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

It seems that most of Australia is on the move this Season of Christmas. Some may visit churches other than their home church, some might zoom into services and others might take a break from formal worship. So I have stuctured these suggestions around infromal family faith formation experiences for those away from home or away from the usual structure.

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.

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.

We are in a new season the season of Christmas, it’s liturgical colour is WHITE (though some feel GOLD, is a better colour to be using).

For this day there are three sets of readings, Christmas 1, New Year’s Day and Holy Name of Jesus. You can find out which set of readings your congregation is using or if worshipping away from the congregation choose one or work through all three.

Find something white, create a cross from whatever is around you and light a candle as a centerpoint for your worship experience if away from a formal congregational meeting place (often known as a Church)

FIRST READING: Numbers 6:22-27

WATCH

WRITE a Blessing of your own to use.

SING

BLESSING Activities on p.7

PSALM 8

God, our living God,
you are amazing! (star jump)
You are higher than I can look, (Look Up)
You are wider than I can see. (hold your arms outside ways from your body)
But I can hear you – (cup your hand over your ears)
Listen!
We can hear you in the laughter of a little child, (big smile)
We can hear you in the babbling of a baby. (pretend to rock a baby in your arms)
You don’t need words to tell us of your power. (flex your muscles)

Why do you need us at all? (Shake your head)
We are so small, and the world is so big, (crouch down low)
the stars are so many and space is so enormous.(look up and around)
God, our living God,
you are amazing! (star jump)
You made everything. (look around you)
Why do I matter? (shake your head)

But we do matter! (point to yourself)
God cares for us most of all, (big smile)
and through us God cares for all the world. (pretend to stroke an animal)
You put everything into our care, (pretend to gather things close to you)
all the animals, all the birds, all the fish, (link your thumbs and pretend your hands and fingers are butterfly wings OR make your hand swim like a fish)
everything that creeps or flies or runs or swims, (creep 2 fingers up your arm)
even the land and the air and the sea. (pretend to make choppy waves with one hand)
It is all ours to look after. (gather things around you)
God, our living God,
you are amazing! (star jump)

Thanks again to Rev Purdie actions by me.

SING Dominion Item 6 on the Trust album from Seeds Family Worship

SECOND READING: Galations 4:4-7

READ Can I be your Dog by Troy Cummings

WATCH: by Troy Cummings

SING Totally God and Totally Man by Sovereign Grace Music

DO: Look at your family tree, where do you fit in? If you are adopted speak about your adoption and how you fit in.

Phillipians 2:5-11

READ Maybe God is like that too, by Jennifer Grant

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion

SING Totally God and Totally Man by Sovereign Grace Music

GOSPEL READING: Luke 2:15-21

READ: Whirl Storybook Bible

OR from the BIble for Kids App find the bubble with the Manger in it, then read or listen to pp 5-8

MAKE

Question to Ponder How would you share good news?

PRAY

Help me to not be afraid

to share your Word God

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.

New Year’s Day 2023:Ideas to share the Revised Common Lectionary Readings with all ages.

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.

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.

We are in a new season the season of Christmas, it’s liturgical colour is WHITE (though so feeel GOLD, is a better colour to be using).

FIRST READING: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

WATCH

MAKE a schedule for your day or week.

PRAY

May I always find time for you in my day God, Amen

PSALM 8

READ: Psalms for Young Children by Marie-Helene Delval

SING When I look at your heavens number 5 on the Trust Seeds Family Worship.

SECOND READING: Revelation 21:1-6a

READ: The Biggest Story Bible StoryBook p.525

OR The Jesus Storybook Bible

WATCH until 8.35minute mark

MAKE: Something new, use whatever is around you, sand, plant matter, recycled materials, be as creative as you can.

SING Or make up a new song.

GOSPEL READING: Matthew 25:31-46

READ: Sharing God’s Plan, p.100-101, Children of God

WATCH

Make a list of things you can do for others, or draw those things you can do for others

PRAY

Show me God

how I can help others

becasue it is what you want me to do

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.

Christmas 1 Year A 2023: Ideas to share the Revised Common Lectionary Readings with all ages.

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.

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.

We are in a new season the season of Christmas, it’s liturgical colour is WHITE (though so feeel GOLD, is a better colour to be using).

FIRST READING: Isaiah 63:7-9

READ: The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown

WATCH:

As suggested by STORYPATH

PRAY

God is good

List the things you are thankful to God for. (If you have a Shopping List pad that sits on the fridge or use your phone’s list area to make a written list of these things – or draw them )

Amen

PSALM 148

READ:

Hey, you! Give praise to God! (Flap hand as if calling someone over)
You angels in heaven, sing out glory. (point to the sky)
You stars, sun and moon, shine bright with praise! (twinkle your fingers)
God dreamed you and called you and here you are! (put both hands together like a pillow to put your head on, clasp hands around your mouth like a megaphone, point down at yourself)
You fish and whales and squid, sing praise in the deep. (make a fish with your hands willing in the water)
You elements of nature, fire, rain, wind, (burst your hands apart, wiggle your fingers down, blow)
cold and heat, stone and mountain – praise! (shiver and fan your face with your hand)
God dreamed you and called you and here you are! (put both hands together like a pillow to put your head on, clasp hands around your mouth like a megaphone, point down at yourself)
You plants and forests, praise God as you flower and fruit. (form 2 fists then unfurl your fingers, and the reach up as if picking a piece of fruit from a tree)
You mammals, insects, reptiles and birds – praise! (Wiggle your hand like a snake, then entwine your hands and flutter your fingers)
God dreamed you and called you and here you are! (put both hands together like a pillow to put your head on, clasp hands around your mouth like a megaphone, point down at yourself)
You people, Presidents and nobodies, rich and poor, (waggle your pointer finger)
women and men and girls and boys,
in every corner of planet Earth,
God dreamed you and called you and here you are! (put both hands together like a pillow to put your head on, clasp hands around your mouth like a megaphone, point down at yourself)
So listen out for the Name that is above every Name,
sing out with all the love and joy you can find
for all you are is made by God,
all you have is gift from God.
Calling all creation – come and be found in praise! (flap hand as if calling someone over)

http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-148-calling-all-creation.html by Rev. Purdie actions by me.

SING

DRAW you might even want to draw some of the wonderful things in the Pslam

SECOND READING: Hebrews 2:10-18

READ: GOD’S DREAM BY Desmond Tutu

WATCH:

SING/LISTEN Jesus you’re my hope by Soveriegn Kids

DO: colour in a heart shape. Then cut it in pieces to make a jigsaw puzzle. Put the jigsaw ( the heart) back together.

GOSPEL READING: Matthew 2:13-23

READ: Jesus was a Refugee by Andrew McDonough

WATCH

DO: Jesus was a refugee Activity Pack download for $4.95 More than enough activities for everyone of all ages.

If you are unable to download and print, find bits and pieces around you to make puppets and play out the story or if at the beach or in the outback draw the story in the sand.

Pray:

Amongst Joy

There can be sadness

Help me to be aware

Of other peoples needs

Amen

Now might be a good time to learn the Lords’s Prayer or if in Australia to learn an acknowledgement of Country. Or maybe read the book Welcome to Country by Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin. Or WATCH

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.

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.

Christmas Eve/Day 2022: Option 3: Ideas to share the Revised Common Lectionary Readings with all ages.

Welcome Each week I compile a number of resources to help you contemplate the RCL readings with your family. 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 with you. 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. The ideal is to form a life long love of Christ, for the Word of God and to participate in Worship.

We enter a new Church Season, Christmas, and it’s liturgical colour is WHITE (if you find that choice repressive many are now substituting GOLD)

There are 3 sets of reading for use on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. You will find Option 1 and Option 2 here. Check with the Church you are attending or the on-line service you are viewing to find out which one they are following. Or have all three open so that you are ready to share the message of these amazing worship expereinces with the children in your company.

If worshipping at home you might want to set up a focal point, possibly the Advent Candles, and adding a white Christ candle and maybe a nativity.

For Christmas Eve services some people remove the baby, adding him in for Sunday morning services.

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. And especially today a new something found under the Christmas tree.

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. Young scholars could use a template like this free downlhttps://kidsbibleteacher.com/christmas-sermon-notes-page/%E2%80%8Boad. 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. Very happy for you to copy and paste idesa into your own Order of Service.

LET’S BEGIN:

SING It’s Christmas by David MacGregor

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE LITURGY

We come to you God and you present us with a baby (pretend to rock a baby in our arms)

to show us how to LOVE others (make a love heart with your fingers)

to bring us JOY (do a star jump)

to teach us PEACE (take a deep breath in)

always to look to for HOPE (arms out wide)

Amen (one clap)

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 – Christmas Present Prayer Response.

In advance wrap a present, if you are environmental, you could wrap the smallest items in hankies, progress to wrapping in a tea towel, or hand towels. Between each layer of wrapping stick a post it note with the names of people or areas of concern to spark people’s ideas so that when the parcel is unwrapped the person taking off the layer, can pray for the person or item of concern, or you can leave space for everyone’s individual prayers to be quietly said. (Some of the notes can just have a drawing or a photo of the area of concern so that even the non-readers can participate.

COLOURING-IN Scroll to the end to find the MERRY CHRISTMAS sheet.

FIRST READING:Isaiah 52:7-10

READ: Ordinary Mary and the Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson

WATCH

I choose this book as these ordinary people bought Joy into ordinary peoples lives, like the examples in this reading.

CRAFT

SING You are beautiful by Heather Price on her I am Loved album

PSALM 98

Sing to the Lord a new song!
Marvelous is all he has done!
Victory has been won
and all the earth has seen!
Break out with songs of joy!
Trumpets blast and waves crash
Guitars play and rain claps the beat
Music fills the air and hills cheer!
The Lord is coming, he’s nearly here!
He will set things right
and all will be well.
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Marvelous is all he has done!

FIND or MAKE some instruements to be used as you say this Psalm.

SECOND READING: Hebrew 1:1-4(5-12)

READ: The Light of Christmas by Richard Paul Evans

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion

SING Hebrew 1:1-2, by Coliln Buchanan on Baa Baa Doo Baa Baa

MAKE a suncatcher, (reflecting light to others) hanging on the corners make it almost star shaped.

GOSPEL READING: John 1:1-14

READ: Song of the Stars by Sally Lloyd Jones

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion

SING: Jesus came to Earth on the Awesome God album by Soverign Grace Kids

CRAFT Download, print and colour this simple nativity.

DEPARTING SONG Love has come by David MacGregor

To all a Blessed Christmas

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.

Christmas Eve/Day 2022: Option 2: Ideas to share the Revised Common Lectionary Readings with all ages.

We enter a new Church Season, Christmas, and it’s liturgical colour is WHITE (if you find that choice repressive many are now substituting GOLD)

There are 3 sets of reading for use on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services.You can find Option 1 and Option 3 here. Check with the Church you are attending or the on-line service you are viewing to find out which one they are following. Or have all three open so that you are ready to share the message of these amazing worship expereinces with the children in your company.

If worshipping at home you might want to set up a focal point, possibly the Advent Candles, and adding a white Christ candle and maybe a nativity.

For Christmas Eve services some people remove the baby, adding him in for Sunday morning services.

LET’S BEGIN:

SING It’s Christmas by David MacGregor

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE LITURGY

We come to you God and you present us with a baby (pretend to rock a baby in our arms)

to show us how to LOVE others (make a love heart with your fingers)

to bring us JOY (do a star jump)

to teach us PEACE (take a deep breath in)

always to look to for HOPE (arms out wide)

Amen (one clap)

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 – Christmas Present Prayer Response.

COLOURING-IN Scroll to the end to find the MERRY CHRISTMAS sheet.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 62:6-12

READ: Tea and Sugar Christmas by Jane Jolly If you are a Storybox Library subscriber you can watch it here

DO: Who guards/protects you, ie, lifesavers, policeman, etc. DRAW, write or make a model of something being protected to make life better.

COLOURING-IN

PRAY

Protective God

Keep me looking for you,

Keep me celebrating

the good things you bring

Amen

PSALM 97

Psalm 97: Rejoice, the Lord is King!

Rejoice! The Lord is King! (Star Jump beep bow)
Lift up your heart, (raise your arms high above your head)
lift up your voice; rejoice; (open your mouth wide)
again I say, rejoice. (Star Jump)

Power! All the forces in the planet (Show your muscles)
are powered by the Lord. (put your hands in the prayer position)
Love! All the love in the universe (Make a love heart with your hands)
flows from the Lord. (Open your hands out)
Joy! All the happiness in the world (Jump)
is given by the Lord. (hands in prayer position)
Thanks! All our thanks we give back to you. (look up hands out wide)

My thanks and Christmas Blessings to Rev Purdie for this rewrite of the Psalm. Actions in Italics are my additions.

How does this Psalm make you feel, point out an emoji that shows how you feel or show in your face and body how you feel.

SECOND READING: Titus 3:4-7

READ: You are Mine by Max Lucado

WATCH This is a long reading of the book, watch it in small bits with young children or let them move away when they need to they will return to it, especially if older children are watching.

MAKE a love heart card, on the front draw you in the middle of a love heart and inside write everything about you, the good and bad, becasue God loves you because you are you.

SING God is love by David MacGregor

OR I am loved by Heather Price

PRAY:

Father God,

we are loved by you,

not for what we do,

but because you

love us

Amen.

GOSPEL READING: Luke 2:(1-7)8-20

READ: The Whirl Story Bible, Jesus is Born pp.198-203.

COLOURING-IN

PLAY: with sheep and shepherds. What would happen if the Angels arrived? Who would the Shepherds guard?

DEPARTING SONG Love has come by David MacGregor

To all a Blessed Christmas

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.

Christmas Eve/Day 2022: Option 1: Ideas to share the Revised Common Lectionary Readings with all ages.

We enter a new Church Season, Christmas, and it’s liturgical colour is WHITE (if you find that choice repressive many are now substituting GOLD)

There are 3 sets of reading for use on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. You will find OPTION 2 and OPTION 3 here. Check with the Church you are attending or the on-line service you are viewing to find out which one they are following. Or have all three open so that you are ready to share the message of these amazing worship expereinces with the children in your company.

If worshipping at home you might want to set up a focal point, possibly the Advent Candles, and adding a white Christ candle and maybe a nativity.

For Christmas Eve services some people remove the baby, adding him in for Sunday morning services.

LET’S BEGIN:

SING It’s Christmas by David MacGregor

LIGHTING OF THE CHRIST CANDLE LITURGY

We come to you God and you present us with a baby (pretend to rock a baby in our arms)

to show us how to LOVE others (make a love heart with your fingers)

to bring us JOY (do a star jump)

to teach us PEACE (take a deep breath in)

always to look to for HOPE (arms out wide)

Amen (one clap)

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 – Christmas Present Prayer Response.

COLOURING-IN Scroll to the end to find the MERRY CHRISTMAS sheet.

FIRST READING:Isaiah 9:2-7

WATCH stop at the 1.18 second mark.

DRAW: This passage lists a number of names for God, what do you think they mean? How whould you expain them or draw about them

Colouring-In

PLAY: with things that bring light, torch, shiny paper, mirror, the light on your phone, look for the sun (don’t look at it), or the moon and stars. MAKE a suncatcher, hanging on the corners make it almost star shaped.

PSALM 96

A Christmas Psalm:
based on Psalm 96

Sing a new song to the Lord
All the earth, sing! (Pretend to sing)
All you people, sing!
See God’s glory, it is coming! (shield your eyes as if looking far away)
Tell of God’s salvation, it is coming into the world!
Speak of greatness, strength to overcome. (show your muscles)
Come out to meet the Lord, proclaiming his name.
Come into his holy place and tremble.(shake)
All the earth, tremble in wonder.
All the galaxies, rejoice in praise! (Look Up)
All the oceans and all that lives in the sea – sing for joy!
All the fields and forests and all that lives on the land – shout for joy! ((star jump)
For the Lord is coming –
he is coming to make everything new, (dust off your hands)
he is coming to put things right.
Rejoice for the Lord is coming … (Star Jump)

But will we see him, born in a manger?
Will we proclaim him, son of Mary? (pretend to cradle a Baby)
Will we welcome him, this stranger in a strange land?
Will we honour him, this unexpected judge of the world? (make a fist with one hand and bang it down on top of the palm of your other hand)

Lord God, we see you, born in a manger.
Lord Jesus, we proclaim you, son of God and son of man. (pretend to cradle a Baby)
Loving God, we welcome you; come make your home among us.
Lord Jesus, we honour you and praise you and choose again to follow. (bow your head, then arms up high)
Amen.

My thanks and Christmas Blessings to Rev Purdie for this rewrite of the Psalm. Actions in Italics are my additions.

Traditonally the words in bold are said by the congregation.

SING

SECOND READING: Titus 2:11-14

READ:

God gave us a present

That will change the way we live

God’s own son

Born of Mary

Who lived and died

To show God’s love

for us.

SING Practise Being Godly by Colin Buchanan

MAKE: Make a Christmas present/bag/box or card, and place a note of something nice you will do for the person recieving the gift ie, feed the cat, make breakfast, etc.

GOSPEL READING: Luke 2:1-14(15-20)

WATCH

READ: The Whirl Story Bible, Jesus is Born, pp.142-145

SING JOY on Seeds of Christmas EP by Seeds Family Worship

MAKE : Create your own nativity and retell the story with these stick puppets

DEPARTING SONG Love has come by David MacGregor

To all a Blessed Christmas

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.

Christmas 2 C: Revised Common Lectionary ideas to involve even the youngest.

We are currently in the season of Christmas, and it’s liturgical colour is WHITE (if you find that choice repressive many are now substituting GOLD)

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

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.

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.

LET’S BEGIN:

WELCOME: Everyone is welcome here.

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: Collect all your lego people together, put them in a bucket and as you draw each out, pray for what you think that person might need prayers for.

FIRST READING: JEREMIAH 31:7-14

READ: How I Learned Geography by Uri Shulevitz

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion

DRAW, or show or find an emoji for the feeling of HOPE

PRAY

Thank you God

for giving us Hope

Hope in hard times

Hope in dark places

Amen

PSALM 147:12-20

Psalm 147: Who is this God of ours?

Who is this God of ours?
Why should we sing?
Why get excited?
Number 3: God cares for us,
feeds us, looks after us, gives us good things;
the gift of peace, the gift of love.
Number 4: God creates life
and gives rain, rivers, snow and ice,
warm and cold, wind and sun.

This God of ours is greater than great,
so we sing with joy
and overflow with praise!

An excerpt from Rev Purdie’s rewriting of Ps 147

Number 3 and 4 mean that these lines should be read by different people

SING: Younger children can use a musical instrument, such as maraccas, tamborine, shakers etc.

OLDER Children find songs of praise and sing them.

SECOND READING: EPHESIANS 1:3-14

READ: The Whirl Story Bible, God’s Family, pp.378-381

SING: God’s Great Family by Soverign Grace Kids album The Ology

PLAY: With a nativity set, I wonder who you would add, I wonder who else the baby may need. I wonder who is in our family?

GOSPEL READING: John 1: (1-9) 10-18.

WATCH

SING The Word became Flesh by Colin Buchanan on Fam Bam Bible Jam

PLAY: Make a chain of people you can see a video here. Colour them in. Older children might like to cut holes in the people and to cover each hole with cellaphane so the light gets in. Or if you can write you might like to write some of today’s bible passage over the paper people.

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.

Christmas Eve/Cristmas Day OPTION 3 Revised Common Lectionary ideas to involve even the youngest.

There are 3 sets of reading for use in Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. Check with the Church you are attending or the on-line service you are viewing to find out which one they are following. Or have all three open so that you are ready to share the message of these amazing worship expereinces with the children in your company.

We enter a new Church Season, Christmas, and it’s liturgical colour is WHITE (if you find that choice repressive many are now substituting GOLD)

If worshipping at home you might want to set up a focal point, possibly the Advent Candles,. and maybe a nativity. For Christmas Eve services some people remove the baby, adding him in for Sunday morning services.

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.Very happy for you to copy and paste idesa into your own Order of Service.

LET’S BEGIN:

WELCOME: Everyone is welcome here.

S ING/LISTEN God Gave Jesus for Ua all by David MacGregor Today is a great day to let little ones “sing” too by playing soft bells or maracca’s

Colouring in sheets Look for the MERRY CHRISTMAS sheet for today

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

I have given you a choice of 2 Christmas day candle liturgies.

SOUTHERN CROSS CHRISTMAS DAY LITURGY

You can print this version of the Southern Cross here

Place a candle on the star. Today I use the brightest star in the constellation. ( 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 Brightest star (twinkle your fingers)

May Christ guide us to You. (Form the cross with your Body)

Amen

God came into our life,

shining light into the night

We welcome God’s gift

Jesus today

Amen

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Prepare a present (you might like to put a baby doll in the middle present) in advance, wrap as many layers as you want, then each person removes a piece of wrapping and says a prayer. This may be a silent prayer it doesn’t have to be verbal.

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

FIRST READING:Isaiah 52:7-10

READ: from

How beautiful is the person (Shade your eyes)
    who comes over the mountains to bring good news. (rub your hands together)
How beautiful is the one who announces peace. (take a deep breath in)
    He brings good news (rub your hands together)
    and announces salvation. (pretend your hands are a book)
How beautiful are the feet of the one who says to Jerusalem, (shade your eyes)
    “Your God is king.” (bow)
⁸Listen! Your guards are shouting. (cup your hands around your ear pretending to hear)
    They are all shouting for joy! (star jump)
They all will see with their own eyes (point to your eyes)
    when the Lord returns to Jerusalem.
⁹Jerusalem, your buildings are destroyed now. (wipe away a tear)
    But shout and rejoice together. (star jump)
You can rejoice because the Lord has comforted his people.(give yourself a hug)
    He has saved Jerusalem. (jump for joy)
¹⁰The Lord will show his holy power (flex your muscle in your arm)
    to all the nations.
Then everyone on earth
    will see the salvation of our God. (point to your eyes)

actions in italics by me

SING: Choose your favourite Christmas hymn and sing with gusto.

CRAFT

PSALM 98

READ: Psalms for Young People by Marie-Helene Delval

How does this Psalm make you feel? Draw how you feel, or show how you feel, or point out which emoji this Psalm makes you feel like.

SECOND READING: Hebrew 1:1-4(5-12)

READ: Room for a Little One by Martin Waddell

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion

SING Hebrew 1:1-2, by Coliln Buchanan on Baa Baa Doo Baa Baa

PRAY

Father God,

In the beginning

you were there

Unchanging

While everything else

Changes

You spoke through your son Jesus

Who you sent from his home

With you

To be one of us

Amen

GOSPEL READING: John 1:1-14

READ: I am a Story by Dan Yaccarino

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion

SING: Jesus came to Earth on the Awesome God album by Soverign Grace Kids

CRAFT Download, print and colour this simple nativity.

To all a Blessed Christmas

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.

Christmas Eve/Cristmas Day OPTION 2 Revised Common Lectionary ideas to involve even the youngest.

We enter a new Church Season, Christmas, and it’s liturgical colour is WHITE (if you find that choice repressive many are now substituting GOLD)

LET’S BEGIN:

WELCOME: Everyone is welcome here.

S ING/LISTEN It’s Christams Time by David MacGregor Today is a great day to let little ones “sing” too by playing soft bells or maracca’s

Colouring in sheets Look for the MERRY CHRISTMAS sheet for today

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

I have given you a choice of 2 Christmas day candle liturgies.

SOUTHERN CROSS CHRISTMAS DAY LITURGY

You can print this version of the Southern Cross here

(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 Brightest star (twinkle your fingers)

May Christ guide us to You. (Form the cross with your Body)

Amen

God came into our life,

shining light into the night

We welcome God’s gift

Jesus today

Amen

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

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

FIRST READING: Isaiah 62:6-12

READ: Tea and Sugar Christmas by Jane Jolly If you are a Storybox Library subscriber you can watch it here

PLAY: With Binoculars, magnifying glasses, optical telescope anything that allows you to see something far away up close.

PRAY

Protective God

Keep me looking for you,

Keep me celebrating

the good things you bring

PSALM 97

My thanks and Christmas Blessings to Rev Purdie for this rewrite of the Psalm. Actions in Italics are my additions.

DRAW: examples of Power, Love and Joy.

SECOND READING: Titus 3:4-7

READ: You are Mine by Max Lucado

WATCH

DRAW and MAKE: a paper chain of people You can watch a video of how to do that here, or you can sometimes buy a chain of people from a craft store.

Colour each person in, they can be members of your family, or people from church (members of God’s family) or you can draw the nativity, making each person in the chain a different member of the nativity.

PRAY:

Father God,

we are loved by you,

not for what we do,

but because you

love us

Amen.

GOSPEL READING: Luke 2:(1-7)8-20

READ: The Spark Story Bible, Jesus is Born pp.198-203. For the reading outside the brackets start half way down p.200 If you also read the reading inside the brackets NOTE in the picture on p.199 Mary is riding on a donkey but it is not mentioned in the Biblical text.

SING JOY on Seeds of Christmas EP by Seeds Family Worship

MAKE: Your own wooly sheep to take to see the baby. You will need a straw and print out this free download

May you all have a Very Blessed Christmas

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.

Christmas Eve/Christmas Day OPTION 1 Revised Common Lectionary ideas to involve even the youngest.

We enter a new Church Season, Christmas, and it’s liturgical colour is WHITE (if you find that choice repressive many are now substituting GOLD)

LET’S BEGIN:

WELCOME: Everyone is welcome here.

S ING/LISTEN The Greatest Present by Snack Music Today is a great day to let little ones “sing” too by playing soft bells or maracca’s

Colouring in sheets Look for the MERRY CHRISTMAS sheet for today

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

I have given you a choice of 2 Christmas day candle liturgies.

SOUTHERN CROSS CHRISTMAS DAY LITURGY

You can print this version of the Southern Cross here

(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 Brightest star (twinkle your fingers)

May Christ guide us to You. (Form the cross with your Body)

Amen

God came into our life,

shining light into the night

We welcome God’s gift

Jesus today

Amen

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

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

FIRST READING:Isaiah 9:2-7

WATCH stop at the 1.18 second mark.

SING: To Us a Child is Born on Seeds of Christmas EP by Seeds Family Worship

Colouring-In

PSALM 96

My thanks and Christmas Blessings to Rev Purdie for this rewrite of the Psalm. Actions in Italics are my additions.

Traditonally the words in bold are said by the congregation.

SING

SECOND READING: Titus 2:11-14

READ:

God gave us a present

That will change the way we live

God’s own son

Born of Mary

Who lived and died

To show God’s love

for us.

SING Good and Gracious by Sovereign Grace Music

MAKE: Make a Christmas present, and place a note of something nice you will do for the person recieving the gift.

GOSPEL READING: Luke 2:1-14(15-20)

WATCH

READ: The Whirl Story Bible, Jesus is Born, pp.142-145

OR The Spark Story Bible, Jesus is Born, pp.198-203. For the reading outside the brackets stop half way down p.200 NOTE in the picture on p.199 Mary is riding on a donkey but it is not mentioned in the Biblical text.

SING JOY on Seeds of Christmas EP by Seeds Family Worship

MAKE: Download the Advent Angel from the Nativity Colouring In Download underneath the Something is Coming Resource at bottom of the page. I recommend that you print this out on thick paper rather then the standard photocopy paper, so that it can stand up. Why stop at 1 angel make a whole choir.

To all a Blessed Christmas

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.