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.
Sit towards the front so they can see what is going on.
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,
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”).
If you would like these ideas as a PDF file sent to you each week, please contact me.
FIRST READING: EXODUS 34:29-35
READ: The Early Readers Bible God’s Good Rules pp.107-108
Colouring In https://coloringbookfun.com/religion/moses first image
PRAY:
Dear God
Help me to reflect your Glory
Amen
PSALM 99
Psalm 99: If you shake us
O God, how incredible you are! (open your hands wide)
How ordinary we are. (look down at the ground)
The earth shakes with your power (Shake)
and we tremble, afraid (show being afraid)
that if you shake us we’d fall apart. (Shake your hands)
We see your brilliance (shield your eyes)
and we hide in the dark. (put your hands over your face)
We know how pure you are, pure love, (make a heart shape with your hands)
and we know that we are a mess. (hold your arms open with your palms up ward)
Forgive us, God. (hold your hands in a prayer shape)
We stuff up.
We forget to live in your light. (pretend to blow out a candle)
from http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-99-if-you-shake-us.html
DRAW or SHOW: how this Psalm makes you feel
SECOND READING: 2 CORINTHIANS 3:12-4:2
READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmWw2ZbT1dY Our Tree Named Steve by Alan Zweibel
OR You are light by Aaron Becker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5TOnevpf9A or buy https://www.readings.com.au/products/26260084/you-are-light
PLAY: With mirrors, or shiny paper. Look at your reflection.
MAKE: A collage of shiny objects, shiny papers, sticky mirrors (sometimes available at RIOT)
GOSPEL READING: LUKE 9: 28-36 (37-43a)
READ: The Early Reader’s Bible God Talks about his son pp.387-391
PRAY:
Hold your hands up in Prayer
Notice the shape. Your hand looks like a mountain.
When we pray we talk to God, so as to get closer to God.
What do you want to tell God?
Can you sit quietly so that you might enjoy your time with God?
The Cross in My Backyard 