Don’t waste this opportunity to share the faith stories and experience the wonder of worship. Keep your mind open and you may learn as much as you share.
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 JEREMIAH 1:4-10
READ/WATCH I’D KNOW YOU ANYWHERE, MY LOVE by Nancy Tillman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxPMihO81Hk as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-february-3-2019/
Do: Prepare before Sunday a series of photo’s of your child and what they were doing at that stage, if possible include their picture in utero. Or get them to draw picture of them growing up. Put them on seperate sheets so that they can be stapled and then flipped to see the baby grow.
PRAY: Father God,
You knew me
Before I was born
You know what I can do
and how I can be helpful to you
Amen
PSALM 71:1-6
Psalm 71: All our lives long
(for a child and an old person to read – child’s voice in bold)
In you, O Lord, do I live
In you, O Lord, I grow
You are our God, our rock and refuge
You are my rock, like a rock to dive off into the river
You are my rock, like a home well fenced and protected
Hear us when we call, O God, lift us into your arms.
All my life long you have been with me
When I was born and took my first breath,
you held me
All through the years I have leaned on you
Through all the years ahead I will lean on you.
When I was young you taught me
When I grow old you will bless me
I remember all you have done for me
I will tell everyone how great you are!
exert from http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-71-all-our-lives-long.html
Draw a picture of something that you like about this Psalm.
SECOND READING Hebrews 12:18-29
Read/watch Wordy Birdy by Tammi Sauer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEsTOR3nXR4 start at the 48 second mark. as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-august-25-2019/
PLAY with anything that can be shaken, a rattle, dried peas in a bottle (make sure the lid is secure so there is no chocking hazard), a drink in a bottle, GOD”S Kingdom can’t be shaken.
PRAY
We can’t see you God (point to your eyes)
But you are there (reach out to give a pretend hug to someone)
You lead us
And we follow (walk around in a circle)
Amen
GOSPEL READING LUKE 13:10-17 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+13%3A+10-17&version=ICB or listen https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/letusattend/december_4_2011_luke_1310_17_told_for_younger_children
READ: Kid’s Story: The Gospel Story
I got this idea from doing mime clown workshops years ago. Talk to the children about the woman’s physical disability but then encourage them to mime with their whole bodies how they feel
when they are sad (most go all droopy and slump forward),
when they feeling guilty (ditto)
when they are feeling bullied (ditto)
when they are worried (ditto) etc etc.
I think you probably get the picture from there 🙂 and can go on and relate it to freedom we have in Jesus. While you are doing the mimes with them you have to over emphasise it and make a bit of a fool of yourself, but I reckon that’s not too hard for most of us.
from http://seedstuff.blogspot.com/2019/
Colouring – in: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-summer-2019 For purchase for $10US digital download
PLAY: Let your children, reenact the story, with their toys, or drawing or just themselves.
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 