WELCOME
WHO ARE THESE IDEAS FOR?
They are for use by parents, grandparents and carers and for small congregations who do not have a Child and Family Ministry.
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.
Though you will find simple ways into the text here THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THOUGH THAT YOU CAN DO IS SHARE YOURSELF AND YOUR FAITH. I firmly bleive that it is in the relationship, that the Faith formation of the next generation truely starts.
GETTING READY
If worshipping at home. You may want to set up a space/alter/focal spot, to bring out when you worship or to keep out everyday.
You can do this by setting up a candle, and what ever else helps you focus on the season.
We are now in the longest liturgical season, the season after Pentecost. This season takes up half or the year, and it’s liturgical colour is green. There are no major celebrations during this season, and some refer to it as Ordinary Time. For me it is a time to celebrate everyday joys, to see God in the ordinary, in the everyday, and to hear the everyday stories of Jesus.
This is the time to add the things that remind YOU of God, a cross, a word, a special object, even something from one of the readings
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
WELCOME:
SING https://www.snackmusic.com.au/songs/you-are-welcome
THE LORD”S PRAYER:
You might like to start with the Lords prayer if at home, or say the Lord’s Prayer within a set place if following along in a service.
If looking for a version with 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 for a more Intergenerational approach try Number 1 on the Table Settings album by Liturgical Folks
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Collect a container of objects that can remind you of things or people to pray for for example
1)a scourer, to remind you to pray for those who rub you the wrong way,
2) a bandaid, to remind you to pray for those who are ill
3) A rock, to remind you to pray for those you rely on
4)a tangle of wool or thread or ribbon, to remind you to pray for those whose life is confusing to them at the moment
5) a mask, to remind you to pray for those working hard to heal people
6) a tea light candle, to pray for those who need God’s light in their lives,
7) a grain of rice,to remind you to pray for the youngest,
8) an empty bottle to remind you to pray for those who need food, or shelter
everytime you thing of a new item add it to the bowl.
Pray by taking turns to dip into the bowl and pray for those that the item you pick up reminds you to pray for.
FIRST READING: 1 SAMUEL 15:34-16:13
READ: CHILDREN ON GOD BY DESMOND TUTU, King David is Anointed
OR The SPARK STORY BIBLE, David id Chosen pp.126-129
Use these pictures to retell the story
PRAY
Thank you God
that what we think about you
Is more important
Than how we look
Amen
PSALM 20
Psalm 20: God bless you!
(A responsive Psalm of blessing for use in worship)
May God bless you and keep you.
When you cry for help (pretend to rub your eyes- do not touch your face)
God will answer.
When you are in trouble (wag your index finger)
God will be there.
When you are lost (shield your eyes and look around)
God will find you.
When you are afraid (shake)
God will support you.
May God bless you and keep you.
In the plans you make, (rest your chin on your fist)
in all that you hope for,
in the deep desires of your heart,(look down into your chest)
God is alive and at work.
When you ask for help for other people (plead)
God works through you.
When you do great things (put your arms in the air)
God cheers you on
and all God’s people (point to everyone- including you)
shout for joy!
May God bless you and keep you.
Some people rely on guns and fast cars (drive a pretend car)
but we trust in God.
Everything else will crash to the ground (fall down)
but we will stand tall.
Be strong in the Lord, (show your muscles)
Be proud of our God.
God is proud of you! (point to yourself)
May God bless you and keep you.
I suggest an adult or older child reads the bold and younger children do the actions.
Thanks again to Rev Pudie for her words, (actions in brackets by me)
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 you can make your own using paper plates and draw a picture for each emotion.
SECOND READING: 2 CORINTHIANS 5:6-10(11-13)14-17
READ:The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
a suggestion by storypath, one I couldn’t resist given the recent death of the author
MAKE a simple butterfly by concertina folding a piece of A4 Coloured paper and then tying a ribbon around the middle(length ways) or try
SING New Creation, by Seeds Family Worship, Seeds of Faith, Vol.2.
GOSPEL READING: MARK 4:26-34.
OR READ: The Marvellous Mustard Seed by Amy Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso ( a suggestion from Picture a Good Book)
OR WATCH
SING An Australian Anthem Not a hymn, more than a history, but very appropriate especially following on from Reconcilliation week https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAONlfoNVuY There is also a children’s book called From Little things big thinkgs grwo published by One Hill Publishing
DO: find things that produce more than you would expect, ie an ant carrying a leaf, a dried sponge that swells to double it’s size, a cake that expands as it bakes (now there is an idea, make some small cakes or biscuits)
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.
I am writing this on Wurundjeri land and wish to pay respect to all Elders, past, present and emerging.
The Cross in My Backyard 