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: Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4
READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC3zlXfi98Y CLICK, CLACK MOO by Doreen Cronin as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-october-30-2016/
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.
PSALM 119:137-144
READ: http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-119-the-longest-psalm.html
DO: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: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4,11-12
READ/WATCH: https://vimeo.com/314136923 Ten thank you Letters by Daniel Kirk as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-november-3-2019/
PRAY https://ministry-to-children.com/five-finger-prayer/
GOSPEL READING: Luke 19:1-10
READ: My First read-a loud Bible, Zacchaeus changes, pp.202-203, great for the very young
OR The Beginner’s Bible, A Short Man, pp.413-417
OR The Jesus Storybook Bible, The man who didn’t have any friends (none) pp.264 – 270 Great for all ages
Make: Create a simple tree on the long side of an A4 sheet. (brown strip of paper then cut out a treetop shape from green paper and stick on the A4 sheet. Cut a ribbon the length of the paper. Cut 2 slits in the paper one at the base of the tree and one in a straight line above the first slit in the tree tops. Thread the ribbon through the slits. Draw or cut out a picture of Zacchaeus and stick him on the ribbon, then move the ribbon up and down so that Zacchaeus goes up and down the tree.
COLOURING IN: https://stushieart.com for an annual fee of $25 or encourage your church to have a subscription.
SING: Big Bible Story Song by Colin Buchanan https://colinbuchanan.com.au/products/colins-new-testament-big-bible-story-songs
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 