This Sunday, congregations have the choice of 2 topic options, the continued weekly litergy, or All Saints Day.
Today I will post some ideas to help your family relate to the weekly RCL readings, which you can use alongside an on-line service where no provision has been made for children, or use during the week for family devotions. If you are looking for All Saint’s Day material, it will be posted a little later.
If at home you might like to make a space for worship it can be permanent or bought out at times of sharing faith together. We are in the season of After Pentecost, the longest season, and it’s colour is green.
You might like to place a green tablecloth on the dinner table or coffee table, or a white one with green ribbons.
It need be no more complicated than that!
OR you could add a cross, or something that talks to you about faith, such as your Bible.
You can even add a candle (with young children around I like to use the battery operated kind.)
START WITH: THE LORDS PRAYER IN ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w
Or if you are looking for a more contemplative version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NuUo-igXDU&fbclid=IwAR2FasYCU-9mP1PaLQDjweXyhyUnJutt4J28KycjzeUEttWSesipX2jmJxE
Or slot it in when the congregation says The Lords Prayer, if you are in a face to face service, or zooming in from Home.
FIRST READINGS: JOSHUA 3:7-17
READ: The Lion Picture Bible, pp.94-95 (finishing half way down the page)
COLOURING IN: https://ministry-to-children.com/crossing-the-jordan-coloring-page/
MAKE: https://craftingthewordofgod.com/tag/ark-of-the-covenant/
PSALM: PSALM 107:1-7: 33-37
READ: https://psalmsforkids.com/psalm-107/
OR The Beginner’s Bible Holy Bible
DRAW OR ACT out the story as the Psalm tells in?
Is it different to the First Reading?
Does it add anyting to our understanding of the First Reading?
SECOND READING: 1 THESSALONIANS 2:9-13
READ/WATCH: Max Lucada, Because I love you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x2fKihzmOA This is too long for the smallest members of your family, I do find generally that while older children watched, the younger members will watch longer than by themselves
PLAY: play with your toys as if they are very special. For younger chidlren.
Older Children: What is important to you about being part of a family? What makes you feel wanted? What other things do you want? Why? How do they make you feel?
PRAY:
I am loved by you God
It feels _______( say how you feel- no right or wrong answers)
Thank you for loving me
Amen
GOSPEL READING: MATTHEW 23:1-12
WATCH/DO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi5gNbZMGdo
You can do a simplier version of Simon says with younger children.
PLAY: with toys that move along after each other, ie a train and carriages,
Older children might like to design/make something that follows the leader.
PRAY:
Help me follow you Lord,
not anyone else
Amen
The Cross in My Backyard 