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.
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 (that’s this week). Each week there is a theme, this week is JOY.
There are a few reasons for the Pink Candle, the flower for today is a Pink Rose.(At home you might like to put out a vase with a PINK Rose in it.
Colouring in sheets Look for the JOY sheet for today
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 3- JOY
You can print this version of the Southern Cross here 
Place a candle on the star. Today I used Mimosa as I have been working from least to brightest star, but if you prefer you could use Gacrux, as it is the only Red/organge star in the conselation. ( 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 JOY in You.(do a star jump)
Amen
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
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Get a pack of Christmas stars (cardboard with a shiny metalic side) and write on the non-shiny side the name of people that make your like JOYful. If you can’t find any, cut stars out of metalic cardboard. Pray for the person as you hang the star on a Christmas Tree.
FIRST READING: Zephaniah 3:14-20
READ: Be Careful by Viginia Miller
I chose this book, because, in today’s reading we hear about how happy the people of Isreal are when God looks favourably on them, very much like the cat in this book must feel at the end of this story.
SING Mighty to Save by Seeds Family Worship Vol.3 no.8
DRAW: I wonder what you feels like for you? Can you draw it, it might be a picture it might be a colour or shape?
PSALM Isaiah 12:2-6
AS found on Biblegateway
Isaiah 12:2-6 International Children’s Bible
2 God is the one who saves me. (point to yourself)
I trust him. I am not afraid. (shake your head)
The Lord, the Lord, gives me strength and makes me sing. (show your muscles)
He has saved me.” (point ot youself)
3 You will receive your salvation with joy. (do a star jump)
You will take it as you would draw water from a well. (cup your hands and pretend to drink from them)
4 At that time you will say, (open your mouth)
“Praise the Lord, and worship him. (do a star jump)
Tell everyone what he has done. (cup your hands around your mouth as if they form a megaphone)
Tell them how great he is. (arms out wide)
5 Sing praise to the Lord, because he has done great things.(Open your mouth as if to sing)
Let all the world know what he has done. (pretend to make a large ball with your hands)
6 Shout and sing for joy, you people of Jerusalem. (pretend to make a megaphone with your hands)
The Holy One of Israel does great things before your eyes.”( shield your eyes as if looking into the distance)
DRAW: there as such great images in these words draw some of them.
SECOND READING: Phillipians 4:4-7
READ: Whirl Story Bible Rejoice in the Lord
SING Do not be Anxious by Seeds Family Worship Vol. 1 No. 2
DO: How does this reading make you feel? Use the emojies on the phone to show your feeelings or draw them.
GOSPEL READING: Luke 3:7-18
WATCH
DO: Make a Christmas card, to share with someone you don’t know so well yet. You might like to make this one.
PRAY
God,
may I learn
how to share,
to use what comes my way
Not because I think I should
but because I love
the way you showed me how me
Amen
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.
The Cross in My Backyard 