WELCOME
Mother’s Day is not a part of the Liturgical calender it is a public day for honouring the mother’s in our midst.
Two women from the past talk to me about mothering they are Suzanne Wesley and Katherine Luther.
We here about Jesus’s mother in the Bible, and her cousin Elizabeth, John’s mother and their faithfulness we learn of Sarah’s struggle with infertility and jealousy in the Old Testament, and Samual’s mother Hannah’s devotion, we learn of Lot’s wife’s disobedience and Noah’s wife’s support. We learn of the length’s that Joseph’s mother’s care required to save him. We hear of Ruth’s mother-in-laws protection of her daughter in law. The early mother’s of the Church such as Lydia. All different all with their eyes on God foremostly. Add to this list. How many more mother’s or references to mother’s can you find.
I think of my own mother.
I also think of the women in the Church’s I have attended who mothered me in faith. I am still surrounded by great faithful mothers guiding me and teaching me. That’s perhaps, why I have a preference for all welcoming services where everyone worship’s together.
So today, I encourage you to not just think about your own mother but to look to the women in your congregation that share Sophia’s wisdom easily and unselfishly.
WHO ARE THESE IDEAS FOR?
You have found a page that uses easily found ideas to help you share the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) readings with children. Instead of sifting through many websites, facebook , pinterest, instagram, and blog posts; 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.
These ideas can be used in a church setting as you parent in the pews or in your own home while connecting to a broadcast service or for your daily family devotions.
They are for use by parents, grandparents and carers and for small congregations who do not have a Child and Family Ministry.
GETTING READY
If worshipping at home. You may want to set up a space to bring out when you worship or to keep out everyday..
We have entered the season of EASTER and white is the colour of the season. (Though it is the chosen colour you may prefer to use Gold)
Set up a candle, and what ever helps you focus on the season, it might be a cross, some flowers to represent New Life, an empty container, a circle of some kind or anything that inspires you.
If able to worship in the Chruch 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 readings.
For adults and older students you might like to take a journal with which to record anything that grabs your attention during the service. Write a precis of the message (traditional or sensory word), draw or write a response in and keep a record of emotions.
LET’S BEGIN
You might like to start with the Lords prayer if at home, or say the Lord’s Prayer within a set place in the service.
Today try this version IN ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w
Or if you are looking for a more contemplative version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NuUo-igXDU&fbclid=IwAR2FasYCU-9mP1PaLQDjweXyhyUnJutt4J28KycjzeUEttWSesipX2jmJxE
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE:
(Sophia is the feminine name for God’s wisdom in the Bible)
Today Sophia,
We pray for your wisdom
Becasue we know that mother’s need it.
Becasue we know that people can be sad today
Sad becasue they did not get to know their mother,
due to adoption, laws, illhealth or death
Sad for the mother’s who did not get to know thier children
because of adoption, laws, illhealth or death
For those of us who have mums,
we are sorry when we take her for granted
when we don’t listen
when we don’t consider her needs
Help me to absorb and look for the wisdom
Of the mother’s in the Bible,
to the Sophia’s in our church
who teach us how to be mother’s
Amen
FIRST READING: Acts 10:44-48
OR
READ: The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater
READ why this book is recommended here
PRAY
Get a bowl of water, and some pebbles, drop the pebble into the water. Watch what happens. Just sit quietly and drop as many pebbles into the water as you want.
PSALM 98
Get or make music instuments and play them as you say(sing) the Psalm
SECOND READING:1 John 5:1-6
READ Chair for my Mother by Vera Williams
READ why this is suggested for this reading here
Do: look at pictures of your family, what features do you share with those who have come before. What things would you like to be known for in your faith community? at school? in the community? Draw them, say them aloud or write them down.
MAKE a card for your mother, include a heart and draw those things you like her doing for you.
OR try this idea
GOSPEL READING: John 15:9-17
READ: You are spoilt for choice here Andrew McDonough has written 4 books, on this theme and anyone of them would do. (if you read one of these books last week, choose another one, or read your favourite.)
They are Basil the Branch, WATCH, Bill the Brillant Branch, WATCH, The Gardner and the Vine, WATCH, and Basil and the Seceuters WATCH you can read excerts here
All have activity books for $AUs4.95 to download, with enough activities to keep the whole family busy, and each story has 2 free activities to download.
SING No Greater Love(remain in Me) from Seeds of Faith Seeds Family Worship
PRAY
Make a heart with your hand, cup your hands, make a heart with your hands.
PLAY: with Babushka dolls
Blessings
Have a Happy Mother’s Day
Wendy L.
Please check local guidlines before using items that are not mine and acknowledge this page if you have found it useful, especially if you are using this page for congregational use.
The Cross in My Backyard 