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.

YEAR A After Epiphany, Baptism of Jesus: Ideas to help 3’s and under relate to this weeks RCL readings

Whether you are at your home church or holidaying away from home don’t let this be an excuse not to worship together. If you attend a congregation that uses a traditional Sunday School during service set up you will find some ideas here to here to engage your young ones with the readings and to enjoy Worship and Lifelong faith formation.

For older children you might like to purchase Jillians Life Packs https://feedmyfamilyblog.com

OR https://store.illustratedministry.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/illustrated-worship-resources-winter-2019-2020?variant=31032325210210

Or use a Sermon Note pages such as https://paththroughthenarrowgate.com

You can find some ideas here https://wordpress.com/post/thecrossinmybackyard.wordpress.com/910 as to where to sit and what to bring.

THE LORDS PRAYER IN ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w

FIRST READING: Isaiah 42:1-9

READ: The Little Duck by Judy Dunn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e9CvRA_vfc

PLAY: PLAY WITH YOUR FAVOURITE TOYS. How do they care for each other?

PRAY:

Thank you God

that you sent Jesus

A different King

Who cares for all

Amen

PSALM 29

If your child has been impacted by the Australian fires either directly or indirectly this Psalm is a wonderful way of sharing about the impact of God in our World. Could you hear God in the fire storm. Verses 7 and 8 may describe what they have experienced. Allow them to draw what they have seen or experienced. Then end with the Vs 11 said as a prayer

May the Lord give strength ( show your muscles)

To his people!

May the Lord bless

his people with peace (place your hands over your ears)

Amen

You will find a lovely version of this Psalm here http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-29-the-hurricane-psalm.html

I love pairing this Psalm with Mallee Sky by Jodi Toering and Tanya Harricks, like the Psalm it lists all the sounds and magnificence of the Mallee, and then ends with the change ( the strength and peace in the Psalms last verse) in the Environment that rain brings. https://www.dymocks.com.au/book/mallee-sky-by-jodi-toering-and-tannya-harricks-9781925381672

SECOND READING: Acts:10:34-43

READ:The Big Umbrella By Amy June Bates and Juniper Bates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8g0363DaEU as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-january-12-2020/

COLOURING IN: https://store.illustratedministry.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-winter-2019-2020?variant=31032290738274 This resource has colouring in pages until the 23rd of February 2020. And costs about $A20.

PRAY:

Dear God

(spread your arms wide) You have room for all

Amen

GOSPEL READING: Matthew 3:13-17

READ: The Beginners Bible pp.306-307

OR The Lion Storey Bible: John The Baptist p140.

MAKE: http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2016/01/printable-baptism-of-jesus-spinner.html This is a favourite of mine, so if you made it last year and want something different try this instead

OR https://lettheirlightshine.com/category/jesus-is-baptised/ which has both Jesus and John and is truer to the Matthew Reading.

.COLOURING IN: http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2014/06/reflective-colouring-baptism-of-jesus.html

https://stushieart.com for an annual fee of $25 or encourage your church to have a subscription.

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