WHO ARE THESE IDEAS FOR?
For anyone looking for ideas to help share God’s word with everyone including the youngest.
Whether you are preparing traditional worship or an all age or Intergenerational service.
OR you are a parent wanting something for your children to use either in face to face or broadcast services, as you parent from the pews or couch
Or during family devotion times.
I use 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.
Though you will find simple ways into the text here THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THOUGH THAT YOU CAN DO IS SHARE YOURSELF AND YOUR FAITH. I firmly believe that it is in the relationship, that the Faith formation of the next generation truely starts. You will notice that there are very few prompts or questions on this page. This is to allow your child to do the thinking and to work out what is important to them from the texts. Sometimes they may give you an insight or even ask a question? There are no wrong insights or crazy questions, and you are enough, enough to listen, enough to work it out together, ENOUGH to share your love of GOD with your child.
Here is a great presentation on children’s spirituality, but most importantly from the 40 minute mark on, it speaks about the imporantance of teaching through story and explains the process I recommend you use with children.
SEASON: AFTER PENTECOST
We are still in the longest liturgical season, the season after Pentecost. This season takes up half or the year, and it’s liturgical colour is green. There are no major celebrations during this season, and some refer to it as Ordinary Time. For me it is a time to celebrate everyday joys, to see God in the ordinary, in the everyday, and to hear the everyday stories of Jesus.
GETTING READY
If worshipping at home. You may want to set up a space/alter/focal spot, to bring out when you worship or to keep out everyday.
You can do this by setting up a candle, and add the things that remind YOU of God, a cross, a word, a special object, even something from one of the readings.
If able to worship in the Church 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 today’s 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. You could use a template like this free download
LET’S BEGIN
This week you might like to start with the Psalm if worshipping at home.
WELCOME:
SING https://www.snackmusic.com.au/songs/you-are-welcome
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
You might like to start with the Lord’s Prayer if at home, or say the Lord’s Prayer within a set place if following along in a service. Here are 4 options
2 with ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w
A more contemplative version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NuUo-igXDU&fbclid=IwAR2FasYCU-9mP1PaLQDjweXyhyUnJutt4J28KycjzeUEttWSesipX2jmJxE
Or for a more Intergenerational approach try Number 1 on the Table Settings album by Liturgical Folks
PRAYER OF THE PEOPLE: Find a play mat with country or city scenes and pray for everyone you see on that mat.
FIRST READING: ESTHER 7:1-6, 9-10, 20-22
READ: CHILDREN OF GOD BY DESMOND TUTU, Esther saves her People pp. 50-51.
(For a fuller story of the full book of Esther you can read the chapter in Brave Girls Bible Stories by Jennifer Gerelds, Esther One Brave Beauty Queen pp.101-109.
or WATCH this retelling Queen Esther saves Her People a retelling by Rita Goldman Gelman)
SING a great skipping song from Colin Buchanan’s Old Testament Sing a Long album No. 12.
Colouring-In many to choose from here, or you can print them all out and retell the story
OR draw a picture of Queen Esther.
PSALM 124
Psalm 124: If it wasn’t for God
(Call to Worship, in 2 voices)
If it wasn’t for God
we’d be a wreck! (collapse oon the ground)
If God wasn’t on our side
we’d be wiped out by our enemies. (fall to the ground)
If God had not been there for us
anger and fear would have swept us away. (push the air with one hand)
If Christ had not saved us
we would be totally lost. (Shade eyes with one hand and pretend to look into the distance)
Thank you, thank you Lord
for you rescued us from the trap we were snared in. (pretend to pull something up from the ground)
Our help is in the name of the Lord
who made heaven and earth (look up and look down)
and is on our side!
Words by Rev Purdie, actions in italics by myself
How does the Psalm make you feel? Show, or draw or choose an emoji to show how you feel.
SECOND READING: JAMES 5:13-20
READ: “Does God Hear My Prayer by August Gold
a suggestion by Storypath
PRAY
Create your own prayer.
GOSPEL READING: MARK 9:38-50
PLAY: Bring out your country or city play mat ie https://www.kmart.com.au/product/reversible-padded-play–floor-mat/2908304?region_id=300001
find all the things you can do to make the lives of the people or animals on your map more comfortable or easier.
SING O Taste and see on Come Alive by Bethel Music Kids
SENDING HYMN Tell the World by Hillsong Kids Learn the actions here
Blessings
Wendy L.
Please check local guidlines before using items that are not mine especially if you are using this page for congregational use. Please acknowedge this page if you find it useful.Thank you.
I am writing this on Wurundjeri land and wish to pay respect to all Elders, past, present and emerging.
The Cross in My Backyard 