I use easily found ideas to help you share the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) readings. with 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.
WHO ARE THESE IDEAS FOR?
For anyone looking for ideas to help share God’s word with everyone including the youngest.
Whether you are preparing traditional worship or an all age or Intergenerational service. You can include this link or share these ideas in your Church newsletter, in your Order of service or on your media notes. .
OR you are a parent wanting something for your children to use either in face to face or with broadcast services, as you parent from the pews or couch
Or during family devotion times.
Though you will find simple ways into the text here THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT YOU CAN DO IS SHARE YOURSELF AND YOUR FAITH. I firmly believe that it is in the relationship, that the Faith formation of the next generation truely starts. You will notice that there are very few prompts or questions on this page. This is to allow your child to do the thinking and to work out what is important to them from the texts. Sometimes they may give you an insight or even ask a question? There are no wrong insights or crazy questions, and you are enough, enough to listen, enough to work it out together, ENOUGH to share your love of GOD with your child.
Here is a great presentation on children’s spirituality, but most importantly from the 40 minute mark on, it speaks about the importance of teaching through story and explains the process I recommend you use with children.
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 add the things that remind YOU of God, a cross, a Bible that everyone likes to read from, a word, a special object, even something from one of the readings.
If able to worship in the Church 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 today’s 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. You could use a template like this free download
LET’S BEGIN:
WELCOME: 
Everyone is welcome here.
SING/LISTEN Hallelujah!Christ is Coming By Liturgical Folk on their album Advent
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
You might like to start with the Lord’s Prayer if at home, or say the Lord’s Prayer within a set place if following along in a service. Here are 4 options
2 with ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w
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
SEASON: ADVENT
Advent is the season where we prepare for the arrival of God’s promise. The Liturgical colours are Purple (on the blue side of the spectrum) or Blue. Each Denomination has a slightly different variant but I will be using A Purple candle this week. With a Pink candle on Advent 3. Each week there is a theme, this week is Hope.
Colouring in sheets Look for the HOPE sheet for today
ADVENT LITURGY
This year I am giving you the choice of liturgy, one based on the Southern Cross and one from last year.
LITURGY A Week 2- PEACE
You can print this version of the Southern Cross here 
Place a candle on the star. Today We will use Ginan, the first star name using the name one of Australia’s First People’s nations use for it. ( You can find more information on the Southern Cross here, including the star names, and some information on how The First peoples understand these stars)
OR if you have a flag or piece of clothing with the Southern Cross on it you might use a torch behind, to shine through the fabric. DO NOT place the material directly on any heat source, electrical, battery or flame.
(actions in italics)
We stand under the Southern Cross (Arms and eyes high)
As the First People have and still do.
God you were always in this land (plant your feet firmly on the ground)
We light our next star of Advent (twinkle your fingers)
May it guide us to find PEACE in You.(shade your eyes as if looking into the distance)
Amen
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: Malacki 3:1-4
READ: The Whirl Storybook Bible, Malachi’s message pp.130-133
Play, mix 2 items together then seperate them out so that you have 2 items. Ie cars and blocks, rice and flour, dirt and rocks etc.
Do, take a message for someone to someone else or play with your toys and pretend that you have something important to tell them
PSALM Luke 1:68-79 (psalms are songs and can be found throughout the Bible as well as in the book of Psalms)
God loves His people
He gave us a Saviour
in King David’s offspring,
God’s prophets told us
That we would be saved
God has remembered His promises
He promised Abraham,
That we would be rescued from our enemies
And be able to worship God fearlessly
in a safe and holy space
You, child, will be an important prophet
As you will prepare the way for the Lord
teach them salvation through forgiveness
Because God is good
For those who are sad and dying
A new dawn will happen
Guiding our feet
To PEACE.
(a rewrite by me)
DO: How do you think the person saying this Psalm might have felt, find an emoji that shows how they feel?
Read the background story in The Lion Story Bible, Cousin John
SECOND READING: Phillipians 1:3-11
READ: The Spark Story Book Bible, Paul and the Phillipians
Write a letter or an email, telling someone how important they are to you.
PRAY
May my love (make a love heart with your hands)
for you God, (arms out wide)
Overflow (tumble your hands one in fron of the other)
as I learn more (pretend to write)
and understand more (tap the side of your head)
Just like Paul
prayed for the Phillipians
Amen (one clap)
GOSPEL READING: Luke 3:1-6
PLAY: with toy road signs or create a road or drive a car on a play mat road. I wonder why we have signs? I wonder how friends would find our house without a street sign? I wonder what sign could be if it is not a road sign?
OR How do you get started on a new task, what do you need to cook, to sew, to knit etc?
SENDING HYMN Tell the World by Hillsong Kids Learn the actions here
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 