EASTER SUNDAY Year B: ideas to engage the whole family(especially the youngest) in the set RCL readings for today

WELCOME

The mood has changed and we have made it through to the joyful discoveries of Easter Sunday.

Let’s start by singing

WHO ARE THESE IDEAS FOR?

You have found a page that uses easily found ideas to help you share the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) readings with children. Instead of sifting through many websites, facebook , pinterest, instagram, and blog posts; 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.

These ideas can be used in a church setting as you parent in the pews or in your own home while connecting to a broadcast service or for your daily family devotions.

They are for use by parents, grandparents and carers and for small congregations who do not have a Child and Family Ministry.

GETTING READY

If worshipping at home. You may want to set up a space to bring out when you worship or to keep out everyday..

We have entered the season of Lent and white is the colour of the season. (Though it is the chosen colour you may prefer to use Gold)

Set up a candle, and what ever helps you focus on the season, it might be a cross, some flowers to represent New Life, an empty container, or anything that inspires you.

If able to worship in the Chruch buildings pack a special backpack, as well as filling it with your Covid Safe equipment, add the books or materials required to help your young ones relate to readings.

For adults and older students you might like to take a journal with which to record anything that grabs your attention during the service. Write a precis of the message (traditional or sensory word), draw or write a response in and keep a record of emotions.

LET’S BEGIN

You might like to start with the Lords prayer if at home, or say the Lord’s Prayer within a set place in the service.

Today try this version IN ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w

For prayers of the people

Photo by Jill Wellington on Pexels.com

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

Each person takes one and places it in there mouth letting it disolve 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, if you can’t due to social distancing needs, collect all the eggs to savour during the week. As you eat one pray again for the person as you let it dissolve in your mouth)

FIRST READING: Acts 10:34-43

READ: He is Risen by Patti Rokus

WATCH

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

You will need this template

and instructions

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

OR Isaiah 25:6-9

READ: I am invited to a Party By Mo Williams

WATCH

Read why this was suggested

OR READ I can only Imagine for little ones by Bart Millard

WATCH

DRAW: Those things that make you happy

PRAY

God,

who keeps promises

Today we Thank you

Amen

PSALM 118:1-2, 14-24

READ: I will Rejoice by Karma Wilson

Describe those feelings in this Psalm. Show how these feelings look like in your body 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 READING: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

READ: Alway’s Remember by Cece Meng

WATCH

A suggestion by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-february-10-2019/

SING God always keeps His Promises from The Ology By Soveriegn Grace Kids

OR Acts 10:334-43

READ: He is Risen by Patti Rokus

WATCH

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

You will need this template

and instructions

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

GOSPEL READING: John 20:1-18

READ: One Glorious Day, in Brave Girls Bible Stories, by Jennifer Geralds

ACTIVITY BOOK: Download Lost Sheep’s activity book for his book Mary and the Gardner for $4.95 with many activities for the whole tribe regardeless of age. (you can also find a sneak peak of Andrew MacDonough’s book Mary and the Gardener there)

OR Mark 16:1-8

READ: Meet Jesus in Mark by Matthew Sleeman, Mark 16:1-8

MAKE A lego resurrection garden

EXTENTION IDEA: read both Gospel stories and compare the way the women in the story are betrayed? What are the differences? Whay might this be so?

SING: Enjoy Yancy’s free songs for the rest of the day

Blessings (Enjoy those Easter eggs)

Wendy L.

Please check local guidlines before using items that are not mine and acknowledge this page if you have found it useful, especially if you are using this page for congregational use.

Advertisement

EASTER SUNDAY: RCL ideas to use with even the littlest at home

Sing: https://www.facebook.com/dmacgreg1/videos/10157393249862986/?multi_permalinks=1111314099208379%2C1111290459210743%2C1110532355953220%2C1111250702548052%2C1111240579215731&notif_id=1585289893143713&notif_t=group_activity He’s Alive Yes He is by David MacGegor sung with Dale MacGregor https://www.amazon.com/Hes-alive-yes-he-is/dp/B001AUNDSK

HE IS RISEN

Easter Sunday is here (finally!)

My experience is that generally everyone is excited for, well many reasons, other than the exciting and unexpected conclusion to this part of His story.

So use that excitement rather than pulling against it. Let them sing loudly, colour wonderfully, listen to stories and pray with vigor or as a quiet time, and accept that odd splash of chocolate flavoured worship.

FIRST READING: Acts 10:34-43

READ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY9Abmiykb8 You are all my favourites by Sam Bratney a suggestion by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-january-12-2014/

MAKE:  Paper chain people, https://www.kidspot.com.au/things-to-do/activity-articles/craft-paper-chain-people/news-story/ee4c2c58f340cd6e512810fca2972148. Decorate with everyone you know or might like to know.

PRAY:

Thank you God

that your story is

for EVERYONE

Amen

OR Jeremiah 31:1-6

READ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVgxJJIFh7o There There by Sam McBratney a suggestion by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-easter-sunday-april-20-2014/

MAKE Music, God’s people were so happy they would make music. Make a joyful noise. Use what ever instruments you have (pots and pans work well)

PRAY:

Make a sound for each person you know.

Amen (loud clap)

PSALM 118:1-2, 14-24

READ: Psalm 118: Pointing to the risen Lord

(Read Acts 4)

This is the day that the Lord has made
Let us rejoice and be glad in it! (say VERY Loudly)
The Lord is my energy and my strength
He has become my salvation! (say VERY loudly)

The stone that the builders rejected   (build something with your blocks, -what happens if you pull a piece out?)
has become the corner stone,
the foundation on which everything is built.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good
His steadfast love goes on forever! (say VERY loudly)
thanks again to http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-118-pointing-to-the-risen-lord.html

actions in italics by me

SECOND READING: Colossians 3:1-4

READ/WATCH Claudia the Caterpillar by Andrew MacDonough You can read an excerpt here https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/claudia-the-caterpillar/ Colour in the free colouring sheet or buy the Activity sheet to download with enough in it to keep the whole family busy. You can hear Andrew read it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGjsVwT7XGQ

OR READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_vcu8QIMT0 Perfect Square by Michael Hall as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-easter-sunday-april-20-2014/

DO: Take a piece of paper and find out how many things you can do with it, eg, draw a picture, make a plane, make a paper chain etc

OR Acts 10:34-43

READ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY9Abmiykb8 You are all my favourites by Sam Bratney a suggestion by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-january-12-2014/

MAKE:  Paper chain people, https://www.kidspot.com.au/things-to-do/activity-articles/craft-paper-chain-people/news-story/ee4c2c58f340cd6e512810fca2972148. Decorate with everyone you know or might like to know.

PRAY:

Thank you God

that your story is

for EVERYONE

Amen

 

GOSPEL READING: John 20:1-18

READ: Mary and The Gardener by Andrew MacDonough there is an exert here https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/mary-and-the-gardener/ and you can down load an activity pack with enough activities for everyone in the household.

OR Matthew 28:1-10

WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ9hXPy9vBE

MAKE: If you did not make the Easter Garden yesterday, you can make it as is now https://lettheirlightshine.com/2020/04/07/easter-garden-to-make-at-home/

If you did make it yesterday, you can complete it today with the stone rolled away, and flowers in the garden.

If you need more to do today how about https://lettheirlightshine.com/2020/04/06/easter-egg-colouring-printables/

Blessings

Wendy L.

 

 

Easter Sunday: Suggestions to help the 3’s and under connect with the RCL readings

With such a short week, and preparations for the long weekend, or the start of the school holiday’s for Victoria and Queensland, prepare in advance, so you just have to pick up the bag and go. HINT: prepare both Easter Sunday and Good Friday and place all you need in the same bag.

You might need

BOOKS

Mary and The Gardner by Andrew McDonough

The Lion Story Book https://www.koorong.com/search/product/the-lion-story-bible-sophie-piper-ruth-rivers/9780745964003.jhtml

The Jesus Story Book Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones https://www.koorong.com/search/product/the-jesus-storybook-bible-sally-lloyd-jones-jago/0310708257.jhtml

The early reader Bible https://www.word.com.au/The-Early-Readers-Bible/V-Gilbert-Beers-Terri-Steiger-Illustrator/9780310701392

The Beginners Bible Timeless Children’s stories  THE BEGINNERS BIBLE TIMELESS CHILDREN’S STORIES https://www.koorong.com/search/product/the-beginners-bible-timeless-childrens-stories-beginners-bible/9780310750130.jhtml

The Lion Picture Bible https://www.koorong.com/search/product/the-lion-picture-bible-sarah-dodd/9780745963037.jhtml

My first read- a- loud Bible https://www.koorong.com/search/product/my-first-read-aloud-bible-mary-batchelor/9781860247712.jhtml

DOWNLOAD and PRINT

https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/illustrated-worship-resources/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-spring-2018 (The price you pay will get you 14 colouring in pages, that is 14 Sundays worth and I will possibly refer to them over the coming weeks. To reduce the cost further, you could share with other families or ask your church to purchase them for you. Note this is a USA publication so the season  for them is Spring, and the price is in US$, so it will cost a little more and possible attract international transaction charges depending on whom your credit card is with)

https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/lenten-2018-resources/products/psalms-coloring-pages-8-5×11 (This series has 9 colouring in pages, including a simplified version for younger hands. They cover the Psalms in the RCL until Easter Sunday. I do suggest you purchase them, just remember the price is in $US so will be slightly higher and may attract an international transaction fee. You might like to share this product with other families or ask your congregation to purchase it for you.)

https://www.lostsheep.com.au/shop/browse/purchase

http://www.catholicicing.com/religious-easter-craft-for-kids-make/ print on thicker paper

ALSO

Journal

thick paper

green paper

pattypans

glue stick

paper plates

 

FIRST READING: ACTS 10:34-43

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50YbsqkW9-c

this is a trailer for the book, but is just the right length for this age. Point out the colour the little girl brings to her black and white world. This is a picture only book so describe, or let them tell you what is happening or just let them enjoy it wordlessly.

thanks again to http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-april-1-2018/

for this suggestion. Her words are  “Jesus Christ is a gift of peace to each of us, making us and our world different than it was before. He is a message of peace to us.”

MAKE: a simple flower picture. You will need some green paper to cut out stems and leaves, and coloured patty pans to make the flower head. Use a glue stick to assemble the picture in your journal or on A4 heavy paper or a paper plate.

OR ISAIAH 25:6-9

MAKE/DRAW This piece on being glad and rejoicing in God’s care, has a lot of imagery which the child might want to draw, such as a feast, etc.

OR you might like to concentrate on the emotion, athttps://lettheirlightshine.com/category/easter-with-toddlers/ scroll down to telling the easter story, there you will find a download for emotional faces to print off and attach to a  paper plate.

Or you could draw your owns

PSALM 118:1-2,14-24

COLOURING-IN:

https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/lenten-2018-resources/products/psalms-coloring-pages-8-5×11

SHOW: A glad /happy face or use the idea for the Isaiah reading

you might like to concentrate on the emotion, athttps://lettheirlightshine.com/category/easter-with-toddlers/ scroll down to telling the easter story, there you will find a download for emotional faces to print off and attach to a  paper plate.

Or you could draw your own.

SECOND READING

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

READ: My first read- a- loud Bible pp.228-229

OR ACTS 10: 34-43 (same as for First Reading)

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50YbsqkW9-c

this is a trailer for the book, but is just the right length for this age. Point out the colour the little girl brings to her black and white world. This is a picture only book so describe, or let them tell you what is happening or just let them enjoy it wordlessly.

thanks again to http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-april-1-2018/

for this suggestion. Her words are  “Jesus Christ is a gift of peace to each of us, making us and our world different than it was before. He is a message of peace to us.”

MAKE: a simple flower picture. You will need some green paper to cut out stems and leaves, and coloured patty pans to make the flower head. Use a glue stick to assemble the picture in your journal or on A4 heavy paper or a paper plate.

GOSPEL: JOHN: 20:1-18

READ/WATCH https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/mary-and-the-gardener/

DO: You might also enjoy the purchased activities that complement this book https://www.lostsheep.com.au/shop/browse/purchase cost is $4.95 and it will have enough activities to keep the whole family talking about the Easter Sunday story for the long weekend.

READ: My first read- a- loud Bible pp.459-463

Or The Early Readers Bible pp.224-3

Or The Lion Story Bible pp.218-219

Or The Lion Picture Bible pp.336-338

COLOURING-IN:

https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/illustrated-worship-resources/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-spring-2018

MAKE: 

https://www.buildfaith.org/make-a-resurrection-set-hands-on-easter-learning/

http://www.catholicicing.com/religious-easter-craft-for-kids-make/

for Protestant use I would only use Mary in p.6 and delete p.7. or just use the empty cloth.

great way to express themselves in play. If the child is young, have this ready for them to just play with, print on thick paper so they can stand up by themselves and remember for hygiene reasons DO NOT use toilet rolls. If you really have time you can laminate for longer life. This was suggested for use on Good Friday, now you can complete the play.

OR MARK 16:1-8

READ: The Jesus Story book Bible God’s wonderful surprise, pp.310-313 (first 4 pages)

Or The Beginners Bible: timeless bible stories, pp.456-457

MAKE: 

https://www.buildfaith.org/make-a-resurrection-set-hands-on-easter-learning/

http://www.catholicicing.com/religious-easter-craft-for-kids-make/

for Protestant use I would only use Mary in p.6 and delete p.7. or just use the empty cloth.

great way to express themselves in play. If the child is young, have this ready for them to just play with, print on thick paper so they can stand up by themselves and remember for hygiene reasons DO NOT use toilet rolls. If you really have time you can laminate for longer life. This was suggested for use on Good Friday, now you can complete the play.