WELCOME
This week there are 2 distinct sets of readings, one for Palm Sunday, every child and young at hearts favourite or Passion Sunday normally a more solomn service. I will post them seperately.
Either service marks the start of Holy Week, here are some Holy Week resources you might like to use with your family at home here, or here. or this one.
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 or keep up through Lent.
The colour of Lent is purple, not the same blue based purple as Advent but a red based purple.
Set up a candle, and what ever helps you focus on the season, it might be a cross, some sand (to symbolise the desert times of the people of God), or cactus plants, some rocks(to represent challenge) for example, or anything that inspires you from any Lent studies you or your family ae doing.
A Book that I would recommend for sharing about Lent with Children is Make Room A Child’s Guide to Lent and Easter by Laura Alary You can see an adaption of this book in a Godly Play method here
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 either of these suggestions can be used when the Lord’s Prayer is said within a set service.
either IN ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w
Or if you are looking for a more contemplative version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NuUo-igXDU&fbclid=IwAR2FasYCU-9mP1PaLQDjweXyhyUnJutt4J28KycjzeUEttWSesipX2jmJxE
During Prayers of the People, Ask God’s guidance to find a person to do something really nice for.
FIRST READING: Isaiah 50:4-9a
READ: Mae’s first Day of School by Kate Berube
Understand why it was suggested here
PSALM 31:9-16
Psalm 31: My hiding place
Where can I hide? (look around you)
I cannot find anywhere that feels safe. (shake)
Everywhere there are traps set for me. (look around you)
Everywhere people whisper about me. (put your hands over your ears)
Be my safe place, O God. (give yourself a hug)
Be my hiding space, my refuge, my shelter. (crouch down small)
I put myself in your hands. (hold out your hands)
Be strong! Fill your heart with courage! (show the muscles on your arms)
A psalm retold by Rev Purdie https://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-31-strength-in-exhaustion.html Actions by me
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: Phillipians 2:5-11
READ: There was an old woman who lived in a shoe by Jane Cabrera
Understand why it was suggested here
SING Seeds Family Worship Vo. 8 The Word of God No.4 Jesus Christ is Lord
PRAY:
For those you love today.
GOSPEL READING: Mark 14:1-15,47
READ: Meet Jesus in Mark by Matthew Sleeman omit the last paragraph
OR The Jesus StoryBook Bible, Washed with tears, pp.280-285
DO: Use your nose to find things with a lovely aroma, ie, cooking, flowers, perfume, clean sheets etc
DRAW:How would you honour someone, maybe for their birthday?
SING A Generous Heart from Waking With the Wise by Soveriegn Grace Kids
OR Mark 15:1-39(40-47)
READ: Meet Jesus in Mark by Matthew Sleeman, read both Mark 14:14:53-15:24 and Mark 15:25-47 omiting the first paragraph of Mark 14:53-15:24
OR The Easter Story retold by Rachel Elliot published by Parragon start at the page that begins “The Chief Priest took Jesus to Pontias Pilate”end on the page that finishes “his last breath” you can read the fist paragraph on th enext page but stop there for today.
ACT: out the passage. You can do this with people, or your toys, you could make puppets for each of those mentioned, you could make a felt scene( use a firm felt board as the background and cut out shapes from coloured felt squares, they will stick to the backing board)
PRAY
It must not have been nice,
for you to die
like that
but I know there is more to the story
Help me to understand that
Amen
Blessings
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.
Look out for daily ideas during Holy Week on the Facebook and Instagram pages
The Cross in My Backyard 