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: Joshua 5:9-12
READ/WATCH Lenny and Lucy by Phillip C. Stead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_bBLRXTD8Y as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-march-6-2016/
If you want to recap the idea of Passover read The Lion Picture Book p.83
For a Preschoolers book on Passover try Lotsa Matza by Tilda Basley https://www.dymocks.com.au/book/lotsa-matzah-by-tilda-balsley-and-akemi-gutierrez-9780761366294 also available as an ebook https://www.dymocks.com.au/book/lotsa-matzah-by-tilda-balsley-and-akemi-gutierrez-9781512491067
DRAW: Those things that make you feel safe, eg. Mum and Dad, teddy, blanket
OR PLAY with play food or a play picnic to celebrate as the Israelites did.
PRAY:
I feel safe God (wrap your arms around your body)
When I trust you, God
Amen
PSALM 32
READ: Psalm 32: The mad donkey
Will you buck against God,
kick and fight what is right
like a mad donkey??
True happiness happens
when you let God be in charge.
So say sorry when you stuff up.
Say sorry when you hurt people.
You are forgiven and adored
more than you know,
so start over, fresh each day.
Rejoice in the Lord and stand tall.
by Rev. Purdie http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-32-the-horse-trainers-psalm.html
How do you feel when you make a mistake? Show me? draw it or point to it.
How do you feel when you say sorry? Show me? draw it or point to it.
You might like to add a toy Donkey to your child’s back pack or to the church basket this week. As this symbol will be revisited when we reach Easter. If you did not add a hen and chicks to these last week do it now too.
SECOND READING: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
READ: The very Hungary Caterpillar by Eric Carle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXHScpo_Vv8
MAKE; a butterfly, fold a piece of coloured A4 paper, or get your child to make a drawing on a sheet of paper, then fold it as if making a fan. wiggle it like a worm. Then wrap sticky tape around the middle. An example of change.
PRAY:
May we change
and become more like you, Lord.
Amen
GOSPEL READING: Luke 15:1-3,11b-32
READ: My First Read -aloud Bible by Batchelor and Boshoff Coming Home, pp.194-195
OR The Jesus Storybook Bible Running Away pp.272-278
OR The Rhyme Bible Storybook By L.J.Sattgast A Boy Comes Home pp.290-299
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 (4 WEEKS IN)
PLAY: Play out the story, with toy pigs, and dolls.
Blessings
Wendy Lewis
The Cross in My Backyard 