Epiphany 2: Year A 2023: Ideas to share the Revised Common Lectionary Readings with all ages.

While some States in Australia are close to retuning to school, it seems that most of Australia is still on the move this week. As some may visit churches other than their home church, while others might zoom into services and others might take a break from formal worship at this time; I have stuctured these suggestions around informal family faith formation experiences for those away from home or away from the usual structure.

Faith is portable, we live it, share it everyday. I hope these simple ideas help your family form their faith, no matter where you are.

If you are a small congregation who suddenly has children in your pews, these can also be used in your services, shared direct from this site or copied into your order of service. Or you can print out handouts here

We are now in the Season of After Epiphany and the liturgical colour is GREEN.

If you are worshipping away from a Church it might help to create a centrepoint for your worship time. To do this you might like to Find something green (the liturgical colour), create a cross from whatever is around you and light a candle, you can add anyhng else that speaks to you about God from the readings or from your week with God.

FIRST READING: ISAIAH 49:1-7

READ: Librarian on the Roof: A true story by M.G. King

WATCH

a Storypath suggestion

ACTIVITY: Build anything that requires many pieces, play with lego or a jigsaw puzzle or make a meal or bake cakes or biscuits. Every bit is an individual piece but when we put them all together they become something greater.

PRAY (say this prayer as you build, bake, join etc.)

May each person,

may each part

become better

when joined with others

Amen

PSALM 40:1-11

READ: Psalm 40: Stuck in the swamp

I was stuck, stuck in mud (pretend to wiggle free)
up to my knees in it, sinking down (lift up your leg vry high, then the next one)
Help! I yelled, Hurry! (place your hands around your mouth like a pretend megaphone)
and help came, strong hands (flex your muscles)
pulled me out to safety. (give yourself a hug)
Solid ground never felt so good!(stamp your feet)
What a great God we serve! (arms out wide)
You inspire new songs (pretend to sing)
you multiply your awesomeness!(pretend to count on your fingers)
I love to live your way, (clasp your hands over your heart)
your law is in my heart. (Leave your hands on your heart)
Thanks again to Rev. Purdie You can also read a short description of the Psalm there too. Actions in italics by me

SING: from Seeds Family Worship on the Seeds of Courage Album-vol-1 Number 4 Out of the Mud

SECOND READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 1:1-9

READ: God’s Dream by Desmond Tutu

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion

SING:Seeds Family Worship on the The Character of God album vol-7, No. 7 God is faithful.

DO: Make a Mandala as suggested by Roots pp.1-2

GOSPEL READING: JOHN 1:29-42

READ: The Beginners Bible, He Chooses His Disciples, pp.308-313 and p.306 (for the first part of today’s reading)

DO: Re-enact today’s Bible story, make puppets out of what you have available or draw the story in the sand.

PRAY:

Help me to seek you God,

like John’s disciples did

Amen

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.

HOLY WEEK 2022-TUESDAY

We are now in Holy Week. The RCL(Revised Common Lectionary) has readings for each day of the week.

Many churches where I live do not have services for every day of Holy Week but that does not stop you from gathering the family and looking into the readings.

What a lovely way to prepare the family for Good Friday or the start of any church services face to-face or on zoom that your congregation may have.

You can read all the texts or just choose one or two to for the day.

These ideas are for your family to think through, they are not intended for you to be all-knowing (you may actually be surprised what ideas are sparked in your children about faith.

This is a time for you all to get to know the Lord.

Though if you require a place to start, you might like these Questions.

I wonder what this story/game/colouring in/prayer etc reveals to us about God?
I wonder how you see yourself in this story/game/colouring in/prayer?

OPENING PRAYER

Find some small pebbles.

As you pray make a picture with the pebbles.

This is a time for you all to get to know the Lord.

LITURGY FOR LENT

Lent is 40 Days, (spread your fingers out and push them in front of yourself 4X)

it’s a long long way (shield your eyes and look around the horizon)

but with each step (walk on the spot)

We get closer,

closer to the JOY of EASTER, (star jump)

Closer to God (give yourself a hug)

We learn more about ourselves (point to yourself)

Like Jesus did in his 40 days in the Wilderness,

Today we only have 3 days left (spread your fingers out and count off 3 fingers)

We are getting closer

(Some visual learning suggestions, place 40 stepping stones around the church/or home, these can be made from non-slip tiles or mats (try Bunnings or Spotlight for ideas) such as these or if your church/home has cobble stones or timber stepping stones around them, number them and cross off the days. Another option is to use the Praying in Color steps template, especially good for those with small spaces or where you want people to stay connected away from the communal space.)

NOTE: though we say that LENT is 40 days we do not count the Sundays

FIRST READING: ISAIAH 49:1-7

READ: The Libarian on the Roof by M. G. King

WATCH start at the 2.49 minute mark

A Storybook suggestion. Follow the link to find out why it was suggested.

DRAW OR WRITE: about the things that you are good at.

PRAY:

God,

Show me the gifts that you have given me

So I can help you

Amen

PSALM 71: 1-14

Psalm 71: All our lives long

(for a child and an old person to read – child’s voice in bold)

In you, O Lord, do I live
In you, O Lord, I grow
You are our God, our rock and refuge
You are my rock, like a rock to dive off into the river
You are my rock, like a home well fenced and protected
Hear us when we call, O God, lift us into your arms.

All my life long you have been with me
When I was born and took my first breath,
you held me
All through the years, I have leaned on you
Through all the years ahead I will lean on you.
When I was young you taught me
When I grow old you will bless me
I remember all you have done for me
I will tell everyone how great you are!

an exert from http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-71-all-our-lives-long.html

How does the Psalm make you feel?

Describe that feeling, draw it, or point out an emoji that describes it.

Go and find a rock, it doesn’t matter if it is big or small. Think of all the uses you have for a rock. Draw one or some on it.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

READ: Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion

FIND: objects and their use, or draw or write about objects and what their use is

PRAY

God,

you made me,

For your purpose,

Amen

GOSPEL READING: JOHN 12:20-36

READ: Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion find out why

GROW: Love this idea from Sun hats and Wellie Boots, sew cress seeds in the form of a cross.

PRAY:

Thank you, God,

that

I can always trust you

Amen

SENDING HYMN Tell the World by Hillsong Kids Learn the actions here

Blessings

Wendy L.

Please check local guidelines before using items that are not mine especially if you are using this page for congregational use. Please acknowledge 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.

I have qualifications in Education, Theology and Children’s Spirituality, and have worked as a Children and Families Worker in a city church. I use simple and easily found ideas to help you share the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) readings. 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, saving you time from sifting through many websites, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and blog posts.

YEAR A: After Epiphany 2: Ideas to help 3’s and under relate to this weeks RCL readings

Whether you are at your home church, staying safe, or holidaying away from home don’t let this be an excuse not to worship together. If you attend a congregation that uses a traditional Sunday School during service set up you will find some ideas here to here to engage your young ones with the readings and to enjoy Worship and Lifelong faith formation.

If you are displaced by the fires may the ideas within help you continue your faith practices with your families.

For older children you might like to purchase Jillians Life Packs https://feedmyfamilyblog.com

OR https://store.illustratedministry.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/illustrated-worship-resources-winter-2019-2020?variant=31032325210210

Or use a Sermon Note pages such as https://paththroughthenarrowgate.com

You can find some ideas here https://wordpress.com/post/thecrossinmybackyard.wordpress.com/910 as to where to sit and what to bring.

THE LORDS PRAYER IN ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w

FIRST READING: ISAIAH 49:1-7

READ: When God Made you by Matthew Turner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spwy5Ig4sPw

ACTIVITY: Look at pictures of you as a Baby or of your in vitro pictures

Draw a picture of you as baby

PRAY

God you made wonderful things

Including me

Thank you

Amen

PSALM 40:1-11

READ:

Psalm 40: Stuck in the swamp

I was stuck, stuck in mud
up to my knees in it, sinking down
Help! I yelled, Hurry!
and help came, strong hands
pulled me out to safety.
Solid ground never felt so good!
What a great God we serve!
You inspire new songs
you multiply your awesomeness!
I love to live your way,
your law is in my heart.
Thanks again to Rev. Purdie http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-40-the-mud-psalm.html You can also read a short description of the Psalm there too.

SING: https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/seeds-of-courage-vol-1/#

SECOND READING: 1 CORINTHIANS 1:1-9

READ: God’s Dream by Desmond Tutu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMXULIYojHk as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-january-16-2011/

SING: https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/the-character-of-god-vol-7/#

Play: with your toys to practice caring for each other.

GOSPEL READING: JOHN 1:29-42

READ: The Beginners Bible, He Chooses His Disciples, pp.308-313 and p.306 (for the first part of today’s reading)

COLOURING IN: https://store.illustratedministry.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-winter-2019-2020?variant=31032290738274 This resource has colouring in pages until the 23rd of February 2020. And costs about $A20.

PLAY: the motif of Jesus as the Lamb of God is used extensively in this passage, in an era without sacrifices it is hard to explain the sacrificial element to children, but they are all learning to put others first and sacrifice themselves. So play, with animals or a farm set and just let them explore this idea of what it means to be a good friend.

Blessings

Wendy L.