It's summertime! Let's go outside and explore all the beautiful things God has made! In this brief video, Pastor Paige invites the young and young-at-heart to discover God's wonderful creation and to read the story of creation in Genesis 1 & 2.
Family Sunday School Videos & Activities
Hello Friends!
Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! In the church year, the Easter season lasts 50 days, all the way until the Day of Pentecost. We have a lot to celebrate! Jesus is alive and his resurrection gives us hope, peace, and joy. During this strange time of social distancing, our normal lives have been upended, but Jesus’ love for us is unchanging. To help your family grow in faith during this time, there is a great resource called “Family Sunday School” that is being offered by Sparkhouse, the Lutheran publisher of the Spark Story Bible.
Each video is about 12 minutes long, and you can stop and start it for discussion or to do the activities. There are downloadable coloring sheets and discussion starters along with the video at the link above. The Bible stories might not match up exactly with the Bible passages in our worship services, but they are all stories that are great for this Easter season.
You and your children can take part in this online Family Sunday School any day of the week. Take a look at it when it is convenient for you, or when you need a bit of inspiration and encouragement! I hope that Family Sunday School will help deepen your faith and give you tools for talking about Jesus’ resurrection to new life. As always, feel free to get in touch with me anytime. You can let me know how things are going, tell me some good news about how God has been at work in your life, and share how you’ve been participating in Family Sunday School! Reformation’s bonds as a church family remain strong, even though we are separated for a time. We are here for you.
Your friend in Christ,
Pastor Paige
Family Activities for Palm Sunday
Hello Everyone!
Pastor Paige here. This Sunday, April 5, is Palm Sunday. Normally, we would be waving palm branches and singing and having a parade into the Sanctuary as we begin worship. This year, we invite you to worship with us via Reformation’s YouTube channel and celebrate Palm Sunday at home. Along with the Children’s Sermon in the worship service, here are some ideas for marking this holy day with your children.
· You can read about Palm Sunday in the Spark Story Bible on page 454, or in any other children’s Bible.
· If you have a Spark Bible for youth, or another youth Bible, you can read the story together in Matthew 21:1-11. Look for any highlighted verses, questions, or other notes in the margins of your study Bible, if there are any, and read those as well.
· At the end of this post are a few fun, brief videos I found that share the Palm Sunday story on a kids’ level.
· If you are inspired by the Lego videos, make your own Palm Sunday scene with your Legos or other toys in your house! Send me a picture or a video of them if you wish! (E-mail Pr.paige@reformation-lutheran.net or text them to me!)
· Here are some coloring pages for Palm Sunday. Feel free to print these and have your kids color while you worship from home this week!
You are in my prayers, my friends. I miss you and look forward to gathering in person as soon as we are able. God’s peace, strength, and joy be with you all! –Pastor Paige
How to Persevere: Hebrews 12
Pastor Paige offers a short reflection on Hebrews 12:1-2 and on the ways Jesus helps us persevere.
Look at the Flowers and Birds! Matthew 6:25-33
Pastor Paige Evers reminds children, youth, and adults that God loves the world God made. Our God is always watching over and taking care of all of us. This story is called “Do Not Worry” in the Spark Story Bible on p. 276. Pastor Paige reads from The Jesus Storybook Bible in this video, in the chapter called, “The Singer,” on p. 228. She asks viewers of all ages to look for signs of God’s love and care out in nature and in our lives.
To have fun coloring birds and flowers after hearing this Bible story, download these coloring pages from the website Made by Joel. Display them and keep thanking God for his tender care, or share them with a loved one or a church member with a note reminding them that God loves them!
For more Made by Joel coloring pages and creative ideas for kids, click here.
Family Activities for John 9:1-41 (March 22, 2020 Children's Sermon)
Hello Friends!
The Children’s Sermon for Sunday worship on March 22 was about Jesus giving the miracle of sight to a blind man. The story is from John 9:1-41. In the Spark Bible, it’s called, “Pool of Siloam.” You can find it on p. 432.
In the story, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world.” Take a few minutes and talk with your children or youth about how you see them shining Jesus’ light in your life together. What have they done recently that has made you smile? What have they done that has been helpful? How have they brightened someone’s day? Ask them how they see the light of Jesus shining in you, in your family, or among your friends as you stay connected during this time of social distancing.
You can also get out your child’s baptismal candle and talk about your memories of their baptism day. What is their baptism anniversary date? Who was there when the pastor or worship leader said, “Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven”? What did your child wear for his or her baptism? Did he or she receive any gifts?
Keep looking for the light of Christ during these times of being together at home. Jesus is with you and he will help you keep shining your light for all to see!
Click here to download a PDF with coloring pages for this Bible story!
In Christ,
Pastor Paige
Bible Stories and Activities for Families
Reading together is a great way to spend time while homebound. Bible stories offer a lot of variety along with the promise of God’s love, which is reassuring for children in anxious times. The Spark Story Bible has a question or activity at the end of each story that would be great for families to discuss together. You could read a story every day and see how far you get before our days return to normal.
For older children, the paperback Spark Bible (regular Bible) has stickers in the back and reflection questions throughout all the books of the Bible. The first few pages of the Bible explain ways to use the stickers and other tools on each page. For a family read-along in a “regular” Bible, I recommend starting with a chapter or shorter section a day from the gospels of Mark, Matthew, or Luke. That way, you’ll cover a lot of stories and read the whole story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
For any story that you read together from any Bible you have at home, here are some good questions for conversation. You can adapt these questions for the ages of your children and youth. These are also good for individual reflection or for writing in a journal. Younger children could draw their responses.
What word or phrase stands out to you?
What stories or memories does this passage remind you of?
What confuses or challenges you in this passage?
What delights you or fills you with comfort or hope in this passage?
What is God up to in this passage?
How does this passage apply to your life today?
You can always act out a Bible story, too! Any dress up clothes or props you have on hand could work well for that! For reading the Bible online, https://www.biblegateway.com is a good resource. The translation we use in worship at Reformation is the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). Let me know what Bible stories you discover!—Pastor Paige