Whether you are at your home church, staying safe, or holidaying away from home don’t let this be an excuse not to worship together. If you attend a congregation that uses a traditional Sunday School during service set up you will find some ideas here to here to engage your young ones with the readings and to enjoy Worship and Lifelong faith formation.
If you are displaced by the fires may the ideas within help you continue your faith practices with your families.
For older children you might like to purchase Jillians Life Packs https://feedmyfamilyblog.com
Or use a Sermon Note pages such as https://paththroughthenarrowgate.com
You can find some ideas here https://wordpress.com/post/thecrossinmybackyard.wordpress.com/910 as to where to sit and what to bring.
THE LORDS PRAYER IN ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w
FIRST READING: ISAIAH 49:1-7
READ: When God Made you by Matthew Turner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spwy5Ig4sPw
ACTIVITY: Look at pictures of you as a Baby or of your in vitro pictures
Draw a picture of you as baby
PRAY
God you made wonderful things
Including me
Thank you
Amen
PSALM 40:1-11
READ:
Psalm 40: Stuck in the swamp
I was stuck, stuck in mud
up to my knees in it, sinking down
Help! I yelled, Hurry!
and help came, strong hands
pulled me out to safety.
Solid ground never felt so good!
What a great God we serve!
You inspire new songs
you multiply your awesomeness!
I love to live your way,
your law is in my heart.
Thanks again to Rev. Purdie http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-40-the-mud-psalm.html You can also read a short description of the Psalm there too.
SING: https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/seeds-of-courage-vol-1/#
SECOND READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 1:1-9
READ: God’s Dream by Desmond Tutu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMXULIYojHk as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-january-16-2011/
SING: https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/the-character-of-god-vol-7/#
Play: with your toys to practice caring for each other.
GOSPEL READING: JOHN 1:29-42
READ: The Beginners Bible, He Chooses His Disciples, pp.308-313 and p.306 (for the first part of today’s reading)
COLOURING IN: https://store.illustratedministry.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-winter-2019-2020?variant=31032290738274 This resource has colouring in pages until the 23rd of February 2020. And costs about $A20.
PLAY: the motif of Jesus as the Lamb of God is used extensively in this passage, in an era without sacrifices it is hard to explain the sacrificial element to children, but they are all learning to put others first and sacrifice themselves. So play, with animals or a farm set and just let them explore this idea of what it means to be a good friend.
Blessings
Wendy L.
The Cross in My Backyard 