Epiphany 6: Year A, 2023: Ideas to share the Revised Common Lectionary Readings with all ages.

Welcome. Each week I compile a number of resources to help you, your family or your congregation contemplate the RCL readings. While designed to be used during a Sunday service at church or by zoom, these readings can also be used during the week to help you remember and build on what you experienced on Sundays.

My objective is for faith to be a lived experience and for children to learn how to worship, explore the Bible and pray by participating in Worship with others. The goal here is not for them to learn names or facts, though they may want to do that for themselves, but rather find ways of connecting with the text and sharing that with others. The ideal, is to form a life long love of Christ, for the Word of God and to participate in Worship.

Faith is portable, we live it, and share it, every day. I hope these simple ideas help your family or congregation form their faith.

If you are a small congregation that suddenly has children in your pews, these can also be used in your services, shared direct from this site, or copied into your order of service. Create an area as close as possible to where the major liturgies of the service occur, for parents/guardians to worship with their children fill this area with books and toys in it that will enhance their spiritual experience. (Ie not just toys for “keeping them quiet”). You will find some ideas in these posts Spiritual Delights or Toy Box tat! andMake the books appealing

We are approaching the end of the Season of After Epiphany and the liturgical colour is GREEN.

If you are worshipping away from a Church it might help to create a centrepoint for your worship time. To do this you might like to find something green (the liturgical colour), create a cross from whatever is around you, and light a candle, you can add anything else that speaks to you about God from the readings or from your week with God.

If worshiping 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 use a journal with which to record anything that grabs your attention during the service. This could be a special, bound book or use your ipad or iphone. You could write a precis of the message (traditional words or pictures), draw, and keep a record of emotions and hymns that you did or did not like. You could use a template like this free download. Remember, this is for you, you do not have to show anyone what is in it unless you want to, and you feel safe to do so.

You might like to introduce THE LORDS PRAYER IN ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w

FIRST READING: Deuteronomy 30:15-20

READ: The Magic Word by Mac Barnettas

WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRiyWntDEdA

ACTIVITIES:Help your child choose, between a choice of 2 texta’s, between 2 biscuits or pieces of fruit, between 2 toys et. Others might like to think about or share the difficulties they might have making decisions.

PRAY

Lord help me to choose well,

Help me to choose you.

Amen (one clap)

PSALM 119:1-8

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+119%3A1-8&version=ERV

Great blessings belong to those who live pure lives!
    They follow the Lord’s teachings. (walk you fingers up your arm)
²Great blessings belong to those who follow his rules!
    They seek him with all their heart. (make a love heart with your fingers)
³They don’t do wrong.
    They follow his ways. (walk your fingers up your arms)
⁴Lord, you gave us your instructions
    and told us to always obey them. (waggle your pointing finger)
⁵How I wish I could be more faithful
    in obeying your laws!(Look sad)
⁶Then I would never feel ashamed
    when I look closely at your commands. (smile)
⁷The more I understand how fair your laws are,
    the more sincerely I will praise you.(put your arms out high)

⁸I will obey your laws,
so please don’t leave me! (put your arm out as if putting your arm around a friend)

Draw it or show it or point out an emoji that represents how this Psalm makes you feel

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

READ: CITY GREEN by by DyAnne DiSalvo-Ryan

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-bABEjMMy4

a Storypath suggestion by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-february-16-2020/

MAKE: Make a garden, A 3D representation using A4 heavy paper, use patty pans as flowers, colour in or paste green paper straws or paper strips as stems and leaves, colour in the sky and grass.

OR grow your own garden plant some small plants or seeds to take home, use terracotta pots to place them in, or start a new garden in the church grounds.

Or look at Roots rootsontheweb.com/epiphany-reflections?fbclid=IwAR2qX637E-TzXwkiFVlFksx6w8uAsE5RZQfwaT4Z8X2-49szd6I5WbUKJR4

For Mandala ideas to go with this reading p 7.

PRAY

May be God,

you have chosen me to water,

or to tend,

Please help me to do it all for you

Amen

GOSPEL READING: Matthew 5:21-37

Do: I suggest you draw what it feels like to forgive. To say sorry for something you have done that has hurt someone. did you poke the baby or did you walk away form grandma? This reading asks us to do, not follow rules or read so instead of reading a lot of words I suggest doing this.

You might also like to use the feeling exercise I regularly use with a Psalm. How does this reading make you feel? Draw it or show it on your face or find an emoji that shows how you feel.

Question: How does it make you feel when someone says sorry to you?

FORGIVENESS PRAYER

Pray for those who you have deliberately or unintentionally hurt?

Don’t forget to include yourself.

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 currently away from Australia, but when home I am writing this on Wurundjeri land and wish to pay respect to all Elders, past, present, and emerging.

Epiphany 5: Year A, 2023: Ideas to share the Revised Common Lectionary Readings with all ages.

Faith is portable, we live it, and share it, every day. I hope these simple ideas help your family or congregation form their faith.

If you are a small congregation that suddenly has children in your pews, these can also be used in your services, shared direct from this site, or copied into your order of service.

We are now in the Season of After Epiphany and the liturgical colour is GREEN.

CONGREGATIONAL USE: If you are a small congregation that suddenly has children in your pews, these can also be used in your services, shared direct from this site, or copied into your order of service. Or you can print out handouts here An acknowledgment though is always appreciated.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 58:1-9a and 9b-12

READ: Best Friends for Frances by Russell Hoban

WATCH

ACTIVITY:What activities can you do that help others? How can you pass your “light” around to others? Write or draw your ideas.

PRAY

May your light

Shine through me

To help others

Amen

PSALM 112:1-9 or 10

READ:

Psalm 112: Welcome to the good life!

(Read Romans 12:9-21)

Welcome to the good life! (Wave)
Come, follow Jesus, you won’t regret it! (Pretend to call people over)
Life will be an adventure, guaranteed!(big smile)
You will stand strong and do great things. (Stand tall)
You will know much joy, that’s a promise. (Star jump)

You will be rich, that’s for sure,(pretend to count notes in your palm)
but it’s not for you, it’s to give away, (waggle your finger)
and it might not be in money.( look confused)
You’ll be rich in love and rich in friends,(make a heart shape with your hands)
you’ll be rich in peace, so you’re not afraid, (stand firm)
not afraid of what people think of you, (shake your head)
not afraid of what happens around you. (shake your head)
Strong inside, you get to be who you are made to be! (Show your muscles)
Life with Jesus is a wonderful life. (Smile)

A rewrite of the Psalm by Rev Purdie

How does this make you feel? Describe that feeling, or draw it, or point out what it feels like from a set of emoji’s on a phone.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 and 13-16

READ: Douglas you need glasses by Ged Adamson

WATCHhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1SCA9eUM4M:

Do: Help your children to see the spirit in the everyday? Bring bits of trees and scrubs, battery operated candle or your phone, different coloured Cellophanes. A kaleidoscope. such as https://www.kidstuff.com.au/kaleidoscopes-dinosaurs/, crystals But not so small they can be swallowed. A magnifying glass.

MAKE: buy black thick paper. Cut out shapes, leaving a gap of at least 1 1/2 centimetres then glue different cellophane to make a “stained glass window” Look through it to see the different colours.

GOSPEL READING: Matthew 5:13-20

READ: https://www.bible.com/bible/1359/MAT.5.13-20.ICB

ACTIVITY: Experiment with things that taste better when you add something else to them like, things like, ie plain chips vs salted chips; plain rice vs coconut rice; plain milk/ ice cream vs flavoured ice cream/milk; dim sim or dim sim and soy sauce with it. etc,

COLOURING INhttps://ministry-to-children.com/light-of-the-world-coloring-page/

Dear God

Life is better with you

Amen

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 currently away from Australia, but when home I am writing this on Wurundjeri land and wish to pay respect to all Elders, past, present, and emerging.

Epiphany 3: Year A, 2023: Ideas to share the Revised Common Lectionary Readings with all ages.

While some States in Australia are close to returning to school, it seems that most of Australia are still on the move this week. As some may visit churches other than their home church, while others might zoom into services and others might take a break from formal worship at this time; 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, these can also be used in your services, shared direct from this site, or copied into your order of service. Or you can print out handouts here

We are now in the Season of After Epiphany and the liturgical colour is GREEN.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 9:1-4

READ: Night Out by Daniel Miyares

WATCH

A Storypath Suggestion

ACTIVITY: play with light, use your phone or a battery operated candle or a torch to shine light into dark spaces

PRAY:

Shine your light on me too,

God

Amen

PSALM 27:1 and 4-9

My God is my light (hold your hands in front of you and twinkle your fingers)
My God is my savior (look longingly)
Why be afraid? (shake)
My God is my safety (hug yourself)
My God is my home (make a roof with your arms over your head)
I won’t be afraid! (shake your finger)

Some days are bad days – that’s OK.
Some people say nasty things – that’s OK,
because I am hidden with Jesus
in the safest place,
in the arms of God,
like sleeping in a tent,
like standing high on a tall rock
where nothing can get me.

With God’s care around me
I will sing and dance
and shout for joy!
With God’s face shining on me
I will be patient through bad days.
I will be strong.
Take courage, my heart,
lean on God.
abridged from take Courage my Heart an interpretation of Psalm 27 by Rev. Purdie, actions by me

SING: Choose a song to sing to the Lord when you are happy, and when you are frightened.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

READ: When pencil met eraser by Karen Kilpatrick and Luis O. Ramos, Jr.

WATCH:

A Storypath suggestion

ACTIVITY: Find as many things as possible that go together, ie flower and a stem, a leaf and a twig, a pair of socks(they don’t have to match) etc.

OR you can play with toys that are better together ie, lego, blocks, farm or car sets, dolls etc.

OLDER people might prefer to make a list of things that people ca do together, ie reading clubs, bike groups etc.

PRAY (start this prayer with your arms out wide and as the words are said slowly clasp your hands together)

In You Jesus,

Help me to see our love of You

not the things that divide us

Amen

GOSPEL READING: Matthew 4:12-23

READ: The Jesus Storybook Bible p.210 starting “Who would make great helpers, do you think?” to p.213

WATCH Start at the 39 sec position for today’s reading, and stop at the 1.17sec spot.

COLOURING-IN

DRAW: This was a common everyday scene that Jesus’s disciples were in when they acknowledged Him. You might like to draw a scene from your everyday.

PRAY

Find a fruit net or a hair net. Cut out fish shapes like this template, you may need to change the copier size to get the size that fits in your net.

Now write a prayer or draw a person that you want to pray for on a fish and as you pray for that person, put the fish in the net.

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.

Epiphany 2: Year A 2023: Ideas to share the Revised Common Lectionary Readings with all ages.

While some States in Australia are close to retuning to school, it seems that most of Australia is still on the move this week. As some may visit churches other than their home church, while others might zoom into services and others might take a break from formal worship at this time; I have stuctured 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, share it everyday. I hope these simple ideas help your family form their faith, no matter where you are.

If you are a small congregation who suddenly has children in your pews, these can also be used in your services, shared direct from this site or copied into your order of service. Or you can print out handouts here

We are now in the Season of After Epiphany and the liturgical colour is GREEN.

If you are worshipping away from a Church it might help to create a centrepoint for your worship time. To do this you might like to Find something green (the liturgical colour), create a cross from whatever is around you and light a candle, you can add anyhng else that speaks to you about God from the readings or from your week with God.

FIRST READING: ISAIAH 49:1-7

READ: Librarian on the Roof: A true story by M.G. King

WATCH

a Storypath suggestion

ACTIVITY: Build anything that requires many pieces, play with lego or a jigsaw puzzle or make a meal or bake cakes or biscuits. Every bit is an individual piece but when we put them all together they become something greater.

PRAY (say this prayer as you build, bake, join etc.)

May each person,

may each part

become better

when joined with others

Amen

PSALM 40:1-11

READ: Psalm 40: Stuck in the swamp

I was stuck, stuck in mud (pretend to wiggle free)
up to my knees in it, sinking down (lift up your leg vry high, then the next one)
Help! I yelled, Hurry! (place your hands around your mouth like a pretend megaphone)
and help came, strong hands (flex your muscles)
pulled me out to safety. (give yourself a hug)
Solid ground never felt so good!(stamp your feet)
What a great God we serve! (arms out wide)
You inspire new songs (pretend to sing)
you multiply your awesomeness!(pretend to count on your fingers)
I love to live your way, (clasp your hands over your heart)
your law is in my heart. (Leave your hands on your heart)
Thanks again to Rev. Purdie You can also read a short description of the Psalm there too. Actions in italics by me

SING: from Seeds Family Worship on the Seeds of Courage Album-vol-1 Number 4 Out of the Mud

SECOND READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 1:1-9

READ: God’s Dream by Desmond Tutu

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion

SING:Seeds Family Worship on the The Character of God album vol-7, No. 7 God is faithful.

DO: Make a Mandala as suggested by Roots pp.1-2

GOSPEL READING: JOHN 1:29-42

READ: The Beginners Bible, He Chooses His Disciples, pp.308-313 and p.306 (for the first part of today’s reading)

DO: Re-enact today’s Bible story, make puppets out of what you have available or draw the story in the sand.

PRAY:

Help me to seek you God,

like John’s disciples did

Amen

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.

Baptism of Jesus Year A 2023: Ideas to share the Revised Common Lectionary Readings with all ages.

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

WATCH

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

PSALM 29

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

WATCH

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.

COLOURING IN

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.

After Epiphany 7 C: Revised Common Lectionary ideas to involve even the youngest.

WELCOME: Everyone is welcome here.

While designed to be used during a Sunday service at church or by zoom, these readings can also be used during the week to help you remember and build on what you experienced on Sundays. My objective is for faith to be a lived experience and for children to learn how to worship and explore the Bible and pray by participating in Worship. The goal here is not for them to learn names or facts though they may want to do that for themselves, but rather to find ways of connecting with the text and sharing that with others.

Today is the Seventh Sunday after Epiphany. The Liturgical colour is GREEN. Next week is Transfiguration Sunday when the Liturgical Colour is White or Gold. We are about to change to the season of LENT.

If you are worshipping from home you may like to set up a worship area

You can do this by setting up a candle, then add the things that remind YOU of God, a Cross, a Bible that everyone likes to read from, 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 use a journal with which to record anything that grabs your attention during the service. This could be a special, bound book or use your ipad or iphone. You could write a precis of the message (traditional words or pictures), draw, keep a record of emotions and hymns that you did or did not like. You could use a template like this free download. Remember, this is for you, you do not have to show anyone what is in it unless you want to, and you feel safe to do so.

CONGREGATIONAL USE: Though parents are the best at sharing their faith with their children. If you are a small congregation where children are a very small, or rare part of your congregational life, please feel free to make these suggestions available to your congregation. I am very happy for you to copy and paste ideas from here into your own Order of Service or for you to supply a link to this page. An acknoledgement though is always appreciated.

LET’S BEGIN:

SING https://www.snackmusic.com.au/songs/you-are-welcome

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

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY

If you are in Australia and attending a Uniting Church in Australia, in many cases an Acknowledgment of Country will be said. You can teach your young ones to do this too.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Splot drops of food colouring onto a coffee filter or draw on a tissue with texta and pray for all who you have hurt, who hurt you, who you know are hurting at the moment.

FIRST READING: Genesis 45:3-11,15

READ: Whirl Storybook Bible pp.46-49

Colour-In

PRAY: Pray using a family photo, you probably have many on your phone Let your child point to each member and together you can pray for them together.

PSALM 37: 1-11, 39-40

READ:

Psalm 37: The meek shall inherit the earth

Trust in the Lord, and do what is right (reach both arms out and in front of you)
and you will live in safety. (give yourself a hug)
Delight in the Lord, and he will give to you (do a little dance)
what your heart desires. (make a love heart with your hands)

Everywhere we see wrong being done – (Shield your eyes with one hand and look fro one side to the other)
the poor get poorer, (make a sad face)
people in power fight for more power, (show your muscles)
children are hurt by those who should love them. (make a sad face)
You wait and see – bad people come to a bad end, (stomp your foot)
greed and violence will not win. (cross your arms)
God lifts up those who seek peace (turn your palms up to the sky and raise your arms)
God protects those who seek justice (use your hands to make a roof over your head)
God loves those who are humble and kind. (give yourself a hug)

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what is right.”
said Jesus (Matthew 5:4-5)

Thanks again to Rev Purdie for this interpretation of Psalm 37, actions in italics are my addition

How does this Psalm make you feel? Point to an emoji that expressses that feeling? Or draw it, or show it on your face.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:35-38,42-50

READ: Jesus is Risen by Agostino Traini

WATCH

A suggestion by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-february-24-2019/

PLAY with any toy that transforms, ie paw patrol, transformers or soft toys that changes, blocks or lego, or play doh etc.

MAKE: Transform a piece of paper. Make a simple paper plane or a fan.

GOSPEL READING: Luke 6:27-38

WATCH

SING Do, Do to others by David MacGregor (words and music on this video you need to supply the voice. Sing strong.

PRAY:

Help me father,

To Love (make a heart with your hands)

Everyone (hold your arms out wide)

Like you love me (point to yourself)

Amen

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.

I have qualifications in Education, Theology and Children’s Spirituality, and have worked as a Children and Families Worker in a city church. I use simple and easily found ideas to help you share the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) readings. 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 saving you time from sifting through many websites, facebook , pinterest, instagram, and blog posts.

After Epiphany 6 C: Revised Common Lectionary ideas to involve even the youngest.

WELCOME: Everyone is welcome here.

Today is the FIFTH Sunday after Epiphany. The Liturgical colour is GREEN.

If you are worshipping from home you may like to set up a worship area

You can do this by setting up a candle, then add the things that remind YOU of God, a Cross, a Bible that everyone likes to read from, a special object, even something from one of the readings.

For adults and older students, you might like to use a journal with which to record anything that grabs your attention during the service. This could be a special, bound book or use your ipad or iphone. You could write a precis of the message (traditional words or pictures), draw, keep a record of emotions and hymns that you did or did not like. You could use a template like this free download. Remember, this is for you, you do not have to show anyone what is in it unless you want to, and you feel safe to do so.

LET’S BEGIN:

SING https://www.snackmusic.com.au/songs/you-are-welcome

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

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY

If you are in Australia and attending a Uniting Church in Australia, in many cases an Acknowledgment of Country will be said. You can teach your young ones to do this too.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Draw a tree with deep roots and lots of branches, Name each root or limb with the name of someone you know and pray specifically for that person.

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 17:5-10

READ: Tina the Tree by Andrew McDonough

DO: Download the activity book that goes with Tina the Tree for $Aus 4.95 (so much to do for everyone) Enjoy this freebie

COLLECT: Before, orafter the service you might like to collect the materials spoken about in the reading, eg a tree branch, salt, water, leaves, fruit.

PSALM 1

READ:A Tree by a Stream

Happy are those who choose their path – (twirl with a smile on your face)
I will follow Jesus. ( march on the spot)
Be careful where you put your step –(lift your foot up and carefully put it down)
God will be your guide. (Shield your eyes as if looking a long way ahead)
I will be a tree growing by a stream – (pretend to be a tree)
God’s Spirit like fresh water. (Cup your hands)
I will grow good fruit and grow strong (pretend to eat a piece of fruit)
and God will watch over me. (put your hands over your head like a roof)

Words By Rev Purdie actions by me

LISTEN: Psalm 1 Psalm Settings by Liturgical Folk

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

READ: The Lion Picture Book, p.370 A New Heaven and a New Earth 3rd paragraph

DO: Show pictures of the life cycle of a plant print this page out and cut out the four pictures then ask your child to organise them in stages of development. https://www.education.com/worksheet/article/plant-life-cycle/

PRAY (action – stand while saying this prayer and slowly turn around 360 degress during it)

Jesus

your life is an example of

how life can at first appear

to be one thing

but God’s plans are bigger

and tell a different story

Amen

GOSPEL READING: Luke 6:17-26

You might like to use these cards, print them off or show them, and Luke’s Woes are here

WATCH

OR READ: Children of God by Desmond Tutu, Jesus teaches the Secret of Happiness

MAKE: Take an A4 sheet of paper and fold it in 4

On one side in one square each write ( i used a different colour for each sentance, so when i fliped the page over i could see which square to write its corresponding reply)

1) Blessed are you who are poor

2) Blessed are you who are hungry

3) Blessed are you who weep

4) Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, say bad things about you

Then turn the sheet over and making sure you write 1 in the same box as 1, 2 in the same box as 2 but on the back of the sheet

write

On the other side write

1)For yours is the Kingdom of God

2) For you will be filled

3) for you will laugh

4)For your reward is great in heaven

Decorate and cut along the fold to make 4 seperate sheets

Attach paper straws to each sheet and you can spin from blessed to reward

You are not done.

Get out another A4 sheet, fold it in four (fold in half then half the other way)

Now write out the WOES in the same way. On the first page write each line in a seperate square

Woe to you who are rich now
Woe to you who are full now
Woe to you who are laughing now
Woe to you when all speak well of you

Turn the page over and be careful to write in the same square as the first 1, 2, etc

For you have received your consolation
For you will be hungry
For you will mourn
For opinions can change

PLAY: with any toy that flips or changes from one thing to another, eg transformer cars, dolls that change etc, lego, Mr Potato Head, blocks or play doh

QUESTIONS TO ASK: I wonder what you discovered while doing the craft today, or singing the song, or colouring in or in the story or praying? Accept their answers it is their truth.

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.

After Epiphany 5 C: Revised Common Lectionary ideas to involve even the youngest.

WELCOME: Everyone is welcome here.

Today is the FIFTH Sunday after Epiphany. The Liturgical colour is GREEN.

If you are worshipping from home you may like to set up a worship area

You can do this by setting up a candle, then add the things that remind YOU of God, a Cross, a Bible that everyone likes to read from, a special object, even something from one of the readings.

For adults and older students, you might like to use a journal with which to record anything that grabs your attention during the service. This could be a special, bound book or use your ipad or iphone. You could write a precis of the message (traditional words or pictures), draw, keep a record of emotions and hymns that you did or did not like. You could use a template like this free download. Remember, this is for you, you do not have to show anyone what is in it unless you want to, and you feel safe to do so.

LET’S BEGIN:

SING https://www.snackmusic.com.au/songs/you-are-welcome

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

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY

If you are in Australia and attending a Uniting Church in Australia, in many cases an Acknowledgment of Country will be said. You can teach your young ones to do this too.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

FIRST READING: Isaiah 6:1-8(9-13)

READ: On the Night You wer Born By Nancy Tillman

WATCH

a Storypath suggestion

SING: God is Holy on The character of God Vol. 7 from Seeds Family Worship

OR For You are Holy on Awesome God by Sovereign Grace Music

DRAW or MAKE something wonderful.

PSALM 138

DRAW: some of the things to be thankful for

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

READ Another Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown

WATCH

Another Storypath suggestion

PLAY:Have a relay game, Keep the toy going around the room or along the pew without it dropping.

PRAY

Help me God,

to tell others

of you love for us

Amen

GOSPEL READING: Luke 5:1-11

READ: Children of God by Desmond Tutu, Jesus goes fishing

OR Peter The Fisherman by Andrew MacDonough

OR the youngest might enjoy The Play a long Bible, Fishing for People by Bob Hartman

DO: You can purchase a great downloadable book of activities for all ages about 5$AUS.

COLOUR-IN downloadable sheet on the Peter the Fisherman sheet

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.

After Epiphany 4 C: Revised Common Lectionary ideas to involve even the youngest.

WELCOME: Everyone is welcome here.

Today is the FOURTH Sunday after Epiphany. The Liturgical colour is GREEN.

If you are worshipping from home you may like to set up a worship area

You can do this by setting up a candle, then add the things that remind YOU of God, a Cross, a Bible that everyone likes to read from, a special object, even something from one of the readings.

For adults and older students, you might like to use a journal with which to record anything that grabs your attention during the service. This could be a special, bound book or use your ipad or iphone. You could write a precis of the message (traditional words or pictures), draw, keep a record of emotions and hymns that you did or did not like. You could use a template like this free download. Remember, this is for you, you do not have to show anyone what is in it unless you want to, and you feel safe to do so.

LET’S BEGIN:

SING https://www.snackmusic.com.au/songs/you-are-welcome

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

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY

If you are in Australia and attending a Uniting Church in Australia, in many cases an Acknowledgment of Country will be said. You can teach your young ones to do this too.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

I love this rewritting of the Second Reading as a prayer by Carolyn C Brown It works beautifully as a Prayers of the People. I would have one person read the “Love is” lines and the Assurance of Pardon, everyone else the response

Love is patient and kind:

Lord, it is hard to be patient when there is so much we need to do and want to do. When other people slow us down, it is easy to forget to be kind.

Love is not jealous or conceited or proud;

But we are, God. We look at some people and think we are better than they are. We look at others and feel jealous of what they have and can do. Forgive us.

Love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable;

But we often blurt out rude, hurting names and accusations, almost before we know what we are saying. Help us learn to think before we speak.

Love does not keep a recording of wrongs;

But we remember even those wrongs we have really tried to forgive. We remember them and bring them up when we are angry or when we want our own way. We use them to hurt even the people we love. Help us to forgive and forget.

Love is not happy with evil; love is happy with truth;

But it is hard not to take secret delight when people get what they had coming to them. Teach us compassion, God.

Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail.

But we give up easily. We give up on other people. We give up on ourselves. We give up on making a difference. We lose hope that anything will ever be any different. Forgive us, for we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon: Hear this about God’s great love! God is patient and kind. God does not keep a record of our wrongs. God does not remember our failings at loving, but is happy about every one of our successes. God never gives up on us because God’s love is forever!

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 1:4-10

READ: Whirl Story Book Bible, God Calls Jeremiah, pp.118-121

OR READ When God Made You by Matthew Turner

WATCH

PRAY

Point to your Ear I hear you father God

Point to your Eyes Let me see for you

Point to your Feet Let me follow you

Point to You For you planned and made me

Amen

PSALM 71:1-6

Psalm 71: All our lives long (first 2 verses) (actions by me)

(for a child and an old person to read – child’s voice in bold)

In you, O Lord, do I live
In you, O Lord, I grow
You are our God, our rock and refuge (form 2 fists, bang 1 on top of the other)
You are my rock, like a rock to dive off into the river (hold your hands as if to dive into water)
You are my rock, like a home well fenced and protected (make a roof with your hands and put them over your head)
Hear us when we call, O God, lift us into your arms. (give yourself a hug)

All my life long you have been with me (point to yourself)
When I was born and took my first breath,
you held me (pretend to cradle a baby)
All through the years I have leaned on you (put an arm out as if to lean on something)
Through all the years ahead I will lean on you. (shade your eyes and look into the distance)
When I was young you taught me (wag a finger)
When I grow old you will bless me (bend over and shake)
I remember all you have done for me (tap your head gently)
I will tell everyone how great you are! (make a megaphone with your hands around your mouth)

How does this Psalm make you feel? Point out an emoji that shows how you feel or show how you feel or draw how you feel.

OR chose a rock that makes you feel secure, or that will remind you of how secure you are with God

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

READ: Spark Story Bible, Love Is…, pp.432-435

OR Young ones might like to READ All These Things by Susie Poole,

WATCH

MAKE: Get a stack of stick it postal notes in a heart shape: Younger children can draw what love is to them,older children can draw or write a verse of the reading, When each verse has been completed stick them in a cross pattern on a plain piece of paper?

I wonder how many are things you do?

Love can be three Greek words in teh Bible the one used in this passage is about helping in community. It is an action not an emotional word.

PRAY: The prayers of the people above

GOSPEL READING: Luke 4:21-30

READ:The Spark Bible Story Book, Jesus Goes to Nazareth, pp.228-229.

COLOUR-IN

PLAY: play out the reading, or OLDER children might like to create a Play based on a modern example of this story.

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.

After Epiphany 3 C: Revised Common Lectionary ideas to involve even the youngest.

WELCOME: Everyone is welcome here.

While designed to be used during a Sunday service at church or by zoom, these readings can also be used during the week to help you remember and build on what you experienced on Sundays. My objective is for faith to be a lived experience and for children to learn how to worship and explore the Bible and pray to God by participating in Worship. The goal here is not for them to learn names or facts though they may want to do that for themselves, but rather to find ways of connecting with the text and sharing that with others.

Today is the second Sunday after Epiphany. The Liturgical colour is green.

If you are worshipping from home you may like to set up a worship area

You can do this by setting up a candle, then add the things that remind YOU of God, a cross, a Bible that everyone likes to read from, a special object, even something from one of the readings.

For adults and older students, you might like to use a journal with which to record anything that grabs your attention during the service. This could be a special, bound book or use your ipad or iphone. You could write a precis of the message (traditional words or pictures), draw, keep a record of emotions and hymns that you did or did not like. You could use a template like this free download. Remember, this is for you, you do not have to show anyone what is in it unless you want to, and you feel safe to do so.

LET’S BEGIN:

SING https://www.snackmusic.com.au/songs/you-are-welcome

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

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY

If you are in Australia and attending a Uniting Church in Australia, in many cases an Acknowledgment of Country will be said. You can teach your young ones to do this too.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Print or draw, arms, body, head, fingers, toes feet etc

Put them on an outline of a cross, or lay your cross on the table, and as you pick up a body part pray for someone you know who for eg. Always has a listening ear, then place the ear on the cross, or for someone who “goes the extra mile” (always gives all they have and more to something or someone) then place a foot on the cross. Someone who is always watching out for others, put an eye on the cross as you pray for them. I wonder what type of person you would use a hand to pray for, or an ear?

FIRST READING: NEHEMIAH 8:1-3,5-6,8-10

READ: The Patchwork Torah by Allison Ofanansky

WATCH This is a long video, (about 12 minutes) you could break it into smaller chunks and watch it over a few hours or days,(or you could stop at the 3 min. mark) but it also copies the long reading of Moses Law(not a legality but the story from Moses) refered to in the Nehemiah reading.

Your family may need to do some research to fully understand the book suggested, eg. Torah, bahmitza, WW2.

This was a suggestion by STORYPATH To understad why this book is suggested follow the link.

OR WATCH, and stop at the 9 minute point.

PLAY

COLOUR_IN

PSALM 19

READ

What brings you JOY, draw it, show it, ask to expereince it?

SECOND READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-31a

READ Spark Storybook Bible, One body many parts, pp.428-431

OR Whirl Storybook Bible, One Body many parts pp.374-377

PLAY with Mr potato head

COLOUR-IN

MAKE You might like to make this fun marionette Dog puppet with all his important pieces.

GOSPEL READING: LUKE 4:14-21

WATCH

PLAY reinact the reading, using your toys or writing a script and acting it out.

WRITE OR DRAW; something from this reading that spoke to you.

PRAY

Help me find Joy

In your word

Help me to study it

and share it

with others Amen

SENDING HYMN Joy Joy Joy

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.