Malachi 3:1-4 – The Cross in My Backyard

This week your congregation should be following either the RCL Candelmas service or Week 4 of Epiphany. If you can find out in advance which readings are being used it will reduce your pre-church preparation time.

You don’t have to stop attending worship with your children just because the school term has begun. You can choose to worship together instead of attending Sunday school. Work out what is important to your family, is it shared worship or learning about Bible Stories, If it differs to the way your congregation chooses too educate children in your community you might need to change communities, which is quicker than trying to change your community.

If you continue to worship with your child you can find some ideas here https://wordpress.com/post/thecrossinmybackyard.wordpress.com/910 as to where to sit and what to bring.

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.

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

FIRST READING: Malachi 3:1-4

READ: The Mallee Sky by Jodi Toering, https://www.readings.com.au/products/26139045/mallee-sky

This is one of my favourite books at the moment, and it fits right in with the seasonal waiting for rain that is known too many children in Australia. It is hopeful and realistic and suits the optimism of this Malachi Reading. Unfortunately it is not available as a ebook nor has anyone read it on You Tube. The idea of looking outward, looking for the signs of change and knowing that change will also be difficult but bring new life.

OR TRY: DESERT LAKE by Pamela Freeman, written about the filing up of the often dry Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, bringing life to a barren environment. https://www.qbd.com.au/desert-lake-big-book/pamela-freeman-liz-anelli/9781921977091/

COLOURING-IN: https://www.lamontbooks.com.au/media/142137/publishers-notes-mallee-sky.pdf P.7

PRAY:

Today is called candlemas as we contemplate the light in the world. Our life can light up in many ways, such as the Lake waters returning or the rains coming.

Turn on a battery operated candle and list all the things that bring you light.

PSALM 84

READ: Snuggle Time Psalms https://www.koorong.com/product/snuggle-time-psalms-glenys-nellist-cee-biscoe-illus_9780310749257?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.koorong.com%2F

OR http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-84-how-lovely-is-your-house.html

How does this Psalm make you feel?

Can you draw a safe place?

OR Psalm 24:7-10

Lift up your heads, ye gates! (look up)
Lift up the ancient doors! (fling your arms wide from the body)
– that the King of Glory may come in – (pretend to place a crown on your head)
Who is the King of Glory? (put your hand under your chin)
The LORD – Father, Spirit, Jesus – (make a triangle with your fingers)
magnificent in power, Lord of all, (show your muscles )
He is the King of Glory!( place a pretend crown on your head)

Abridges from http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-24-lift-up-the-ancient-doors.html Italics are mine.How does this Psalm make you feel?

SECOND READING: Hebrew 2:14-18

Play: With a nativity set. Share the things you looked forward to when they were born or came into your life.

Draw: Draw all the things you would show Jesus if he was a child like you today?

Play: with your toys. Children learn through play, so let them play and enjoy being alive and in God’s presence.

GOSPEL READING: Luke 2:22-40

WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leN-xNrkjbo

COLOURING IN https://www.rootsontheweb.com/media/17023/r93_colouring_sheet_candlemas18.pdf

PRAY:

Simeon and Anna (hold up your pointer finger on your right hand and then your left)

Saw you (shelter your eyes as if looking into the distance)

as God promised (hold your hands in prayer)

May you light up (fling your hands from your head)

My life too (point to yourself)

Amen (one clap)

Advent Candles and a children’s Prayer.

During Advent, many congregations will count down to Christmas using the 4 candle system. Usually they will be Purple or Blue with the Love candle (week 3) often in Pink.

MAKE: your own candle each week, cut an A4 sheet of cardboard in purple or blue (depending on what your church uses) write this week’s word, FAITH in any languages you use or know, or that are used by members in your church community (if you don’t know the right word, ask congregational members to write it for you). Cut a piece of 4cm yellow or orange (or both) of cellophane, crinkle the square, then stuff into the top of the candle.

Or you could purchase and download

https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/advent/products/an-illustrated-advent-wreath?variant=15605449916514$US15, for 5 candles. HINT, Print base on thick paper.

You can also decorate a paper plate, and place each week’s candle around the plate until Christmas.

PRAY: (Stand tall with your hands, palms together over your head)

Little candle burning bright

Shine some peace

Into our lives

Amen

FIRST READING: Malachi 3:1-4

READ: The Jesus story book Bible pp.174

Make: a path, draw it or make it on the floor with material or cardboard. Be creative, you might like to add a body of water(blue paperer material) at the end of the path. Or you could make it out of felt.

Make a banner that says Get ready Use premade bunting in either paper or material and find letters to stick on or write on Little ones can find the letters on a sticker sheet, even though they will not know the words. (Try Spotlight or Riot)

PRAY: Thank you God that you help us get ready for Big things to come. Amen

PSALM: Luke 1:68-79

READ: THE LION STORY BIBLE: Cousin John pp. 138-139

Create a light house. You will need white heavy A4 paper, draw red lines every 4 cm or so,(i cut mine out of red paper and glued them on). Cut out 4 holes at one end (most under 3’s will need you to do this). Fold into a cylinder and place crushed up cellophane in the top where the holes are cut out.

SECOND READING: Philippians 1:3-11

READ:the board book version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zjCfzd5FAw Bear says Thank you by Karma Wilson

OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF_jHCAQ13k Bear says thanks by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-december-9-2018/

OR It was you Blue Kangaroo by Emma Chichester Clark. You can buy as an ebook https://www.amazon.com.au/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=It+was+you+blue+kangaroo as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-december-6-2015-2/

PLAY with toys in community such as dolls or animals or even cars, all doing things together (and being thankful)

PRAY Gratitude Prayer

Dear God I am thankful for _________ (complete with your child’s thoughts or make some suggestions.

GOSPEL READING: Luke 3:1-6

READ: The Lion Picture Book The Baptism of Jesus, p.240

OR The Beginner’s Bible p.306

COLOURING IN: https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-winter-2018-2019?variant=13700704632930 Once purchased (about $15 Aus ) it will supply you with colouring in sheets for the next 14 weeks)

MAKE: a path, draw it or make it on the floor with material or cardboard. Be creative, you might like to add a body of water(blue paper, or material) at the end of the path. Or you could make it out of felt.

Prepare a special church bag in advance each week so that you are ready for the rush on Sunday Morning.

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,

Sit towards the front so they can see what is going on.

Remember that you have bought your child to worship. Enjoy engaging them in it.

TO Do LIST:

You might need to purchase

A4 heavy white paper

Red paper

a paper plate

texta’s

toy dolls

toy animals

toy cars

green and brown, blue material

OR felt board

green/brown felt pieces

Bunting

Stickers of letters

You might need to Print

https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-winter-2018-2019?variant=13700704632930 Once purchased (about $15 Aus ) it will supply you with colouring in sheets for the next 14 weeks)

Perhaps https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/advent/products/an-illustrated-advent-wreath?variant=15605449916514

Or download

https://www.amazon.com.au/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=It+was+you+blue+kangaroo

Blessings

Wendy L

Tag: Malachi 3:1-4

Candelmas Year A: Ideas to help 3’s and under relate to this weeks RCL readings

Advent 2C: How to enjoy church with those 3 years and under.