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.
Today is the Seventh Sunday after Epiphany. The Liturgical colour is GREEN. Next week is Transfiguration Sunday when the Liturgical Colour is White or Gold. We are about to change to the season of LENT.
If you are worshipping from home you may like to set up a worship area
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:
SING https://www.snackmusic.com.au/songs/you-are-welcome
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 Splot drops of food colouring onto a coffee filter or draw on a tissue with texta and pray for all who you have hurt, who hurt you, who you know are hurting at the moment.
FIRST READING: Genesis 45:3-11,15
READ: Whirl Storybook Bible pp.46-49
PRAY: Pray using a family photo, you probably have many on your phone Let your child point to each member and together you can pray for them together.
PSALM 37: 1-11, 39-40
READ:
Psalm 37: The meek shall inherit the earth
Trust in the Lord, and do what is right (reach both arms out and in front of you)
and you will live in safety. (give yourself a hug)
Delight in the Lord, and he will give to you (do a little dance)
what your heart desires. (make a love heart with your hands)
Everywhere we see wrong being done – (Shield your eyes with one hand and look fro one side to the other)
the poor get poorer, (make a sad face)
people in power fight for more power, (show your muscles)
children are hurt by those who should love them. (make a sad face)
You wait and see – bad people come to a bad end, (stomp your foot)
greed and violence will not win. (cross your arms)
God lifts up those who seek peace (turn your palms up to the sky and raise your arms)
God protects those who seek justice (use your hands to make a roof over your head)
God loves those who are humble and kind. (give yourself a hug)
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what is right.”
said Jesus (Matthew 5:4-5)
Thanks again to Rev Purdie for this interpretation of Psalm 37, actions in italics are my addition
How does this Psalm make you feel? Point to an emoji that expressses that feeling? Or draw it, or show it on your face.
SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:35-38,42-50
READ: Jesus is Risen by Agostino Traini
WATCH
A suggestion by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-february-24-2019/
PLAY with any toy that transforms, ie paw patrol, transformers or soft toys that changes, blocks or lego, or play doh etc.
MAKE: Transform a piece of paper. Make a simple paper plane or a fan.
GOSPEL READING: Luke 6:27-38
SING Do, Do to others by David MacGregor (words and music on this video you need to supply the voice. Sing strong.
PRAY:
Help me father,
To Love (make a heart with your hands)
Everyone (hold your arms out wide)
Like you love me (point to yourself)
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.
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.
The Cross in My Backyard 