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. You can include this link or share these ideas in your Church newsletter, in your Order of service or on your media notes. .
OR you are a parent wanting something for your children to use either in face to face or with 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 importance of teaching through story and explains the process I recommend you use with children.
SEASON: AFTER PENTECOST
The longest liturgical season, the season after Pentecost, is drawing to a close. Advent the season where we prepare for the arrival of God’s promise starts in a fortnight and next week is the last week of the Liturgial Calendar, The Reign of the King. Today is the last day the liturgical colour is green.
You can find more about the Liturgical calendar here
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 Bible that everyone likes to read from, 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:
WELCOME: Everyone is welcome here.
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
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Build a tower or castle with blocks, name someone or something (eg climate change, homelessness etc.) as you add a block to the creation. When you have added everyone or everyone has added blocks for the people they are taking to God in prayer.
Demolish the construction
Saying
God of creation,
we ask for your renewing presence
in the Lives of those
we have prayed for
Amen
FIRST READING:1 Samuel 1:4-20
READ: Brave Girls Bible Stories by Jennifer Gerelds, Hannah’s cry for Help pp.79-82
OR Love Letter’s from God by Glenys Nellist Love Letter’s from God, The Hopeful Girl, p.12
OR Spark Bible Stories, Hannah prays for a child, pp.118-120 only the first paragraph on the last page.
WATCH to the 1.20 minute mark (I do not agreee with the conclusion of this video but I do believe that God hears us, the response is God’s)
PRAY
Hi God,
Hannah was bullied,
It’s not nice
I hate it when I get bullied
I like being able to tell you anything,
and that I can cry,
or be upset
and you still listen
Amen
PSALM 1 Samual 2:1-10
READ: Love Letter’s from God by Glenys Nellist Love Letter’s from God, p.13 top box
OR
I am so happy God (large smile)
My strength comes from you (flex your muscles)
I don’t have to make fun of anyone (stamp your foot and uncross your arms)
Becasue you work things out. (arms up high)
No one is better than you God (Blow on your knucles)
You are my rock (make a fist with both hands and put one on top of the other)
God doesn’t have to talk himself up, (bow)
Because God is wise (rest your chin on the back of your hand)
Those who think they are strong (flex your muscles)
are not strong against you (wilt to the ground)
but those who are weak (hunch over )
can rely on you for safety (look up)
Let the well fed have no choice, (frown)
And the hungry have all the good stuff (big smile)
For she who had none now has seven children (count them on your fingers)
While she who had many children (pretend to cradle a child in your arms)
has nothing to boast about (Cross your arms across your body)
God has the power (Flex your muscles)
to give and take life (fall to the ground then get bac up)
God makes the rich and the poor (pretend to count out money and then to beg)
God builds people up or brings them down (Big smile, big frown)
God can upend anything (tilt your head as if looking under something)
For evertything is God’s (Arms in the air out wide)
God will protect those (give yourself a hug)
Who call out to God (pretend to shout through a megaphone)
God will strengthen those (flex your muscles)
who need it( stand tall)
CHOOSE an emoji’s that describe how this Poem makes you feel
SECOND READING:Hebrew 10:10-14(15-18),19-25
READ:Let the Celebrations Begin by Margaret Wild
A suggestion by Storypath read why it’s recommended.
SING He is Faithful, no.10 on Volume 11 Trust
DO:During the last 18 months many communities have been distanced but have done things out of love for each other and hope that all will be well. In our community we have had sppon villages turning up on front yards, we have teddy bears in peoples windows, we have had rainbows made and put up all over the suburb. What have you done in your community?
What might you like to do to hold onto hope?
MAKE: Bake biscuits and leave them for a neighbour
Start a hand wave, draw around your hand and put it on a window.
What else give you hope?
PLAY: you might like to play with your toys, pretend playing like you want to when people are safe to be near each other again.
GOSPEL READING: Mark 13:1-8
READ:Waiting for a Baby Brother by Catherine Kembellec and Gitte Spee
I chose this book as the Mark reading talks to me of waiting, things will change, many things will happen before the end of time. Many children understand the event of waiting for a sibling, this book talks about the many changes that need to happen before the sibling arrives, just like the disciples need to wait for many thinkgs to happen.
OR Meet Jesus in Mark by Matthew Sleeman, Mark 13 First paragraph only
PLAY the game of Life if you have it or Monopoly, or for younger children Make an obstacle course for them to negotiate, make a hill out of pillows, something for them to climb over, some colured tiles or stepping stones or draw a hopscotch for them to negotiate, a tunnel to climb through etc.
PRAY
God
Things will change
But you are always
with us
Amen
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 