Year A: Advent 3, 2022 Ideas to share the weekly Revised Common Lectionary Readings with all ages.

Welcome Each week I compile a number of resources to help you 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 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 with you. 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, for the Word of God and to participate in Worship.

If you are worshipping from home you may like to set up a worship area and define it with a PURPLE/BLUE placemat, or ribbons, If you have an Advent Candle holder now is the time to set it up, you can either place all 4 candles in the holder now and light one each week, or add a candle each week. If you do not have an Advent Candle holder or you would like something more personal you might like to make these light holders. Note each week of Advent has a different theme and this weeks theme is PEACE.

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:

CANDLE LITURGY Week 3 of Advent

We come to you God to find JOY (find an action or a facial expression that says joy for you)

JOY for others (point away from yourself)

JOY for our families, (make a circle by clasping your fingers together)

JOY for ourselves (point to yourself)

We search in You for JOY (find an action or a facial expression that says joy for you)

Amen (one clap)

You might also like to sing/Listen to David MacGregor’s More than Dream (Peace be our living)

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

https://www.childrens-ministry-deals.com/blogs/childrens-pastors-only/how-to-pray-the-five-finger-prayer

INTRODUCTORY SONG The Joy of Following Jesus by Colin Buchanan on the King of the Jungle album

FIRST READING: Isaiah 35:1-10

READ: Winter Train by Susanna Isern

WATCH

A Storypath suggestion

DRAW or MAKE a place where everyone could be happy together.

PRAY

Creator God,

build your peaceful world,

start with me

Amen

PSALMS (this week there is a choice from 2)

Psalm 146:5-10

You made all things (open arms out wide)
everything we can see (shade your eyes with your hands)
everything we can’t see –(close your eyes)
earth and sea and sky (stamp your feet, move your hands like a wave, then look up)
and all that lives –(take a deep breath)
You keep faith with us forever. (grip your hands together)

You are at work in the world – (pretend to hammer)
you set things right –(stand tall)
food for the hungry (Pretend to eat)
sight for the blind (point to your eyes)
welcome for the stranger (wave)
care for the poor. (hug yourself)
Make these be true for me today (point to yourself)
as I live in you and you in me. (point away from yourself then point to yourself)
Be Lord of this day and every day.
Yes! Be praised!

The last 2 verses of God at work by Rev. Purdie actions by me.

How does the Psalm make you feel?

Describe that feeling, or draw it, or point out an emoji that shows it.

OR Luke 1:46b-55

LISTEN/WATCH Magnificat by Liturgical Folk

God picked Mary and Mary said YES

How does Mary sound?

What makes you happy? draw it, or show it?

SECOND READING: James 5:7-10

READ: Sprout, Seed, Sprout By Annika Dunklee

WATCH

as suggested Storypath

ACTION: What are you waiting for? Draw it, share about the difficulties of waiting

ACTIVITY: Grow something, it can be as simple as a carrot top, some sprouts or plant a pant in the garden or a pot. Record how you feel as you you watch and wait? Are there any other Bible verses that come to mind that might help you.

GOSPEL READING: Matthew 11:2-11

WATCH

COLOURING IN;

Play with road signs

Or Make signs that point you around the Sanctuary. ie This way to the cross, or the piano or the toilets etc. (for the very young a drawing of the object is all that’s needed.) Orif worshipping at home make signs for people visiting your home.

PRAY

Help me follow the signs to You GOD

Amen

LEAVING SONG YOU SHALL GO OUT WITH JOY

Blessings

Wendy L.

Please check local guidlines before using items that are not mine especially if you are using this page for congregational use. If you find this page useful an acknowledgment is always appreciated. Thank you.

I am writing this on Wurundjeri land and wish to pay respect to all Elders, past, present and emerging.

ADVENT 3B: IDEAS USING THINGS YOU HAVE AT HOME TO HELP EVEN THE YOUNGEST MEMBER RELATE TO THIS WEEKS RCL READINGS

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.

If worshipping at home you might like to prepare a space to worship which can be permanent or set aside and bought out when you are having private or family devotions.

This might consist of a purple table cloth, and any items that help you conccentrate or which represent the seaon of waiting for you.

During this season of Advent you might like to set up an Advent wreath that stays in place for the four weeks of Advent. This Sunday is Week 2 – Peace

Start by saying/being/singing this Candle Liturgy

You can see all four weeks here https://wordpress.com/post/thecrossinmybackyard.wordpress.com/1648

Week 3 JoY

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 candle are is pink, perhaps you can wear or put on something that is pink. Do a few star jumps as your flame jumps for JOY.

Little candle burning bright

Light in my heart

Joy tonight

May it shine

To others lives

Sharing what we have

Is nice

Little candle burning bright

Light in my heart

Joy tonight

FIRST READING: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

READ: Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox and Julie Vivas WATCH, I chose this book as the listening, rememberencing and transforming that happens, seems to me to be reministent of the effects of today’s reading.

Do: These verses look at how this grow with care. What can you grow and care for? Can you pot a plant or make a carrot top grow (by placing the top of a carrrot on a piece of wet cotton wool). Do you have a pet? How do you care for the pet.

Simple craft: Draw a tree on the portrait shape of a piece of paper. Make a long straight trunk, and lots of leaves at the top. Now fold the paper in half then half again and concertina the middle half, (like when you make a paper fan) This will give you a plant that grows.

PSALM 126

Psalm 126: When the Lord turned the tide of history
(The Lectionary Psalm for Sunday 17 December 2017)

When the Lord turned the tide of history (Look behind)
we could hardly believe it! (open your eyes wide)
Laughter bubbled out of us, (pretend to do a big belly laugh)
shouts of joy burst out of us, (do a star jump)
telling everyone who would listen: (cup your ear in your hand)
“The Lord has done great things for us!” (repeat the words)
“The Lord has done great things for us!” (shout the words out)

We call on you Lord: turn the tide of history (look behind)
here and now! (point both pointer fingers to the ground)
Rain down on our dry land. (pretend your fingers are rain)
Those who watered seeds with their tears (pretend to wipe away tears)
will gather in a harvest with joy. (spread your arms out and gather them into you as if carrying something big)
We have watered seeds with our tears –(pretend to wipe away a tear)
yet we will harvest with joy! (do a star jump)
“The Lord will do great things for us!” (repeat the words)
“The Lord will do great things for us!” (shout the words out)

Thanks again to Rev Purdie http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-126-a-harvest-of-joy.html for these amazing reworking of the Psalms. Actions by me

Colouring In: I will continue to recommend the work of Illustrated Ministries, though not free it is easily downloadable, the American $ 12.99 price give you enough colouring in sheets for every member of the family until February 14, 2021. If your children love colouring it is worth the investment https://store.illustratedministry.com/collections/coloring-sheets-posters/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-winter-2020-2021?variant=32002480373858

OR Luke 1:46b-55

Look https://teachingcatholickids.com/why-not-the-magnificat-marys-song-of-humble-joy-ought-to-be-our-song-too/

Instead of reading these verses just show the picture at the start of this page.

I wonder what you see in the picture?

I wonder what emotions it stirs in you?

I wonder what you would draw differently?

SECOND READING: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

READ/WATCH A Little Peace by Barbara Kerley

Pray There are so many prayer suggestion here you can Pray unseesingly as mentioned in V. 16

Sing/Listen: https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/seeds-of-purpose-vol-4/#

GOSPEL READING: John 1: 6-8, 19-28

Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2ei8nIhgFs&fbclid=IwAR0A9FkNzOjxf58pKj6dFw9bhR-4g9r9A5LIhmjFsMIdf6zmFBMyAHwGnRs

If you want to remove the confusing reference to the northern hemisphere seasonsfor those in the southern hemisphere, just start 30 seconds in.

Sing/Listen: https://sovereigngracemusic.org/music/songs/totally-god-totally-man/

Totally God, Totally Man

PRAY

GOD

Help me

to tell other’s

about your Son, Jesus

Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

You might like to conclude with the Lords prayer or use either of these options in the service

either 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

Blessings

Wendy L.

Please feel free to use ay ideas and acknowledge me when you do

YEAR A Advent 3: Ideas to help 3’s and under relate to this weeks RCL readings

Welcome to the third Sunday in Advent. Remember to light your third candle at home.

PRAY:

Little Candle Burning bright (make yourself tall, with a flame- Arms over your head with your palms together in prayer)

Light my path (shade your eyes and look ahead)

and spread your Love (make a heart with your hands) – Blow out the candles and watch the smoke float away)

Amen

Worshipping with Children is so important. You can find some ideas here https://wordpress.com/post/thecrossinmybackyard.wordpress.com/910 as to where to sit and what to bring.

THE LORDS PRAYER IN ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w

FIRST READING: Isaiah 35:1-10

READ/WATCH: THE CURIOUS GARDEN BY Peter Brown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6JgMZrpLLw as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-december-15-2013/

Make: a path, use blocks, or material or paper, whatever you have to make a path for your toys to walk on., either on the sanctuary floor, or on the pew. This reflects the Bible passage message.

PRAY

(Walk your fingers down your arm)

May I make your world bloom (or happy or joyful or kind)

While I follow

Your path

Amen

PSALMS

Psalm 146:5-10

You made all things
everything we can see
everything we can’t see –
earth and sea and sky
and all that lives –
You keep faith with us forever.

You are at work in the world –
you set things right –
food for the hungry
sight for the blind
welcome for the stranger
care for the poor.
Make these be true for me today
as I live in you and you in me.
Be Lord of this day and every day.
Yes! Be praised!

The last 2 verses of God at work by http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-146-god-at-work.html

How does the Psalm make you feel?

Describe that feeling, 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/

OR Luke 1:46b-55

READ: I love these words by Sally Lloyd -Jones in The Jesus Storybook Bible

” Wait. God was sending a baby to rescue the world? “But it’s too wonderful!” Mary said and felt her heart beating hard. “How can it be true?” Is anything too wonderful for God?” Gabriel asked. So Mary trusted God more than what her eyes could see. And she believed. “I am God’s servant” she said “Whatever God says, I will do.” p179.

OR https://teachingcatholickids.com/why-not-the-magnificat-marys-song-of-humble-joy-ought-to-be-our-song-too/

God picked Mary.

How does Mary sound?

What makes you happy? draw it, or show it?

Colouring in https://sermons4kids.com/marys_song_colorpg.htm

SECOND READING: James 5:7-10

READ: Sprout, Seed, Sprout By Annika Dunklee available to purchase https://www.dymocks.com.au/book/sprout-and-seed-and-sprout-by-annika-dunklee-9781771473088 as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-december-15-2019/

OR READ/WATCH Wait by Antoinette Portis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0Ox6Xz3KF4 as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-december-11-2016/

COLOURING-IN: https://store.illustratedministry.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-winter-2019-2020?variant=31032290738274 This resource has colouring in pages until the 23rd of February 2020. And costs about $A20.

GOSPEL READING: Matthew 11:2-11

READ: the Jesus Storybook Bible p.202 Heaven Breaks Through, starting ” But God sent John ……King is coming back for you”

or The Beginner’s Bible, pp.304-305

Colouring In; https://sermons4kids.com/john_baptist_colorpg.htm

Play with road signs

Or Make signs that point you around the Sanctuary. ie This way to the cross, or the piano or the toilets etc. (for the very young a drawing of the object is all that’s needed.

Pray

Help me follow the signs to You Jesus

Amen

BLESSINGS

Wendy L.