HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY
Today’s readings reveal the masculine side of God which makes it difficult to find a fitting mother’s day activity. But as the Gospels asks us to honour our mother and our father, making a Mothers day while listening to today’s readings feels very appropriate. Maybe if the supplies in the the house are up to it, older ones might be able to bake a treat to share.
You can find some craft ideas and other options https://www.strandz.org.nz/mothers-day.html
If you are looking for a worship service specifically for Mother’s day try https://sa.uca.org.au/documents/intergen-docs/resources/all-age-worship/Marvelous-Mums.pdf
Enjoy this time of isolation and spend more time with your family in faith exploration. Remember you are their first teacher. You are enough.
You are teaching them to find ways of exploring their faith or time with God everyday. They don’t and you don’t have to be a Theologian to have a relationship with God.
You can use these readings for daily devotions with your children, even the very littliest or on Sunday if your home congregation do not supply an Intergenerational Service or a dedicated children’s program.
Congregations are very welcome to share these ideas with their families. Please just reference where it has come from.
These readings are the prescribed Revised Common Lectionary for Sunday the 10/5/2020.
START WITH: THE LORDS PRAYER IN ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w
FIRST READING: Acts 7:55-60
READ: The Lion Storybook Bible, Stephen the martyr. pp. 232-233
OR WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwK9KpcfWg0 The Bernstein Bears, The Forgiving Tree as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-may-18-2014/ (read the explanation here)
What emotions do people have in these stories? Describe those feeling, or draw it, or point out what it feels like 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
On a piece of paper write or draw, those things that you need to say sorry for, or that you want others to forgive you for. Now fold the paper into a paper plan and ask God to forgive you or help you to forgive others as you fly these hurts into the unknown.
PSALM 31:1-5,15-16
READ: Psalm 31: My hiding place
Where can I hide? (put your hand NEAR your forehead and move your head from side to side)
I cannot find anywhere that feels safe. (give yourself a hug)
Everywhere there are traps set for me. (pretend to walk through a dangerous field, tip toe carefully)
Everywhere people whisper about me. (cup your hand NEAR your face as if whispering)
Be my safe place, O God. (give yourself a hug)
Be my hiding space, my refuge, my shelter. (crouch down)
I put myself in your hands. (hold out your hands)
Be strong! Fill your heart with courage! (flex your forearm muscle)
Beautiful words by Rev. Purdie http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-31-strength-in-exhaustion.html Bracketed actions by me
COLOURING-IN: For $21 AUS You can purchase colouring in pages to use from the 1 March to the 31 May, (spring 2020) downloadable https://store.illustratedministry.com/collections/worship-resources/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-spring-2020?variant=31284510392418
SECOND READING: 1 Peter 2:2-10
WATCH/READ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhAl1J6VyPU Pomelo Begins to Grow by Romana Badescu as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-may-14-2017/
PLAY: Build something big, use blocks or things you find in the garden or in the house to make a big structure. What’s holding up? What is left when you demolish it?
LOOK: in the mirror? Who do you see? Point out parts of your body that look like members of your family. (This can also be done in non-genetic households, ie we have blond hair or only you have blond hair etc)
GOSPEL READING: John 14: 1-14
READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=janAMh46xJM The Wonderful Book by Leonid Gore as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-may-14-2017/
SING: https://colinbuchanan.com.au/collections/kids/products/baa-baa-doo-baa-baa-cd-mp3-backing-track-sheet-music Number 16
OR https://colinbuchanan.com.au/collections/kids/products/boom-chicka-boom-cd-mp3 Number 20
DO: Make a path to follow through your home or if you have a garden in the garden, use paper arrows or chalk arrows to show the path to follow OR choose a leader to lead the rest of the family.
DRAW: OR BUILD a very large house
OR draw a room where you feel safe.
Blessings
Wendy L.
The Cross in My Backyard 