EASTER 4, Year A, 2023: Ideas to share the Revised Common Lectionary Readings with all ages

Each week I compile a number of resources to help you, your family, or your congregation contemplate the RCL readings. 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 your family’s faith formation. My objective is for faith to be a lived experience and for children to learn how to worship, explore the Bible, and pray by participating in Worship with others. 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. The idea is to form a lifelong love of Christ, for the Word of God, and to participate in Worship. Faith is portable, we live it and share it, every day. I hope these simple ideas help your family or congregation form their faith.

FOR CONGREGATIONS

:f you are a small congregation, that suddenly has children in your pews, these can also be used in your services, shared direct from this site, or copied into your order of service. Create an area as close as possible to where the major liturgies of the service occur, for parents/guardians to worship with their children, and fill this area with books and toys in it that will enhance their spiritual experience. (Ie not toys for “keeping them quiet”). You will find some ideas in these posts Spiritual Delights or Toy Box tat! and Make the books appealing.

Suggest that visiting families pack a special backpack, filled with a children’s storybook bible, other books that speak about ideas in today’s readings, and drawing or craft materials that children can use to respond 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 you can use your iPad or iPhone. You could write a precis of the message (traditional words or pictures), draw, and 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.

We are now in the season of Easter and its liturgical colour is WHITE.

If worshipping from home you might like to set up a table or space with a white cloth, a cross, a candle, and some things that focus your mind on today’s readings.

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

FIRST READING: Acts 2: 42-47

READ: The Spark Story Bible, Early Believers, pp.402-403

DRAW: those things that make you happy, or Write about them.

PRAY

Will you use me God,

like the early disciples

to bring others to you?

PSALM 23

Psalm 23: The Shepherd Song
(for children, by Silvia Purdie)

You, Jesus, you are my shepherd (point)
and me, I am your sheep. (pretend to be a sheep)
You lead and I will follow. (reach out one arm)
You lead me to quiet water (Shade your eyes)
you lead me through the dark valley (give yourself a hug)
you lead me to a wonderful feast (pretend to eat)
and you lead me home. (reach out one arm)
With you with me I will not be afraid; (stand tall)
how could I fear? for you are right here! (give yourself a hug)

(actions by me)

For older participants Rev Puride has put together a collection of 23’rd Psalms, Read the full collection and think about what they reflect or if they change your view of this Psalm. Check them out here

DRAW: a place where you feel safe?

SECOND READING: 1 Peter 2:19-25

READ: We’re in the Wrong Book by Richard Byrne

WATCH

PLAY: Follow the Leader or Simon Says

PRAY

Thank you for being the Shepherd in our lives.

so we are better people

Amen

GOSPEL READING: John 10:1-10

WATCH;

PLAY: Any listening game. Try whispers, whisper a sentence, (for example John 10: 6) to one person then have them pass it on. I wonder how it ends, how do we know we heard correctly.

COLOURING-IN and CRAFT: You can find a whole array of colouring-in pages and craft ideas here

SING

Blessings

Wendy L.

Please check local guidelines before using items that are not mine especially if you are using this page for congregational use. Please acknowledge 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.

If you are in Australia and would like to teach your children to Acknowledge Country here is a video that will help, and a great book to help understand, We love Country. Most Uniting Church Congregations will say an Acknowledgement of Country towards the start of the service.

Lent 4 Year A, 2023: Ideas to share the Revised Common Lectionary Readings with all ages.

Welcome. Each week I compile a number of resources to help you, your family or your congregation contemplate the RCL readings. 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 your family’s faith formation.

My objective is for faith to be a lived experience and for children to learn how to worship, explore the Bible, and pray by participating in Worship with others. 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. The idea is to form a lifelong love of Christ, for the Word of God, and to participate in Worship.

Faith is portable, we live it, and share it, every day. I hope these simple ideas help your family or congregation form their faith.

If you are a small congregation, that suddenly has children in your pews, these can also be used in your services, shared direct from this site, or copied into your order of service. Create an area as close as possible to where the major liturgies of the service occur, for parents/guardians to worship with their children, and fill this area with books and toys in it that will enhance their spiritual experience. (Ie not toys for “keeping them quiet”). You will find some ideas in these posts Spiritual Delights or Toy Box tat! and Make the books appealing.

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 you can use your iPad or iPhone. You could write a precis of the message (traditional words or pictures), draw, and 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.

You might like to introduce THE LORDS PRAYER IN ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w

We are now in the season of LENT the liturgical colour is PURPLE (closer to the red spectrum, Advent’s purple is closer to the blue spectrum)

If worshipping from home you might like to set up a table or space with a purple cloth, a cross, and somethings that remind you of your time in Lent, or from today’s readings.

LITURGY FOR LENT

Lent is 40 Days, (spread your fingers out and push them in front of yourself 4X)

it’s a long long way (shield your eyes and look around the horizon)

but with each step (walk on the spot)

We get closer,

closer to the JOY of EASTER, (star jump)

Closer to God (give yourself a hug)

We learn more about ourselves (point to yourself)

Like Jesus did in his 40 days in the Wilderness,

Today we only have 18 days left (spread your fingers out and count off 18 fingers)

We are getting closer

(Some visual learning suggestions, place 40 stepping stones around the church/or home, these can be made from non-slip tiles or mats (try Bunnings or Spotlight for ideas) such as these or if your church/home has cobble stones or timber stepping stones around them, number them and cross off the days. Another option is to use the Praying in Color steps template, especially good for those with small spaces or where you want people to stay connected away from the communal space.)

NOTE: though we say that LENT is 40 days we do not count the Sundays

This Liturgy can be said daily in the home, counting each day down as you say the second last line.

FIRST READING:1 Samual 16:1-13

READ: David is Chosen pp.90-93 in The Whirl Story Bible

Colouring In

BAKE: cook or eat a cake that has a secret centre.

PRAY

Creator God,

You made me

and you know

everything about me

Just like only you

Could choose

Jesse’s son, David

Amen

PSALM 23

READ The Shepherd Psalm (for Children by Rev Silvia Purdie)

PLAY: Act out this psalm using toy sheep and a shepherd, and create the different environments.

OR DRAW: the place you feel close to God, or most needing of God.

SECOND READING: Ephesians 5:8-14

READ: When God made Light by Matthew Paul Turner

WATCH

SING : Let your Light Shine on the album Practise Being Godly by Colin Buchanan

PLAY: look at all the different sources of light you can find (ie, candles, lamp, phone light, sun, moon etc)

Older children might like to make a drawing of the many ways that God shines in them (ie helping, feeling calm, soothing a pet, etc)

GOSPEL READING: John 9:1-41

READ: Beginner’s Bible Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar p.511-374

WATCH

PLAY: Prepare first by choosing objects and placing them on a tray, cover the tray in a dark material. Play the game by putting on a sleep mask then take turns to guess what each object on the tray is.

PRAY:

Continue God,

To help people to see,

For all may come to you

Amen

cover your eyes with your hands as you say the prayer.

BENEDICTION/LEAVING SONG Heather Price’s Benediction Song on her Full of the Spirit Album

Blessings

Wendy L.

Please check local guidelines before using items that are not mine especially if you are using this page for congregational use. Please acknowledge 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.

EASTER 4C: Revised Common Lectionary: ideas to involve even the youngest.

WELCOME: Everyone is welcome here.

You have found a collection of ideas to help you contemplate the RCL readings. 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 with you. 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. The ideal is to form a life long love of Christ and for the Word of God.

We are now in the season of EASTER and the Liturgical colour is White (though many substitute GOLD). It is also Mother’s Day in Australia.

If you are worshipping from home you may like to set up a worship area and define it with a white or gold, placemat, or ribbons.

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:

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

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.

SONG FOR THE DAY No 3 God is Here Dancing on the Full of teh Spirit album by Heather Price

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE: Try and draw a continuous line from a spot at the centre of the page until it spirals out to fill the page. Repeating the words “You are a wonderful God”

FIRST READING: Acts 9: 36-43

READ The Whirl StoryBible, Peter Raises Tabitha, pp.348-361

MAKE: Something to give to your Mum or a special woman. eg. Lavender Sachet, A jewlery pouch from a hankerchief, tea towel printing or a wrapped Letter so love these pressed flower book marks

DRAW: Take the authors description of Tabitha as a guide and draw those things you really appreciate about your Mum or a special woman.

PSALM 23

READ: Found by Sally Lloyd-Jones

WATCH

SING Psalm 23 on Colin Buchanan’s Old Testament Big Bible Story Songs No.24

SECOND READING: Revelation 7:9-17

READ: The Jesus story Book Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones middle pages of A Dream Of Heaven

SING: Amen No. 3 on Seeds of Praise Vol.3 by Seeds Family Worship

PLAY: What do you struggle with? Write about it or act it out or play with your toys about it.

GOSPEL READING: John 10:22-30

WATCH

PLAY: with toy sheep, pull out the blocks and make paddocks let them move the sheep around. Let them be the shepherd.

COLOURING-IN

.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.

Easter 4B: ideas to engage the whole family(especially the youngest) in the set RCL readings for today/ including some ideas for ANZAC Day

WELCOME

In Australia and New Zealand as well as this Sunday being the traditional Good Shepherd Sunday it is also ANZAC Day. A day to remember mateship in the face of adversity. To me this is a lovely pairing of faith and secular ideals.

If you are looking for some great activities for ANZAC Day, my two favourite places with great ideas come from New Zealand kidsfriendly.org.nz/download/12929 and/or https://www.strandz.org.nz/anzac.html.

WHO ARE THESE IDEAS FOR?

You have found a page that uses easily found ideas to help you share the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) readings with children. 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.

These ideas can be used in a church setting as you parent in the pews or in your own home while connecting to a broadcast service or for your daily family devotions.

They are for use by parents, grandparents and carers and for small congregations who do not have a Child and Family Ministry.

GETTING READY

If worshipping at home. You may want to set up a space to bring out when you worship or to keep out everyday..

We have entered the season of EASTER and white is the colour of the season. (Though it is the chosen colour you may prefer to use Gold)

Set up a candle, and what ever helps you focus on the season, it might be a cross, some flowers to represent New Life, an empty container, a circle of some kind or anything that inspires you.

If able to worship in the Chruch 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 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.

LET’S BEGIN

You might like to start with the Lords prayer if at home, or say the Lord’s Prayer within a set place in the service.

Today try this version IN ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w

Or if you are looking for a more contemplative version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NuUo-igXDU&fbclid=IwAR2FasYCU-9mP1PaLQDjweXyhyUnJutt4J28KycjzeUEttWSesipX2jmJxE

Prayers of the People: Pray for those in the community that help others. You might like to bring toys that are dressed as a nurse, doctor, mechanic etc, and hold them tight as you say.

God, please enfold these people who care, in your arms. Amen

FIRST READING: Acts 4: 5-12

READ: Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson

WATCH

DO: List or draw all the things that Bear’s friends do or that Bear does for them.

SING: Mightly Mighty Saviour by Soveriegn Grace Kids on the Album Awesome God

PSALM 23:

For the very little read SnuggleTime Prayers by Glenys Nellist

READ: Psalm 23 by Sally Lloyd-Jones and Jago

WATCH

OR Cecil the Lost Sheep by Andrew MacDonough https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/cecil-and-psalm-23/

WATCH

Colouring In sheet FREE at bottom of page OR you can buy the activity book to download for $Aus4.95 which has many activities for the WHOLE family to enjoy

SING No. 24 from New Testament Bible Story Songs by Colin Buchanan

SECOND READING: 1 John 3:16-24

WATCH

SING Number 24 on Baa Baa Doo Baa Baa by Colin Buchanan

PRAY

Jesus

Help me to see

those who need me

to love them

as they are

Amen

GOSPEL READING: John 10:11-18

READ: The Spark StoryBible, The Good Shepherd pp.350-353

OR The Whirl StoryBook, The Good Shepherd pp. 294-297

WATCH

PLAY: Play with your sheep. If you don’t have a playset with sheep. Make sheep, take balls of wool, and cut paper straws in half to make legs.

What animals do you take care of? Are you good at looking after them?

Blessings

Wendy L.

Please check local guidlines before using items that are not mine and acknowledge this page if you have found it useful, especially if you are using this page for congregational use.

EASTER 4 Year A: Ideas to SHARE THIS WEEKS RCL READINGS WITH EVEN THE YOUNGEST FAMILY MEMBERS USING THINGS YOU HAVE AT HOME.

Enjoy this time of isolation to spend more time with your family in faith exploration together. Remember you are their first teacher. You are enough.

You can use these readings for daily devotions with your children, even the very littliest or on Sunday if your home congregation do not supply an Intergenerational Service or a dedicated children’s program.

These readings are the prescribed Revised Common Lectionary for Sunday the 3/5/2020.

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

FIRST READING: Acts 2: 14a, 42-47

READ: The Beginner’s Bible, The First Church.480-483

COLOURING-IN: For $21 AUS You can purchase colouring in pages to use from the 1 March to the 31 May, (spring 2020) downloadable https://store.illustratedministry.com/collections/worship-resources/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-spring-2020?variant=31284510392418

How are you doing church? It can’t be in a special building at the moment, but neither was the church for the early Christians. Reread the reading. Do you do all of these things at home?

PRAY

THANK YOU LORD,

THAT I CAN WORSHIP YOU

ANYWHERE

AMEN

PSALM 23

READ/WATCH: SNUGGLE TIME PRAYERS BY Glenys Nellist Best for the very little ones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-bTt-Yq4II

OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6fM4_8VU-8 FROM THE JESUS STORYBOOK Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones pp. 130-135 All ages

OR Cecil and Psalm 23 by Andrew McDonough exert here https://biblesociety.org.nz/our-bible-projects/bible-month/childrens-resources/ can be purchased here and you can buy an activity pack with enough ideas to keep the whole family engaged.

COLOURING: IN: https://biblesociety.org.nz/our-bible-projects/bible-month/childrens-resources/

How does this Psalm make you feel? Describe that feeling, or draw it, or point out what it feels like from a set of emotional cards https://innovativeresources.org/resources/card-sets/bears-cards/ or the Bears App https://innovativeresources.org/resources/digital-applications/bears-app/

DRAW: a place where you feel safe?

SECOND READING: 1 Peter 2:19-25

READ/WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej8Iv-fHcZE Kindness makes us strong by Sophie Beer as suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-may-3-2020/

PRETEND: Pretend you are a sheep? How do they move? move like a lamb? Who will you follow? Play follow the leader.

PRAY

Thank you for being the Shepherd in our lives.

so we are better people

Amen

GOSPEL READING: John 10:1-10

WATCH; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feU-rMDor1w SO LOVING THESE CLIPS BY MARGARET PRITCHARD HOUSTON

This video may be too advanced for the very young but it is suitable for any older children, and I have often found that where there are older children the younger ones will also engage.

PLAY: Build your own sheep pen and make your own sheep, What can you use that you have around the house, fluffy cushions folded to make sheep? What can you use to make the sheep pen? Perhaps you can make this out of blocks or lego?

Where is the gate? Who is the shepherd? Are you, or do you have a toy or someone older who could be the shepherd in your sheep pen.

PRETEND: Pretend you are a sheep? How do they move? move like a lamb? Who will you follow? Play follow the leader.

Blessings

Wendy L.

Year A: Lent 4. Ideas to help 3’s and under relate to this weeks RCL readings

This is our first week of Isolation for some members of our household returning back to Australia, and my work load seems to have quadrupled, with all the extra cleaning and reorganising. So if in isolation like us I hope you will find some great ideas using easy to find objects or links to use at home or if you are still able these can be used at church. If you have older children some of the ideas are easily adapted or you could try

Jillian’s https://feedmyfamilyblog.com/product/lent-2020-life-pack/

OR Illustrated Ministry https://store.illustratedministry.com/collections/family-resources/products/lent-for-families-prayer or for your older children

You may also like to check out the resources at https://www.connectible.nz/?fbclid=IwAR1rKcoXotGCLs7-X-_-3i2xbQBOL3OAex7GD2Za8k3m8DNj5qLpecDKIPo

OR do family worship along with https://www.facebook.com/worshipforeveryone/videos/2581231221983147/?__tn__=%2CdkC-R&eid=ARC7PtaZX6ajaPNMsv8TRy0gBvjuBbiMDc62JVs4SjY-vfV0PppZvPu7THFNdCyfy9Z_rCX2pHLcSjCc&hc_ref=ARQckipI5xIRW1cBLNOqxf7kk9BQAcikmlJUsoRJtvKljfELSRz1l3PVYlyhEKxQHqo&redirect=false

You can find some ideas here https://wordpress.com/post/thecrossinmybackyard.wordpress.com/910 as to where to sit and what to bring.

If worshipping at home these are some of the things you might want to “stockpile” (have in the home) Spiritual Delights or Toy Box tat!

and Make the books appealing

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: 1 Samual 16:1-13

READ: Jesus Story Book Bible, pp.119-120 David Anointed by Samual

OR The Beginners Bible p 168-172

OR The 5 Minute Bible by Batchelor and Boshoff A New King, pp.74-75

Colouring In COLOURING-IN: https://store.illustratedministry.com/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-spring-2020?variant=31284510392418 For about $20 Aus you can download enough colouring in sheets to last till Pentecost.

PLAY: gather your toys and retell this story? Who will be the smallest? What part of the story do you like the best?

PSALM 23

READ FOUND by Sally lloyd Jones HINT She will be reading it on her instagram feed @SALLYLLOYDJONES

Colouring-IN: https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/620983 For a yearly subscription of $US25 to download

SECOND READING: Ephesians 5:8-14

READ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dUxIRFJu3o Let it shine by Ashley Bryan stop at 1.25 sec, as it goes into another song. As suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-march-22-2020/

SING: https://hymnary.org/text/this_little_light_of_mine_im_gonna_let

PLAY: look at all the different sources of light you can find (ie, candles, lamp, phone light, sun, moon etc)

Older children might like to make a drawing of the many ways that God shines in them (ie helping, feeling calm, soothing a pet, etc)

GOSPEL READING: John 9:1-41

READ: Beginner’s Bible Jesus Heals a Blind Beggar p.511-374

PLAY: cover the eyes to experience the joy of seeing.

PRAY:

Continue God,

To help people to see,

For all may come to you

Amen

cover your eyes with your hands as you say the prayer.

Blessings

Wendy L.

EASTER 4 YEAR C: Ideas to help you share this weeks RCL readings with the 3’s and under.

How wonderful that you have bought your young child to church, don’t waste this opportunity to share the faith stories and experience the wonder of worship.

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 would like these ideas as a PDF file sent to you each week, please contact me.

FIRST READING: Acts 9: 36-43 The story of Tabitha and Peter

READ Brave Girls Bible Stories, Love in Action pp.183-187

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 (9 WEEKS IN)

MAKE: Make Mum or a special women in your life a Mother’s day card. A simple card, can be made by folding an A4 sheet in half , drawing on the front page and a simple I love you Mum/Grandma etc on the inside facing page.

Take the authors description of Tabitha as a guide and draw those things you really appreciate about your Mum or a special woman.

PRAY

You are wonderful God

Now try and draw a continuous line from a spot at the centre of the page until it spirals out to fill the page.

PSALM 23

READ/WATCH: https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/cecil-and-psalm-23/

Colouring_in free download when you scroll down, also the buttons make a great sequencing game as a way of retelling the story

OR you can buy an activities book to download which will have more than enough activities.

SECOND READING: Revelation 7:9-17 Sheppard motif

READ: The Jesus story Book Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones middle pages of A Dream Of Heaven

Sing: https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/seeds-of-praise-vol-3/# number 3

PLAY: with toy sheep, pull out the blocks and make paddocks let them move the sheep around. Let them be the shepherd.

GOSPEL READING: John 10:22-30 Are you the Messiah?

Today’s reading comes after the Good Shepherd paragraphs, but précised and with an important spin on who Jesus is. I suggest that you retell the story of the Lost Sheep.

READ/WATCH: https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/cecil-the-lost-sheep/

Colouring In: Buy and Down load the activity book that comes with this story, you will have lots of activities for old ad young.

PLAY: with toy sheep, pull out the blocks and make paddocks let them move the sheep around. Let them be the shepherd.

Blessings

Wendy L.

Easter 4: Ideas to help the 3’s and under connect with this weeks RCL readings.

These suggestions are for use with the 3’s and under who are in worship with you. Or use them during the week to keep connecting with Sunday’s worship.

You may need to organise some resources before Sunday and place in a special Church Bag so you can pick it up and run and have everything with you to share worship with your little one.

You might need to visit these sites to read or download

https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/cecil-and-psalm-23/

http://www.catholicicing.com/diy-printable-nativity-for-kids/

https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/illustrated-worship-resources/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-spring-2018ill get you 14 colouring in pages, that is 14 Sundays worth and I will refer to them over the coming weeks. To reduce the cost further, you could share with other families or ask your church to purchase them for you. Note this is a USA publication so the season for them is Spring, and the price is in US$, so it will cost a little more and possible attract international transaction charges depending on whom your credit card is with)

https://lettheirlightshine.com/2017/07/31/paper-plate-lion/ scroll down the right side

https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/cecil-the-lost-sheep/

Check you have these books

Snuggle Time Psalms by Gleyns Nellist https://www.word.com.au/Snuggle-Time-Psalms/Glenys-Nellist/9780310749257 If you can buy this book do so as i will refer to it in the coming weeks.

The Lion Story Bible https://www.koorong.com/search/product/the-lion-story-bible-sophie-piper-ruth-rivers/9780745964003.jhtml

The Lion Picture Bible https://www.koorong.com/search/product/the-lion-picture-bible-sarah-dodd/9780745963037.jhtml

The Beginners Bible for Toddlers https://www.koorong.com/search/product/the-beginners-bible-for-toddlers-kelly-pulley-illus/9781859857410.jhtml

The Beginners Bible Timeless Children’s stories THE BEGINNERS BIBLE TIMELESS CHILDREN’S STORIES https://www.koorong.com/search/product/the-beginners-bible-timeless-childrens-stories-beginners-bible/9780310750130.jhtml

Found by Sally Lloyd-Jones and Jago https://www.word.com.au/Found/Sally-Lloyd-Jones/9780310757504 Well worth purchasing as Psalm 23 is such asn important Psalm in many peoples lives, also it appears in the lectionary each year.

God Loves by Stephanie Carmichael https://www.koorong.com/search/product/god-loves-books-for-little-ones-series-stephanie/9781922206886.jhtml

When I’m Feeling Loved by trace Moroney sold individually at David Jones or as a boxed set at Kmart

You may also need

green material

Blue material

sheep, cuddly, plastic from a farm yard set, or from the nativity set (make sure they are age appropriate )

Shepherd (from the nativity set)

Journal or colouring in paper

Texta’s Note: age appropriate, washable, my choice is Crayola.

FIRST READING Acts 4:5-12

READ: Lion Story Book Bible: A miracle by the Temple pp.230-231.

OR The Lion Picture Bible p.351

OR The Beginners Bible Timeless Children’s stories p.487

OR for an explanation of what the bible passage means try

suggested by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-rcl-april-22-2018/

PLAY: play with blocks. The verses using the building block as a simile are not in any of the Children’s versions mentioned above, but if the passage is read aloud they might relate to this section of it. Take a way a piece and see what happens to the building.

PRAY:

God you are the building block (clench fist and put one one above the other as if building a tower)

Of my Life (point to you)

Amen

PSALM 23

READ: Found by Sally Lloyd Jones and Jago

OR Cecil and Psalm 23 https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/cecil-and-psalm-23/

OR Snuggle Time Psalms by Gleyns Nellist

COLOURING-IN: https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/cecil-and-psalm-23/ at bottom of the page

if you want more activities (especially if you have older children) you can purchase more at the very end of the page https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/cecil-and-psalm-23/

PLAY: You will need, green material (from Spotlight) and Blue material (form Spotlight)

sheep, cuddly, plastic from a farm yard set, or from the nativity set (make sure they are age appropriate )

Shepherd from the nativity set

OR make one https://lettheirlightshine.com/2017/07/31/paper-plate-lion/ scroll down the right side

or http://www.catholicicing.com/diy-printable-nativity-for-kids/

SECOND READING 1 John 3:16-24

READ: God Loves by Stephanie Carmichael

OR When i’m Feeling Loved by Trace Moroney

DRAW: a love heart and draw activities that show someones love in action eg. planting a pot with Grandpa, or holding the pegs for the washing, etc, inside the heart.

PRAY: God help me show my love (draw a love heart with your finger),

to others (flick fingers away from you)

Amen

PLAY: with dolls or soft toys, doing kind loving things such as feeding, putting to bed, etc.

GOSPEL READING John 10:11-18

READ/WATCH

MOST OF THE CHILDREN’S BIBLE STORY BOOKS, TELL THE STORY OF THE SYNOPTIC GOSPEL STORY OF THE LOST SHEEP. TODAYS READING IS FROM JOHN AND EMPHASISES THE TRAITS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD. IF YOU READ ANY CHANGE THE EMPHASIS TO THE SHEPHERD I HAVE MADE PAGE SUGGESTIONS TO HELP MAKE THIS EASIER

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I9GiHqIshU the Godly Play version of the Good Shepherd It is long but dip in and out as their attention wains, for it is the best children’s version of today’s reading.

YOU WILL FIND LOST SHEEP STORIES HERE: Cecil the lost sheep https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/cecil-the-lost-sheep/

THE LION PICTURE BOOK BIBLE the lost sheep pp.p.294-297 don’t read the last sentence

The Beginners Bible Timeless Children’s Stories: The lost sheep, pp.392-394

The Beginners Bible for Toddlers: pp.121-123

COLOURING IN:

https://store.illustratedchildrensministry.com/collections/illustrated-worship-resources/products/bible-story-coloring-pages-spring-2018

if you want more activities (especially if you have older children) you can purchase more at the very end of the Cecil the Lost sheep page https://www.lostsheep.com.au/stories/cecil-the-lost-sheep/

PLAY :the same as for the Psalm

You will need, green material (from Spotlight) and Blue material (form Spotlight)

sheep, cuddly, plastic from a farm yard set, or from the nativity set (make sure they are age appropriate )

Shepherd from the nativity set

OR make one https://lettheirlightshine.com/2017/07/31/paper-plate-lion/ scroll down the right side

or http://www.catholicicing.com/diy-printable-nativity-for-kids/