To all in Victoria and Queensland in Australia, and to those in New Zealand, it’s finally the end of the term. So if you are travelling take these ideas with you so you never find yourself without something for you young ones to do to connect them with the services you may visit. And if staying home, as many who still operate Sunday Schools also go into recess, you no longer have an excuse to take a break from Worship as you can use these suggestions help the younger ones connect during the service.
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 piece
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.
THE LORDS PRAYER IN ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w
FIRST READING: JEREMIAH 8:18-9:1
READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO1ib5A-IqU Bluebird by Bob Staake as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-september-22-2013/
COLOURING -IN: https://store.illustratedministry.com/collections/coloring-sheets-posters/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-fall-2019?variant=29474498478178 Under the USA term of Fall 2019, there are 13 colouring in sheets for the next 13 weeks, which can be downloaded for US$10. NOTE Illustrated Children’s Ministry is now Illustrated Ministry.
This is a sad story Draw it or show it or point out the emotion from a set of emotional cards https://innovativeresources.org/resources/card-sets/bears-cards/ or the Bears App https://innovativeresources.org/resources/digital-applications/bears-app/
PSALM 79: 1-9
READ: https://www.psalmsforkids.com/psalm-79/
How does the Psalm make you feel? Draw it or show it or point out the emotion from a set of emotional cards https://innovativeresources.org/resources/card-sets/bears-cards/ or the Bears App https://innovativeresources.org/resources/digital-applications/bears-app/
SECOND READING: 1 TIMOTHY 2:1-7
READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-23tJo3Oek Bring me a Rock by Daniel Miyares as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-september-18-2016/
SING/LISTEN: https://colinbuchanan.com.au/collections/christian/products/boom-chicka-boom-cd-mp3 Number 3 on Colin Buchanan’s album Boom Chicka Boom
PRAY: Line up your toys.
What would you pray for each of them.
is there someone you know that needs your prayers. Pray for them now, even if they are not that nice to us.
GOSPEL READING: Luke 16:1-13
READ: Retell these verses to your child. Then let them play out the story themselves
OR READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zO_NJYvqHs Harold loves his Wooly Hat by Vern Kousky a suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-september-22-2019/
COLOURING IN: https://stushieart.com for an annual fee of $25 or encourage your church to have take a subscription, Try this weeks Gospel drawing.
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 