Parenting (Page 5)

St John’s Kids – 14 June 2020

  SUNDAY 14 JUNE Today’s service: Access our streamed services here. 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 warns us against following the ways of non-believers and joining ourselves to things of this world (idols) and encourages us to live lives devoted to God and his ways. Today’s kid’s song True North reminds us that Jesus should be our guide, our compass, in life. Included in today’s service is an announcement about Going Bananas! We will also be sharing Communion in the service today,…

St John’s Kids – 07 June 2020

SUNDAY 7 JUNE Today’s service: Access our streamed services here. 2 Corinthians 6:3-13 lists some of the hardships that Paul faced, but with God’s Holy Spirit he was able to do so with a good attitude. God wants us to face the challenges in our lives with the same attitude and reliance on him. Today’s kid’s song Never Be Shaken reminds us that even when things around us are uncertain, God is our strength and shield. To keep hands busy while…

St John’s Kids – 31 May 2020

 SUNDAY 31 MAY Today’s service: Access our streamed services here. Today is Pentecost – a celebration of the Holy Spirit descending upon the disciples and new believers in Jesus. Today’s passage reminds us that when we believe in Jesus, we also receive his gift of the Holy Spirit, and we become a new creation. We no longer live for ourselves, but for Christ. Join in with the actions today as we sing One Way and celebrate that Jesus is the one…

St John’s Kids – 24 May 2020

SUNDAY 24 MAY Today’s service: Access our streamed services here. Sometimes our bodies do not work exactly how we would like them to. It may because of a broken arm after falling off the monkey bars, or because of sickness or a medical condition. And, as we grow older our bodies become frailer and more susceptible to breakage and disease. Last week’s passage reminded us that despite, or even because of, our weaknesses and flaws, God can use us to shine…

St John’s Kids – 17 May 2020

SUNDAY 17 MAY Today’s service: Access our streamed services here. Sometimes we can feel too young, too old, too ordinary, not wise enough, or that we have made too many mistakes to be of use to God. This week’s passage, 2 Corinthians 4:1-18, shows us that God uses us as we are, and it is because of our imperfections that his power and glory can shine. Get your voice ready and a torch to shine for our kid’s song this week,…

ST JOHN’S KIDS – 10 MAY 2020

SUNDAY 10 MAY Today’s service: Access our streamed services here. In the bible, we see God shown as three different ‘persons’ – God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit. After Jesus died and rose again, he sent the Holy Spirit to live in all those who believe, so that we can have a relationship with God always. The Holy Spirit frees us from old laws and rituals and gives us new life in Christ. Because…

St John’s Kids – 03 May 2020

SUNDAY 3 MAY Today’s service: Access our streamed services here. In our reading this week, Paul focuses on the importance of forgiveness and that Christians smell 😮 The world is full of smells, both good and bad.  We smell stinky, yuk! to those who do not want to accept God and his way of life. But we smell sweetly to those who want to know more about God. To be a pleasing aroma to God, we need to follow the…

St John’s Kids – 26 April 2020

SUNDAY 26 APRIL Today’s service: Access our streamed services here. This week our topic is The God who Keeps Promises. We sometimes keep promises that we make, but not always. Sometimes we break our promises because of our own behaviour, or because of circumstances beyond our control. However, God always keeps his promises. And Jesus is the number one way he has fulfilled so many of his promises. Keep that in mind and join in with actions and voices as…

St John’s Kids Midweek – 22 April 2020

Hi Kids! Something different this week. I thought I’d put my face in front of you for a change, instead of just writing to you. And, I’ve set you a midweek task to comfort others, as the God of all Comfort would have us do. And you can look forward to some video teaching from Margaret this coming weekend!     [mc4wp_form id=”5448″]

St John’s Kids – 19 April 2020

SUNDAY 19 APRIL Today’s service: Access our live stream services here. Sue will be introducing a new kids’ song this week, True North, reminding us that Jesus is our compass, not the circumstances of the world around us. We start our Term 2 sermon series this week, looking at God’s strength in our weakness. This week, we are focussing on the God of all Comfort. Have your bibles open at 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 While you listen to the talk: Younger…

St John’s Kids – Easter Day

Sunday 12 April – Easter Day Today’s service: Access our 10:00am live stream service here. He is Risen! The fact that Jesus died, rose again and is alive today is fundamental to our Christian faith. He is the living king and everyone who trusts in Jesus will one day live with him forever! Our kids’ song today celebrates this Good News so either grab an instrument or keep your hands free to join in with the actions! And, get out…

St John’s Kids – Good Friday

Friday 10 April – Good Friday Today’s service: Access our 10:00am live stream service here. Today we commemorate the saddest day of the Easter Week, the day Jesus was crucified and died on the cross. Sometimes we may want to shield our children from the sad side of Easter, but if we want our children to truly know the JOY of the resurrection, we must also let them experience some of the sadness. And, in this strange world of physical…

Passover Meal

Originally, we were planning to host a Passover picnic at the church. Adapting to the changing world around us, we now encourage you to participate within your own homes on Maundy Thursday (9 April). This outline has been prepared to be accessible to families with children. Feel free to adapt it to fit your own circumstances. Passover is one of the oldest and most important of Jewish religious festivals. It was during the Passover festival that Jesus washed his disciples’…

St John’s Kids – 05 April 2020

Sunday 5 April – Palm Sunday Access our live stream services here. Our kids’ song this week is Hosanna Rock. Before the service, head into your garden and find a big leaf or small branch that you can use to wave as we sing and celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Activities to keep hands busy while listening to Julie’s talk … Colouring Craft: To recreate the entry scene, print out these three pages – Jesus & Donkey, Palm Leaves,…

St John’s Kids – 29 March 2020

Hi parents, I hope you all found your way to the livestream last week. Please let us know if you are having any difficulties. This week, Sunday 29 March: In more than one of the Psalms, we are encouraged to make a joyful noise to the Lord, rejoicing and praising him. So, don’t be put off at the thought of not having a whole congregation around you – get the kids to grab an instrument and join in the worship…

St John’s Kids – 22 March 2020

Hi parents, By now you may have received our church email or seen a Facebook post explaining the decision to suspend our in-person services and activities. If you have not yet read/watched Tim’s message, click here. We believe it is important to try to maintain spiritual rhythms, so this Sunday we will be live-streaming both our 9:30am and 6pm services. You can set reminders for your service of choice here. What this means for St John’s Kids will evolve over…

Apps that help you parent

G’day Parents, There are a variety of applications that allow you to monitor and control the technology use of your kids. I haven’t used any particular app enough to recommend a “best app” but I have had Our Pact reliably recommended to me. You can learn more about it by clicking here. Hope it’s helpful in navigating the increasingly complex online part of life. Kirk

4 Mistakes Parents Make With Technology

G’day parents, Today I’m linking you to some really helpful holiday reading. It’s an article by Jeff Henderson. You can read it by clicking here. In the article he outlines four mistakes parents make with technology (as it relates to their families). The 4 mistakes are: 1. ALLOWING KIDS TO TAKE PHONES INTO THEIR ROOMS 2. NOT KEEPING UP WITH TECHNOLOGY 3. PARENTS DON’T MODEL THE WAY 4. FORGETTING THAT YOU ARE THE PARENT As a parent myself, it was…

Going Bananas

Going Bananas is our Holiday Program for children in Primary School. From Wed 3 – Fri 5 July, we’re going on a quest to find the one true King! Registrations open this coming Monday morning. Please get in early to register, to avoid disappointment, and invite friends to do the same. Click here to book. (Note: The booking link will only be available on this page from Monday. Until then, you can sign up to the launch list, which will…

Lent: Family Selfie Scavenger Hunt #7

Click these links If you missed any of the previous Lenten Family Selfie Scavenger Hunt posts: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6.   Week #7 – Resurrection – Read Luke 24:1-12 together as a family or God’s Wonderful Surprise from the Jesus Storybook Bible   Some may think that our story is done But they would be wrong … It has only begun! For after 3 days, Jesus rose from the dead To give us new life forever … Just…

Sharing the Easter Story with kids

This weekend, we remember the greatest sacrifice the world has ever known. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is amazing, life changing news. We want to share it with our kids, but it’s a story that includes pain, torture and death. If you struggle to know how much and the best way to share the Easter story with young kids, this article may give you some ideas. It specifically looks at ways of sharing with under 5s, but also…

Lent: Family Selfie Scavenger Hunt #6

Click these links If you missed any of the previous Lenten Family Selfie Scavenger Hunt posts: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5.   Week #6 – Crucifixion – Read Matthew 27:27-56 together as a family or The Sun Stops Shining from the Jesus Storybook Bible   Betrayed by a friend, Jesus was arrested He was tried by a court and his death was requested On that saddest of days, our Saviour did die But within that dark moment, our salvation did…

Family Friendly Last Supper Sedar

Hi Families, You are invited to a family friendly remembrance of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday: 18 April, 5:00-6:30pm at St John’s, hosted by a Young Families Life Group. Families will need to bring a towel, if wanting to participate in the washing of each other’s feet, and a BYO picnic dinner. If you’re interested in bringing Passover foods, have a look at this PDF, which also includes other Easter activities that may interest you as you commemorate and…

Lent: Family Selfie Scavenger Hunt #5

Click these links If you missed any of the previous Lenten Family Selfie Scavenger Hunt posts: #1, #2, #3, #4.   Week #5 – Last Supper – Matthew 26:17-46 together as a family or The Servant King and A Dark Night in the Garden from the Jesus Storybook Bible   But some of the people did not like God’s Son And started a plan to get rid of the One So, Jesus gathered his friends for a Passover meal And…

Lent: Family Selfie Scavenger Hunt #4

Click these links If you missed any of the previous Lenten Family Selfie Scavenger Hunt posts: #1, #2, #3.   Week #4 – Jesus’ Miracles   Many people came to Jesus in need Some sick and some lame, some broken indeed Often Jesus would heal, touch or feed And news of him spread around Israel with speed   There are many stories of Jesus’ miracles in the Bible. With your family pick your favorite story and read it together. For your…