-loud Bible by Batchelor and Boshoff, Naaman is Healed pp102-103
OR The Beginner’s Bible: Timeless Children’s Stories: Naaman is healed pp.230-234
OR Brave Girls Bible Stories: A captive Audience, pp.95-100 (Warning: generally too advanced for this age group, but they like coming back to it if reading to Older children. It is NOT anglicised, so young readers will have problems with the “misspelling”)
How might the people in the story feel?
The servant girl?
Naaman?
The King?
Elisha?
show with your face or body, or draw each emotional face on a paper plate.
PRAY:
Thank you God
that you listen to me
like Naaman listened to his young servant
Amen
PSALM 30
READ: thanks again to Rev Purdie http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-30-joy-in-the-morning.html
Psalm 30: Joy in the morning
The night was dark, but joy came with the morning. (close your eyes, then open them and smile)
I was so sick I thought I would die, (make a sick face)
but you healed me, you helped me, you saved me! (point to yourself)
You turned my sadness into dancing! (dance)
You took off my weeping and dressed me in joy! (wipe a pretend tear from your eye, then jump up and down)
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever. (make an infinity sign with your hands fingers touching one hand up the other down palms apart)
Actions by me
Colouring -In Colouring In: You might like to subscribe to this site for 12 months of colouring in sheets. Again in US$25 https://stushieart.com/2019/06/30/ordinary-14-c-art-psalm-30-july-7/
How does this Psalm make you feel? Show it or draw it or pick the emotion from an emotional card set.
SECOND READING: Galatians 6:(1-6), 7-16
READ/WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raEvBZf2aoU Sisters by David McPhail
Colouring-In:https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-summer-2019 For purchase for $10US digital download
PRAY
Thank You God
For making us different
So that we can be family
With you
Amen
GOSPEL READING: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
READ: Oh the places you will go by Dr Suess https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6ZeZA6wF-k suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/oh-the-places-youll-go/http://storypath.upsem.edu/oh-the-places-youll-go/
DRAW: the places you will go to tell people about Jesus
PLAY: Take your toys for a trip. Maybe you have a play mat with a city or country playscape to travel on. PRAY as you go for the things you see and the people you meet.
NOO! You are not finished even if the service has.
Now is the time to continue teaching your child beyond the walls of the church.
Use the craft or drawings during the week to talk about the service or the stories.
Use any of the readings during the week, at bedtime, as story time or during the day in play or prayer.
Enjoy sharing your faith with your child.
Blessings
Wendy L.
The Cross in My Backyard 