Faith Formation Resources for All!
As the pandemic continues in 2021 with the vaccines beginning to be available, the Family Faith Formation Team wants to continue to provide resources that will help families of all sizes and ages to keep growing in faith together.
We plan to collect on this page a variety of resources that anyone might enjoy. Your faith might be stirred in new ways! You might discover a spiritual practice you have not tried. You might follow a link to a new favorite writer or videographer. You might create conversation or art or study or poetry or ...... It's all up to you and the Spirit of our creative and loving God!
As the pandemic continues in 2021 with the vaccines beginning to be available, the Family Faith Formation Team wants to continue to provide resources that will help families of all sizes and ages to keep growing in faith together.
We plan to collect on this page a variety of resources that anyone might enjoy. Your faith might be stirred in new ways! You might discover a spiritual practice you have not tried. You might follow a link to a new favorite writer or videographer. You might create conversation or art or study or poetry or ...... It's all up to you and the Spirit of our creative and loving God!
Pentecost Season Resources
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How to Make a Simple Paper Boat
This project goes with the story in Mark 4:25-41 where the disciples and others are in boats on a stormy sea! (From KidsActivities.com) 1. Start with a piece of rectangle paper. Any paper will work for this but the waxed quality of freezer paper makes it especially seaworthy. 2. With the shiny side up (if freezer paper) fold it in half lengthwise (like a hot dog) and then unfold. 3. Fold each long edge up until it is in line with the center crease. 4. Take the bottom right corner and fold up to meet the center crease. Repeat with remaining three corners. 5. Fold the outside corner into the center crease again. Repeat on the other three sides to create sharp points at each end of your rectangle. 6. Gently turn your project inside out. 7. Use a marker to write a name for your boat on the outside of the boat - think about the group of people who you "float" with in life - your family or friends; give that group a name. You also can write some of the waters you float in - places, experiences, problems. Pray prayers for help when these threaten your boat. 8. On the inside of the boat put names of people who are with you. Don't forget also to name God who is with you. What gifts and powers do they all bring to help you ride out the storms and keep afloat? Pray prayers of thanks for all that keeps you afloat! |
"We Adore You, Lord Jesus Christ" |
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For PENTECOST SUNDAY you can connect the coming of the Holy Spirit in the story of Acts 2 with our own breath and prayers by using bubbles in your family! Acts 2 tells us the Spirit appeared as a rushing wind in and around the room where the disciples were praying. Making bubbles while offering up prayers to God and watching them drift on the wind or pop in the air can be a fun way to pray as a family! The videos here can inspire you and help you create a prayer activity for your family.
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Watch "How to Make Bubbles for Kids" to learn about a simple homemade bubble solution and also the science behind bubbles.
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"Bubbles by Baris and Aybuke" is an inspirational video - watch it to let your imagination flow into prayer and art.
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When you have your bubble solution ready and you're ready to pray, join others in this video to pray together.
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Holy Week Resources
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Lent Season Resources
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The Promise of Community
The descendants of Sarah and Abraham grew into a very large community. God sent Moses to set them free from slavery in Egypt. Together they traveled through the desert to the new land promised to their ancestors. But how should they live together as free people? The "Ten Best Ways" (also known as the Ten Commandments) are a gift to help them trust one another and live together with safety and respect for all. |
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The Promise of Ancestors in Faith
The second covenant promise of God in the Old Testament comes to Abraham and Sarah. They are promised "descendants" as numerous as the stars in the sky! No one can count all of those! The promise came to them before they had any children of their own. Even though they grew very old before the promised baby arrived, they trusted God would keep this amazing promise. And God did! All of us who trust in God are now their descendants! You are a star in this constellation of faith! |
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The Rainbow Promise of God
The first promise (or "covenant") God makes is to the earth and Noah and his family: God will protect the creation and not ever flood it again. Watch the Godly Play story (on this page) and/or read the story in Genesis 6-9 or a children's Bible story book. To create a suncatcher stained-glass style rainbow, go to the Mombrite Website for detailed instructions. You just need contact paper, colored tissue paper, black construction paper, and scissors. |
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"Where Your Heart Is..."
Hearts are a big part of the Lent devotions this year. On Ash Wednesday - just a few days after Valentines' - we hear Jesus say, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:21). Jesus wants us to invest in our relationship with God like Jesus does: praying, fasting, and giving to others. Start by putting that verse on a heart and hanging it where you can see it through Lent! The video from Faith Finder Fun shows us how to make a string of hearts.... remembering how God's love flows in our lives to our neighbors. More heart activities to come!
Hearts are a big part of the Lent devotions this year. On Ash Wednesday - just a few days after Valentines' - we hear Jesus say, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:21). Jesus wants us to invest in our relationship with God like Jesus does: praying, fasting, and giving to others. Start by putting that verse on a heart and hanging it where you can see it through Lent! The video from Faith Finder Fun shows us how to make a string of hearts.... remembering how God's love flows in our lives to our neighbors. More heart activities to come!
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Season of Epiphany Resources
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Just Add Water Art
For a time to talk about baptism with your child, try some "Just Add Water Art"! This works well with children of all ages - even toddlers. Fun Littles is a website with many art projects, sensory activities, and crafts. While you are working together you can share the story of your child's baptism with them. You could watch the Godly Play video about Holy Baptism and the video of Jesus' baptism (on this webpage). Remember together you are beloved by God! Most of all, have fun creating together! |
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Stars are a wonderful theme for Epiphany since we begin the season with the story of the Wise Men (Magi or Wise Travelers) following a star to find the newborn Jesus in Bethlehem. Here are some star crafts to fill your home with starlight, too!
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Season of Advent Resources
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Make Shakers for Christmas Eve Fun!
On Christmas Eve, many of the songs have fun refrains or rhythms that children can have a lot of fun moving around to. Get ready by making homemade shakers! This video is from "Music with Lindsey" on YouTube! |
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Advent Wreath Made from Felt!
Here are the directions for a simple Advent wreath made out of felt. It is presented in the video by Bethany and Maggi Lenihan for families getting packets from the church. Anyone can make this with a few pieces of felt! You can design yours to have candles of your choice - some families prefer all purple candles for the Sundays in Advent; others use a dark or royal blue. There always is a white candle for Christmas! Materials: 1 - full sheet of felt for the background (red or color of your choice) 1 - circle of felt in a contrasting color (light blue or color of your choice) 1/3 sheet of felt to cut out the 4 candles (about 2,5 x 4") (purple or blue) 1/8 sheet of felt to cut out the 1 white candle (about 3x5") 1/3 sheet of felt to cut out the 5 flames (about 2" long) 1/2 sheet of green felt to cut out 7 holly leaves (about 3-4" long) 5-10 red pompoms (10mm) 1 piece of felt (about 5x5"; any color) to make a pocket on the back to hold the flames Glue (glue gun or tacky glue) 3 craft sticks ribbon (about 10") Creating Your Wreath: 1. Cut out the circle and glue it in the center of the background felt. 2. Cut out the candles and arrange them in the upper part of the circle making it look like a circle of candles. Leave room for the flames. Glue. 3. Cut out holly leaves and arrange along the bottom of the candles, making it look like the candles are sitting in a circle of leaves. Glue in place. 4. Glue on the red pompoms in clusters of 2 or 3. 5. Cut out the 5 flames. 6. Turn the project over. Glue the square piece of felt on the back (only three sides!) to create a pocket to hold the flames. 7. Glue the ends of the ribbons to the upper corners on the back. 8. Glue the craft sticks in this order: along the top edge from each side edge first (on top of the ribbon ends); then one connecting the two already glued down. Advent Devotions Each Sunday "light" one more candle during your family devotions. "Light" the white one on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! |