WELCOME
In Australia and New Zealand as well as this Sunday being the traditional Good Shepherd Sunday it is also ANZAC Day. A day to remember mateship in the face of adversity. To me this is a lovely pairing of faith and secular ideals.
If you are looking for some great activities for ANZAC Day, my two favourite places with great ideas come from New Zealand kidsfriendly.org.nz/download/12929 and/or https://www.strandz.org.nz/anzac.html.
WHO ARE THESE IDEAS FOR?
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 when you worship or to keep out everyday..
We have entered the season of EASTER and white is the colour of the season. (Though it is the chosen colour you may prefer to use Gold)
Set up a candle, and what ever helps you focus on the season, it might be a cross, some flowers to represent New Life, an empty container, a circle of some kind or anything that inspires you.
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 say the Lord’s Prayer within a set place in the service.
Today try this version 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
Prayers of the People: Pray for those in the community that help others. You might like to bring toys that are dressed as a nurse, doctor, mechanic etc, and hold them tight as you say.
God, please enfold these people who care, in your arms. Amen
FIRST READING: Acts 4: 5-12
READ: Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson
DO: List or draw all the things that Bear’s friends do or that Bear does for them.
SING: Mightly Mighty Saviour by Soveriegn Grace Kids on the Album Awesome God
PSALM 23:
For the very little read SnuggleTime Prayers by Glenys Nellist
READ: Psalm 23 by Sally Lloyd-Jones and Jago
OR Cecil the Lost Sheep by Andrew MacDonough https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/cecil-and-psalm-23/
Colouring In sheet FREE at bottom of page OR you can buy the activity book to download for $Aus4.95 which has many activities for the WHOLE family to enjoy
SING No. 24 from New Testament Bible Story Songs by Colin Buchanan
SECOND READING: 1 John 3:16-24
SING Number 24 on Baa Baa Doo Baa Baa by Colin Buchanan
PRAY
Jesus
Help me to see
those who need me
to love them
as they are
Amen
GOSPEL READING: John 10:11-18
READ: The Spark StoryBible, The Good Shepherd pp.350-353
OR The Whirl StoryBook, The Good Shepherd pp. 294-297
PLAY: Play with your sheep. If you don’t have a playset with sheep. Make sheep, take balls of wool, and cut paper straws in half to make legs.
What animals do you take care of? Are you good at looking after them?
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 