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.
Sit towards the front so they can see what is going on.
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 piece that can be shown off.
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: Isaiah 52:13-53:12
READ/WATCH: Horton Hears a Who By Dr Suess https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OfBw0vMCkyE this is a very long read for a small person, so dip in and outlet them come and go. I chose it as it is a wonderful story of faith and putting yourself out for something you believe in.
PRAY: Many people help me God,
Help me to Help others too.
PLAY: if you have a play mat, https://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/categories/departments/childrens_ikea/tools/coch/roomset/20182_coch03a/ find all the people that you could help.
PSALM 22
Psalm 22: Don’t leave me!
My God, my God, how could you leave me? (clench your fists)
Just when I needed you most, you are gone! (point your finger from one of the clenched fists)
I am eaten up by pain, (wrap you arms around your body)
my life is pouring down the drain (hang your head)
Around and around rage the forces of hate. (look all around you)
Is this the end? Is this my fate? (point your hands palm upwards)
The answer bursts open the grave – (look of surprise)
Christ, who died, is alive! (open your mouth wide)
Tell the world, for all time – (clasp your hands around your mouth like a megaphone)
death is defeated, Christ is alive! (hold your hands open wide in the air)
words by http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-22-the-crucifixion-psalm.html, actions by me.
IF your congregation ends Good Friday with acknowledgment of the resurrection, do not read the last 4 rows today)
COLOURING IN: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/lent/products/psalms-coloring-posters?variant=5702410895392 You may have bought this series last year so check your download folder.
SECOND READING: Hebrews 10:16-25
SING: https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/trust-vol-11-releases-april-10-2018/# Number 10
READ: IN My Heart A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIfLgHBwYx4 If you have a physical copy of the book, rather than reading it all today you could just pick out some relevant pages
DRAW: What colour would your heart be today? Draw a heart of that colour.
OR Hebrew 4:14-16, 5:7-9
READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np9EmM6W2M8 We Found a Hat By Jon Klassen
a suggestion by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-march-18-2018/
PRAY: Jesus prayed Lord
Help me to pray to you too
Help me to be still (practice being still)
and listen to you.
Amen
NEW TESTAMENT: John 18:1-19:43
READ/WATCH https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/the-way-of-the-cross/ The Way Of the Cross
ACTIVITIES: Down load the free bookmarks (very useful for retelling the story) and the Colouring in Sheet
OR Buy the activity pack at the end of the screen, which has many options for all ages.
OR READ: My First read a loud Bible by Batchelor and Boshoff Jesus is left to die pp.220-221
ACTIVITY: Draw a very colourful happy drawing, then place a black sheet over it, or colour over it with a black crayon, or non drip children’s paint.
Ask your child how they felt when they drew their happy picture?
Then how it felt when it was covered over?
Explain that Jesus’s disciples must have been as confused or sad as you are when your happy picture was taken away
COLOURING-IN: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/coloring-sheets-posters/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-spring-2019 PURCHASE IS DOWNLOADABLE AND IS IN AMERICAN DOLLARS FOR 14 WEEKS (7 WEEKS IN)
For more ideas see https://wordpress.com/post/thecrossinmybackyard.wordpress.com/128 As last years readings are the same as this year.
Blessings
Wendy L.
The Cross in My Backyard 