EASTER 2, Year A, 2023: Ideas to share the Revised Common Lectionary Readings with all ages

Each week I compile a number of resources to help you, your family, or your congregation 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 your family’s faith formation.

My objective is for faith to be a lived experience and for children to learn how to worship, explore the Bible, and pray by participating in Worship with others. 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 idea is to form a lifelong love of Christ, for the Word of God, and to participate in Worship. Faith is portable, we live it and share it, every day. I hope these simple ideas help your family or congregation form their faith.

FOR CONGREGATIONS:

f you are a small congregation, that suddenly has children in your pews, these can also be used in your services, shared direct from this site, or copied into your order of service. Create an area as close as possible to where the major liturgies of the service occur, for parents/guardians to worship with their children, and fill this area with books and toys in it that will enhance their spiritual experience. (Ie not toys for “keeping them quiet”). You will find some ideas in these posts Spiritual Delights or Toy Box tat! and Make the books appealing.

Suggest that visiting families pack a special backpack, filled with a children’s storybook bible, other books that speak about ideas in today’s readings, and drawing or craft materials that children can use to respond 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 you can use your iPad or iPhone. You could write a precis of the message (traditional words or pictures), draw, and 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.

We are now in the season of Easter and its liturgical colour is WHITE.

If worshipping from home you might like to set up a table or space with a white cloth, a cross, a candle, and some things that focus your mind on today’s readings, for example, symbols of new life Traditionally they could be a butterfly, egg, emerging plant etc.

THE LORDS PRAYER IN ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k

OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w

FIRST READING: Acts 2:14a and 22-32

READ: Ralph tells a Story by Abby Hanlon

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion

WRITE your own speech or give your toys a speech, it could be about Jesus it might be about something else important to you.

PRAY:

Thank you, God

that you keep your promises.

Amen

PSALM 16

Psalm 16: A goodly heritage

I know who I am and I know where I come from: ( point to yourself, stamp your foot)
God is my home, God is my heritage.(trace out a house shape with your hands)
My heart is glad, my soul sings for joy! (make a love heart with your hands then jump for joy)
I know who I am and I know what I’ve chosen: (point to yourself, stamp your foot)
God is my cup and his Spirit fills it. (Cup your hands together)
My heart is glad, my soul sings for joy! (make a love heart with your hands then jump for joy)
I know who I am and I know where I’m going: (Point to yourself, stamp your foot)
Christ is my guide, he shows me the path of life. (Shade your eyes)
My heart is glad, my soul sings for joy! (make a love heart with your hands then jump for joy)
words by Rev. Purdie , actions by me

DRAW a picture of how this Psalm makes you feel or find an emoji of or show how it makes you feel

SECOND READING: 1 Peter 1:3-9

READ All my Treasure: A book of Joy by Jo Witek

A Storypath suggestions

MAKE. A treasure box of your own. How would you decorate something so special? What would you put in it?

SING: Joy by Sovereign Grace Kids

GOSPEL READING: John 20:19-31

READ: The Whirl Story Bible, Thomas Wonders, pp.334-337

PLAY: put a blindfold on one person at a time, then place an object in front of them for them to feel, they have to describe what that object is. Now try to explain it with your eyes uncovered.

COLOUR-IN

Blessings

Wendy L.

Please check local guidelines before using items that are not mine especially if you are using this page for congregational use. Please acknowledge 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.

If you are in Australia and would like to teach your children to Acknowledge Country here is a video that will help, and a great book to help understand, We love Country. Most Uniting Church Congregations will say an Acknowledgement of Country towards the start of the service.

EASTER 2 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. The ideal is to form a life long love of Christ and for the Word of God.

We are now in the season of EASTER and the Liturgical colour is White (though many substitute GOLD)

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

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE:

FIRST READING: ACTS 5:27-32

READ: Unspoken By Henry Cole

WATCH

A Storypath Suggestion

COLOURING-IN

PRAY:

Let me (point to yourself)

tell others (point to your mouth)

about you (arms out wide)

Amen (one clap)

PSALM 118:14-29

READ: I WILL REJOICE by Karen Wilson

WATCH

SING: Seeds Vol. 10 When you Lie Down, No.4 You are my God

OR PSALM 150

LISTEN Psalms by Liturgical Folk, No.10 Psalm 150

COLOURING-IN

SECOND READING: REVELATION 1:4-8

READ THE WHIRL Story Bible, Alpha and Omega, pp.398-399

MAKE: fold a piece of ribbon or a paper strip into an infinite loop. Instead of joining the ends the same way up, join them up and down putting a twist into the paper or ribbon.

Let them draw a continual line around the loop to see what happens.

FIND: Look around your Church, if you are in the church building, or through some Christian books to see if you can find the Alpha and Omega Symbols ΑΩ

GOSPEL READING: JOHN 20:19-31

WATCH

READ: The Whirl Story Book Bible, Thomas Wonders pp.334-337

DRAW or write or explore about some of the things you wonder about?

SENDING HYMN 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. 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.

EASTER 2 Year A: RCL ideas to use with even the littlest at home

We are now in the season of Easter, 8 weeks following Good Friday until Pentecost. If our churches were open we would see them draped in the seasonal colour of white, but with most of us in isolation around the world, with new traditions and new practices taking shape, it might be time to consider how you would like to signify the new season in your home. Will it be through a personal or house alter, maybe by using the seasonal colour at each meal, white, tablecloth, or serviettes, a white ribbon around the Palm Sunday Cross on your front door, changing your media presence to a white symbol. Ask your children, they may have some wonderful ideas of their own.

You can use these readings for daily devotions or on Sunday if your home congregation do not supply an Intergenerational Service or a dedicated children’s program.

FIRST READING: Acts 2:14a, 22-32

READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi1NTZTL8Io City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Williams a suggestion by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-april-27-2014/ You can read why they recommend it for this reading.

Colouring_in: For $21 AUS You can purchase colouring in pages to use from the 1 March to the 31 May, (spring 2020) downloadable https://store.illustratedministry.com/collections/worship-resources/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-spring-2020?variant=31284510392418

PRAY:

Thank you God

that you keep your promises.

Amen

PSALM 16

Psalm 16: A goodly heritage

I know who I am and I know where I come from:
God is my home, God is my heritage.
My heart is glad, my soul sings for joy! (make a love heart with your hands then jump for joy)
I know who I am and I know what I’ve chosen:
God is my cup and his Spirit fills it.
My heart is glad, my soul sings for joy! (make a love heart with your hands then jump for joy)
I know who I am and I know where I’m going:
Christ is my guide, he shows me the path of life.
My heart is glad, my soul sings for joy! (make a love heart with your hands then jump for joy)
words by Rev. Purdie http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-16-fullness-of-joy.html , actions by me

Sing: https://sovereigngracemusic.org/music/songs/joy/

SECOND READING: 1 Peter 1:3-9

READ/WATCH Horace hears a Who by Dr Suess https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSH_OKeL5pg

PLAY: play hide and seek or peek a boo, depending on your child’s age.

The very young still connect seeing you with being there.

For an older child you might like to hide an object. Will they believe you have hidden it if they did not see you hide it?

Dear God,

when i can’t see you (close eyes)

You are still there (open eyes)

Thank you (entwine finger together)

God for being where I can’t see you (close eyes)

Amen

GOSPEL READING: John 20:19-31

Watch: https://www.dropbox.com/s/62nblay3bx33rgo/Preschool%20Story%201%20Thomas.ppt?dl=0&fbclid=IwAR3kZW8gnwgNJM-_zcseYIgqo8kERiKF7O8cF7NjbuN2PHqd7kk5uygFaxA

DRAW: Use a white candle and draw on a piece of paper,

Can you see your drawing?

now cover that paper with poster paint or texta

Can you see it now?

PRAY:

Prepare a tray of objects to feel eg, something fluffy, something hard (maybe a rock), something bumpy (maybe a shell), something squishy(maybe jelly), something wet (a wet flannel/washer), Cover with a tea towel

Close your eyes.

reach out or have someone place an object from the tray in your hands

Then pray for what that object makes you think of

eg, fluffy might make you pray for your toys or for those who don’t have any

wet, you might pray for rain, or for it to stop. Or you might pray for people who are crying

Hard, you might pray for something that makes you uncomfortable or for someone who seems nasty.

Bumpy you might pray for someone who can be both kind and nasty or for the sea.

Squishy you might pray for those who are being pushed around by others

This idea was inspired by http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2016/08/easy-sensory-prayer-path.html which if you have the bits available you could make as it is a great kinaesthetic prayer path for the whole family. Works well in the corridor on the way to bed.

Blessings

Wendy L.

Sunday Reflection Easter 2 Year C How do we learn?

As a child, I was fascinated by the imagery of Thomas putting his hands into the holes in Christ hands, it was vivid and gruesome and made me happy that I wasn’t Thomas, that I didn’t have to satisfy my faith with such a tactile expression.

As a teacher, the story of Thomas reminds me that we all learn in different ways and that some children will learn by doing. They are the Thomas’s of the world. But the thing with learning styles is that we don’t just stop being a tactile, or kinesetic learner just because we are, well, more elderly.

So, what do we do with our “Thomas’s” in our congregations, the ones that need to act on their faith or test it. Most congregations put these handy people to good use, in making things for the community, in tasking them with collection, greeting duties or making cups of tea. But what of the children?

They are equally handy at doing these many tasks, and in doing so they become Christlike and offer Christ in their expression of action.

It was only 20 years ago that I could not get resources to help my severely dyslexic daughter explore faith. But things have thankfully changed and very few resources use only one learning style in their programs. Sadly, she was never encouraged to participate productively in church community. It is not surprising that she shuns formalised worship, associating it with things she can’t do rather than finding faith is more than that. (She did though surprise me this Easter by attending a worship service near her home,)

I don’t know where the statement “Faith is belief in things we do not understand”, comes from, but it flies in the faith of how I understand some people learn. They do need to see it, participate in it to find it.

These days there are many varied resources, using different learning methodology for our children to participate in.

One I’m particularly fond of is the Flame Creative Kids blog http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com, which uses, many kinesetic methods. The prayers that come out of this blog are wonderful for all ages and would satisfy all “Thomas’s” in your congregation old and young. If you thought prayer was a verbal conversation with God, this blog will have you thinking again. http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/search?q=Prayer

A path prayer which is no longer on the site, is one of my all time favourites, where the 80 year olds seemed to appreciate it even more than the children! A physical prayer, standing on different surfaces.

I have taken my thoughts in a direction very different to the usual interpretation of this passage, and I can understand how many would prefer to dwell on the more traditional element of doubt and belief, I am not denying that it is a strong, if not the major motif in this passage. Just that I can see something else too.

Blessings

Wendy L.

EASTER 2 YEAR C: Ideas to help you share this weeks RCL readings with the 3’s and under.

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.

FIRST READING: ACTS 5:27-32 WITNESS

READ: The Early Readers Bible pp.467-469

DRAW: Can you draw a picture that tells a story?

PLAY: with sequence cards or blocks to make up a story. You could use the bookmarks from The Lost sheep website to retell the resurrection of Jesus https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/mary-and-the-gardener/

PRAY:

Let me be your witness God

Amen

PSALM 118:14-29

READ/WATCH: I WILL REJOICE by Karen Wilson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmSUgxqOHAE

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.

SING: https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/when-you-lie-down-lullabies-scripture-songs/# NUMBER 4

OR PSALM 150 PRAISE HIM

Psalm 150: Everything praise!

Have you heard? Our God is great! (spread out our arms up and away from your body)
Galaxies – spin with praise. (turn around in a circle)
People – dance and sing. (do a dance)
Play the music, louder, louder! (pretend to play an instrument or if you can make a noise pick up a musical instrument)
Trumpets, organ, cymbals, guitar. (pretend or actually play these instruments)
Creatures, everything that lives – (pretend to pat an animal)
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (spread out our arms up and away from your body)

Thanks again to http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-150-kiwi-praise.html actions by me

SHOW/FIND: a VERY happy face.

SECOND READING: REVELATION 1:4-8 Beginning and the End

READ The Jesus storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones read the second last page from “It was hard to squeeze ——-perfect home once again”

MAKE: fold a piece of ribbon or a paper strip into an infinite loop. Instead of joining the ends the same way up, join them up and down putting a twist into the paper or ribbon.

Let them draw a continual line around the loop to see what happens.

GOSPEL READING: JOHN 20:19-31 TALE OF DOUBTING THOMAS

READ: The Lion Picture Bible, He is alive.340-343

OR My First Read -a -loud Bible by Batchelor and Boshoff, pp. 230-231 Thomas Believes.

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)

DO: this is a great story to retell using their toys or by making a felt board using stiffened felt as the back board and cutting out characters from felt. So they can retell the story.

Blessings

Wendy L.

Easter 2: Ideas to help the 3’s and under connect with the RCL readings

These suggestions are for use with the 3’s and under who are in worship with you. Or use them during the week to keep connecting with Sunday’s worship.

You may need to organise some resources before Sunday and place in a special Church Bag so you can pick it up and run and have everything with you to share worship with your little one.

Show your children the change in the colour in the Sanctuary, It will be white for the next 7 weeks.

You may need to prepare this week

BOOKS

Snuggle Time Psalms by Gleyns Nellist https://www.word.com.au/Snuggle-Time-Psalms/Glenys-Nellist/9780310749257 Worth buying as we will use it a few times in the coming weeks or ask Church to purchase it for you. It is an American published book with American spelling this only causes confusion in Ps. 91 ( you could glue this page up to avoid spelling confusions). The words and illustrations far outweigh any draw backs.

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

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

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

The Beginners Bible for Toddlers https://www.koorong.com/search/product/the-beginners-bible-for-toddlers-kelly-pulley-illus/9781859857410.jhtml

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

DOWNLOAD

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

http://www.kidsfriendly.org.nz/worship-together/all-age-worship-resources/

ALSO

play dough buy or make https://lettheirlightshine.com/2017/07/31/paper-plate-lion/ scroll dow the page and you will find in on the right hand column

soft toys/dolls

food play toys (ie IKEA https://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/90185749/)

Ist READING Acts 4:32-35

READ: The Early Reader’s Bible pp.467-471 Telling others about Jesus

PLAY: food set and soft toys, Play at sharing play food with the toys.

COLOURING IN: http://twistynoodle.com/we-share-coloring-page/

PSALM 133

Two beautiful versions of this Psalm written especially for children are

READ: http://www.kidsfriendly.org.nz/worship-together/all-age-worship-resources/ about half way down the page are the words download Kids Friendly Psalms, in blue. Amongst the download is a children’s version of Ps.133. Keep the downloads, or print them off and keep them in a folder, as over the next few weeks we will use some of the other Psalms.

OR Snuggle Time Psalms by Glenys Nellist Ps. 133

DRAW: Your favourite things.

PRAY:

Thank you God

for all the things I like

such as (list them or count them on your fingers)

Amen

2nd READING 1 John 1:1-2:2

READ/WATCH https://www.amazon.com.au/s?_encoding=UTF8&field-keywords=This+Is+Me%3A+A+Story+of+Who+We+Are+and+Where+We+Came+From&node=2496751051 to purchase for KINDLE

OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP1Mdn-b22E

INSPIRED BY http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-april-8-2018/

PLAY: I’m not a great advocate for play dough in the sanctuary, but today I think it’s the right medium to use to emphasis the idea of being shaped by God and our choices. Take a plastic tray or plastic box top (such as from sistema- available from Woolworths, a Phthalate and PBA free plastic) to create on if you are worshipping where there is no designated play space in the Sanctuary ( close to the front of the church of course).

You can find a recipe to make your own play dough here https://lettheirlightshine.com/2017/07/31/paper-plate-lion/ scroll dow the page and you will find in on the right hand column. (by the way this is a great blog for finding crafty ways of charing your faith with the under 3’s )

Pray

Roll each piece of play doh into a ball

and pray for someone you know until you have a ball play dough person. (this prayer may have been inspired by something here https://www.thykingdomcome.global/search/resources?tags=3&theme_id=22)

GOSPEL: JOHN 20:19-31

READ: The Lion Picture Bible pp.340-343, Alive Again

OR The Lion Storybook Bible pp.220-221, The Locked Room and Thomas

OR The Beginners Bible for Toddlers pp. 154-155 Jesus Returns AND My First Read aloud Bible pp.230-231, Thomas Believes.

COLOURING IN:

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