Here are some ideas to help you share the Readings from the Revised Common Lectionary with your under 3’s.
Note that we have entered the season of Lent. This week should see churches dressed in purple.
You can find some ideas here https://wordpress.com/post/thecrossinmybackyard.wordpress.com/910 as to where to sit and what to bring.
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
THE LORDS PRAYER IN ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w
FIRST READING: GENESIS 2:15-17, 3:1-7
READ: THE LION PICTURE BIBLE p.20-23. The Garden of Eden
OR My First Read a Loud Bible by Batchelor and Boshoff , pp.14-15 Forbidden Fruit also in 5 Minute Bible Stories by Batchelor and Boshoff pp.14-15 Forbidden Fruit
Make you own garden of Eden. think carefully about what you would put in it
PRAY fo everything in your Garden
PSALM: 32
Psalm 32: The mad donkey
Will you buck against God, (push)
kick and fight what is right (kick and punch)
like a mad donkey?? (hold up the donkey)
True happiness happens (hold your arms up and out from the body)
when you let God be in charge. (wrap your arms around yourself)
So say sorry when you stuff up. (bow your head)
Say sorry when you hurt people. (bow your head)
You are forgiven and adored (give yourself a hug)
more than you know, (hug harder)
so start over, fresh each day. (flip the page on an imaginary board)
Rejoice in the Lord and stand tall. (stand very tall and fling your arms up high)
thank you again to Rev. Purdie for a wonderful interpretation of the Psalm http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-32-the-horse-trainers-psalm.html actions by me
Have a toy donkey, (rifle the nativity sets if you need to) or a soft toy donkey on hand.
Or maybe your child has a favourite toy that gets up to all sorts of mischief and change the words to fit the child’s toy
Let them play with the donkey( or toy)
DRAW: https://store.illustratedministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-spring-2020?variant=31284510392418 approximentally 20$Aus to down load from now until Pentecost.
SECOND READING: Romans 5:12-19
READ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDOt_xcI2fg I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rosetti Shustak as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-march-9-2014/
Tell your child all about the things you love about them and why God would love them to .
PLAY: Show your toys how much you love them
GOSPEL READING:Matthew 4:1-11
READ: The Lion Picture Book Bible pp244-245
OR My First Read a Loud Bible by Batchelor and Boshoff , pp.152-153 A test for Jesus also in 5 Minute Bible Stories by Batchelor and Boshoff pp.116-117 A Test for Jesus
Colouring IN: Subscribe to Stushie and download his colouring in page https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/2884399/posts/8570
Father God
Bread is nice
But you are better
Amen
The Cross in My Backyard 