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Original poster

Children's service this Sunday - help please!

26 replies

fisil · 17/11/2004 19:59

I am running the children's service this week. Usually I try to make the story I tell match the readings from the eucharist.

However, I don't believe the readings given on the pew sheet: Jeremiah 23: 1-6 (all doom and gloom); Collossians 1: 11-20 (starts half-way through a sentence, makes no sense); Luke 23: 33 - 43 (the crucifixion!). Does anyone know what the actual readings might be?

And if these are for real, I obviously won't be entertaining the toddlers with yarns about dying and being nailed to crosses (save that for when they're stuffed with chocolate!). So is there any special event you can think of (saints day etc.) around now that I could base the story on instead?

OP posts:
katzguk · 17/11/2004 20:01

what about preparing them for the christingle must be coming up soon

Original poster
fisil · 17/11/2004 20:19

I wondered about something like that. What are you thinking I could do to prepare them for christingle?

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katzguk · 17/11/2004 20:22

well if there toddlers and little just going over what ti stands for and maybe making one to show them, it might be the first time they remember seeing one, so then they'd be more interested come the real thing. maybe make christingle pictures.

Could you make a collage that could be part of the christingel celebration?

Original poster
fisil · 17/11/2004 20:28

I like the collage idea (apart from the extra preparation). The format is a service in the church with an introductory prayer & hymn, then a story, then action choruses, creed & prayer, then a blessing. Now, I could tell a story in the story part that involves building up a picture. I like the christingle idea, but as we have this service every Sunday, I don't want to steal everyone else's ideas (we're in an interregnum, and so keeping the service going between all the mums). The collage idea has got me thinking, but I'm still not sure about the theme.

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MarsLady · 17/11/2004 20:38

Hi fisil. I just looked up the bible verses. All I can think of is that whoever is preaching is obviously trying to say that God is our shepherd who is going to look after us and make sure that nothing will harm us. It says that a righteous King will be raised up (birth of Jesus). In Colossians it talks about us being brought out of darkness into the kingdom of his Son. Then in Luke he is talking about Jesus remembering us in paradise. Maybe what the speaker is trying to do is to remind us of why Jesus was born and that it's not just about the pretty story of Christmas.

That said, it is rather heavy for children. We have a Christingle service for the children at our church where they are given an orange with a red ribbon around it, four cocktail sticks with raisins on them : stuck on four "corners" and a candle on the top. Maybe you could tell the children about Jesus being born to be the light of the world and that He is like a shepherd come to look after his sheep. You could tell them that He was born to be a special King (the Jeremiah verses 23:5,6).

Don't know if that helps. Maybe I've said too much. Sorry, but hth.

Original poster
fisil · 17/11/2004 20:54

That is helpful MarsLady. I might be able to work on that. As I said, I want to try and avoid anything overtly Christmassy this early, otherwise we'll run out of steam. But I like the theme that you've put together.

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pabla · 17/11/2004 20:58

Our church is having a special thing for the kids around the theme of Christ the King and they are all wearing crowns

MarsLady · 17/11/2004 20:58

Thank you! With my own kids I have to try and balance the heavy stuff with what they are able to cope with. I love the idea of the collage and maybe you could use some of what I said in the theme. Will probably dream about it tonight and ask why they aren't doing something like that at our church. Thinking about you. If I think of anything else I'll post.

enid · 17/11/2004 21:01

Our family service is about Kings and Queens this Sunday if that helps

Original poster
fisil · 17/11/2004 21:02

Then do it yourself MarsLady! We have loads of fun with the little ones. He last vicar changed the time of the main service to 10:30 so that we could have a special kiddies service every sunday, and it is fab. The children adore it and are desperate to come along every week.

pabla, I like that idea - is that this Sunday? We have one at Epiphany where they all dress as kings (and one just before Xmas when they all dress as angels or shepherds). But I can see the theme of Christ the King (and shepherd) fitting in this Sunday too. I like the idea of getting away from the well-worn baby story too.

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Original poster
fisil · 17/11/2004 21:02

enid, sounds hopeful. What about kings & queens?

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MarsLady · 17/11/2004 21:04

About to take on the children's worship. The songs that they are singing are boring me to tears and there are so many great modern ones out there. You may find that when I post in a few weeks I'll have been excommunicated lol. Have fun on Sunday, it sounds as though you are now on a roll.

enid · 17/11/2004 21:05

Like Pabla it is around the theme of Christ the King. Eileen our deacon is doing it and she is going to talk about how Christ was a King but also a peasant and how poverty and riches work/dont work together.

enid · 17/11/2004 21:06

and the best bit (at least as far as the dds are concerned) is that they get to dress in Kingly/queenly robes - cue dd1's Ikea queens cape and crown . dd2 is being such a devil at the moment she'll probably disappear in a puff of smoke the minute she walks through the door

pabla · 17/11/2004 21:07

Yes it's this Sunday and I think they do this every year but sorry I can't remember any more details (usually spend most of the time trying to keep DS quiet ratrher than taking in what's going on

Original poster
fisil · 17/11/2004 21:27

wow, this will test my theology to its limits!

What about I bring along a cloak & crown, plus the old dressing gown & tea towel. And I dress two kids up, one king, one shepherd. And then I talk about how they both represent Christ. Enid, I need your deacons notes - not sure what I'll say next!

I love MN!

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enid · 17/11/2004 21:29

Is yours this sunday?

Original poster
fisil · 17/11/2004 21:30

yes. 9:30. I'm also on duty again in 2 weeks time, though!

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MarsLady · 17/11/2004 21:31

Ask the children which one is the King. When they were expecting a king to be born, they weren't expecting a stable. Just another thought.

enid · 17/11/2004 21:33

I could get you the notes after the sunday service but not much help for sunday I'm afraid. I may see her tomorrow in which case I'll pick her brains.

But you have to help me with Pentecost

Original poster
fisil · 17/11/2004 21:35

yes, I'm seeing it now. Why was a king born in a stable? Was Jesus a shepherd because of where he was born or was He a King because of who He was? Yep, I can see it working! Whole story bit only needs to last 5 minutes, so I reckon I can make a go of it!

OP posts:
MarsLady · 17/11/2004 21:36

You go girl!!!!!!!!

enid · 17/11/2004 21:37

I think thats going to be our general theme. Should be nice

Original poster
fisil · 17/11/2004 21:38

Pentecost - that'll get me thinking!

Reckon I'm sorted for this week now. Thank you ladies for all the brilliant help.

MarsLady, maybe we should collect our favourite kiddies' choruses and action songs?

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MarsLady · 17/11/2004 21:42

That would be good. I'm a big fan of Doug Horley, we have Lovely Jubbly and King of Heaven. Really like Ishmael's stuff, though he was about a while ago. His stuff is good though and mostly quite timeless. Just can't bear to hear about that little light anymore. May be forced to extinguish it.