GOOD FRIDAY 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 alife 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.

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: 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 acknowledgment though is always appreciated.

LET’S BEGIN:

LISTEN Good Friday The End on Liturgical Folks Album, Lent

For general craft ideas for Good Friday try these ideas from Sun Hats and Wellie Boots

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: Isaiah 52:13-53:12

READ: The Velvetten Bunny by Margery Williams

WATCH

I chose this book as I saw some parallels between the Isaiah reading and the Velveteen Bunny who, learns what he has to do to become human and that it is not easy or pretty. in the same way the suffering servant’s life is not easy or appreciated the true value of it is not seen or appreciated by everyone.

PLAY: Roll out a play mat, or get a lego city project and look at how many people, going around their ordinary lives are doing wonderful things for others, ie the street cleaner, the nurse. How many can you think off.

PRAY

You are faithful God

Help me to listen to you

Amen

PSALM 22

Psalm 22: Don’t leave me!

My God, my God, how could you leave me? (clench your fists)
Just when I needed you most, you are gone! (point your finger from one of the clenched fists)
I am eaten up by pain, (wrap you arms around your body)
my life is pouring down the drain (hang your head)
Around and around rage the forces of hate. (look all around you)
Is this the end? Is this my fate? (point your hands palm upwards)

A shortened version of Rev Purdie’s Psalm 22 Don’t leave me. Actions in Italics by me

DRAW: how this Psalm makes you feel?

How does the second part of the Psalm make yoSECOND READING: Hebre

SECOND READINGS: HEBREWS 10:16-25

READ I will Love You Anyway by Mick Inpen

WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eBTrEDQWPc

A beautiful story of being loved and forgiven. Just like today’s reading

SING: Seeds Family Worship, He is Faithful

PRAY (get a piece of tissue paper or a sponge, cut out a heart shape and drop food dye onto it as you pray)

OR Hebrews 4:14-16 and 5:7-9

READ: Kitten for a Day by Ezra Jake Keats

WATCH

See Why it was suggested

SING Jesus You are my Hope by Soverign Grace Kids” album To be Like Jesus

PRAY

Jesus was a boy,

He played and grew

and knows

what it is like to be

a child like me

(tell God something about yourself)

Amen

GOSPEL READING: John 18:1-19:42

READ: The Way of the Cross by Andrew McDonough

WATCH

SING He died upon a Cross by Colin Buchanan on his album Practice Being Godly

Colouring -IN free colouring in page or you can purchase an activity book ($Aus 4.95) with so many things to do it will keep everyone occupied.

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.

Good Friday Year B, ideas to engage the whole family(especially the youngest) in the set RCL readings for today.

WELCOME

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 that stays up permanently or that you bring out for worship.

Set up a candle, a cross, and place on a black or red tablecoth or shawl.

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 either of these suggestions can be used when the Lord’s Prayer is said within a set service.

Today I recommend this contemplative version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NuUo-igXDU&fbclid=IwAR2FasYCU-9mP1PaLQDjweXyhyUnJutt4J28KycjzeUEttWSesipX2jmJxE

During Prayers of the People, Try some meditative prayer. Don’t ask them to sit in silence for very long, (we don’t want them to feel as if they have failed, how long depends on your child and their age – 5 secs can be too long for some) Ask them to sit comfortably, close their eyes, place their hands in their lap and take a few deep breaths, so deep that theri belly rises. End with amen.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 52:13-53:12

READ: The Velvetten Bunny by Margery Williams

WATCH

OR read the Story Book Bible from A dark night in the garden, p.294 – 306.

Make a cross out of cardboard, draw on the cross all the painful things Jesus experienced on his way to the cross.

PSALM 22

READ: For the Very Young Psalms of Praise by Danielle Hitchen, STAND

Psalm 22: Don’t leave me!

My God, my God, how could you leave me? (hang your head)
Just when I needed you most, you are gone! (look sad)
I am eaten up by pain,(hug your body)
my life is pouring down the drain (slup to the floor)
Around and around rage the forces of hate. (look around you)
Is this the end? Is this my fate? (put a questioning look on your face OR hold your hands out and palm up)

(You might like to stop it there today and then finish it on Sunday)

The answer bursts open the grave –
Christ, who died, is alive!
Tell the world, for all time –
death is defeated, Christ is alive!

Words by Rev Purdie, actions by me

Describe those feelings in this Psalm. Show how these feelings look like in your body or draw it, or point out what it feels like 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/

How does the second part of the Psalm make you feel?

SECOND READING: Hebrews 10:16-25

READ OR from a Children’s Bible such as Beginner’s Bible

OR READ Everybody brings nooddles by Norah Dooley

WATCH

see why

SING: Seeds Family Worship, He is Faithful

OR Make me faithful by Soverign Grace Kids album To be Like Jesus

PRAY

Jesus

I want to be like you

Help me to absorb your deeds

So that they are a part of me too

Amen

OR Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9

READ: Kitten for a Day by Ezra Jake Keats

WATCH

See Why it was suggested

SING Jesus You are my Hope by Soverign Grace Kids” album To be Like Jesus

PRAY:

You lived amongst us Jesus

Even though you are God’s Son

Everything I feel

You understand

too

Amen

GOSPEL READING: John 18:1-19:42

READ: Peter and The Rooster by Andrew McDonough

WATCH

SING He died upon a Cross by Colin Buchanan on his album Practice Being Godly

MAKE:A Rooster hand print You will find how to make one in this video explaining Easter using hand prints, find it at the 1.35 minute mark to 2.05 minutes. (note the 3 fingers like the 3 crosses)

Blessings

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.

GOOD FRIDAY: RCL ideas to use with even the littlest at home

If you took my advice and have camped in your own backyard or really even inside last night, OR you didn’t you’ll find resources here to use with all the family this Good Friday.

You might like to start the day with some damper while you watch and sing this Song above. Or you might like to just eat your damper and watch the mystery of the sun rise.

Damper can be cooked on the campfire if you are outdoors or in the oven if you prefer.

Here is a simple recipe https://www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipes/easy-australian-damper-recipe/vjqvsg8t

You could add the traditional sultana’s or use rosemary to add a touch of remembrance.

Then if using a savoury Damper, spread with Vegemite or Marmite if in the UK, or black olive paste if in Europe, (sorry USA but I can’t think of a dark savoury spread, grape and peanut butter, just isn’t right for this), to remind you of the sadness that this day holds.

FIRST READING: Isaiah 52:18-53:12

READ/WATCH The trellis and the Seed by Jan Karon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0WKm0fp8i8

It is a lovely story about predictions and faith both which are the things that are at the heart of this reading.

This is a long story for the youngest, but like anything you can dip in and out of it as their interest wanes, if you have older children the young one may watch for longer.

TELL What prediction did you have for your children, tell them. ie I thought you would play football because you kicked so much before you were born etc.

PRAY

You are faithful God

I will listen to you

Amen

PSALM 22

READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9abG39HAZc When i’m feeling Sad by Tracee Moroney

AND/OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY5PklAYIBM When I’m feeling Scared by Tracee Moroney

DO: Take a paper plate, and draw a SAD and a Scared face

What makes you sad?

What makes your scared:

SECOND READING: HEBREWS 10:16-25

READ/WATCH: I will Love You Anyway by Mick Inpen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eBTrEDQWPc

A beautiful story of being loved and forgiven. Just like today’s reading.

DRAW: your family and put a love heart on each of them, as we all make mistakes and need God’s love

OR HEBREWS 4:14-16, 5:7-9

READ/WATCH: Kitten for a Day by Ezra Jack Keats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQeK22KiUzc

PLAY: Sort out your toys to be the ones like you?

PRAY

Jesus was a boy,

He played and grew

and knows

what it is like to be

a child like me

(tell God something about yourself)

Amen

GOSPEL READING: JOHN 18:1-19:42

READ: If you did not read this last night then do so now Andrew McDonough’s Peter and the Rooster, https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/peter-and-the-rooster/

story at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0fnDifymj8

Activities: Download the activity book from the above site there are plenty of activities for everyone.

OR READ My First read a loud Bible By Batchelor and Boshoff Jesus is left to die, pp.220-221. or their other book 5 minute Bible Stories pp.167-169

Colouring -IN from https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/the-way-of-the-cross/

MAKE: make the scenes, either outside or inside with whatever you have. OR just make the crosses on they hill. Outside you might build a hill, and find some tags to make crosses, inside you might you lego or cushions and icy pole sticks. Re tell the stories.

Blessings

Wendy L.