In Australia, many families are still traveling at this time of the year, so I have structured these suggestions around informal family faith formation experiences for those away from home or away from the usual structure.
Faith is portable, we live it, and share it, every day. I hope these simple ideas help your family form their faith, no matter where you are.
If you are a small congregation that suddenly has children in your pews at this time of the year, these can also be used in your services, shared directly from this site, or copied into your order of service.
If away from your usual congregation it might help to mark the space for your family and not just the time by creating a focal point. To do this find something white, create a cross from whatever is around you and light a candle (or use a battery-operated candle) as a center point for your worship experience.
We are now in the Season of After Epiphany, and today’s liturgical colour is white or gold.
FIRST READING: Isaiah 42:1-9
READ: One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of Gambia by Miranda Paul
A Storypath suggestion
ACTION: What can you look after? How can you be a servant of God? If you are away from home at the moment: look around you and see if there are things you could do here that you can also do at home
SING I see God in You by Heather Price off her I am Loved album
Draw some of the images of God from this Psalm, you can do this on paper, on a serviette, in the sand
SECOND READING: Acts:10:34-43
READ: Mooshka, A Quilt Story by Julie Paschkis
A Storypath suggestion
Take turns in telling a story, (you may be pleasantly surprised how good even the youngest are at this)
PRAY:
God
Your story is for all to hear
and share in
Amen
GOSPEL READING: Matthew 3:13-17
READ: The Spark StoryBible, Jesus’ baptism pp.224-227.
OR The Bible for Kids App The Beloved Son
ACTIVITY: What can you bathe in? ie Sunshine, the beach, the sprinkler etc. Go and enjoy this today.
Find an emoji that shows how you feel when you are praised.
Blessings
Wendy L.
Please check local guidelines before using items that are not mine especially if you are using this page for congregational use. Please acknowledge 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 