1 Corinthians 1:18-31 – The Cross in My Backyard

We are now in Holy Week. The RCL(Revised Common Lectionary) has readings for each day of the week.

Many churches where I live do not have services for every day of Holy Week but that does not stop you from gathering the family and looking into the readings.

What a lovely way to prepare the family for Good Friday or the start of any church services face to-face or on zoom that your congregation may have.

You can read all the texts or just choose one or two to for the day.

These ideas are for your family to think through, they are not intended for you to be all-knowing (you may actually be surprised what ideas are sparked in your children about faith.

This is a time for you all to get to know the Lord.

Though if you require a place to start, you might like these Questions.

I wonder what this story/game/colouring in/prayer etc reveals to us about God?
I wonder how you see yourself in this story/game/colouring in/prayer?

OPENING PRAYER

Find some small pebbles.

As you pray make a picture with the pebbles.

This is a time for you all to get to know the Lord.

LITURGY FOR LENT

Lent is 40 Days, (spread your fingers out and push them in front of yourself 4X)

it’s a long long way (shield your eyes and look around the horizon)

but with each step (walk on the spot)

We get closer,

closer to the JOY of EASTER, (star jump)

Closer to God (give yourself a hug)

We learn more about ourselves (point to yourself)

Like Jesus did in his 40 days in the Wilderness,

Today we only have 3 days left (spread your fingers out and count off 3 fingers)

We are getting closer

(Some visual learning suggestions, place 40 stepping stones around the church/or home, these can be made from non-slip tiles or mats (try Bunnings or Spotlight for ideas) such as these or if your church/home has cobble stones or timber stepping stones around them, number them and cross off the days. Another option is to use the Praying in Color steps template, especially good for those with small spaces or where you want people to stay connected away from the communal space.)

NOTE: though we say that LENT is 40 days we do not count the Sundays

FIRST READING: ISAIAH 49:1-7

READ: The Libarian on the Roof by M. G. King

WATCH start at the 2.49 minute mark

A Storybook suggestion. Follow the link to find out why it was suggested.

DRAW OR WRITE: about the things that you are good at.

PRAY:

God,

Show me the gifts that you have given me

So I can help you

Amen

PSALM 71: 1-14

Psalm 71: All our lives long

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

In you, O Lord, do I live
In you, O Lord, I grow
You are our God, our rock and refuge
You are my rock, like a rock to dive off into the river
You are my rock, like a home well fenced and protected
Hear us when we call, O God, lift us into your arms.

All my life long you have been with me
When I was born and took my first breath,
you held me
All through the years, I have leaned on you
Through all the years ahead I will lean on you.
When I was young you taught me
When I grow old you will bless me
I remember all you have done for me
I will tell everyone how great you are!

an exert from http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-71-all-our-lives-long.html

How does the Psalm make you feel?

Describe that feeling, draw it, or point out an emoji that describes it.

Go and find a rock, it doesn’t matter if it is big or small. Think of all the uses you have for a rock. Draw one or some on it.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

READ: Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion

FIND: objects and their use, or draw or write about objects and what their use is

PRAY

God,

you made me,

For your purpose,

Amen

GOSPEL READING: JOHN 12:20-36

READ: Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion find out why

GROW: Love this idea from Sun hats and Wellie Boots, sew cress seeds in the form of a cross.

PRAY:

Thank you, God,

that

I can always trust you

Amen

SENDING HYMN Tell the World by Hillsong Kids Learn the actions here

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.

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.

Some congregations may be using the Candlemas readings this week.

If possible check with the congregation you will be worshipping with. You will find ideas for Candelmas here https://thecrossinmybackyard.wordpress.com/2020/01/30/candelmas-year-a-ideas-to-help-3s-and-under-relate-to-this-weeks-rcl-readings/

You don’t have to stop attending worship with your children just because the school term has begun. You can choose to worship together instead of attending Sunday school. Work out what is important to your family, is it shared worship or learning about Bible Stories?

If you continue to worship with your child you can find some ideas here https://wordpress.com/post/thecrossinmybackyard.wordpress.com/910 as to where to sit and what to bring.

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”).Spiritual Delights or Toy Box tat! andMake the books appealing

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

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

FIRST READING: Micah 6: 1-8

READ: Little Golden Book The Tawny Scrawny Lion by Katherine Jackson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz7VuwoQ8Yg as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-february-2-2014/

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

God help me to do the three things you ask

to be fair to other people
to love kindness and loyalty
to humbly obey you, Amen Adapted from Micah 6:8 Easy to read Version

PSALM 15

Psalm 15: Truth telling

If you want to walk tall in the ways of the Lord
you have to hold on to what matters the most.
The truth is the truth, there’s no getting round it,
the truth can’t be twisted, invented or fudged.
If you want to be trusted, admired and respected
then do what is right and say what is true.

thank you to Rev. Purdie http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-15-be-do-ers-of-the-word.html

How does this Psalm make you feel?

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

READ: The Big Brag in Yurtle the Turtle and other stories by Dr Suess https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwZHaoKZZBU as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-february-2-2020/

SING: Our Help https://sovereigngracemusic.org/music/songs/our-help/

PRAY:

Thank you God

That you will use me as I am

for your glory

Amen

GOSPEL READING: Matthew 5:1-12

READ: The Jesus Storybook Bible