WELCOME
This week there are 2 distinct sets of readings, one for Palm Sunday every child and young at hearts favourite or Passion Sunday normally a more solomn service. I will post them seperately.
Either service marks the start of Holy Week, here are some Holy Week resources you might like to use with your family at home here, or here.
You have found a page that uses easily found ideas to help you share the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) readings with children. Instead of sifting through many websites, facebook , pinterest, instagram, and blog posts; this is a one stop shop where I have done the sifting for you to find theologically and developmentally appropriate material for your congregation or family.
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.
They are for use by parents, grandparents and carers and for small congregations who do not have a Child and Family Ministry.
GETTING READY
If worshipping at home. You may want to set up a space to bring out or keep up through Lent.
The colour of Lent is purple, not the same blue based purple as Advent but a red based purple.
Set up a candle, and what ever helps you focus on the season, it might be a cross, some sand (to symbolise the desert times of the people of God), or cactus plants, some rocks(to represent challenge) for example, or anything that inspires you from any Lent studies you or your family ae doing.
A Book that I would rcommend for sharing about Lent with Children is Make Room A Child’s Guide to Lent and Easter by Laura Alary You can see an adaption of this book in a Godly Play method here
If able to worship in the Chruch buildings pack a special backpack, as well as filling it with your Covid Safe equipment, add the books or materials required to help your young ones relate to readings.
For adults and older students you might like to take a journal with which to record anything that grabs your attention during the service. Write a precis of the message (traditional or sensory word), draw or write a response in and keep a record of emotions.
LET’S BEGIN
You might like to start with the Lords prayer if at home, or either of these suggestions can be used when the Lord’s Prayer is said within a set 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
To set the Palm Sunday mood you might like to Sing or watch, Wave those branches High by David MacGregor.
Today you might like to Pray during Prayers of the People, by pointing to or pulling off a leaf from either a Palm frond or one that you have drawn, and as you do so name and pray for those people you admiire or those who you want to encourage. If you have drawn a palm frond you could put the names of the people you mention on each frond.
FIRST READING: Isaiah 50:4-9a
READ: Mae’s first Day of School by Kate Berube
Understand why it was suggested here
PSALM 118:1-2,19-29
READ: We will Rejoice by Karma Wilson
How does this Psalm make you feel?
Describe those feelings, Show how these feelings look like in your body 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/
SECOND READING: Phillipians 2:5-11
READ: There was an old woman who lived in a shoe by Jane Cabrera
Understand why it was suggested here
SING Seeds Family Worship Vo. 8 The Word of God No.4 Jesus Christ is Lord
PRAY:
For those you love today.
GOSPEL READING: Mark 11:1-11
READ: from a children’s Bible my choice is The Beginner’s Bible
OR Meet Jesus in Mark by Matthew Sleeman first paragraph only
OR 10 great stories from Mark pp48-51
ACT: out the passage. You can do this with people, or your toys, you could make puppets for each of those mentioned, you could make a felt scene( use a firm felt board as the background and cut out shapes from coloured felt squares, they will stick to the backing board)
COLOURING IN: the Beginner’s Bible Easter Coloring IN Kit
QUESTION? Where are the palm leaves in today’s reading?
OR John 12: 12-16
READ from a Children’s Bible my choice is the Beginner’s Bible
OR Biblegateway
ACT: out the passage. You can do this with people, or your toys, you could make puppets for each of those mentioned, you could make a felt scene( use a firm felt board as the background and cut out shapes from coloured felt squares, they will stick to the backing board)
EXTENSION: read the two passages at home and spot the differences. Then remember an event you were all at do you all remember it the same way?
Blessings
Wendy L.
Please check local guidlines before using items that are not mine and acknowledge this page if you have found it useful, especially if you are using this page for congregational use.
The Cross in My Backyard 