Trinity Sunday Year A, 2023: Ideas to share the Revised Common Lectionary Readings with all ages

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 your family’s faith formation. 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 to find ways of connecting with the text and sharing that with others. The idea is to form a lifelong 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.

FOR CONGREGATIONS

:f 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, and fill this area with books and toys in it that will enhance their spiritual experience. (Ie not toys for “keeping them quiet”). You will find some ideas in these posts Spiritual Delights or Toy Box tat! and Make the books appealing.

Families: pack a Back pack ready for Sundays and Congregations suggest that visiting families pack a special backpack. Fill each backpack with a children’s storybook bible, other books that speak about ideas in today’s readings, and drawing or craft materials that children can use to respond 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 you can 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.

Today is Trinity Sunday. The liturgical colour is White.

READ: A Misson for all ages, in the Biggest Story Bible Storybook, pp.432-433

SING Trinity of Love By David MacGregor

If worshipping from home you might like to set up a table or space with a white cloth, a cross, a candle, and some things that focus your mind on today’s readings.

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

FIRST READING: Genesis1:1-2:4a

READ: The Creation in Children of God Storybook by Desmond Tutu

WATCH: ( you might need to stop and start this a few times for the youngest ones as their attention wanes, or accept that it is too long for them and they will wonder in and out as the older ones watch.)

SING: Almighty Creator by Sovereign Grace kids on the Awesome God Album

COLOURING IN:

PSALM 8

READ

SING: Wonderful by David MacGregor

SECOND READING: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13

READ:

Finally Brothers and Sisters be joyful! (star jump)

Work to make things right with one another. (reach out as if shacking someones hand)

Help one another and agree with one another. (reach down as if helping someone up)

Live in Peace ( fold your hands under your chin)

And the God who gives Love and peace will be with you (make a love heart with your hands)

Greet one another with a holy kiss ( blow a kiss)

All God’s people here send their greetings (wave)

May the grace shown by the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all (open your arms out wide)

May the love that God has given us be with you. (make a love heart with your hands)

And may the sharing of life brought about by the Holy Spirit be with you all (bring your hands together bring them close to your body, then seperate them and extend your arms out)

Actions in italics by me

THINK: Can you draw or show an emoji, that shows what saying good bye feels like?

PRAY

Thank you, God

that you are always with me

I am never alone

With you there is no

Goodbye

Amen

GOSPEL READING: Matthew 28: 16-20

READ: The Great Commission from either The Spark or The Whirl Story Bible pp. 396-397 and pp 338-341

WATCH: Don’t forget the Wondering Questions

SING Matthew 28:19 GO by Seed Family Worship

COLOURING-IN A few to choose from here

PRAY

Thank you God,

that you are with me

Always

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.

If you are in Australia and would like to teach your children to Acknowledge Country here is a video that will help, and a great book to help understand, We love Country. Most Uniting Church Congregations will say an Acknowledgement of Country towards the start of the service.

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

FOR CONGREGATIONS

Families pack a Back pack ready for Sundays and Congregations suggest that visiting families pack a special backpack. Fill each backpack with a children’s storybook bible, other books that speak about ideas in today’s readings, and drawing or craft materials that children can use to respond to today’s readings

Today we celebrate PENTECOST, often called the birth of the church. The liturgical colour is RED.

DECORATE YOUR HOME: See my Blog post.

Set a table with a red cloth, a candle, bible and anything else that concentrates your attention on the Pentecost theme

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

SING When the Spirit is Moving by David MacGregor

Give everyone a candle, this can be a battery operated candle or a real candle,

OR this can be on a cupcake so that you can all blow out a candle,

or you might like this idea from Muddy Church to have a jelly cup in orange/red or yellow colours and put a paper flame on a stick or spoon in the centre. (you can find some clipout to download for free and cut out and use here

PENTECOST BODY LITURGY

Creator God

Send your inspiration (start with your hands at waist level, then entwine them upward around and over each other)

through us (point to yourself)

So that we may (arms open wide)

Warm people with your FIRE (do what you do to warm yourself)

Blow inspiration with your WIND (wave a wind)

Go beyond our hoizon’s like your DOVE (look into the distance)

Breath life into our imaginations with your BREATH (breath deep)

Amen (one clap)

FIRST READINGS:

ACTS 2:1-21

WATCH Make sure to listen for and think about the Wondering Questions toward the end.

READ: The Coming of the Holy Spirit pp. 116-117 in Children of God Storybook by Desmond Tutu

MAKE: Rewite this story your way, using your heart language. Or Draw your idea of your favourite part of the story. What colours would you use?

OR make a fork picture

NUMBERS 11:24-30

READ: Simple Gifts: a Shacker Hymn by Chris Raschka

WATCH

A Storypath Suggestion

DO: Make a list of those things you do well, (You ca sraw or right this list).

PLAY: with toys that are similar but different, eg group ie tigers, cuddly toy, a plastic animal, a ceramic vase

PSALM 104:24-34 and 35b

READ: Snuggle time Prayer by Glenys Nellist, God’s Chariot

or God Made by Sarah Carmichael

Describe that feeling, or draw it, or point out what it feels like from a set of emotional cards https://innovativeresources.org/resources/card-sets/bears-cards/ or the Bears App https://innovativeresources.org/resources/digital-applications/bears-app/

SECOND READINGS

1 CORINTHIANS: 12:3b-13

READ: Knit Together by Angela Dominguez

WATCH

MAKE: What can you make together? What can represent Pentecost that you can make together. Maybe this

PRAY
You have given us God

special gifts from you

Help me to find mine and

Use it to help others

Amen

ACTS 2:1-21

READ: The Day when God Made Church by Rebekah McLeod Hutto

WATCH:

MAKE AND PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER A pentecost kite

GOSPEL READINGS:

JOHN 20:19-23

Start at 26sec. and finish at 1.20.

How would you tell this story?

Which of your senses helps you understand this story?

Make a Pinwheel and read why a pinwheel is suggested.

JOHN 7:37-39

READ: Rain School by James Rumford

WATCH

A Storypath Suggestion

MAKE:

In this reading the Holy Spirit has been described as gushing water. Take a blue A4 sheet of paper or cardboard. Then 3 or 4 blue streamers, cut about a third longer than the sheet of paper. glue one end to the top of a short side of the paper, twist the streamer two or more times and attach the other end the far side of the paper. Repeat until the sheet is covered.

PROJECT: You could make a fountain, either for your congregation or for your garden ( here is a simple one to get you thinking)

PRAY

Have a glass of water or a drink bottle with you,

As you take a sip of water pray for the needs of people you know.

May we always be filled

By you God

Amen

CONCLUDING SONG Heather Prices Full of the Spirit on the Full of the Spirit album

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.

EASTER 7, Year A, 2023: Ideas to share the Revised Common Lectionary Readings with all ages

FOR CONGREGATIONS

Suggest that visiting families pack a special backpack, filled with a children’s storybook bible, other books that speak about ideas in today’s readings, and drawing or craft materials that children can use to respond to today’s readings

We are now in the season of Easter and its liturgical colour is WHITE. This is the last week of the season of Easter.

If worshipping from home you might like to set up a table or space with a white cloth, a cross, a candle, and some things that focus your mind on today’s readings.

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

FIRST READING: Acts:1:6-14

READ: Jesus Ascends, pp 342-345, The Whirl Story Bible

DRAWING: What would you draw from this reading? Draw it.

DO: Disolve Milo into milk or a milk subtitute. What else changes or disappears in front of you? eg. jelly crystals into jelly.

SING Power by Seeds Family Worship No. 3 on Album 8 Power

PSALM 68:1-10 and 32-35

READ:

SING: sovereigngracemusic, Joy from the Album to be like Jesus

SECOND READING: 1 Peter 4:12-14 and 5:6-11

READ:A Place where Sunflowers Grow by Amy Lee-Tai

WATCH

A Storypath Suggestion

SING A Little While by Seeds Family Worship from Album 14 I believe

PRAY:

God,

thank you

that you are there

in my difficult times

as well as in my

good times

Amen

GOSPEL READING: John 17:1-11

READ: Somebody Loves You, Mr Hatch by Eileen Spinelli

WATCH

A Storypath Suggestion

PRAY:

Draw: everyone you know.

Then when you are finished, point to each one and pray for them

OR if you have a play mat

you could pray for the people you might encounter as you play.

OR more prayer options

SING Prayers of the People on Vespers and Matins album by Liturgical Folk

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.

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

FOR CONGREGATIONS

We are now in the season of Easter and its liturgical colour is WHITE.

If worshipping from home you might like to set up a table or space with a white cloth, a cross, a candle, and some things that focus your mind on today’s readings.

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

FIRST READING: ACTS 17:22-31

READ: The Biggest Story Bible Storybook, Chap.95, The God Who can be Known, pp.480-483

PLAY: Take turns to hide and object and for the rest of you to hunt for that hidden object.

PRAY

How do I descibe you God?

Help me find the words

tell tell others about you.

Amen

PSALM 66:8-20

God did not let our feet slip or our enemies overtake us. (look down at your feet, move your feet)
Mind you, it was not always easy: (wag your pointer finger)
we have been tested to the limit, (hand on hips)
carried heavy burdens on our backs. (bend over)
God has led us through fire and through water (bring your hand near each other with the fingers pointing up, now move your hands above your head getting your hands further apart. then wiggle your fingers as you move your hands down to your waist)
and out again into wide open space. (put your arms out wide from your body)

Come, everyone, come and hear: (wave towards yourself)
cry aloud to God, shout your praise! (star jump)
Here we make our vows, (open your mouth wide)
promises that we will keep. (place your pointer finger vertically near your mouth)
Here we bring our offerings,
together with our prayers. (fold your hands in prayer)
Bless the Lord who hears us, (dance)
his everlasting love will never leave us. (make a love heart with your hands)

This is an exert from Rev. Purdie’s interpretation of Psalm 66, the action’s suggested in brackets are by me.

How does this Psalm make you feel, choose an emoji that expreses it’s mood, or draw how it makes you feel, or show it with your body.

SECOND READING: 1 PETER 3:13-22

READ: The Darkest Dark by Chris Hadfield and Kate Fillion

WATCH:

A Storypath Suggestion

SING: The Hope that is in You, Number 3 in Hope Vol. 16 album by Seeds Family Worship

PRAY:

Please Help me God,

To stand firm for you

Nomatter what others think

Amen

GOSPEL READING: John 14:15-21

WATCH

SING: Our Help from The Ology by Soveriegn Grace Kids

PLAY: with Babushka Dolls or anything else that nests in each other

MAKE: A card with a heart shape or drawing. Give this card of God’s love to someone you Love. You might like to make a paper Heart shape like this

Some countries will be celebrating Mother’s Day today in line with the day delared by the United Nations and if you are looking for a specail suprise for mum try this

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.

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

FOR CONGREGATIONS

We are now in the season of Easter and its liturgical colour is WHITE.

If worshipping from home you might like to set up a table or space with a white cloth, a cross, a candle, and some things that focus your mind on today’s readings.

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

FIRST READING: Acts 7:55-60

READ: The Biggest Story Bible Storybook by Kevin DeYoung and Don Clark, Chap.29 Stephen’s Speech, pp454-457

Craft: Decorate stones with positive statements of faith, eg. God Loves, Jesus is the way, the truth and the Light etc. These can be any size from small pebbles to large pavers. If you use large pavers you could make a path for the church or for your home garden if you have one, or sprinkle smaller ones around a plant.

DO: What emotions do people have in these stories? Describe those feeling, or draw them, or point out emoji that explain them.

PRAY:

PRAYER 1

Help me God, to be brave for you Amen

OR PRAYER 2

May I stay strong and tell others about you, God. Amen

PSALM 31:1-5 and 15-16

READ: Psalm 31: Strength in Exhaustion by Rev Sylvia Purdie

Lord – where are you?!
I seek refuge in you.
I need you now more than ever.
Lord – can you hear me?!

I am slipping, Lord,
the ground beneath my feet has crumbled away.

My energy has been stolen,
my joy in my work has gone.

I feel trapped as a net closes around me.

Lord – come quickly!
Find me some solid ground
Hide me away in a place of safety
Lord – show me what to do!

…

Lord – I trust you!
I say to myself over and over
“You are my God.
My life is in your hands.
Shine your face on me again.
Save me in your steadfast love.
Don’t lose me to shame, O Lord,
for I call on you!”

…

For the full Psalm see

DRAW some of the things that are troubling you, things that you might want to call out to God about.

SECOND READING: 1 Peter 2:2-10

READ: If Rocks could Sing: A discovered Alphabet by Leslie McGuirk

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion

PLAY: Build something big, use rocks or blocks or things you find in the garden or in the house to make a big structure. What’s holding up? What is left when you demolish it?

COOK: Make a nourishing meal, use some vegies or herbs from your garden if you can.

GOSPEL READING: John 14: 1-14

READ: I Miss My Grandpa by Jin Xiaojing

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion

SING: In my Father’s House by Seeds Family Worship

DRAW: OR BUILD a very large house

PLAY with Babushka dolls or other toys that sit inside each other

OR Follow the leader

ENJOY a drink of Milk (or milk substitute together)

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.

EASTER 4, Year A, 2023: Ideas to share the Revised Common Lectionary Readings with all ages

FOR CONGREGATIONS

We are now in the season of Easter and its liturgical colour is WHITE.

If worshipping from home you might like to set up a table or space with a white cloth, a cross, a candle, and some things that focus your mind on today’s readings.

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

FIRST READING: Acts 2: 42-47

READ: The Spark Story Bible, Early Believers, pp.402-403

DRAW: those things that make you happy, or Write about them.

PRAY

Will you use me God,

like the early disciples

to bring others to you?

PSALM 23

Psalm 23: The Shepherd Song
(for children, by Silvia Purdie)

You, Jesus, you are my shepherd (point)
and me, I am your sheep. (pretend to be a sheep)
You lead and I will follow. (reach out one arm)
You lead me to quiet water (Shade your eyes)
you lead me through the dark valley (give yourself a hug)
you lead me to a wonderful feast (pretend to eat)
and you lead me home. (reach out one arm)
With you with me I will not be afraid; (stand tall)
how could I fear? for you are right here! (give yourself a hug)

(actions by me)

For older participants Rev Puride has put together a collection of 23’rd Psalms, Read the full collection and think about what they reflect or if they change your view of this Psalm. Check them out here

DRAW: a place where you feel safe?

SECOND READING: 1 Peter 2:19-25

READ: We’re in the Wrong Book by Richard Byrne

WATCH

PLAY: Follow the Leader or Simon Says

PRAY

Thank you for being the Shepherd in our lives.

so we are better people

Amen

GOSPEL READING: John 10:1-10

WATCH;

PLAY: Any listening game. Try whispers, whisper a sentence, (for example John 10: 6) to one person then have them pass it on. I wonder how it ends, how do we know we heard correctly.

COLOURING-IN and CRAFT: You can find a whole array of colouring-in pages and craft ideas here

SING

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.

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

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 to find ways of connecting with the text and sharing that with others. The idea is to form a lifelong 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.

FOR CONGREGATIONS:

f 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, and fill this area with books and toys in it that will enhance their spiritual experience. (Ie not toys for “keeping them quiet”). You will find some ideas in these posts Spiritual Delights or Toy Box tat! and Make the books appealing.

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 you can 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.

We are now in the season of Easter and its liturgical colour is WHITE.

If worshipping from home you might like to set up a table or space with a white cloth, a cross, a candle, and some things that focus your mind on today’s readings, for example, symbols of new life Traditionally they could be a butterfly, egg, emerging plant etc.

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

OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w

FIRST READING: Acts 2:14a and 36-41.

READ: The Beginners Bible: Timeless Children’s Stories pp.477-479

WATCH “Holy Baptism” a Godly Play story

SING: Have You Heard by Soverign Grace Kids

PRAY:

What can I do for you God?

Amen

PSALM 116:1-4 and 12-19

Psalm 116: Death could not hold me down

(Luke 24)

When Jesus walked the road to Emmaus (pretend to walk)
with Cleopas and his friend (pretend to put an arm around a friedn and then do the same with the other arm)
on the day he rose from the dead (with your hands by your sides, move them up with the palms facing the sky)
he opened the scriptures to them (form your hands into a book)
and told them why he had to die. (shake your pointer finger)
Maybe he read from Psalm 116: (form your hands into a book)
“Death wrapped itself around me (give yourself a hug)
Terrible pain pulled me down. (pretend to crumple)
I cried to the Father “SAVE ME!!” ( clasp your hands around your mouth)
and he did!( jump up and down)
No way could death hold onto me! (shake your head)
I walk in the land of the living!” (pretend to walk)
And then Jesus broke bread with Cleopas and his friend (pretend to break open a roll)
gave thanks to God (put your hands in a prayer position)
lifted up the cup of salvation (pretend to lift up a cup)
and they knew who he was.(show suprise)
Halleluia! He is risen! (shout the wordsout)

Words by Rev. Purdie, actions by me

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

SECOND READING: 1 Peter 1:17-23

READ: The Garden of Happiness by Erika Tamar

WATCH

A Storypath suggestions

Is there something near you that has been there for a very long time? Draw it or right about it.

Colour-in a life and death cycle of a flower, or an animal

PRAY: Draw a chalk heart or make a heart shape with blocks, then try and put all the things you love in the shape?

Or you could draw the shape on a piece of paper and draw the things you love in the shape.

As you put each item in pray for them.

GOSPEL READING: Luke 24:13-35

WATCH:

READ: The Spark Story Bible, The Road to Emmaus, pp.388-391

OR The Whirl Story Bible, On the Road to Emmaus, pp.330-333

DRAW or write about where you like to walk. Is this a place you feel close to God. Where do you feel close to God.

CRAFT: You will need to download a template, scissors, colouring in pencils or textas, and an icy pole stick

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.

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

FOR CONGREGATIONS:

We are now in the season of Easter and its liturgical colour is WHITE.

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

OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w

FIRST READING: Acts 2:14a and 22-32

READ: Ralph tells a Story by Abby Hanlon

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion

WRITE your own speech or give your toys a speech, it could be about Jesus it might be about something else important to you.

PRAY:

Thank you, God

that you keep your promises.

Amen

PSALM 16

Psalm 16: A goodly heritage

I know who I am and I know where I come from: ( point to yourself, stamp your foot)
God is my home, God is my heritage.(trace out a house shape with your hands)
My heart is glad, my soul sings for joy! (make a love heart with your hands then jump for joy)
I know who I am and I know what I’ve chosen: (point to yourself, stamp your foot)
God is my cup and his Spirit fills it. (Cup your hands together)
My heart is glad, my soul sings for joy! (make a love heart with your hands then jump for joy)
I know who I am and I know where I’m going: (Point to yourself, stamp your foot)
Christ is my guide, he shows me the path of life. (Shade your eyes)
My heart is glad, my soul sings for joy! (make a love heart with your hands then jump for joy)
words by Rev. Purdie , actions by me

DRAW a picture of how this Psalm makes you feel or find an emoji of or show how it makes you feel

SECOND READING: 1 Peter 1:3-9

READ All my Treasure: A book of Joy by Jo Witek

A Storypath suggestions

MAKE. A treasure box of your own. How would you decorate something so special? What would you put in it?

SING: Joy by Sovereign Grace Kids

GOSPEL READING: John 20:19-31

READ: The Whirl Story Bible, Thomas Wonders, pp.334-337

PLAY: put a blindfold on one person at a time, then place an object in front of them for them to feel, they have to describe what that object is. Now try to explain it with your eyes uncovered.

COLOUR-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.

EASTER SUNDAY 2023: Ideas to share the Revised Common Lectionary Readings with all ages

As many in Australia are traveling this weekend, this is a resource you can take with you, and use as a family, either with or without a service to attend either physically or by Zoom.

FOR CONGREGATIONS:

Today is the start of the season of Easter and its liturgical colour is WHITE.

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

OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w

SING

For prayers of the people

Place a big bowl of small easter eggs on the table.

Each person takes one and places it in their mouth letting it dissolve slowly

Pray

Thank you God for the good things in life.

Now reach in one at a time take an egg and say

Dear God, help me to share the sweetness of life with ______(name someone who needs uplifting)

(take the egg and place it somewhere safe for a time when you can give it to that person, Don’t forget that sometimes we too need some sweetness in our lives so remember to pray for you too. )

IF worshipping in a Uniting Church In Australia you might like to teach the little ones this way to Acknowledge Country

FIRST READING: Acts 10:34-43

READ: He is Risen by Patti Rokus

WATCH

MAKE:

MAKE this story telling cross from the Baptist church in New Zealand

You will need this template

and instructions

OR MAKE a finger puzzle that also tells the easter story

SING: Jesus Came to Earth from Awesome God by Sovereign Grace

Jeremiah 31:1-6

READ There There by Sam McBratney

WATCH

a Storypath suggestion

SING A Cheerful Heart by Sovereign Grace Kids

PRAY: Purchase Heart shaped post-it-notes, or cut them into heart shapes. Then as you think of a person or a situation, that makes you happy draw or write on the post-it note, while praying for them. You could add these smaller hearts to a larger heart.

PSALM 118:1-2 and 14-24

READ I will rejoice by Karma Wilson

WATCH

DRAW: Anything that makes you happy.

SECOND READING: Colossians 3:1-4

READ: Perfect Square by

WATCH

A Storypath Suggestion

DO: follow the idea in this book and cut up a square to make a picture

OR Play with toys that transform, eg lego, transformers, etc

OR Acts 10:34-43

READ: You are all my Favourites by Sam Bratney

WATCH

a Storypath suggestion

MAKE: Paper chain people, God’s story is for sharing with EVERYONE

PRAY:

PRAY: Entwine your fingers
God help us all to come together

Amen

GOSPEL READING: John 20:1-18

READ: The Jesus Storybook Bible, God’s Wonderful Surprise pp.310-317

SING He is Risen by Colin Buchanan on the album The Boss of The Cross

Colouring in There is a free colouring in page on p.20 that is appropriate for today (you do need to submit your email address to receive the download if you haven’t already downloaded the lent edition

OR Matthew 28:1-10

READ The Whirl Story Bible, Jesus is Risen, pp.326-329

SING Jesus Christ was raised to Life by Colin Buchanan on the Boss of the Cross album

MAKE: If you made a Gethsemene Garden on Good Friday, today is the day to continue playing with it and continue the story. If you didn’t make a garden, make one now with whatever you have available to you, lego, the garden, bits and pieces laying around, make a place for a tomb, leave the tomb open and draw or make characters to fit today’s story.

OR if you like to draw, create a cartoon from today’s reading.

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.

Good Friday 2023: Ideas to share the Revised Common Lectionary Readings with all ages

As many in Australia are traveling this weekend, this is a resource you can take with you, and use as a family, either with or without a service to attend either physically or by Zoom.

FOR CONGREGATIONS:

The liturgical colours for today are black or Red

If worshipping from home you might like to set up a table or space with a black or Red cloth, a cross, a candle and some things that focus your mind on today’s readings, for example, a nail, a crown or a circle of barbed wire( use the crown if you have young children).

IF worshipping in a Uniting Church In Australia you might like to teach the little ones this way to Acknowledge Country

LISTEN Good Friday The End on the Lent Album by Liturgical Folk

READ: God’s Holy Darkness by Sharai Green and Beckah Selnick

WATCH (start 45 seconds in)

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.

For 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

FIRST READING: Isaiah 52:13-53:12

READ: A Wrinkled Heart by Tracie Hoexter

WATCH

SING: Isaiah 53:6 (We all like sheep…) from the Boss of the Cross album by Colin Buchanan (I have included this because not all children, denominations, or families keep a sad tone today, so if this fits your circumstance sing away)

DO: a heart out of paper, draw it by hand or use this template to cut it out, wrinkle it then try to find ways to make it unwrinked.

PSALM 22

Psalm 22: The Crucifixion Psalm

OR SING/LISTEN to Psalm 22 by Liturgical Folk

DRAW: how this Psalm makes you feel? Draw it or show it or find an emoji that shows it

SECOND READINGS: HEBREWS 10:16-25

READ I will Love You Anyway by Mick Inpen

WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eBTrEDQWPc

A beautiful story of being loved and forgiven. Just like today’s reading

SING: Seeds Family Worship, He is Faithful

PRAY (get a piece of tissue paper or a sponge, cut out a heart shape and drop food dye onto it as you pray for those you find difficult to love or care about.)

OR Hebrews 4:14-16 and 5:7-9

READ: Kitten for a Day by Ezra Jake Keats

WATCH

See Why it was suggested

SING: Totally God Totally Man by Sovereign Grace Music

PRAY

When Jesus was a boy,

He played and grew

and knows

what it is like to be

a child like me

(tell God something about yourself)

Amen

GOSPEL READING: John 18:1-19:42

READ: The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lolyd-Jones and Jago, A dark night in the Garden and The sun stops Shining pp294-309

SING: Is this the King on the Boss of the Cross album by Colin Buchanan

MAKE a Gethsemane garden, create your own, using whatever you have ie. lego or bits and pieces or build it in a garden or a pot plant base You could print out these people and use them to retell today’s story.

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.