23rd Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Revised Common Lectionary: ideas to involve even the youngest.

Welcome. You have found a collection of ideas to help you contemplate the RCL readings. While designed to be used during a Sunday service at church or by zoom, these readings can also be used during the week to help you remember and build on what you experienced on Sundays. My objective is for faith to be a lived experience and for children to learn how to worship and explore the Bible and pray by participating in Worship with you. The goal here is not for them to learn names or facts though they may want to do that for themselves, but rather to find ways of connecting with the text and sharing that with others. The ideal is to form a life long love of Christ, for the Word of God and to participate in Worship.

Today is the last day that we will use the colour Green this year. The longest season of the Liturgical calendar, is coming to an end and it heralds the start of the new Liturgical Year. Next week is The Reign of the King celebration which marks teh end of the Liturgical Calander. Watch this to understand more about the Liturgical Year

If you are worshipping from home you may like to set up a worship area and define it with a GREEN placemat, or ribbons, a candle then add the things that remind YOU of God, a Cross, a Bible that everyone likes to read from, 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 use a journal with which to record anything that grabs your attention during the service. This could be a special, bound book or use your ipad or iphone. You could write a precis of the message (traditional words or pictures), draw, keep a record of emotions and hymns that you did or did not like. You could use a template like this free download. Remember, this is for you, you do not have to show anyone what is in it unless you want to, and you feel safe to do so.

CONGREGATIONAL USE: Though parents are the best at sharing their faith with their children. If you are a small congregation where children are a very small, or rare part of your congregational life, please feel free to make these suggestions available to your congregation. I am very happy for you to copy and paste ideas from here into your own Order of Service or for you to supply a link to this page. An acknoledgement though is always appreciated.

LET’S BEGIN:

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

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY

If you are in Australia and attending a Uniting Church in Australia, in many cases an Acknowledgment of Country will be said. You can teach your young ones to do this too.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

https://www.childrens-ministry-deals.com/blogs/childrens-pastors-only/how-to-pray-the-five-finger-prayer

INTRODUCTORY SONG Hey Ha Ha from the Full of the Spirit Album by

Heather Price Music

FIRST READING: ISAIAH 65:17-25

READ: Peace by Wendy Anderson Halperin

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion

Do: Build a city or a building, create something new. Use blocks or draw, your ideal place.

PRAY: As you look at or move around in your city pray for those who might live in this city.

Pray for Joy

Pray for Good things

PSALM ISAIAH 12

I will thank you God (Arms high in the air)

Because you surprised me (look shocked)

by comforting me (give yourself a hug)

even though you were angry with me. (shake you pointing finger)

I will trust You (stand tall)

For you are there for me ( pretend to have your arm around a mate)

You are my strength. (flex your muscle)

Joy will pour from You (sweep your arms wide)

like a water from a fountain (pretend to scoop up some water to drink in your cupped hands)

Thank you God (Arms high in the sky)

I will tell everyone (look around you)

I will shout out your name (cup your hands around your mouth)

Sing Praises to God (open your mouth wide)

Tell everyone, everywhere (look around you)

Sing with joy (open your mouth wide)

For God is with us. (give yourself a hug)

READ https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+12&version=ERV

DO: Choose a Happy song to sing possibly this one by David MacGregor Make it Joyful

SECOND READING: 2 THESSALONIANS 3:6-13

READ: Terrible, Awful, Horrible Manners! by Beth Bracken

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion

Do: This letter was written reminding the Thessalonians to follow their advice and actions. So play Simon Says, see if your child can follow your actions.

PRAY

Your words and your actions (hold your hands in the shape of a book, move your body)

Teach me God (point to yourself)

Amen

GOSPEL READING: LUKE 21:5-19

READ: Silly Billy by Anthony Browne

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion

DRAW: Those things that are important to you?

COLOURING-IN

SENDING SONG 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. If you find this page useful an acknowledgment is always appreciated. Thank you.

I am writing this on Wurundjeri land and wish to pay respect to all Elders, past, present and emerging.

EASTER SUNDAY 2022

WELCOME: Everyone is welcome here.

While designed to be used during a Sunday service at church or by zoom, these readings can also be used during the week to help you remember and build on what you experienced on Sundays. My objective is for faith to be a lived experience and for children to learn how to worship and explore the Bible and pray by participating in Worship. The goal here is not for them to learn names or facts though they may want to do that for themselves, but rather to find ways of connecting with the text and sharing that with others. The ideal is to form a life long love of Christ and for the Word of God.

GOOD FRIDAY has arrived. The Liturgical colour is BLACK or RED.

If you are worshipping from home you may like to set up a worship area

You can do this by setting up a candle, then add the things that remind YOU of God, a Cross, a Bible that everyone likes to read from, a special object, even something from one of the readings.

LET’S BEGIN:

WATCH

SING He’s Alive Yes He Is! by David MacGregor

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.

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

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY

If you are in Australia and attending a Uniting Church in Australia, in many cases an Acknowledgment of Country will be said. You can teach your young ones to do this too.

FIRST READING: Acts 10:34-43 (option 1)

READ: He is Risen by Patti Rokus

WATCH

MAKE: make a rock picture like the one in the book

OR MAKE a finger puzzle that also tells the easter story

SING: Jesus Came to Earth from Awesome God by Soveriegn Grace

OR Isaiah 65:17-25

READ Peace by Wendy Anderson Halperin

WATCH

a Storypath suggestion

PLAY: Build with blocks/ or stones something new.

DRAW or WRITE: about your ideal world.

PSALM 118:1-2 and 14-24

READ

BUILD a rock picture showing how this Psalm makes you feel

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:19-26

READ: Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion

MAKE: easter rocks, (I choose this activiy here to remind us to stay grounded (in the form of the rock) in our faith where even teh impossible can be possible)

PRAY

Only in you

Can the impossible

be possible

God

Amen

OR Acts 10:34-43 (option 2)

READ: You are all my Favourites by Sam Bratney

WATCH

a Storypath suggestion

MAKE: Paper chain people, God’s story is for sharing with EVERYONE

PRAY:

Thank you God

that your story is

for EVERYONE

Amen

GOSPEL READING: John 20:1-18

READ: Mary and The Gardener by Andrew MacDonough

WATCH

ACTIVITY BOOK: Download Lost Sheep’s activity book for his book Mary and the Gardner for $4.95 with many activities for the whole tribe regardeless of age.

OR Download the free bookmarks (great for retelling the story) and colouring in sheet

OR Luke 24:1-12

READ: THE SPARK STORY BIBLE, The Empty Tomb, pp.382-387

Colouring-IN:

CRAFT: You might like to make an Easter garden with the empty tomb

HE has Risen Indeed

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.

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.

23rd Sunday after Pentecost Year C: Ideas to help you share this weeks RCL readings with the 3’s and under.

Say goodbye to the colour Green in the church today. Take special note, as the the end of the Season after Pentecost draws to a close and the New Year approaches.

You might like start watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPTWq1AsCao To explain the liturgical year.

Here are some ideas to help you share the Readings from the Revised Common Lectionary with your children.

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 piece

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.

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

FIRST READING: ISAIAH 65:17-25

READ: Global Babies by the Global Fund for Children https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GbeMr2y8-Q as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-november-17-2019/

Do: Build a city or a building, create something new. Use blocks or draw, your ideal place.

PRAY:for those who might live in this city.

Pray for Joy

Pray for Good things

PSALM ISAIAH 12

READ https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+12&version=ERV

COLOURING -IN: https://store.illustratedministry.com/collections/coloring-sheets-posters/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-fall-2019?variant=29474498478178 Under the USA term of Fall 2019, there are 13 colouring in sheets for the next 13 weeks, starting September the 1st. which can be downloaded for US$10. NOTE Illustrated Children’s Ministry is now Illustrated Ministry.

DO: Draw it or show it or point out the emotion from a set of emotional cards https://innovativeresources.org/resources/card-sets/bears-cards/ or the Bears App https://innovativeresources.org/resources/digital-applications/bears-app/

SECOND READING: 2 THESSALONIANS 3:6-13

READ/WATCH: The little Guys by Vera Brosgol https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSRweXF8G-M as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-november-17-2019/

Do: This letter was written reminding the Thessalonians to follow their advice and actions. So play Simon Says See if your child can follow your actions.

PRAY

Your words and your actions (hold your hands in the shape of a book, move your body)

Teach me God (point to yourself)

Amen

GOSPEL READING: LUKE 21:5-19

READ/WATCH: Horton Hatches The Egg by Dr Seuss as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-november-17-2013/ this is a long video, so stop and then come back to it as they are ready maybe stop at the end of each statement that ” I said what I said and meant what I said”

DRAW: Those things that are important to you?

THE SERVICE MIGHT BE FINISHED BUT

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.

You might like start watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPTWq1AsCao

Blessings

Wendy L.

EASTER SUNDAY Year C: Ideas to help you share the RCL readings with the 3’s and under.

Don’t forget to point out the change of colour in the church (White), and that it is a start of a new season Easter.

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 would like these ideas as a PDF file sent to you each week, please contact me.

YES, given the significance of the day it is alright for them to eat a chocolate egg during the service if you want. Just make sure you have the Wet Wipes or Damp Flannel/Washer ready for the mess!!

FIRST READING: Acts 10:34-43 Theme: acceptance of all

WATCH/READ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho2teowtaXM Hurry up and Slow Down by Layn Marlow a suggestion by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-easter-sunday-april-5-2015/

Play: free play with favourite toys, perhaps use a play mat (such as this one from Ikea https://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/categories/departments/childrens_ikea/tools/coch/roomset/20182_coch03a/ ) To create community play. Or a dolls house.

PRAY: Entwine your fingers
God help us all to come together

Amen

OR Isaiah 65:17-25

READ/WATCH: https://www.amazon.com.au/Peace-Wendy-Anderson-Halperin-ebook/dp/B0088PDJSY Peace by Wendy Anderson Halperin available as both an ebook or Hardcover. as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-april-21-2019/

PLAY: Build with blocks something new.

PSALM 118:1-2,14-24

Psalm 118: Pointing to the risen Lord

(Read Acts 4)

This is the day that the Lord has made
Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
The Lord is my energy and my strength
He has become my salvation!

The stone that the builders rejected
has become the corner stone,
the foundation on which everything is built.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good
His steadfast love goes on forever!

by http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-118-pointing-to-the-risen-lord.html

PLAY: The full version has such beautiful imagery and metaphor, let them build something with blocks. Ask them how they built it? where is the door, the windows? Are they happy with what they have built. Let them know that God is our base, and it make’s us happy.

OR WATCH/READ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmSUgxqOHAE I will rejoice by Karma Wilson

DRAW: Anything that makes you happy.

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: 1 Corinthians 15:19-26

READ/WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niwHUvDf7Z4 Can I play Too by Mo Willems a suggestion by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-april-21-2019/

PLAY: with blocks to build something new.

OR Acts 10:34-43

WATCH/READ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho2teowtaXM Hurry up and Slow Down by Layn Marlow a suggestion by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-easter-sunday-april-5-2015/

PLAY: free play with favourite toys, perhaps use a play mat (such as this one from Ikea https://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/categories/departments/childrens_ikea/tools/coch/roomset/20182_coch03a/ ) To create community play. Or a dolls house.

PRAY: Entwine your fingers
God help us all to come together

Amen

GOSPEL READING: John 20:1-18

READ/WATCH: https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/mary-and-the-gardener/ You can also buy the book for continued reading.

ACTIVITIES: Download the free bookmarks (great for retelling the story) and colouring in sheet or if could buy the Activity pack and have enough activities for the whole family for all ages.

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)

OR Luke 24:1-12

The Luke reading does not have Mary’s encounter with Jesus in the garden.

READ: The Beginner’s Bible pp.456-457

Colouring-IN: http://www.thebeginnersbible.com//includes/files/base/documents/bb-Coloring-jesusIsRisen.pdf

CRAFT: You might like to make an Easter garden with the empty tomb https://lettheirlightshine.com/2016/01/07/easter-with-toddlers/ OR save this for making at home.

For more ideas check out last years blog, as many of the readings are the same Easter Sunday: Suggestions to help the 3’s and under connect with the RCL readings

HE has Risen Indeed

Blessings

Wendy L.