Here are some ideas to help you share the Readings from the Revised Common Lectionary with your under 3’s.
Note that the Church season is changing. This week should see churches dressed in White. What colour will we see next week?
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
THE LORDS PRAYER IN ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w
FIRST READING: Exodus 24:12-18 Moses encounter with God
READ: The Lion Picture Bible p.86 only
DRAW: Those people that are special to you?
How do they make you feel?
PSALM 2
Psalm 2: You are my child
Hear God’s word to you:
“My dear, my beloved, you are my child
and I am your Father.
I will give you more than you could ask or imagine.
You can trust me completely.”
from http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-2-wrath-on-a-hill.html
How does t his make you feel?
OR Psalm 99
Psalm 99: If you shake us
(as a prayer of confession)
O God, how incredible you are! (hold arms out wide)
How ordinary we are. (look down)
The earth shakes with your power (shake)
and we tremble, afraid (tremble ( note how it is different to shaking)
that if you shake us we’d fall apart. (fall down)
We see your brilliance (shield your eyes)
and we hide in the dark. (make yourself very small)
We know how pure you are, pure love, (make a love heart)
and we know that we are a mess. (look around yourself as if you had made a big mess)
Forgive us, God. (hold your hands together)
We stuff up. (kick the ground)
We forget to live in your light. (Shield your eyes)
Words from http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-99-if-you-shake-us.html Actions by me
Point out or draw everything that shines (like God makes the world shine).
SECOND READING: 2 Peter 1:16-21
READ: You are Special by Max Lucado https://www.koorong.com/product/you-are-special-max-lucado_1581342195?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.koorong.com%2Fsearch%2Fresults.jhtml%3Fw%3Dyou%2Bare%2Bspecial%26af%3Dtab%253Aproducts
WATCH https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15QuHygLwFU
as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-march-2-2014/
SING: https://sovereigngracemusic.org/music/songs/all-about-jesus/
PLAY: How special are your toys. give each a hug and tell them.
GOSPEL READING: Matthew 17:1-9
READ: The Early Reader’s Bible God Talks about his Son, pp.387-391
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.
PRAY
Wiggle your fingers
Let me hear about the glory of God
And help me share
the Wonder
Amen
LENT STARTS ThIS WEEK with ASH Wednesday.
If your church does not do an Ash Wednesday service try to mark this special day at home.
You can eat pancakes on the Tuesday. A reminder to eat up up before the start of Lent before the traditionally 40 fasting days of Lent. If you do not have a Lent practice, fasting, giving up something, family time of prayer of Bible reading or singing. This might be the time to find something to mark the Lent days. http://sacraparental.com/2016/01/08/lent-with-kids-how-to-create-a-household-lent-plan/?fbclid=IwAR14kc_3deU8PAqC_3mSbnaRb8qh53hGLfqxUTSlpjN2xdxpuPG2Zl8c3LI
OR https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/93773350/posts/2586325834
OR sign up to get the free Lent study for the Jesus Storybook Bible https://www.sallylloyd-jones.com/newsletter-sign-up/?fbclid=IwAR2Li8E7AnG3khWd6dxpdfJVoRDlAxRTou4yqsBP7LQL7UyMLsX7vtCcVjU
Then make time for a special prayer time on Wednesday. If you have had your Palm cross on your door since last year, you could burn this and make a drawing of the cross with its ashes to hang on the fridge this Lent as a reminder that it is a special time.
The Cross in My Backyard 