Wherever you are this Australia day long weekend, be prepared to help your littles enjoy worship with you.
You can find some ideas here https://wordpress.com/post/thecrossinmybackyard.wordpress.com/910 as to where to sit and what to bring.
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
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: Isaiah 9:1-4
READ/WATCH Sun Bread by Elisa Keven https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UkuJdIsRCc as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-january-26-2014/
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.
DO: play with light, use your phone or a battery operated candle or a torch to shine light into dark spaces
PSALM 27:1,4-9
My God is my light (hold your hands in front of you and twinkle your fingers)
My God is my savior (look longingly)
Why be afraid? (shake)
My God is my safety (hug yourself)
My God is my home (make a roof with your arms over your head)
I won’t be afraid! (shake your finger)
Some days are bad days – that’s OK.
Some people say nasty things – that’s OK,
because I am hidden with Jesus
in the safest place,
in the arms of God,
like sleeping in a tent,
like standing high on a tall rock
where nothing can get me.
With God’s care around me
I will sing and dance
and shout for joy!
With God’s face shining on me
I will be patient though bad days.
I will be strong.
Take courage, my heart,
lean on God.
abridged from http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-27-take-courage-my-heart.html actions by me
How does this 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: 1Corinthians 1:10-18
READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld2FG4gfRWE
GOSPEL READING: Matthew 4:12-23
READ: The Jesus Storybook Bible p.212 starting “Peter, Andrew ,James —— and follow him”
COLOURING-IN: https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/2884399/posts/8450 for an annual fee of $25 or encourage your church to have a subscription.
MAKE: You will need a pieces each of 2 different colour blue A4 sheets or thick paper. Cut one sheet out making a wavy oval. Glue on top of the first sheet.
Then make a paper boat, as simple as a patty pan or as fancy as you would like.
Next you will need some fruit netting or old fishnet stockings cut out a net to throw from the boat.
This was a common everyday scene. That Jesus disciples were in when they were acknowledged Him. You might like to draw a scene from your everyday.
The Cross in My Backyard 