These ideas can be used in a church setting as you parent in the pews or in your own home while connecting to a broadcast service or for your daily family devotions.
If worshipping at home you might like to prepare a space to worship which can be permanent or set aside and bought out when you are having private or family devotions.
This might consist of a purple table cloth, and any items that help you conccentrate or which represent the seaon of waiting for you.
During this season of Advent you might like to set up an Advent wreath that stays in place for the four weeks of Advent. This Sunday is Week 2 – Peace
Start by saying/being/singing this Candle Liturgy
You can see all four weeks here https://wordpress.com/post/thecrossinmybackyard.wordpress.com/1648
WEEK 2 PEACE
Pretend to be a flame as you say or sing (to the tune of Twinkle twinkle little star) this liturgy. Remember to move like a flame. Today’s candles are purple or blue perhaps you can wear or put on something that is purple of blue.
Little candle burning bright
Light in my heart
Peace tonight
May it shine
To others lives
Calm may we be
To-night
Little candle burning bright
Light in my heart
Peace tonight
FIRST READING: Isaiah 40:1-11
READ: Mallee Sky by Jodi Toering and Tanya Harricks I love this book and it fits so nicely in explaining this passage to children. The rains change our landscape in such an amazing way just like in this reading the world will be changed by the voice of the one preparing the way.
Colouring In: I will continue to recommend the work of Illustrated Ministries, though not free it is easily downloadable, the American $ 12.99 price give you enough colouring in sheets for every member of the family until February 14, 2021. If your children love colouring it is worth the investment https://store.illustratedministry.com/collections/coloring-sheets-posters/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-winter-2020-2021?variant=32002480373858
PLAY. What landscapes can you change? eg. if you have a playmat with roads and tows or paddocks on it. Can you make it hilly?
Questions: What force will make change? eg water What force in your life makes change happen?
PSALM 85:1-2, 8-13
READ
Psalm 85: See what God is doing!
(The Lectionary Psalm for Sunday 10 December 2017)
See what God is doing:
the promises from long ago are made new
our brokenness and shame is over
Wait, for God is coming!
His anger drains away and love remains
He draws us to himself and joy returns
Hear what God is saying:
the word is ‘Peace’, Shalom
love that will never let us go
See, for God is close
salvation is very near
glory is coming to dwell in our land
Come, for truth is bursting out
tender love meets righteousness
and blessing flows from peace
Go out before him!
Prepare the way of the Lord!
Taken from http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-85-see-what-god-is-doing.html thanks again Rev Purdie
Today’s candle is the Peace Candle. How many times is the word Peace used in Rev. Purdie’s version of this Psalm?
How many times is Joy Mentioned? How many times is Love mentioned?
Is this a hopeful Psalm?
SECOND READING: 2 Peter 3:8-15a
READ/LISTEN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNDt0s-AQVs Waiting is not Easy by Mo Williams
SING/LISTEN: https://sovereigngracemusic.org/music/songs/youre-coming-back/
Meditate
Turn the candle on and ask your chidl to sit quietly until you turn the candle off. If they have not done this before start off with a very small amount of time, maybe 10 seconds then each time you do this increase the time marginally. The idea is not to frustrate your child but to teach them to quietly sit and listen for God.
GOSPEL READING: Mark 1:1-8
READ: Meet Jesus in Mark by Matthew Slleman READ the fist paragrph of Mark 1:1-20
OR The Beginner’s Bible Timeless Children’s Stories John Baptises Jesus only pp.303-305.
DRAW/MAKE your impression of John: What did he wear, eat, do? You could even dress a doll or toy as you think John might. What materials would you use?
PRAY:
Dear God,
Open my mouth (point to your mouth)
So I can tell others about you
Open my ears (point to your ears)
So I can hear all about you
Open my eyes (point to your eyes)
So that I can see your World
Amen (one short clap)
You might like to conclude with the Lords prayer or use either of these options in the service
either 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
Blessings
Wendy L.
Please feel free to use ay ideas and acknowledge me when you do
The Cross in My Backyard 