Don’t waste this opportunity to share the faith stories and experience the wonder of worship. Keep your mind open and you may learn as much as you share.
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
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.
FIRST READING: HOSEA 1:2-10
READ: a Baby Name book that says what peoples names mean, make sure you include your child’.s name, and the names of important people your child knows.
PLAY: How many things can you name? Name all the things you can see in the church, or your toys.
DRAW: a picture and name the things in it.
PSALM 85
Psalm 85: Good gifts
Lord, you are so good to us!
You forgave our sin and gave us a new beginning.
You sent your Word, and you pour out your Spirit.
Love is your message and Kindness is your style
Peace greets Patience with a kiss
Gentleness walks hand in hand with Self-control
Joy bursts up out of the ground
Right-ness goes ahead to show the way
and Generosity showers us from above.
These are the gifts of God for the people of God.
(Galatians 5:22)
from Rev Purdie https://wordpress.com/post/thecrossinmybackyard.wordpress.com/722
Colouring – in: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-summer-2019 For purchase for $10US digital download
SECOND READING: COLOSSIANS 2;6-15(16-19)
READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmWw2ZbT1dY A TREE NAMED STEVE by Alan Zweibel A beautiful story about living in community, just like this passage talks about us living in community with Christ.
PLAY: with the Babouska dolls
PRAY: As you take apart the Babuska dolls and put them back together say
You call me to be in you Christ
as you are in me
Amen
GOSPEL READING: LUKE 11:1-13
READ: The Lion Story Bible: How to Pray pp.180-181
Just on the Lord’s Prayer read My First read a-loud Bible by Batchelor and Boshoff, A Prayer to God, pp.186-187 OR 5 Minute Bible Stories by Batchelor and Boshoff, A prayer to God, pp.142-143
OR The Lion Picture Bible, The Lord’s Prayer p. 252
BOOKs on the Lord’s Prayer
Loved, by Sally Lloyd Jones and Jago
OR The Lord’s Prayer by Rick Warren
Colouring In https://ministry-to-children.com/lords-prayer-index/ (Warning: This may not be the version your church uses) HINT:Cut out the pictures and place them on another sheet of paper with the words that your church uses.
ACTION PRAYER https://ministry-to-children.com/lords-prayer-hand-motions-for-memorization-help/ (Warning: This may not be the version your church uses) HINT If your church uses different wording use your words with these actions.
NOO! You are not finished even if the service has.
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.
Blessings
Wendy L.
The Cross in My Backyard 