Change is in the air. The end of the Ecclesiastic year is fast approaching. I hope you and your children enjoy spending time together in Church this week.
Here are some ideas to help you share the Readings from the Revised Common Lectionary with your children.
If you are a parent or Guardian
Prepare a special church bag in advance each week so that you are ready for the rush on Sunday Morning.
Always have plain drawing paper, washable TEXTA’S , the books that are suggested and the toys or craft suggested for this week
Remember to download the colouring sheets and check out the links before Sunday morning.
Sit towards the front so they can see what is going on.
Sing or sway during the Hymns
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. Don’t throw these out when you leave the church. Keep them at home in a special box, and bring them out to remind your child what has been happening or use as future prayer points.
Remember that little ones will need their own space to move and wiggle,
You have bought your child to worship. Enjoy engaging them in it.
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: Haggai 1:15b – 2:9
READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLdAXyZ7_iQ The thing that Lou can’t do by Ashley Spires as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-november-10-2019/
COLOURING -IN: https://store.illustratedministry.com/collections/coloring-sheets-posters/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-fall-2019?variant=29474498478178 Under the USA term of Fall 2019, there are 13 colouring in sheets for the next 13 weeks, starting September the 1st. which can be downloaded for US$10. NOTE Illustrated Children’s Ministry is now Illustrated Ministry.
PRAY:
Everything in the word
Show your Glory
Amen
PSALM 145:1-5, 17-21
Psalm 145: We will tell your praise
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised! (Hold your hands out wide)
One generation tells the next generation (pretend to pass on a whisper)
about the awesome things that you have done. (Make a big ball with your arm)
We look for words to tell of how amazing you are – (make a book with your hands)
glory, splendor, magnificent, mighty – (Make a big ball with your hands)
but all our words are too small. (hold your thumb and pointer finger close together)
You burst out of them! (Jump up high with your arms over your head)
You are made of grace and mercy, (pretend to pat an animal)
unbreakable promises, tender affection, (pull your hands apart)
powerful love that goes on and on. (make a heart with your hands)
All the universe speaks about you; (cup your hands around your mouth as if yelling)
we join in as best we can. (hold someone’s hand)
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised! (make a big ball with your arms)
Words by http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-145-we-will-tell-your-praise.html actions by me
SING/LISTEN: https://sovereigngracemusic.org/music/songs/the-god-of-wow/
OR Psalm 98
Psalm 98: Sing along a new song
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Marvelous is all he has done!
Victory has been won
and all the earth has seen!
Break out with songs of joy!
Trumpets blast and waves crash
Guitars play and rain claps the beat
Music fills the air and hills cheer!
The Lord is coming, he’s nearly here!
He will set things right
and all will be well.
Sing to the Lord a new song!
Marvelous is all he has done!
(add musical instruments or pretend to play each of the instruments as they are read) my suggestion.
Thanks again to http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-98-sing-along-a-new-song.html
SING: try You are good by Bethel Music Kids Come Alive track 4 https://bethelmusickids.com
SECOND READING: 2 Thessalonians 20:27-38
READ/LISTEN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe-7NOiGA9s The terrible plop by Ursula Dubosarsky
as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-november-10-2013/
Play with your toys. Practice being a part of community.
PLAY: a game of follow the leader on the way home from church or at the endow the service.
GOSPEL READING: Luke 20:27-38
WATCH/LOOk at I walk with Vanessa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StF5RdslK0w as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-november-10-2019/
Look at the the different emotions. Use 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/
or show them on your face or draw them as you read” watch” it’s ok to stall the video or stay on the page to further explore,
What are the girls doing at the window?
If they were praying what would they pray?
Being together as a community is special. PLAY with your toys, practice being part of a community that is there for each other.
PRAY:
God,
you are always where I am
You don’t let words get in the way
Amen
THE SERVICE MIGHT BE FINISHED BUT
Now is the time to continue teaching your child beyond the walls of the church.
Use the craft or drawings during the week to talk about the service or the stories.
Use any of the readings during the week, at bedtime, as story time or during the day in play or prayer.
Enjoy sharing your faith with your child.
You might like start watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPTWq1AsCao
Blessings
Wendy L.
The Cross in My Backyard 