Advent Adventure || Fourth Sunday of Advent || Ready to Shine
Sunday, December 20, 2020 — Worship@Home resources for FirstPres Hayward

As our congregation has made the decision to move to a digital online format for our Sunday Family Gathering due to COVID-19, FirstPresKids is here to provide resources that can help you create your own at-home family worship experience or supplement the one that will be streamed on Sunday mornings, 10PST from FirstPres Hayward.

NOTE: You can also go to the FPK YouTube Channel to view most (not all) of these materials on this week’s FirstPresKids YouTube Playlist.

Scriptural Focus: we look at the story of Mary to gain a fuller picture of Mary as a whole, complex and unique person, what and how she sacrificed in order to partner with God to carry, birth and nurture Jesus, continuing God’s work in her and on earth

Lesson Objective: to think about how we can be a light, how we can be living sacrifices, letting God work in and through us to bring God’s vision to earth

Parent/Caregiver Resources:

Opening or Closing Prayer: Dear God, As we prepare to celebrate the arrival of Jesus on Christmas, may we look to Mary who sacrificially gave of jerself n pregnancy, risking her body and her future, trusting God. Like her, may we be ready to say: “Here I am. I am your servant.” Amen.

Scripture: Luke 1:26–38

Videos for Kids:

Discussion Questions:

Before the Bible was written down, the stories were passed along from person to person orally and through memory. When the stories began to be recorded, paper and ink were very expensive. So there are many stories that are shortened, some things are left out and we get to think and wonder about what wasn’t written down. What do YOU wonder about Mary’s story?

Maybe you have heard the story of Mary many times? Do you sometimes forget how special it and Mary was? How was it so special? How was Mary so special?

What risks did Mary take? What sacrifices did she make? And why did she do it?

Tell about a risk or sacrifice you have made to do God’s work.

How can you be ready to serve like Mary? Can you ever be ready? Do you think Mary was ready?

Play:

Be ready to shine your light and play flashlight tag:

Use a flashlight to send a signal to God or a partner. Use morse code and signal “I am your servant” or another message!

Create:

Draw Mary and Jesus

Create an Advent Adventure wreath/display area of your own using found materials or use this printable resource:

Books:
['First Pres Kids Hayward']
['Luke 1', 'Christian Parenting', 'Advent', 'Christian Education', 'Mary']