ADVENT 4 Year C: Ideas to engage everyone in Sunday’s RCL Bible readings (especially the youngest), for small Churches or families worshipping at home.

I use easily found ideas to help you share the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) readings. with 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.

WHO ARE THESE IDEAS FOR?

For anyone looking for ideas to help share God’s word with everyone including the youngest.

Whether you are preparing traditional worship or an all age or Intergenerational service. You can include this link or share these ideas in your Church newsletter, in your Order of service or on your media notes. .

OR you are a parent wanting something for your children to use either in face to face or with broadcast services, as you parent from the pews or couch

Or during family devotion times.

Though you will find simple ways into the text here THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT YOU CAN DO IS SHARE YOURSELF AND YOUR FAITH. I firmly believe that it is in the relationship, that the Faith formation of the next generation truely starts. You will notice that there are very few prompts or questions on this page. This is to allow your child to do the thinking and to work out what is important to them from the texts. Sometimes they may give you an insight or even ask a question? There are no wrong insights or crazy questions, and you are enough, enough to listen, enough to work it out together, ENOUGH to share your love of GOD with your child.

Here is a great presentation on children’s spirituality, but most importantly from the 40 minute mark on, it speaks about the importance of teaching through story and explains the process I recommend you use with children.

GETTING READY

If worshipping at home. You may want to set up a space/alter/focal spot, to bring out when you worship or to keep out everyday.

You can do this by setting up a candle, and add the things that remind YOU of God, a cross, a Bible that everyone likes to read from, a word, a special object, even something from one of the readings. Or set up an Advent Candle Countdown like the one above.

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 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. You could use a template like this free download

LET’S BEGIN:

WELCOME: Everyone is welcome here.

SING/LISTEN

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

SEASON: ADVENT

Advent is the season where we prepare for the arrival of God’s promise. The Liturgical colours are Purple (on the blue side of the spectrum) or Blue. Each Denomination has a slightly different variant but I will be using A Purple candle this week. With a Pink candle on Advent 3. Each week there is a theme, this week it is LOVE.

Colouring in sheets Look for the LOVE sheet for today

LISTEN Let us be known by our love No.10 on Liturgical Fok’s album Crumbs

ADVENT LITURGY

This year I am giving you the choice of liturgy, one based on the Southern Cross and one from last year.

LITURGY A Week 4- LOVE

You can print this version of the Southern Cross here

Place a candle on the star. Today I use GACRUX as it is the second brightest star in the constellation. ( You can find more information on the Southern Cross here, including the star names, and some information on how The First peoples understand these stars)

OR if you have a flag or piece of clothing with the Southern Cross on it you might use a torch behind, to shine through the fabric. DO NOT place the material directly on any heat source, electrical, battery or flame.

(actions in italics)

We stand under the Southern Cross (Arms and eyes high)

As the First People have and still do.

God you were always in this land (plant your feet firmly on the ground)

We light our next star of Advent (twinkle your fingers)

May it guide us to find our Love in You. (Make a love heart with your hands)

Amen

Liturgy B WEEK 4 LOVE

Pretend to be a flame as you say or sing (to the tune of Twinkle twinkle little star) this liturgy. Remember to move like a flame. Today’s candles are purple or blue perhaps you can wear or put on something that is purple of blue

This can be sung to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Little candle burning bright

Light in my heart (make a love heart with your hands)

Love tonight

May it shine

To others lives

Caring deeply

As we go

Little Candle burning Bright

Light in my heart (make a love heart with your hands)

Love tonight

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Buy a pad of sticky heart shapes, without tearing them write on them the name of people who love God, and those people who you would like to see love God.

Take one from the stack and pray for that person creating a heart shape with the heart sticky notes.

FIRST READING: Micah 5:2-5a

READ: The Spark Story Bible, A Ruler from Bethleham

SING/LISTEN Seeds Family Worship No.2 To the ends of the Earth on the Seeds of Christmas EP.

Mighty God,

YOu keep your promises

Like your people from the past

Help me to wait patiently

Amen

PSALM: LUKE 1:46b- 55

LISTEN No.7 Song of Mary from Matins and Vespers by Liturgical Folk

How does the Psalm make you feel? Use an emoji to show or draw the feeling?

OR

Psalm 80:1-7

excerpt from

THE Restoration Project By Rev Purdie at Conversations

Can’t you hear your people, Lord?
Can’t you see the state of things?
Great Shepherd of Israel, hear the cry of your sheep.
Mighty God of Hosts, see your people’s pain.
We are tired of eating the bread of tears
We are worn by strife and fear.
Restore us with your favour, Lord!
Save us in your love.

How does this Psalm make you feel? Can you point out how you feel using an emoji, or can you draw it?

SECOND READING: Hebrews 10:5-10

READ: Good People Everywhere by Lynea Gillen

WATCH

a suggestion by Storypath

DRAW a picture of a good deed you can do or one from the story?

Create a circle and draw stories of Jesus’s life from his birth to his death.

GOSPEL READING: Luke 1:39-45(46-55)

READ: The Spark Story Bible, Mary Visits Elizabeth

LISTEN from the Advent Album, Our Lady Sings magnificant no.6 by Liturgical Folk

OR WATCH

COLOURING-IN

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.

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