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

The celebration of Epiphany, the visit of the Magi or Wisemen to the young Jesus is celebrated on Friday this year. Each year Epiphany falls 12 days after Christmas Day and marks the start of a new Liturgical Season, After Epiphany.

This is a great day for Families to mark. Often children and many adults do not understand the “ending” of the Christmas Story because it is often missed in church services and especially in Australia and New Zealand occurs in the middle of the school holidays when (COVID permitting), many families take time out to travel together or spend time with family or friends.

So I have thrown together a few ideas to help you mark this day at home, wherever you are.

Traditionally today is the day for packing up the Christmas tree, and for a bit of fun you might also like to sing the 12 Days of Christmas and find or create all the gifts

The Liturgical colours for today are white or gold.

It might help to mark the space for your family by creating a focal point. To do this find something white, or gold, 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. This gives continuity and lets everyone know that it’s a special time with God. Or you can undertake any of these ideas sprinkled throughout your day.

THEME SONG from Liturgical Folk’s Advent album, Epiphany

FIRST READING: Isaiah 60:1-6

READ: When God made Light by Matthew Paul Turner

WATCH

FIND: sources of light, or things that reflect the light

MAKE: CD can be hard to come by these days, but you can substitute an aluminum cooking tray or a silver plastic plate, to create a similar effect.

PSALM 72: 1-7 and 10-4

READ and say together

How does this Psalm make you feel? Find an emoji that shows it, or draw how it feels.

SECOND READING: Ephesians 3:1-12

READ: Whoever You Are by Mem Fox

WATCH

A Storypath suggestions

SING All about Jesus from the Ology by Sovereign Grace Kids

PRAY

Thank you God

that your story is for sharing

with everyone

Amen

GOSPEL READING: Matthew 2:1-12

READ: The Whirl Story Bible, The Wise Men, pp.150-153

OR WATCH

COLOUR AND MAKE

PRAY

Sophia, Wisdom, God

may we bring you our gifts

and be as protective of you

too,

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 writing this on Wurundjeri land and wish to pay respect to all Elders, past, present and emerging.

Day of Epiphany

Ever wondered why the Wise men aren’t mentioned on Christmas Day? Well there is a Day for that. It is called Epiphany and comes complete with readings for the day including the missing visit from the Magi. An event recorded in Matthew that happened a couple of years after Jesus’s birth.

Like all significant days it’s liturgical colour is White, though if you find that choice repressive many are now substituting GOLD.

In the Uniting Church in Australia, many churches will not have a dedicated service for this day, but that need not stop you from recognising the significant of the visit of the Magi, and it’s affects on, both culturly and in its influence on the toddler Jesus’s life.

If you had moved Mary and Jesus around your home as an Advent practice, you may have continued this practice with the magi or a donkey in the 12 days of Christmas.(or you can think about doing this next year)

If you are still at home or away on holiday, you can acknowldge this day with your family. (it also helps children and others understand how the Magi fit).

Make time to read the readings together, pray, do some of the activities, and just enjoy sharing God’s word together no matter where you find yourself today.

Another way you can prepare your home is to put up a string of star lights in a window.

LET’S BEGIN:

WELCOME: Everyone is welcome here.

SING: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

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.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 60:1-6

READ: When God made Light by Matthew Paul Turner

WATCH

MAKE: you will need a black and a white or silver sheet of A4 paper. Glue the perimeter of the black sheet over the white (or silver )sheet. Now tear a hole in the middle, of the black sheet to let the white/silver sheet through. (like a star shining in the night sky)

MEDITATE: Turn on a battery operated candle. Ask the child to sit quietly looking at the candle for (how ever long the child can sit still, for some children it will be 5 sec for others it might be 30sec.)

PSALM 72: 1-7, 10-14

READ:

MAKE a crown

SECOND READING: Ephesians 3:1-12

READ: The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones p.340 PAUL starting from the sentence “Paul got a new job” until the “stars in the sky”.

PRAY: Like Paul did, not for individuals but for everyone to know God.

eg. Dear God,

May everyone know how good you are

Amen

GOSPEL READING: Matthew 2:1-12

READ: The Three Wise Camels by Andrew Donough

OR for a more traditional approach

READ: The Children of God Storybook Bible by Desmond Tutu, The Three Wise Men

COLOURING IN: Download the free colouring in sheet OR you could purchase the Activity book which will keep the whole family occupied for hours

MAKE If this is printed on thicker papare 200gsm you do not need the Toilet paper rolls(which you can not use for health reasons in Australia)

OR MAKE a3D star

SING The Magi, No.11 on The King of Christmas by Colin Buchanan

You can find a short homily here

FINAL SONG: Star in God’s Eyes by Snack Music

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.

Epiphany 7: Ideas to help you share this weeks RCL readings with the 3’s and under

If you are a parent or Guardian

Prepare a special church bag in advance each week so that you are ready for the rush on Sunday Morning.

Sit towards the front so they can see what is going on.

Read during the Bible readings,

Pray during the prayers,

Colour, Draw or Craft during the sermon.

Craft or drawing or play are for spiritual responses not for a perfectionist piece that can be shown off.

Remember that little ones will need their own space to move and wiggle,

You have bought your child to worship. Enjoy engaging them in it.

If you are a small congregation without a Child and Family Minister have an area available near the front for parents/guardians to worship with their children, and print off this information so that it is readily available or direct them to this site. Set up an area with books and toys in it that will enhance their spiritual experience. (Ie not just toys for “keeping them quiet”).

If you would like these ideas as a PDF file sent to you each week, please contact me.

FIRST READING: Genesis 45:3-11,15

READ: The Beginners Bible, Joseph Saves his family pp.86-91

PLAY: Let them play with dolls or toy animals even their cars to explore this idea of being family and being forgiving.

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

PSALM 37: 1-11, 39-40

READ: http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-37-keep-calm-and-carry-on.html the right hand side.

How does this Psalm make you feel? Show it?

SING/LISTEN: https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/seeds-of-purpose-vol-4/#

NUMBER 6

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

READ: https://childbereavementuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Waterbugs-and-Butterflies.pdf You can just read the story and if you feel it’s appropriate for older children you could explore the questions after it with them.

OR LISTEN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbcyGrt3ZCM start at the 1 minute mark, and finish 30seconds before the end.

OR for something very Australian try Mallee Sky by Jodi Toering and Tanya Harricks https://www.readings.com.au/products/26139045/mallee-sky or as an ebook https://www.amazon.com.au/Mallee-Sky-Kerry-McGinnis-ebook/dp/B00E3JK7Q6 for $AU12.96, possibly too long for many under 3’s but you could just read the last half dozen or so of pages and you would find the parts most pertinent to today’s reading. If you have older children they will enjoy the whole book. And it relates so well to what is happening environmentally in Australia at the moment as well as today’s second reading.

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

MAKE: a simple paper plane or a fan. Go on transform a piece of paper. Try https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9ReNKZiZNc

or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUKY-RVDSIc

GOSPEL READING: Luke 6:27-38

READ: Rufus and the Angry Tail, available as an ebook for $4.95 from https://www.amazon.com.au/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Rufus+and+the+angry+tail

Colouring-In: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/coloring-sheets-posters/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-winter-2018-2019

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

Blessings

Wendy L.

Epiphany 6: Ideas to help parents and guardian’s engage the 3’s and under with this Sunday’s RCL readings.

Prepare a special church bag in advance each week so that you are ready for the rush on Sunday Morning.

Sit towards the front so they can see what is going on.

Read during the Bible readings,

Pray during the prayers,

Colour, Draw or Craft during the sermon.

Craft or drawing or play are for spiritual responses not for a perfectionist piece that can be shown off.

Remember that little ones will need their own space to move and wiggle,

You have bought your child to worship. Enjoy engaging them in it.

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 17:5-10

READ: it from any Bible, preferably a Children’s version or https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Jeremiah%2017:5-10&version=ERV

DRAW: Verses 5-10

PRAY: 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.

PSALM 1

READ:

Happy are those who choose their path –
I will follow Jesus.
Be careful where you put your step –
God will be your guide.
I will be a tree growing by a stream –
God’s Spirit like fresh water.
I will grow good fruit and grow strong
and God will watch over me.

By http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-1-the-two-ways.html

SING/LISTEN: https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/seeds-of-character-vol-6/# Number 5 Delight

DO: If you can make a path for your child to follow in the area where you are sitting.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

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

PLAY: with Russian stacking dolls, or a stacking toy.

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/

GOSPEL READING: Luke 6:17-26

READ: https://ministry-to-children.com/preschool-lesson-the-beatitudes-from-luke-617-26/amp/ Though this is a Sunday School Lesson the activities can easily be done during a church service Start reading to your child where it says BIBLE READING and finish before CLOSING. DON’T forget to prepare the activities in advance.

Colouring-In: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/coloring-sheets-posters/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-winter-2018-2019

PRAY : Help me God to choose

To Be KIND

To Be Loving

To be Humble

To be Gentle

Amen

Blessings

Wendy L.

Epiphany 5: Ideas to help parents/guardians relate Sunday’s RCL readings to their 3’s and under.

Prepare a special church bag in advance each week so that you are ready for the rush on Sunday Morning.

Sit towards the front so they can see what is going on.

Read during the Bible readings,

Pray during the prayers,

Colour, Draw or Craft during the sermon.

Craft or drawing or play are for spiritual responses not for a perfectionist piece that can be shown off.

Remember that little ones will need their own space to move and wiggle,

You have bought your child to worship. Enjoy engaging them in it.

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

READ: The Jesus Story Book Bible p.144 stopping at the start of the 2nd last paragraph.

DRAW: Things you can do to help others.

PRAY: Dear God:

The only thing you find small (open up your hand as if holding something very tiny)

Is our understanding of you. (Fling your arms wide open)

Amen.

PSALM 138

READ: http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-138-thank-you-for-your-love.html

DO: When you hear the words heart or Love make a love heart with your hands

When you hear the words power or strength show off a muscle in your arm.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

READ/WATCH: https://youtu.be/QGbAE-KS8LM Remember Me by Cecelia Meng

PLAY: with nesting dolls, or building cups that grow larger out of each other.

MAKE: Cut out paper dolls, showing how by cutting one we can grow to be many.

https://www.origami-resource-center.com/paper-dolls.html

GOSPEL READING: Luke 5:1-11

READ: The Lion Story Book, by Sophie Piper, Jesus and the Fisherman pp148-149

OR My First Read a loud Bible by Batchelor and Boshoff, Peter Goes Fishing pp. 156-157.

Colouring-In: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/coloring-sheets-posters/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-winter-2018-2019

MAKE: a picture Use blue paper or stiffened felt, make a simple boat out of brown paper, or brown felt, such as a simple rectangle. Collect the net around lemons or limes or oranges and use it to make a net from the boat into the water.

Blessings

Wendy L.

Epiphany 3: Ideas to help you and your 3’s and under enjoy church and relate to the RCL readings.

Sorry everyone for both the lateness and change of form as I had a fall and concussion. So am on a technology light diet while I heal.

Hope this is still useful.

Prepare a special church bag in advance each week so that you are ready for the rush on Sunday Morning.

Sit towards the front so they can see what is going on.

Read during the Bible readings,

Pray during the prayers,

Colour, Draw or Craft during the sermon.

Craft or drawing or play are for spiritual responses not for a perfectionist piece that can be shown off.

Remember that little ones will need their own space to move and wiggle,

Remember that you have bought your child to worship. Enjoy engaging them in it.

Older children might enjoy https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/illustrated-worship-resources-winter-2018-2019

Epiphany 2: Ideas to help you and your 3’s and under enjoy church and relate to the RCL readings.

Prepare a special church bag in advance each week so that you are ready for the rush on Sunday Morning.

Sit towards the front so they can see what is going on.

Read during the Bible readings,

Pray during the prayers,

Colour, Draw or Craft during the sermon.

Craft or drawing or play are for spiritual responses not for a perfectionist piece that can be shown off.

Remember that little ones will need their own space to move and wiggle,

Remember that you have bought your child to worship. Enjoy engaging them in it.

Older children might enjoy https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/illustrated-worship-resources-winter-2018-2019

First Reading: Isiah 62:1-5

READ/WATCH: NOW BY ANTOINETTE PORTIS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP_Xnl-h0To

PLAY: a choice game. It can be as simple as placing 2 or 3 favourite toys in front of your child and adding them to pick one. Or it could be a card game like Fish

How do you show being excited? Draw or show what it looks like.

Psalm 36:5-10

adapted from http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-36-far-reaching-love.html stanza 3 removed

Your love, O God, reaches up, up beyond the sky, (reach up to the sky)
Your goodness goes higher than the clouds, (hands above your head and flutter the like moving clouds)
Your power is bigger than the tallest mountains, (make a point with your hands above your head)
Your truth goes deeper than the ocean. (crouch down very low)

O God, we treasure your infinite love. (make a love heart with your hands)
All people can hide in the shadow of your wings. (interlock your thumbs and flutter your fingers)
O God, we celebrate your mighty river of joy. (snake one arm across your body like a river flowing by)
All people can feast together in your house. (make a bowl with one hand and use the other to eat out of it)
O God, you are the fountain of life. (fling your arms up and away)
All people can find light in your light.(shelter your eyes as if looking into the sun)
Your love, O God, reaches up, up beyond the sky, (reach up to the sky)
Your goodness goes higher than the clouds, (hands above your head and flutter the like moving clouds)
Your power is bigger than the tallest mountains, (make a point with your hands above your head)
Your truth goes deeper than the ocean. (crouch down very low)

Hold us in your amazing love, now and forever. (give yourself a hug)
With loving hearts we will live in you. Amen. (make a heart shape with your hands)

Draw a picture of all the wonderful things God made that are mentioned in the Psalm eg mountain, river, clouds etc

Second Reading: 1 Corinthian12:1-11

READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIbGioTNs4M Mixed a Colourful story by Arree Chung as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-january-20-2019/

Use your texta’s to make new colours, then draw something with the “new” colour.

DO: POINT to all the different parts that make up one you ie arm, eye, ear etc. or you might have a jigsaw puzzle of the parts of the body.

Gospel: John 2:1-11

READ: My First read aloud Bible by Batchelor and Boshoff; Water into wine pp.158-159

WATCH: https://www.max7.org/en/resource/06b36097-df08-4d22-8359-3a8f510d7be2 This is a power point presentation, great for retelling the story or for your child, if old enough, to tell it to you. Older children might enjoy writing their own script to go with the pictures.

Colouring-In: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/illustrated-worship-resources-winter-2018-2019

Dear God,

Jesus first poured out (tip one hand as if pouring into a cup in the other)

his gifts from you (Pretend to pass a present)

at a party (dance)

where people show commitment and love (pretend to put a ring on your wedding finger)

I am glad (smile)

that you are committed to loving me too. (make a love heart with your hands)

Blessings

Wendy L

After Epiphany: Baptism of Jesus: Ideas to help you and your 3’s and under enjoy church and relate to the RCL readings

Prepare a special church bag in advance each week so that you are ready for the rush on Sunday Morning.

Read during the Bible readings,

Pray during the prayers,

Colour, Draw or Craft during the sermon.

Craft or drawing or play are for spiritual responses not for a perfectionist piece that can be shown off.

Remember that little ones will need their own space to move and wiggle,

Sit towards the front so they can see what is going on.

Remember that you have bought your child to worship. Enjoy engaging them in it.

Older children might enjoy https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/illustrated-worship-resources-winter-2018-2019

LOOK for the colour change. We have entered a new season, known as After Epiphany.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 43:1-7

READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuT5e1C_5NY HELLO HELLO by Brendan Wenzel

Play: Name your the teddies and other soft toys, name as many of the congregation as you know. Or bring an extended family photo, and ask your child to name everyone.

PRAY: God you wanted me

I am your child

I am precious

I am Loved

Thank you

PSALM 29

READ: http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-29-the-hurricane-psalm.html

ACTIONS: You will need a toy boat and a blue tea towel. Toss the boat around on the rough tea towel sea, or make it “plain sailing”.

How would you feel? Make a face to show how you might feel after each verse.

SECOND READING: Acts 8:14-17

READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozSeUrYEPxU BE KIND by Pat Zietlow Miller as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-january-13-2019/

PLAY: with baby dolls (if child baptism is practised), use a paper bowl of blue shredded crepe paper or with other dolls, baptising in the blue tea towel “water”.

PRAY:

Dear God

In Water I’m Baptised

But by your spirit I am saved

thank you.

GOSPEL READING: Luke 3:15-17, 21-22.

READ: The Beginners Bible pp.304-307

OR My First Read aloud Bible by Batchelor and Bashoff John Baptises Jesus pp150-151

Watch: the Bible for kids https://www.bible.com/kids

Colouring-In: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-winter-2018-2019?variant=13700704632930

Make: Spinner

You will need

straw

sticky tape

template https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0RweH-3RyI0Qkc4MWJGSTZUSnM/view

texta’s

from http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2016/01/printable-baptism-of-jesus-spinner.html

You might need to print:

https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-winter-2018-2019?variant=13700704632930 IF purchased this week (about $15 Aus ) it will supply you with colouring in sheets for the next 8 weeks)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0RweH-3RyI0Qkc4MWJGSTZUSnM/view

Down load this App. https://www.bible.com/kids

You might need

straw

sticky tape

texta’s

blue tea towel

baby dolls or other toys (depending on the type of Baptism your church practises)

toy boat

Blessings

Wendy L.

A Christmas Revelation

I had a revelation of my own during last Sunday’s service.

The First RCL reading (1 Samuel 2:18-20,26) and the Gospel reading (Luke 2:41-52) were very child centred narratives. And I had missed it, caught up in all the silliness of the season as well as the business of the season I managed to not see what should have been obvious to me. That these 2 narratives contained very strong stories of the “child in the centre”. Both Samuel and Jesus as children, were the centre of the narratives. Both had very strong faith experiences as well as leadership opportunities as a child. In fact, from the 25/12 till the 6/1 we were reading very child centric texts. Not only was Christ born to fulfil God’s plan but his existence was God’s plan. He was not waiting for it to come to a spectacular end but he was living his faith confident of who he was from the beginning.

Contrasting the older story of Samuel with Jesus shines a reminder that children’s participation in faith is not new, it has always been at the heart of God’s purpose. Looking back, we see that like a child, these stories connect past with present with future, even as we hear them in our own time. And that while we also hear at this time of the year the usual themes and stories, that there is still much to explore in the narratives today. For example, the “Jesus was a refugee” theme has been picked up loudly this year, even in Children’s literature (https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/jesus-was-a-refugee/). But have we also forgotten that these stories are child centric, and that we need to hear that message too.

The Child Theology Movement, in raising the awareness of the child in our literature and the significance of placing the “child in the middle” (as per Matthew 18:3), asks not just that we read the scripture through this lens but that we apply this understanding in a practical manner. In Matthew, we have a child leading the discussion, in Samuel a little later on (1 Samuel 3:1), he is setting the initiative. Both children are confident in themselves and their faith. We are being given practical examples of how to be inclusive in both narratives, If we do not pause in this busy Christmas time, to not just adore the thought of a baby, to consider the gift of a child, but to render practical application as the Innkeeper did by finding room, then there is plenty of inspiration in these stories to remind us to be that “innkeeper” for a child, from making space in our hearts to making space in our congregations so that all may witness and use their gifts as Samuel and Jesus did as a child.

This week, such a special Sunday, as the Epiphany is celebrated on a Sunday; a child is still the centre of the story, and this time we are shown the practical response of wise men bringing their gifts, gifts that suit what is to go ahead in his life. The practical aspect of this narrative is to discover and use what “gifts” we can bring to the children of our congregations, and all that we encounter, to guide and enhance their life experiences.

God placed a child in our midst

Blessings

Wendy L.

Epiphany of the Lord: Ideas to help you and your 3’s and under enjoy church and relate to the RCL readings

Prepare a special church bag in advance each week so that you are ready for the rush on Sunday Morning.

Read during the Bible readings,

Pray during the prayers,

Colour, Draw or Craft during the sermon.

Craft or drawing or play are for spiritual responses not for a perfectionist piece that can be shown off.

Remember that little ones will need their own space to move and wiggle,

Sit towards the front so they can see what is going on.

Remember that you have bought your child to worship. Enjoy engaging them in it.

Older children might enjoy https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/illustrated-worship-resources-winter-2018-2019

FIRST READING: Isaiah 60:1-6

READ/LISTEN: When God made Light by Matthew Paul Turner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq7tscmPF7U

PSALM 72: 1-7, 10-14

READ: http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-72-long-live-the-king.html

How does this Psalm make you feel? Draw how it makes you feel or show it on your face.

DRAW a King

OR MAKE a crown. CUT out from crepe paper and stick “jewels”(sticky jewels from Spotlight or Riot).

SECOND READING: Ephesians 3:1-12

READ: The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones p.340 PAUL starting from the sentence “Paul got a new job” until the “stars in the sky”.

PRAY: Like Paul did not for individuals but for everyone to know God.

eg. Dear God,

May everyone know how good you are

Amen

GOSPEL READING: Matthew 2:1-12

READ: The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones THE KING OF KINGS p.192-198 (Rather a long version but if you already have it with you use it, just break it into small sections and when their attention wains, let them Play.

OR MY First Read aloud Bible by Batchelor and Boshoff pp,144-145 The Wise Men

COLOURING IN: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-winter-2018-2019?variant=13700704632930

PLAY: with a nativity or make your own http://www.catholicicing.com/diy-printable-nativity-for-kids/ (Hint if you print on heavy paper you do not need the toilet rolls. For hygiene reasons if sharing with others use cardboard rolls.)

You might need to bring

MY First Read aloud Bible by Batchelor and Boshoff

The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones

crepe paper

stick on Jewels

A battery operated candle

nativity that children can play with

black paper

white or silver paper

glue

You might need to print off

http://www.catholicicing.com/diy-printable-nativity-for-kids/

If you are a small congregation please feel free to print these pages and hand them to parents/guardians as they arrive.

Blessings

Wendy L.