I hope you and your children enjoy spending time together in Church this week.
Here are some ideas to help you share the Readings from the Revised Common Lectionary with your children.
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: Lamentations 1:1-6
READ/WATCH When I’m feeling Sad by Trace Moroney https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XegIx_zgXqM
DO: How do you feel when you are Sad? 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/
PRAY
No matter how i feel
(show some emotions)
I am thankful
I can talk to you about them
God,
Amen
PSALM: Lamentations 3:19-26
SING/Listen: https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/when-you-lie-down-lullabies-scripture-songs/# 8
OR https://colinbuchanan.com.au/products/baa-baa-doo-baa-baa-cd-mp3-backing-track-sheet-music
Meditate: Turn on a battery operated candle and ask your child to sit still, turn the candle off when they are done. Some will sit quietly but for many it will take a few attempts, and it could be as quickly as a second.
OR Psalm 137
LISTEN/WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYK9iCRb7S4 This song fails to show the full despair of the Psalm but it’s a nice way to recall some of the words in the Psalm.
This you tube clip may help parents or older children understand the Psalm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3qAOReXvCU
MAKE a memory bracelet, to help you not forget to Pray. Take 3 cords of embroidery thread (3different colours) for the Trinity Father, Son and Holy Spirit, plait then then tie the ends together to go around your wrist.
SECOND READING: 2 Timothy 1:1-14
READ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmOQ1IsjydI Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-october-6-2019/
SING/LISTEN: https://colinbuchanan.com.au/products/follow-the-saviour-cd-mp3-album no.17
OR https://sovereigngracemusic.org/music/songs/jesus-youre-my-hope/
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, starting September the 1st. which can be downloaded for US$10. NOTE Illustrated Children’s Ministry is now Illustrated Ministry.
GOSPEL READING: Luke 17:5-10
LISTEN:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_ndC07C2qw
This song by Paul Kelly about a significant element of Australia’s History, shows how something significant can grow from a small notion. Just as this parable explains regarding faith.
Your local Library may have a copy of the book FROm Little Things big things grow
DO: Make a plant that grows. Take an A4 Sheet, draw a tree trunk up the paper, draw branches and leaves at the top of the page then fold the middle third like a fan,
PRAY:
Crouch down
Then unfurl your body as tall as you can make it
THE SERVICE MIGHT BE FINISHED BUT
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 