EASTER SUNDAY: RCL ideas to use with even the littlest at home

Sing: https://www.facebook.com/dmacgreg1/videos/10157393249862986/?multi_permalinks=1111314099208379%2C1111290459210743%2C1110532355953220%2C1111250702548052%2C1111240579215731&notif_id=1585289893143713&notif_t=group_activity He’s Alive Yes He is by David MacGegor sung with Dale MacGregor https://www.amazon.com/Hes-alive-yes-he-is/dp/B001AUNDSK

HE IS RISEN

Easter Sunday is here (finally!)

My experience is that generally everyone is excited for, well many reasons, other than the exciting and unexpected conclusion to this part of His story.

So use that excitement rather than pulling against it. Let them sing loudly, colour wonderfully, listen to stories and pray with vigor or as a quiet time, and accept that odd splash of chocolate flavoured worship.

FIRST READING: Acts 10:34-43

READ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY9Abmiykb8 You are all my favourites by Sam Bratney a suggestion by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-january-12-2014/

MAKE: Paper chain people, https://www.kidspot.com.au/things-to-do/activity-articles/craft-paper-chain-people/news-story/ee4c2c58f340cd6e512810fca2972148. Decorate with everyone you know or might like to know.

PRAY:

Thank you God

that your story is

for EVERYONE

Amen

OR Jeremiah 31:1-6

READ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVgxJJIFh7o There There by Sam McBratney a suggestion by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-easter-sunday-april-20-2014/

MAKE Music, God’s people were so happy they would make music. Make a joyful noise. Use what ever instruments you have (pots and pans work well)

PRAY:

Make a sound for each person you know.

Amen (loud clap)

PSALM 118:1-2, 14-24

READ: Psalm 118: Pointing to the risen Lord

(Read Acts 4)

This is the day that the Lord has made
Let us rejoice and be glad in it! (say VERY Loudly)
The Lord is my energy and my strength
He has become my salvation! (say VERY loudly)

The stone that the builders rejected (build something with your blocks, -what happens if you pull a piece out?)
has become the corner stone,
the foundation on which everything is built.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good
His steadfast love goes on forever! (say VERY loudly)
thanks again to http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-118-pointing-to-the-risen-lord.html

actions in italics by me

SECOND READING: Colossians 3:1-4

READ/WATCH Claudia the Caterpillar by Andrew MacDonough You can read an excerpt here https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/claudia-the-caterpillar/ Colour in the free colouring sheet or buy the Activity sheet to download with enough in it to keep the whole family busy. You can hear Andrew read it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGjsVwT7XGQ

OR READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_vcu8QIMT0 Perfect Square by Michael Hall as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-easter-sunday-april-20-2014/

DO: Take a piece of paper and find out how many things you can do with it, eg, draw a picture, make a plane, make a paper chain etc

OR Acts 10:34-43

READ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FY9Abmiykb8 You are all my favourites by Sam Bratney a suggestion by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-january-12-2014/

PRAY:

Thank you God

that your story is

for EVERYONE

Amen

GOSPEL READING: John 20:1-18

READ: Mary and The Gardener by Andrew MacDonough there is an exert here https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/mary-and-the-gardener/ and you can down load an activity pack with enough activities for everyone in the household.

OR Matthew 28:1-10

WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ9hXPy9vBE

MAKE: If you did not make the Easter Garden yesterday, you can make it as is now https://lettheirlightshine.com/2020/04/07/easter-garden-to-make-at-home/

If you did make it yesterday, you can complete it today with the stone rolled away, and flowers in the garden.

If you need more to do today how about https://lettheirlightshine.com/2020/04/06/easter-egg-colouring-printables/

Blessings

Wendy L.

EASTER SUNDAY Year C: Ideas to help you share the RCL readings with the 3’s and under.

Don’t forget to point out the change of colour in the church (White), and that it is a start of a new season Easter.

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.

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,

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.

YES, given the significance of the day it is alright for them to eat a chocolate egg during the service if you want. Just make sure you have the Wet Wipes or Damp Flannel/Washer ready for the mess!!

FIRST READING: Acts 10:34-43 Theme: acceptance of all

WATCH/READ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho2teowtaXM Hurry up and Slow Down by Layn Marlow a suggestion by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-easter-sunday-april-5-2015/

Play: free play with favourite toys, perhaps use a play mat (such as this one from Ikea https://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/categories/departments/childrens_ikea/tools/coch/roomset/20182_coch03a/ ) To create community play. Or a dolls house.

PRAY: Entwine your fingers
God help us all to come together

Amen

OR Isaiah 65:17-25

READ/WATCH: https://www.amazon.com.au/Peace-Wendy-Anderson-Halperin-ebook/dp/B0088PDJSY Peace by Wendy Anderson Halperin available as both an ebook or Hardcover. as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-april-21-2019/

PLAY: Build with blocks something new.

PSALM 118:1-2,14-24

Psalm 118: Pointing to the risen Lord

(Read Acts 4)

This is the day that the Lord has made
Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
The Lord is my energy and my strength
He has become my salvation!

The stone that the builders rejected
has become the corner stone,
the foundation on which everything is built.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good
His steadfast love goes on forever!

by http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-118-pointing-to-the-risen-lord.html

PLAY: The full version has such beautiful imagery and metaphor, let them build something with blocks. Ask them how they built it? where is the door, the windows? Are they happy with what they have built. Let them know that God is our base, and it make’s us happy.

OR WATCH/READ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmSUgxqOHAE I will rejoice by Karma Wilson

DRAW: Anything that makes you happy.

COLOURING-IN:

https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/lent/products/psalms-coloring-posters?variant=5702410895392 You may have bought this series last year so check your download folder.

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:19-26

READ/WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niwHUvDf7Z4 Can I play Too by Mo Willems a suggestion by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-april-21-2019/

PLAY: with blocks to build something new.

OR Acts 10:34-43

WATCH/READ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho2teowtaXM Hurry up and Slow Down by Layn Marlow a suggestion by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-easter-sunday-april-5-2015/

PLAY: free play with favourite toys, perhaps use a play mat (such as this one from Ikea https://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/categories/departments/childrens_ikea/tools/coch/roomset/20182_coch03a/ ) To create community play. Or a dolls house.

PRAY: Entwine your fingers
God help us all to come together

Amen

GOSPEL READING: John 20:1-18

READ/WATCH: https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/mary-and-the-gardener/ You can also buy the book for continued reading.

ACTIVITIES: Download the free bookmarks (great for retelling the story) and colouring in sheet or if could buy the Activity pack and have enough activities for the whole family for all ages.

COLOURING IN: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/coloring-sheets-posters/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-spring-2019 PURCHASE IS DOWNLOADABLE AND IS IN AMERICAN DOLLARS FOR 14 WEEKS (7 WEEKS IN)

OR Luke 24:1-12

The Luke reading does not have Mary’s encounter with Jesus in the garden.

READ: The Beginner’s Bible pp.456-457

Colouring-IN: http://www.thebeginnersbible.com//includes/files/base/documents/bb-Coloring-jesusIsRisen.pdf

CRAFT: You might like to make an Easter garden with the empty tomb https://lettheirlightshine.com/2016/01/07/easter-with-toddlers/ OR save this for making at home.

For more ideas check out last years blog, as many of the readings are the same Easter Sunday: Suggestions to help the 3’s and under connect with the RCL readings

HE has Risen Indeed

Blessings

Wendy L.

Easter Sunday: Suggestions to help the 3’s and under connect with the RCL readings

With such a short week, and preparations for the long weekend, or the start of the school holiday’s for Victoria and Queensland, prepare in advance, so you just have to pick up the bag and go. HINT: prepare both Easter Sunday and Good Friday and place all you need in the same bag.

You might need

BOOKS

Mary and The Gardner by Andrew McDonough

The Lion Story Book https://www.koorong.com/search/product/the-lion-story-bible-sophie-piper-ruth-rivers/9780745964003.jhtml

The Jesus Story Book Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones https://www.koorong.com/search/product/the-jesus-storybook-bible-sally-lloyd-jones-jago/0310708257.jhtml

The early reader Bible https://www.word.com.au/The-Early-Readers-Bible/V-Gilbert-Beers-Terri-Steiger-Illustrator/9780310701392

The Beginners Bible Timeless Children’s stories THE BEGINNERS BIBLE TIMELESS CHILDREN’S STORIES https://www.koorong.com/search/product/the-beginners-bible-timeless-childrens-stories-beginners-bible/9780310750130.jhtml

The Lion Picture Bible https://www.koorong.com/search/product/the-lion-picture-bible-sarah-dodd/9780745963037.jhtml

My first read- a- loud Bible https://www.koorong.com/search/product/my-first-read-aloud-bible-mary-batchelor/9781860247712.jhtml

DOWNLOAD and PRINT

https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/illustrated-worship-resources/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-spring-2018 (The price you pay will get you 14 colouring in pages, that is 14 Sundays worth and I will possibly refer to them over the coming weeks. To reduce the cost further, you could share with other families or ask your church to purchase them for you. Note this is a USA publication so the season for them is Spring, and the price is in US$, so it will cost a little more and possible attract international transaction charges depending on whom your credit card is with)

https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/lenten-2018-resources/products/psalms-coloring-pages-8-5×11 (This series has 9 colouring in pages, including a simplified version for younger hands. They cover the Psalms in the RCL until Easter Sunday. I do suggest you purchase them, just remember the price is in $US so will be slightly higher and may attract an international transaction fee. You might like to share this product with other families or ask your congregation to purchase it for you.)

https://www.lostsheep.com.au/shop/browse/purchase

http://www.catholicicing.com/religious-easter-craft-for-kids-make/ print on thicker paper

ALSO

Journal

thick paper

green paper

pattypans

glue stick

paper plates

FIRST READING: ACTS 10:34-43

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50YbsqkW9-c

this is a trailer for the book, but is just the right length for this age. Point out the colour the little girl brings to her black and white world. This is a picture only book so describe, or let them tell you what is happening or just let them enjoy it wordlessly.

thanks again to http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-april-1-2018/

for this suggestion. Her words are “Jesus Christ is a gift of peace to each of us, making us and our world different than it was before. He is a message of peace to us.”

MAKE: a simple flower picture. You will need some green paper to cut out stems and leaves, and coloured patty pans to make the flower head. Use a glue stick to assemble the picture in your journal or on A4 heavy paper or a paper plate.

OR ISAIAH 25:6-9

MAKE/DRAW This piece on being glad and rejoicing in God’s care, has a lot of imagery which the child might want to draw, such as a feast, etc.

OR you might like to concentrate on the emotion, athttps://lettheirlightshine.com/category/easter-with-toddlers/ scroll down to telling the easter story, there you will find a download for emotional faces to print off and attach to a paper plate.

Or you could draw your owns

PSALM 118:1-2,14-24

COLOURING-IN:

https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/lenten-2018-resources/products/psalms-coloring-pages-8-5×11

SHOW: A glad /happy face or use the idea for the Isaiah reading

you might like to concentrate on the emotion, athttps://lettheirlightshine.com/category/easter-with-toddlers/ scroll down to telling the easter story, there you will find a download for emotional faces to print off and attach to a paper plate.

Or you could draw your own.

SECOND READING

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

READ: My first read- a- loud Bible pp.228-229

OR ACTS 10: 34-43 (same as for First Reading)

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50YbsqkW9-c

thanks again to http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-april-1-2018/

for this suggestion. Her words are “Jesus Christ is a gift of peace to each of us, making us and our world different than it was before. He is a message of peace to us.”

GOSPEL: JOHN: 20:1-18

READ/WATCH https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/mary-and-the-gardener/

DO: You might also enjoy the purchased activities that complement this book https://www.lostsheep.com.au/shop/browse/purchase cost is $4.95 and it will have enough activities to keep the whole family talking about the Easter Sunday story for the long weekend.

READ: My first read- a- loud Bible pp.459-463

Or The Early Readers Bible pp.224-3

Or The Lion Story Bible pp.218-219

Or The Lion Picture Bible pp.336-338

COLOURING-IN:

https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/illustrated-worship-resources/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-spring-2018

MAKE:

https://www.buildfaith.org/make-a-resurrection-set-hands-on-easter-learning/

http://www.catholicicing.com/religious-easter-craft-for-kids-make/

for Protestant use I would only use Mary in p.6 and delete p.7. or just use the empty cloth.

great way to express themselves in play. If the child is young, have this ready for them to just play with, print on thick paper so they can stand up by themselves and remember for hygiene reasons DO NOT use toilet rolls. If you really have time you can laminate for longer life. This was suggested for use on Good Friday, now you can complete the play.

OR MARK 16:1-8

READ: The Jesus Story book Bible God’s wonderful surprise, pp.310-313 (first 4 pages)

Or The Beginners Bible: timeless bible stories, pp.456-457

MAKE:

https://www.buildfaith.org/make-a-resurrection-set-hands-on-easter-learning/

http://www.catholicicing.com/religious-easter-craft-for-kids-make/

for Protestant use I would only use Mary in p.6 and delete p.7. or just use the empty cloth.