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: Amos 8:1-12
DRAW/READ Such beautiful imagery in these lines, you might like to read a few from the NIRV Children’s Bible or https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Amos+8&version=ERV the Easy Reader Version.
try 8:1 a basket of summer fruit Colouring in https://stushieart.com/2016/07/11/church-bulletin-art-ordinary-16c/ You might like to subscribe to this site for 12 months of colouring in sheets US$25
8:3 Temple
8:6 People Market
8:9 Land trembling/ water rising
8:9 Darkend Day
8:10 Day of Sadness
8:11 No food
8:12 Wandering
Ask what do these images tell you about God? No wrong answer. Let them explore what God can do.
PRAY
My God,
You can do anything
Amen
PSALM 52
Psalm 52: God sees through
Who are you kidding?
You spout lies and pretend it’s true.
You do dreadful things and boast about it!
You cut people to shreds.
Just because you’re rich you think
you can get away with anything!
Watch out! God is watching
and we can see through you.
Sooner or later your greed will collapse
onto your own head.
The money you trusted will betray you.
As for me, I choose the way of love, not the way of greed.
I want the truth, not lies.
I trust in God, not money.
I give thanks for everything I have,
for nothing is really mine.
I stand with friends, never alone,
like a tree in a forest, and it is good!
thanks to Rev, Purdie http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-52-god-sees-through.html
DO: How does the psalm make you feel? Show on your face, or draw how you feel.
Colouring – in: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-summer-2019 For purchase for $10US digital download
SECOND READING: Colossians 1:15-28
READ/ WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtvlkNfwctk HOW TO by Julie Morstad as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-july-21-2013/
SING/LISTEN: https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/the-journey-vol-9/# number 13
OR https://sovereigngracemusic.org/music/songs/totally-god-totally-man/
GOSPEL READING: Luke 10:38-42 Mary and Martha
READ: My First Read-Aloud Bible by Batchelor and Boshoff, Martha and Mary, pp184-185
The Beginners Bible Mary and Martha. pp. 385-390 or The Beginners Bible for Toddlers , Mary and Martha, pp 116-119
OR if you have older children Brave Girls Bible Stories, The Better Plan, pp.147-152
Pray
M (point to an M or draw an M) Prayer
May I always put you first God
May I Listen when I must
May my efforts be pleasing to you
May I not stop others from doing what God wants them to do
Amen
Alphabet prayers are a wonderful way of helping your child learn the alphabet while showing them that prayer is part of everything.
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 
Thanks for the link to my artwork 🙂 God bless.
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