11th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Revised Common Lectionary: ideas to involve even the youngest.

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.

We are now in the longest season of the Liturgical calendar, After Pentecost, it is often refered to as Ordinary Time, as no big celebrations occur in this season. The Liturgical colour is Green.

If you are worshipping from home you may like to set up a worship area and define it with a GREEN placemat, or ribbons.

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.

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.

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

Heather Price Music

FIRST READING: JEREMIAH 1:4-10

READ When God Made Me by Matthew Paul Turner

WATCH

Do: Prepare before Sunday a series of photo’s of your child and what they were doing at that stage, if possible include their picture in utero. Or get them to draw a picture of themselves growing up. If they do a series of themselves at different ages you can staple them together to form a flip book and then the baby will grow into a child as they flip the pages. Or draw on a pad of stick it notes. This is an example of how to make a flip book.

PRAY: Father God,

You knew me

Before I was born

You know what I can do

and how I can be helpful to you

Amen

PSALM 71:1-6

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 excerpt from Rev Purdie

Draw a picture of something that you like about this Psalm.

SECOND READING: Hebrews 12:18-29

Read Wordy Birdy by Tammi Sauer

WATCH

as suggested by Storypath

PLAY with anything that can be shaken, a rattle, dried peas in a bottle (make sure the lid is secure so there is no chocking hazard), a drink in a bottle, GOD”S Kingdom can’t be shaken.

PRAY

We can’t see you God (point to your eyes)

But you are there (reach out to give a pretend hug to someone)

You lead us

And we follow (walk around in a circle)

Amen

GOSPEL READING: LUKE 13:10-17

LISTEN for younger children

LISTEN for older children

Colouring – in:

SING Seven Days in the Life of God by Snack Music

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.

After Epiphany 4 C: Revised Common Lectionary ideas to involve even the youngest.

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.

Today is the FOURTH Sunday after Epiphany. The Liturgical colour is GREEN.

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:

SING https://www.snackmusic.com.au/songs/you-are-welcome

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

I love this rewritting of the Second Reading as a prayer by Carolyn C Brown It works beautifully as a Prayers of the People. I would have one person read the “Love is” lines and the Assurance of Pardon, everyone else the response

Love is patient and kind:

Lord, it is hard to be patient when there is so much we need to do and want to do. When other people slow us down, it is easy to forget to be kind.

Love is not jealous or conceited or proud;

But we are, God. We look at some people and think we are better than they are. We look at others and feel jealous of what they have and can do. Forgive us.

Love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable;

But we often blurt out rude, hurting names and accusations, almost before we know what we are saying. Help us learn to think before we speak.

Love does not keep a recording of wrongs;

But we remember even those wrongs we have really tried to forgive. We remember them and bring them up when we are angry or when we want our own way. We use them to hurt even the people we love. Help us to forgive and forget.

Love is not happy with evil; love is happy with truth;

But it is hard not to take secret delight when people get what they had coming to them. Teach us compassion, God.

Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail.

But we give up easily. We give up on other people. We give up on ourselves. We give up on making a difference. We lose hope that anything will ever be any different. Forgive us, for we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon: Hear this about God’s great love! God is patient and kind. God does not keep a record of our wrongs. God does not remember our failings at loving, but is happy about every one of our successes. God never gives up on us because God’s love is forever!

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 1:4-10

READ: Whirl Story Book Bible, God Calls Jeremiah, pp.118-121

OR READ When God Made You by Matthew Turner

WATCH

PRAY

Point to your Ear I hear you father God

Point to your Eyes Let me see for you

Point to your Feet Let me follow you

Point to You For you planned and made me

Amen

PSALM 71:1-6

Psalm 71: All our lives long (first 2 verses) (actions by me)

(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 (form 2 fists, bang 1 on top of the other)
You are my rock, like a rock to dive off into the river (hold your hands as if to dive into water)
You are my rock, like a home well fenced and protected (make a roof with your hands and put them over your head)
Hear us when we call, O God, lift us into your arms. (give yourself a hug)

All my life long you have been with me (point to yourself)
When I was born and took my first breath,
you held me (pretend to cradle a baby)
All through the years I have leaned on you (put an arm out as if to lean on something)
Through all the years ahead I will lean on you. (shade your eyes and look into the distance)
When I was young you taught me (wag a finger)
When I grow old you will bless me (bend over and shake)
I remember all you have done for me (tap your head gently)
I will tell everyone how great you are! (make a megaphone with your hands around your mouth)

How does this Psalm make you feel? Point out an emoji that shows how you feel or show how you feel or draw how you feel.

OR chose a rock that makes you feel secure, or that will remind you of how secure you are with God

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

READ: Spark Story Bible, Love Is…, pp.432-435

OR Young ones might like to READ All These Things by Susie Poole,

WATCH

MAKE: Get a stack of stick it postal notes in a heart shape: Younger children can draw what love is to them,older children can draw or write a verse of the reading, When each verse has been completed stick them in a cross pattern on a plain piece of paper?

I wonder how many are things you do?

Love can be three Greek words in teh Bible the one used in this passage is about helping in community. It is an action not an emotional word.

PRAY: The prayers of the people above

GOSPEL READING: Luke 4:21-30

READ:The Spark Bible Story Book, Jesus Goes to Nazareth, pp.228-229.

COLOUR-IN

PLAY: play out the reading, or OLDER children might like to create a Play based on a modern example of this story.

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.

Sunday’s Reflection: Father’s Day

It’s Father’s Day in Australia and New Zealand and no matter where we are or where our earthly father is the one thing we all have in common today as we worship is God, the one we also know as Father. For we believe that in Jesus we are joint heirs. This makes the family of God, siblings worshipping together, in this we are unified. Where our earthly father may have failed us the one thing we do believe is that our heavenly Father does not. This knowledge is healing, and open to all.

A few years ago, I was introduced to the writing of Rahner, even though it was published in 1971. He was the first I had encountered that wrote about the relationship between our relationship with our earthly parent and the development of faith. Though to me it was intuitive, and observational, the scarcity of work on this aspect was sadly scarce. More general works have been written about the developmental influences of childhood on faith development, but what struck me so strongly from Rahner was the clear and defined entwinement of that process. He writes “One must not conceive in terms that are too absolute of the connection between the child’s actual experience of his father on one hand, and the possibility of achieving a relationship to God as father in the absolute sense by faith on the other.” He then explains that the failing of our earthly parents may actually be helpful in encouraging us to search beyond ourselves, “It is perfectly possible that a lack of protection, a lack of that sheltering solitude and security which comes from the love of one’s parent’s may actually serve to spur us on to the metaphysical quest for one who will provide us with our ultimate support, who will sustain and protect us.”[1]. He later explains that trust as developed in our earliest relationship becomes the foundation of our relationship with God.

In the Psalm recommended by the RCL last week, Psalm 71 we read about how intimately God knows us, as well as learning in the First Reading, Jeremiah 1:4-10 that no-one not even the young are beyond being called by Him. Regardless of our age we stand as siblings together in Worship. And this week we learn in the Gospel Reading Luke 14:1, 7-14 what is expected of us as God’s children.

So, this Father’s Day what do we bring to the Father of creation, we bring our all, every part of us that he knitted together.

[1]Rahner, K., Theological Investigations Vol.8 (London, Darten, Longman and Todd, 1971) p.44 and 45.

Blessings

Wendy L.

11th Sunday after Pentecost Year C: Ideas to help you share this weeks RCL readings with the 3’s and under.

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 JEREMIAH 1:4-10

READ/WATCH I’D KNOW YOU ANYWHERE, MY LOVE by Nancy Tillman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxPMihO81Hk as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-february-3-2019/

Do: Prepare before Sunday a series of photo’s of your child and what they were doing at that stage, if possible include their picture in utero. Or get them to draw picture of them growing up. Put them on seperate sheets so that they can be stapled and then flipped to see the baby grow.

PRAY: Father God,

You knew me

Before I was born

You know what I can do

and how I can be helpful to you

Amen

PSALM 71:1-6

Psalm 71: All our lives long

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

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

Draw a picture of something that you like about this Psalm.

SECOND READING Hebrews 12:18-29

Read/watch Wordy Birdy by Tammi Sauer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEsTOR3nXR4 start at the 48 second mark. as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-august-25-2019/

PLAY with anything that can be shaken, a rattle, dried peas in a bottle (make sure the lid is secure so there is no chocking hazard), a drink in a bottle, GOD”S Kingdom can’t be shaken.

PRAY

We can’t see you God (point to your eyes)

But you are there (reach out to give a pretend hug to someone)

You lead us

And we follow (walk around in a circle)

Amen

GOSPEL READING LUKE 13:10-17 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+13%3A+10-17&version=ICB or listen https://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/letusattend/december_4_2011_luke_1310_17_told_for_younger_children

READ: Kid’s Story: The Gospel Story
I got this idea from doing mime clown workshops years ago. Talk to the children about the woman’s physical disability but then encourage them to mime with their whole bodies how they feel
when they are sad (most go all droopy and slump forward),
when they feeling guilty (ditto)
when they are feeling bullied (ditto)
when they are worried (ditto) etc etc.
I think you probably get the picture from there 🙂 and can go on and relate it to freedom we have in Jesus. While you are doing the mimes with them you have to over emphasise it and make a bit of a fool of yourself, but I reckon that’s not too hard for most of us.

from http://seedstuff.blogspot.com/2019/

Colouring – in: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-summer-2019 For purchase for $10US digital download

PLAY: Let your children, reenact the story, with their toys, or drawing or just themselves.

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.