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,
Remember that you have bought your child to worship. Enjoy engaging them in it.
Older children might enjoy https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/illustrated-worship-resources-winter-2018-2019
First Reading: Isiah 62:1-5
READ/WATCH: NOW BY ANTOINETTE PORTIS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP_Xnl-h0To
PLAY: a choice game. It can be as simple as placing 2 or 3 favourite toys in front of your child and adding them to pick one. Or it could be a card game like Fish
How do you show being excited? Draw or show what it looks like.
Psalm 36:5-10
adapted from http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-36-far-reaching-love.html stanza 3 removed
Your love, O God, reaches up, up beyond the sky, (reach up to the sky)
Your goodness goes higher than the clouds, (hands above your head and flutter the like moving clouds)
Your power is bigger than the tallest mountains, (make a point with your hands above your head)
Your truth goes deeper than the ocean. (crouch down very low)
O God, we treasure your infinite love. (make a love heart with your hands)
All people can hide in the shadow of your wings. (interlock your thumbs and flutter your fingers)
O God, we celebrate your mighty river of joy. (snake one arm across your body like a river flowing by)
All people can feast together in your house. (make a bowl with one hand and use the other to eat out of it)
O God, you are the fountain of life. (fling your arms up and away)
All people can find light in your light.(shelter your eyes as if looking into the sun)
Your love, O God, reaches up, up beyond the sky, (reach up to the sky)
Your goodness goes higher than the clouds, (hands above your head and flutter the like moving clouds)
Your power is bigger than the tallest mountains, (make a point with your hands above your head)
Your truth goes deeper than the ocean. (crouch down very low)
Hold us in your amazing love, now and forever. (give yourself a hug)
With loving hearts we will live in you. Amen. (make a heart shape with your hands)
Draw a picture of all the wonderful things God made that are mentioned in the Psalm eg mountain, river, clouds etc
Second Reading: 1 Corinthian12:1-11
READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIbGioTNs4M Mixed a Colourful story by Arree Chung as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-january-20-2019/
Use your texta’s to make new colours, then draw something with the “new” colour.
DO: POINT to all the different parts that make up one you ie arm, eye, ear etc. or you might have a jigsaw puzzle of the parts of the body.
Gospel: John 2:1-11
READ: My First read aloud Bible by Batchelor and Boshoff; Water into wine pp.158-159
WATCH: https://www.max7.org/en/resource/06b36097-df08-4d22-8359-3a8f510d7be2 This is a power point presentation, great for retelling the story or for your child, if old enough, to tell it to you. Older children might enjoy writing their own script to go with the pictures.
Colouring-In: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/illustrated-worship-resources-winter-2018-2019
Dear God,
Jesus first poured out (tip one hand as if pouring into a cup in the other)
his gifts from you (Pretend to pass a present)
at a party (dance)
where people show commitment and love (pretend to put a ring on your wedding finger)
I am glad (smile)
that you are committed to loving me too. (make a love heart with your hands)
Blessings
Wendy L
The Cross in My Backyard 