This week your congregation should be following either the RCL Candelmas service or Week 4 of Epiphany. If you can find out in advance which readings are being used it will reduce your pre-church preparation time.
You don’t have to stop attending worship with your children just because the school term has begun. You can choose to worship together instead of attending Sunday school. Work out what is important to your family, is it shared worship or learning about Bible Stories, If it differs to the way your congregation chooses too educate children in your community you might need to change communities, which is quicker than trying to change your community.
If you continue to worship with your child you can find some ideas here https://wordpress.com/post/thecrossinmybackyard.wordpress.com/910 as to where to sit and what to bring.
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.
THE LORDS PRAYER IN ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w
FIRST READING: Malachi 3:1-4
READ: The Mallee Sky by Jodi Toering, https://www.readings.com.au/products/26139045/mallee-sky
This is one of my favourite books at the moment, and it fits right in with the seasonal waiting for rain that is known too many children in Australia. It is hopeful and realistic and suits the optimism of this Malachi Reading. Unfortunately it is not available as a ebook nor has anyone read it on You Tube. The idea of looking outward, looking for the signs of change and knowing that change will also be difficult but bring new life.
OR TRY: DESERT LAKE by Pamela Freeman, written about the filing up of the often dry Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, bringing life to a barren environment. https://www.qbd.com.au/desert-lake-big-book/pamela-freeman-liz-anelli/9781921977091/
COLOURING-IN: https://www.lamontbooks.com.au/media/142137/publishers-notes-mallee-sky.pdf P.7
PRAY:
Today is called candlemas as we contemplate the light in the world. Our life can light up in many ways, such as the Lake waters returning or the rains coming.
Turn on a battery operated candle and list all the things that bring you light.
PSALM 84
READ: Snuggle Time Psalms https://www.koorong.com/product/snuggle-time-psalms-glenys-nellist-cee-biscoe-illus_9780310749257?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.koorong.com%2F
OR http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-84-how-lovely-is-your-house.html
How does this Psalm make you feel?
Can you draw a safe place?
OR Psalm 24:7-10
Lift up your heads, ye gates! (look up)
Lift up the ancient doors! (fling your arms wide from the body)
– that the King of Glory may come in – (pretend to place a crown on your head)
Who is the King of Glory? (put your hand under your chin)
The LORD – Father, Spirit, Jesus – (make a triangle with your fingers)
magnificent in power, Lord of all, (show your muscles )
He is the King of Glory!( place a pretend crown on your head)
Abridges from http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-24-lift-up-the-ancient-doors.html Italics are mine.How does this Psalm make you feel?
SECOND READING: Hebrew 2:14-18
Play: With a nativity set. Share the things you looked forward to when they were born or came into your life.
Draw: Draw all the things you would show Jesus if he was a child like you today?
Play: with your toys. Children learn through play, so let them play and enjoy being alive and in God’s presence.
GOSPEL READING: Luke 2:22-40
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leN-xNrkjbo
COLOURING IN https://www.rootsontheweb.com/media/17023/r93_colouring_sheet_candlemas18.pdf
PRAY:
Simeon and Anna (hold up your pointer finger on your right hand and then your left)
Saw you (shelter your eyes as if looking into the distance)
as God promised (hold your hands in prayer)
May you light up (fling your hands from your head)
My life too (point to yourself)
Amen (one clap)
The Cross in My Backyard 