Kids Activity Guide — Helpful Tips

Dear Parents,

I wonder if you are like me, then all the feelings are flowing. There is so much going on and so much to be aware, it can often feel like too much. First, I am here to pray for you and with you. While we can’t meet as a church like we usually do, it sure doesn’t mean we have to stop praying and worshiping. In fact, his time offers our families a unique opportunity to come together in our church experience. We are usually separate as a church, the kids have their worship experience, and adults have theirs.

For this week, at least, we are all going to be together as one big family. Some of you will worship as a family at home, and others might find your way to a house church meeting. No matter how you worship this week, do it together. Here are a few ideas to come together in a worship experience...

1 / Let Kids Be Kids

Let your kiddos wiggle freely and ask questions quietly. They will be curious and that is a wonderful thing! Try to avoid the feeling that they need to in a separate room! Let them hear and absorb how you are experiencing the Lord at this time.

2 / Worship Time

As you sing songs in worship, the kids do know some of the “adults” songs. They are particularly fond of “Way Maker,” “Since your love” and “Who you say I am.” Also, don’t hesitate to discover some songs from TGC Kids worship playlist and they can teach you our hand motions!

3 / Teaching Time

As you read through the liturgy, sing songs in worship, pray together and listen to the sermon, offer things to keep their hands busy. Coloring, play dough, and quiet blocks are a few ideas to engage their imagination during quieter moments.

4 / Ministry Time

The only time I would encourage you to move kids into a separate space is if someone is very emotional and needs a time of focused prayer. You could simply articulate to the kid that they need some space and friends are going to pray with them while we go play in the other room. This would be a great opportunity to use the provided videos (Ollie and the Wonder Clubhouse, 252 Story, or The So and So Show).

5 / Closing Discussion

Unless you need to use the videos for Ministry Time, I suggest inviting everyone to watch the kid videos together as a family. That will help open up a discussion about these stories as you go about the rest of your day!

6 / Remember...

Your kids will always seem the most wiggly and loud to you. If you are worshiping with other families or friends without kids, they will be overjoyed to experience the amazing way God has made each of your children. So, you just relax into the loving presence of God and worship!

Please feel free to share your feelings with me or others in the church so that we can really support you. We’re learning as we go, so feel free to reach out with questions and ideas!

With love,
Elisa Booker and Danielle Swink

Service Guide for March 15

This guide is designed for you to read through with those you are gathered with. If you prefer to have the liturgical elements read over you, the audio is available via Apple Music, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, and iHeart.

Also, if you have children in your gathering, Elisa Booker and Danielle Swink have provided some helpful tips for how to worship together.

Note: Parts in bold are to be read by all.

OPENING PSALM (PSALM 121)

I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber;

Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you — the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life;

The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

PRAYER FOR PEACE

Lord, you are where we look for our help. You are the Maker of Heaven and Earth and you are the one who watches over us. Every moment of our lives is lived under your watchful eye. We trust you for our peace as the uncertainty in our world grows. Watch over our families, our loved ones — our neighbors near and far — and give us peace. Amen.

WORSHIP

Feel free to join together in song or listen to our worship playlist. Here are a few recommended songs:

  • Be Still

  • Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)

  • Since Your Love

  • Hope of Glory

  • Defender

  • Met by Love

  • With You

  • Run to the Father

  • Great are You Lord

  • O Come to the Altar

SECOND PSALM (PSALM 46:1-7)

God is our refuge and strength

An ever-present help in trouble

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea

Though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells

God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

MOMENT OF STILLNESS

Take a moment to be still in the presence of God.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION 

Spend time praying together for the issues of our day and the concerns of those present. If desired, use the litany below.

Father, we pray for those currently ill with the virus afflicting our world. We ask you to miraculously heal those who are sick and to halt the spread of this virus. 

Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for those in positions of power—that they would make wise decisions on our behalf. We pray for miraculous discernment for Mayor DeBlasio, Governor Cuomo, President Trump, and global leaders tasked with managing this crisis.

Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for those working in the medical professions—for care providers on the front lines of the crisis, we ask you to protect them as they serve those afflicted. For public health officials, we ask for wisdom into the best practices to combat the spread of this virus. We also pray for those working on a vaccine, we ask for insight and supernatural direction in their research. 

Lord, hear our prayer.

And Lord, we pray for our hearts and minds. Keep us from the tyranny of fear—from the anxiety of the unknown. Help us to trust in your goodness and remind us that you will never leave us or forsake us.

Lord, hear our prayer.

Ministry of the Word

We invite you to now watch the video or listen to the podcast for a message from founding pastor Caleb Clardy.

Discussion and Prayer

Share what resonated with you. What do you sense God is saying? Take time to pray for and minister to one another.

Benediction

May God our Father protect us body, mind, and soul as we go boldly into the world with our hope securely in his faithful promises. Go in peace.