Make sure you are prepared to visit a congregation while on holidays.
These are suggestions only, to help parents/caregivers engage their children in services that use the Revised Common Lectionary. They can be used by parents/caregivers or those who help out in small congregations that can not afford to pay Child and Families Ministry. Some congregations use all 4 readings in their services others only two. 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.
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. Craft or drawing or play are for spiritual responses not for a perfectionist piece that can be shown off.
Remember you have bought your child to worship. Enjoy engaging them in it.
You might need to prepare these in advance, and place them in a special Church Bag ready to go for Sunday Morning.
You might need to print off
https://e2epublishing.info/posters/
https://www.parenting.com/article/paper-doll-chain
ttps://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-fall-2018 THIS IS A NEW SEASON, AMERICAN FALL OUR Spring . For $10 American dollars (about $Aus 16) you have 12 weeks of colouring sheets. Or you can combine with other parents or ask the Church to make the purchase for yourself and the families.
Make sure you have
glu sick
texta’s
Communal play toys such as dolls, or cars or animals
GET A COPY OF
The Early Readers Bible https://www.koorong.com/search/product/early-readers-bible-2001-gilbert-beers/0310701392.jhtml
FIRST READING: job 1:1, 2:1-10
READ: The Early Readers Bible, Love God when Hurt pp.251-255
OR READ?WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6rp0SZX7lg Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No good, very bad day written by Judith Viorst and illustrated by Ray Cruz. Really good if you have slightly older children, but i have seen even very young ones stop and pay attention.
also suggested by http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2015/09/year-b-proper-22-27th-sunday-in.html
DRAW: what it feels like when you are having a bad day.
PRAY:
(Shake your head) I’m having a very bad day God
(Big Smile) Glad I can tell you that God
Amen
PSALM 26:
READ in Psalms of Praise
DO: Feelings Cards https://e2epublishing.info/posters/ scroll down until you find them. Print them off then ask your child to show you how this Psalm makes them feel. Don’t be surprised if more than one emotion is suggested.
OR use a paper plate and ask them to draw a face that shows how they feel about the Psalm
SECOND READING: Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12
READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8prvuE_0qZc Moondance by Frank Ashe
as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-october-4-2015/
Jesus came down to “dance”/live with us
SING: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/cx657wtzrqaxbfp/AAAtwbeCpLXmhCK56yD2ESfua?dl=0&preview=Holiness+and+Humanness+Theme+Song+Lyrics+and+Instructions.pdf
Listen here
From our Friends at INtergen https://www.facebook.com/Intergen-125514831561505/?__tn__=kC-R&eid=ARC8CjWK-kKwJl8cWkwEUiUDLLRRmFqRgyBGhjQO-1LB82BBi6xfvkIjLkG4o0XkvAxrk1fNMgI7zaYf&hc_ref=ARQSNCLUW17qG_PZTitvJtCI12js1yKVVwXyx1dN6KsKUtlGDa-TR7sLZHHGd0cbDmY&fref=nf&__xts__[0]=68.ARDyuXmr_Idbe-an4EFT8itBZIIo74PvvdOfpuQERYyaZvsFXGI695HjWbZxHA5ggU_tqCvl06kx0Zwf8zFWpbH2KaBUny2VG2C7-RGMfxiR6YKH6T3MCLUi-J5qCTbdc2OgzsG5bpSMNYgq-F-ggvb1gMTMY2TRdFtn6z_ylYiK24wbk09P
Maybe one to Learn during the week
PLAY: with any community toy, such as dolls house, cars, animals.
GOSPEL: Mark 10:2-16
Most will concentrate on Mark 13-16, as the text on Jesus welcoming the children is often preferred to the teaching on Divorce. No children’s story books Bibles I have access to presents the first half of today’s RCL reading
SO for Mark 10:13-16
READ: THE EARLY READERS BIBLE: Jesus and the Children pp.411-415
OR The Jesus Storybook Bible: The Friend of Little Children p.256-262
COLOURING-IN: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-fall-2018 THIS IS A NEW SEASON, AMERICAN FALL OUR Spring
CRAFT: make a paper doll chain, draw on them, faces and clothes. Attach to a A4 heavier paper or cardboard, draw Jesus with his arms out at one end of the paper, then glue the line of people from Jesus until it’s off the page. https://www.parenting.com/article/paper-doll-chain. (or you can buy them at http://riotstores.com.au) sometimes in the Reject shop https://www.rejectshop.com.au
To tackle Mark 10:2-12
To me these two readings placed together, look at what the Kingdom of God is like, all are welcome and all stay together, hence I suggest reading Can I be your dog, about finding an accepting family
READ: http://www.picturebooktheology.com/search/label/family
MAKE: a paper doll chain, make faces, and dress.
PLAY: Communal games, such as dolls house, or cars or trains or animals
IF you are looking for some resources regarding Marriage or Divorce try https://www.relationshipsvictoria.com.au/resources/recommended-reading/
This is the book list including one of books suitable for children.
Relationships Australia also has courses and marriage guidance courses.
I completed my Couples Counselling Certificate with this organisation.
Look out for Thursday’s Blog post to find more family resources.
Blessings
Wendy L
The Cross in My Backyard 