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:
Find a dry leaf that has fallen from the tree, or a flower.
look at the leaf or flower, notice how it is made up, the viens, the petals, the colour.
Now pray for those who are aging around you if you have a dry leaf, or pray for those who are in the bloom of life like the flower and looking after many people.
OR you could draw a flower and draw or write the name of people you want to pray for on each petal.
FIRST READING: 1 SAMUEL 17(1a, 4-11,19-23) 32-49
READ: CHILDREN OF GOD by Rev Desmond Tutu, David and Goliath pp.44-45
OR SPARK STORY BIBLE, David and Goliath pp.130-135
OR THE BEGINNER’S BIBLE, David and Goliath pp.173-180
SING Colin Buchanan New Testament Big Bible Story Songs No. 7, God is the Biggest of All
PSALM 9:9-18
Psalm 9: With all my heart
With every bit of me I give you thanks, O Lord (stand tall)
With every breath I tell how good you are(blow)
With all my heart I love you.( make a love heart)
Another Psalm adaption by Rev Sylvie Purdie, actions in italics 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.
2) FIRST READING: 1 SAMUEL17:57-18:5
This is a great reading to talk about Domestic Violence and staying Safe with children, so don’t miss out on this wonderful opertunity to use it either in corporate worship or at home. Here are some resources if you want to go down that path, https://safechurch.uca.org.au/children-young-people/, statement to children
Available in 9 other languages
Tools for Listeneing may also be useful
Don’t forget the Kid’s Helpline
For the Adults https://www.respectvictoria.vic.gov.au
A useful resource for discussion https://innovativeresources.org/resources/digital-resources/tell-a-trusted-adult-digital-version/
and one for the Adults https://innovativeresources.org/resources/digital-resources/no-room-for-family-violence-digital-version/
READ: THE BEGINNER’S BIBLE, Best Friends pp.181-185
PRAY:
Let your love shine through (make a heart shape)
In all that I do( point to yourself)
in all those I meet(look out)
Everyday
In everyway
If we are afraid
are are with us
Amen
PSALM 133
READ: Snuggle Time Psalms by Glenys Nellist, One Family
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 6:1-13
READ:Dumpy La Rue by Elizabeth Winthrop
A suggestion by Storypath look here to see why.
DO: Write or draw with your least favourite hand, or use your feet. When would or did you give up? What keeps you trying?
PRAY
Hi God,
I have trouble staying on task
loving you is hard work
Please help me to follow you
all my life
Amen
GOSPEL READING: MARK 4:35-41
READ: THE WHIRL STORY BIBLE, Jesus Calms the Storm, pp.226-229
CRAFT ( NB: if you don’t have corrigated cardboard use crepe paper or just plain cardboard)
BLESSING: Deeper Water: Resources for Immersive Worship by Dr Craig Mitchell A Blessing for Unchartered Waters (this fits beautifully with today’s Gospel reading and lends itself to actions that can mirror the words. If it is too long for your small children, read a couple of stanza’s each week night)
Blessings
Wendy L.
Please check local guidlines before using items that are not mine especially if you are using this page for congregational use. Please acknowedge this page if you find it useful.Thank you.
I am writing this on Wurundjeri land and wish to pay respect to all Elders, past, present and emerging.
The Cross in My Backyard 