Flame: Creative Children's Ministry

Ash Wednesday can often get forgotten in church children's work, as it happens mid week rather than on a Sunday.  If you are observing the day, here is a useful resource for you. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent and ashes are used to remind us that we are human and that this life is temporary. We also remember the wrong things we have done and take the opportunity to trun back to God. To print the sheet, click here. Make some ashes (i burned some paper in a metal biscuit tin).  Mix the ashes with some oil (not water as this can cause burns). Use a finger to paint the ashes onto the sheet, just as ash crosses are drawn on foreheads. Have a go at making ash crosses on foreheads and hands if this is something you are all comfortable with. The words 'Father forgive' are part of the prayer we pray oon Ash Wednesday, remembering the things we have done wrong. The heart is a symbol of God's forgiving love, which we also remember.

I was recently trying to come up with some different visual ways of saying sorry to God and wanted something that would be symbolic of the forgiveness He gives. That's when I came across dissolvable paper! From what I gather, this paper can be used to draw patterns which can then be sewn over and when the embroidery is complete, the paper will dissolve, leaving only the stitching in place. Suffice to say, that is not what I used it for! You will need: Dissolvable paper cut into small strips, warm water (this helps the dissolving process), a large bowl, pens Talk about the fact that when we say sorry to God for the things that we have done, we know that he will forgive us and give us a new start.  Ask children to write or draw something they would like to say sorry for on a strip of paper. They might even just want to write the word 'sorry' and keep things entirely between themselves and God. Place the paper strip in the water and watch as it s...

 We have been exploring the Lord's prayer as part of the 'Thy Kingdom Come' prayer wave between Ascension day and Pentecost. Here are some prayer stations we did yesterday at our local infant school.  The children loved them! Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Deocrate the names of God to show how special they are. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Draw pictures of how you think God would like us to live and help people. Ask him to help us live like that. Give us today, our daily bread…     Make your favourite food out of playdough. Ask God to help people who don’t have enough food to eat. Forgive us our sins… Think about something you want to say sorry for and say sorry to God. Blow some bubbles. As they float away imagine giving your prayer to God....