Don’t waste this opportunity to share the faith stories and experience the wonder of worship. Keep your mind open and you may learn as much as you share.
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
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.
FIRST READING: Isiah1:1, 10-20 0Use all of our senses for the Lord
READ: a Board book on senses such as https://www.dymocks.com.au/book/the-very-hungry-caterpillar-by-eric-carle-9780241959565 or https://www.dymocks.com.au/book/see-touch-feel-by-roger-priddy-9781783417452
DO: SEE Play i-spy,
TOUCH: have a touching bag full of different textures to touch or a touching book where you have pasted different surfaces such as velvet, foil, crepe paper etc on each page to feel.
HEAR: Close you eyes, what do you hear, The choir? the minister? etc.
TASTE, a small snack for eating during the service.
SMELL: Bring some containers with different smells, perhaps some small aromatherapy bottles (WARNING: many of these are toxic if swallowed so keep them away from your children )
PRAY: Thank you God for the TASTE (say your favourite food)
Thank you God for the SMELL (name your favourite smell)
Thank you God for the SOUND (name your favourite sound)
Thank you God for what i FEEL (say what you like to feel)
Thank you God for what i See (say what you like to look at)
Amen
Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23.
Psalm 50: The courtroom drama
The Judge takes his seat and the court falls silent.
God is the Judge and all people are Accused.
The Judge is not happy, in fact he is angry!
He is angry with us, all of us!
He thunders:
“You people, you know how I love you.
Everything you have is a gift from me
and what do you give in return?
A little of this and a little of that.
Do I need more money? No, it’s all mine!
Everything is mine, but what I really want
is you! all of you! everything you have and are!
Don’t muck around with me.
Following Christ is not a hobby, it is all or nothing!
You can live in prison or live free –
you have to choose!”
from http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-50-true-worship.html
Make a sad face, either show me a sad face, or draw a sad face or make a sad face mask using a plastic plate. How do you feel when someone is angry at you?
SECOND READING: Hebrew 11:1-3, 8-16
READ: For a Recap of the Abraham story TRY The Beginners Bible: The Visitors pp.46-51
OR My First read a loud Bible, Three strangers pp.24-25 and Isaac, pp.26-27
For they idea of Faith in general Try Horton Hears a Who by Dr Seuss https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgPcAxkxoio
Colouring – in: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-summer-2019 For purchase for $10US digital download
PRAY
(Close your eyes)
I can’t see you God but I know you’re there
Amen
GOSPEL READING: Luke 12:32-40
READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0xRprBpQy4 William Wakes Up by Linda Ashman a suggestion by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-august-11-2019/ tater at 1.10 and finish at 8.30.
PLAY: What do you need to get ready, pack a bag, what would you put in it? Draw those things. Or pack a real bag or a dolls bag. For example: What would you need to be ready for Day Care?
What would you need to be ready to go shopping?
What would you need to go to the park?
What would you pack for a holiday?
What did you pack to get ready to go to church?
PRAY
Use a torch or your phones light. Turn it on and say
I am ready Lord
To find you
even in dark places.
Amen.
NOO! You are not finished even if the service has.
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.
Blessings
Wendy L.
The Cross in My Backyard 