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: 1 Samual 2:18-20, 26
READ: The Beginner’s Bible Timeless Children’s stories Hannah’s Prayer pp.156-159
OR My first read -aloud Bible by Batchelor and Boshoff God Answers a Prayer pp.72-73
Make: a Prayer Jar Draw or write something to pray about and put it in a box ( a decorated chocolate box or a tissue box work well)
PRAY: from your new preyer Jar.
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.
Make a face to show how this psalm makes you feel? Maybe Excited, or bored?
A lovely book to read in conjunction with this Psalm is When God made you by Matthew Paul Turner
SECOND READING: Colossians 3:12-17
READ/LISTEN https://his-israel.com/2014/09/28/the-hardest-word-read-by-keren/ The Hardest Word by Jacqueline Jules (This is a long read so don’t expect them to sit through it in one sitting, break it into small section and let them play for a while, or do something else.)
AS Suggested BY http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-december-30-2018/
SING/LISTEN https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/seeds-of-character-vol-6/# NO. 9
PLAY: with paper or timber dress up dolls, or dolls or teddy’s with different outfits or https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/make-and-decorate/crafts/how-to-make-paper-dolls-with-downloadable-patterns.
GOSPEL READING: Luke 2:41-52
READ: The Beginner’s Bible Timeless Children’s stories Jesus is Lost pp.296-302
OR My first read -aloud Bible by Batchelor and Boshoff pp. 148-149
COLOURING IN: 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 10 weeks)
OR https://ministry-to-children.com/boy-jesus-coloring-page/
PRAY: Help me God
to know like Jesus did
that I belong to you
Amen
You might need to bring with you
The Beginner’s Bible Timeless Children’s stories
OR My first read -aloud Bible by Batchelor and Boshoff
When God made you by Matthew Paul Turner
chocolate or tissue box
stickers or paper to decorate
paper dress up dolls or dolls or teddy with changes of clothes
To print off
OR https://ministry-to-children.com/boy-jesus-coloring-page/
The Cross in My Backyard 