PARENT/CAREGIVER MESSAGE

Transcription

1 PARENT/CAREGIVER SEPTEMBER God saw how good it was (Genesis 1:21). Faith Word: GOD You have received your precious gift a baby. Now you have the awesome responsibility of raising your child. You can rest assured if you remember that God is always with you, giving you comfort, peace, strength, and wisdom. All you have to do is ask God to help you raise your precious gift. You are already doing something that God wants you to do and that will help you tremendously as you raise your child you are taking your child to church. As your child grows, continue to take your child to church, make Sunday school a weekly experience. By doing this, you are introducing your child to the Christian faith. You are giving your child the best and most important gift you can ever give her or him. Spend time at home this week telling your child about God in very simple ways. Repeat the faith words often to your child. You can say these to your child as you rock, feed, and diaper. The faith words are: God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Love, Peace, Joy, Hope, Faith, Church, Praise, Thanks, and Patience. As you spend time rocking, changing, dressing, feeding, repeat the following faith sentences to your child. This will be the beginning of talking about faith with your child. As a consequence, your child will feel comfortable about discussing her or his faith with you and with others. Faith phrases to say are: God loves you, (Child s name.) Jesus is your friend, (Child s name.) I love you, (Child s name.) God s peace is with you, (Child s name.) You bring joy to my life, (Child s name.) (Child s name,) God gives us hope when we are sad. Have faith in God, (Child s name,) and your life will be blessed.

2 PARENT/CAREGIVER OCTOBER Praise the Lord! (Psalm 135:1) Faith Word: PRAISE It is October, and the world is a bright, colorful, and beautiful place. This is the time of year, before winter sets in, and after the heat of summer, to take your child outside and pursue outdoor activities. With an infant, putting your child in a stroller and taking walks with him or her is an activity that you will both enjoy. While walking around, talk to your child about the beauty of the earth that God has created. Say phrases similar to these: 1. (Child s name,) let s praise God for making a beautiful world for us to live in. 2. (Child s name,) Praise to God for the sunshine that warms this chilly day. 3. Let s praise God for rain, too, because it gives water for plants and animals. A movement activity to play with your child 6 months or older is the following: Praise God for the sun. (Make arms into a large, round circle.) Praise God for the moon. (Lay head on the flat sides of hands.) Praise God for me. (Point to yourself.) And praise God for you. (Tickle the baby s stomach.) Find outdoor activities to pursue with your infant or young child: 1. Take a walk in a nature preserve. 2. Go to a pumpkin patch and pick out a pumpkin. 3. Walk around a zoo, point out the various animals, and tell your child that God made the animals. SAY: Praise God for monkeys. Praise God for tigers, etc. 4. Have a picnic. The whole family would enjoy spreading out a blanket and eating sandwiches on a sunny Saturday in October. SAY: Praise God for food and a beautiful day. 5. Experience a shared milkshake with your child, if it fits your diet. SAY: Praise God for special treats! 6. If you are in an area where you can rake and jump in leaves do so; although keep the baby clothed and do it with the child so the child does not get injured in any way. (Do not do this activity if the child has tree allergies.) Here is a very simple song of praise to sing with your child using some body movement: (Sing to the tune of This Is the Way: ) This is the way we sing our praise, (Cup hands around mouth.) Sing our praise, sing our praise. This is the way we sing our praise, La, la, la. This is the way we clap our praise, (Clap hands.) Clap our praise, clap our praise. This is the way we clap our praise, Clap, clap, clap. This is the way we dance our praise, (Tap toes.) Dance our praise, dance our praise. This is the way we dance our praise, Tap, tap, tap! Based on Psalm Cokesbury. Have fun with your baby or young child this October and try to find ways and opportunities to PRAISE the Lord!

3 PARENT/ CAREGIVER NOVEMBER We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty (Revelation 11:17). Faith Word: THANKS This is the time of year when we give thanks to God for all we have been given. Undoubtedly, your child will be the most special gift you have ever been given; and you should share your thanks to God for the gift of your child openly and honestly and in front of the child. Record Your Thankfulness One activity that older children enjoy is reading their Baby Books or Scrapbooks that their parents made when they were young. This month, if you have not already done so, record your feelings, thoughts, and emotions in a Baby Book, Scrapbook, or Journal for your child to read as he or she grows older. This experience can draw you closer now and as your child matures. Write and Say Prayers of Thanksgiving With Your Child 1. This season of Thanksgiving should not pass without your child hearing words of thankfulness for your child. As you get your child out of the crib each morning, SAY: Thank you, God, for (Child s name.) I love her or him so much. 2. As you put your child to bed each night, say a prayer that your child will soon be able to repeat. SAY: Thank you, God, for today. You were with me in work and play. Please be with me tomorrow, too, as I show my love to others and you. Amen. Use All Five Fingers in a Finger Play Your baby has five fingers and toes that he or she is probably fascinated with. Play a finger play to help your child enjoy them and encourage thankfulness: SAY: There was one little turkey with nothing to do. (Hold up one finger.) He brought a friend to our house, and then there were two. (Hold up two fingers.) There were three little turkeys knocking on the front door. (Hold up three fingers.) One called a friend, and then there were four. (Hold up four fingers.) Five little turkeys with no place to go. (Hold up five fingers.) They needed ten friends, so they found my toes! (Wiggle all ten toes!)

4 PARENT/ CAREGIVER DECEMBER And you will name him Jesus (Luke 1:31b). Faith Word: JESUS The Gift of a Baby Jesus was the most precious gift that God ever gave to human beings: God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him won t perish but will have eternal life (John 3:16). Your baby is also a precious gift from God. Before long, Christmases might involve buying the latest and greatest toy. This Christmas, while your infant is young, focus on quieter, simpler times at home. The Lights Are Beautiful Set up a Christmas tree and decorate it with many lights. Hold your infant and talk about the lights. SAY: Jesus was born at Christmas. Jesus is the light of the world. This will introduce your child to the reason for the Christmas season. Some babies, around 12 months or a little older, will believe that they can blow out the lights. Enjoy letting the baby try to blow out the lights. SAY: The light of Jesus shines in our hearts at Christmas. Display a Nativity Set If you have never had a nativity set before, this is the Christmas you should invest in one. Next year, your child will enjoy moving the figures around, and talking for them; but this Christmas, introduce the Bible characters to your child. Begin and end the introductions with baby Jesus. Make sure your child knows that the reason we celebrate Christmas is to remind us of the love God has for us, when Jesus was given to us. Sing Christmas Carols There are probably many Christmas carols that you know and can sing from memory. Sing these carols to your child. You do not need to be accompanied or to have a great voice, just sing with confidence and the love of Jesus in your heart! Some Christmas carols that you probably know and are appropriate for your baby are: Away in a Manger, What Child Is This? The Friendly Beasts, He Is Born, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, Holy Night; Hark the Herald Angels Sing. You can also obtain a Christmas CD and play it softly while your baby goes to sleep each night. This helps your child become aware of God s love for him or her. Another song that you might enjoy singing to your child is Mary Had a Little Boy. Sing the song to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb: Mary had a little boy, little boy, little boy. Mary had a little boy, and his name was Jesus. He was born in Bethlehem, Bethlehem, Bethlehem. He was born in Bethlehem one very special day. Share the Christmas Story In a very simple way, tell the Christmas story to your child: Mary was going to have a baby! What happy news! Mary was happy. Joseph was happy. They took a long trip to their hometown of Bethlehem. Mary had to ride on a donkey. The town was so crowded that there was no place for them to stay. One man saw that Mary was going to have a baby. He said, You can stay in the stable with my animals. Joseph and Mary said, Thank you! That night Mary had a baby boy. Mary put him in the manger. The baby s name was Jesus. Mary was happy. Joseph was happy. Even the angels in Heaven were happy.

5 PARENT/CAREGIVER JANUARY I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Faith Word: HOPE Most parents are filled with hope when their babies are born. We parents imagine wonderful futures for our children. As our children grow and develop, we experience many growing pains as do our children. Just as God loves us and hopes the best for us as voiced in the Bible verse, we must do the same with our children. We must always hope and believe in the best for our children. During the month of January, cold weather keeps us inside with our little ones. Find activities to do inside that will keep them warm, let them know that you love them, and help them begin to understand that hope means believing in a bright future. Read Books There are so many board books on the market that small children love. It is also possible to use kindles with young children. Several board books available are: God Loves Me, Written by Daphna Flegal, Illustrated by Nancy Munger, Published by Abingdon Press, 2009, ISBN: 13: Jesus Is My Friend, Written by Daphna Flegal, Illustrated by Nancy Munger, Published by Abingdon Press, 2009, Published by Abingdon Press, ISBN: Church Is a Special Place, Written by Daphna Flegal, Illustrated by Nancy Munger, Published by Abingdon Press, 2009, ISBN: 13: Happy Christmas Day, Written by Daphna Flegal, Published by Abingdon Press, 2012, ISBN- 13: Happy Easter Day, Written by Daphna Flegal, Published by Abingdon Press, 2012, ISBN:13: Two Kindle books, although they are not faith-building books for young children, but they are enjoyable are: Ten Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, Written by Annie Kubler and Tina Freeman; and Puppy s Quest: A Fun Rhyming ABC Adventure, Written by Lily Lexington; Kindle Edition: March 29, Books can be read in warm beds or on soft couches and laps. They can be read by older siblings, parents, grandparents, and baby sitters. Take advantage of the cold weather to warm up with books. Eating and Drinking Warm Food While babies and infants have their own dietary needs, some babies past one year can experience eating and drinking moderately warm food. Even warm cookies can be enjoyed by young children. Greeting Your Baby Warmly in Love As your child wakes up for the day, transition him or her warmly into the cold house. SAY: Good morning, (Child s name,) I am glad you are awake. Did you know that God loves you? God wants you to have a life full of hope! Cuddle the baby for a few moments in a warm blanket until she or he is awake. Repeat the process at bedtime. SAY: Good night, (Child s name,) sleep peacefully; and remember that my hope is that you will know God s blessings in your life. These simple words, although your young child will not be able to understand the depth of their meanings, will be the beginnings of a child feeling loved by God and a future full of hope.

6 PARENT/CAREGIVER FEBRUARY Love each other (John 13:34). Faith Word: LOVE Love Songs Rocking and singing lullabies to your baby and letting him or her feel the warmth and closeness of your body is something parents have been doing for a very long time. Here are a few lullabies to sing with your baby during the cold month of February. This song is a favorite that every child should know, and when she is older, she will remember it and sing it all of her life, just as you do right now: Jesus Loves Me Jesus loves me! This I know, for the Bible tells me so, Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so. Words by Anna B. Warner, Here is another old, familiar song that parents might know. It also introduces the child to the knowledge that he or she is loved by Jesus: Oh, How I Love Jesus Oh, how I love Jesus, oh, how I love Jesus, oh, how I love Jesus, because he first loved me! Words by Frederick Whitfield. Music: 19 th century USA melody. God Loves (Sing this song to the tune of Hot Cross Buns. ) God loves me. God loves me. I am happy, O so happy, God loves me. Words by Cecilia Williams by Graded Press. Love Words Words spoken in a loving, kind way in a home can go a long way to creating a peaceful, caring family environment. This also requires patience. Use loving words and phrases in family conversations, and soon your family will be using them, too. Loving words are: please, thank you, may I, after you, hello, good-bye, excuse me, pardon me, welcome, pleasant dreams. Phrases that show love and kindness to family members are: May I help you? Good morning, Good evening, Have a pleasant day, Are you feeling all right? Did you have a good day? Do you have everything you need? I love you, God loves you, Jesus loves you, You can do it, Peace be with you, You are special to me, I ll be thinking about you, I ll be praying for you. With words, actions, and attitudes, practice makes perfect. The more you say these words and phrases, the more others will hear them and use them also. Take the time to treat your child and other family members with love and affection. Love each other (John 13:34). Love Game (Clap baby s hands on the word: clap. Touch baby s foot on the word: toes.) If you love Jesus, then clap your hands. Clap, clap, clap. If Jesus loves you, then tap your toes. Tap, tap, tap.

7 PARENT/CAREGIVER MARCH Be patient with everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Faith Word: PATIENCE Patience is difficult to achieve. It requires years of concentrated effort. Taking care of your young child requires tremendous patience. Perhaps before you had a child, you believed that the child would act in a certain way if you just told her or him to act that way. Then you became a parent, and you realized that babies have their own plan they act the way they do because they are infants. This required you to change and become more patient with your child. Fortunately, there are ways to help you achieve greater patience. 1. Pray for Patience. This is often laughed about because it is said that if you pray for patience, you will be given something to be patient about. There might be some truth to this old saying, but we do know that God will hear our prayers and honor them because God wants us to be patient. God will work with us to achieve this goal. 2. Count to Ten. This is an old practice to help people become more patient, but it actually works! Before you become angry, count to ten, you will find that your anger slows down and might even disappear! 3. Take a deep breath. An older gentleman once said that the secret to living longer was to take deep breaths. When a situation or a person tries your patience, remember to take a deep breath, it will diffuse the anger and help you deal with the situation in a more constructive way. 4. Children are children. Whenever your baby or young PARENT/ child makes you a little irritated, Remember: Children are children. Children are not adults. Children do not have the life experiences to help them know how to behave in certain situations, but you are not a child. You do have the life experience that helps you know how to deal with a situation. Be the parent or the adult at all times! 5. Be positive. Keep in mind that your child is a precious gift from God. Remind yourself that this child will grow to be a special, loving person because that is God s plan. Very few things are terribly serious, and if you do experience deeply serious events, God will give you a special grace to deal with them. You can be positive about that! Bible Verses to Help You Remember to Be Patient The following Bible verses will help you be patient with your child. Memorize them and say them while you are taking a deep breath or counting to ten! 1. The Lord isn t slow to keep his promise, as some think of slowness, but he is patient toward you (1 Peter 3:9). 2. Love is patient, love is kind (1 Corinthians 13:4). 3. The Lord is merciful and compassionate, very patient, and full of faithful love (Psalm 145:8). 4. Why is my patience short? (Job 21:4) 5. Patience leads to abundant understanding (Proverbs 14:29). 6. Patience is better than arrogance (Proverbs 7:8). 7. But if we hope for what we don t see, we wait for it with patience (Romans 8:25). 8. We displayed purity, knowledge, patience, and generosity (2 Corinthians 6:6).

8 CAREGIVER APRIL They were filled with joy (John 20:20). Faith Word: JOY Easter often falls in April. At Easter, we Christians are filled with joy because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This can be more than a time of new clothes, Easter eggs, and Easter baskets. Your young child can begin to understand that there is celebration and joy in being a Christian. Ways to Celebrate Being a Christian Easter Parties Quite often, churches celebrate Easter with Easter Egg Hunts and parties. Christians believe that the Easter egg is a symbol of new life. Jesus rose from the dead into a new life with God. Celebrate the New Life Outdoors Spring is budding, and new life is all around. Introduce your child to the new life developing in the outside world. Hold your child and smell the tulips, buttercups, jonquils, and lilies that are blooming. Plant a flower in a garden, water it, and watch it grow all spring and summer. Plants do not grow without being cared for. SAY: We will take care of our plant just as God takes care of us. Teaching your child to take care of the living earth is teaching your child good stewardship of God s earth. Tell the Easter Story Even though babies and woddlers are very young, they can hear the Easter story, which is the basis of the Christian faith. Hold your baby in your arms, and walk to an empty box. SAY: Let s pretend to be Mary. We will walk to see Jesus. (Look inside the box.) SAY: We do not see Jesus in the box. Jesus is not in there. Jesus is alive! Let s go tell others that Jesus is alive! (Run gently away from the box to tell others that Jesus is alive.) Praise God! As you feed your child, and put him or her to bed, think of one thing for which to praise God. Tell your child about that one thing, and SAY: Praise God! Suggestions of Things for Which to Praise God. 1. Your child 2. The sun 3. The moon 4. Rain 5. Blooming flowers 6. Food 7. House 8. Clothes 9. Friends 10. Brains and Bodies Songs of Praise and Joy Teach your child these simple songs of joy: Sing this song to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat: Joy, joy, joy have I. Joy within my heart. Joy, joy, joy have I. Joy within my heart. Sing this song to the tune of London Bridge: I have joy within my heart, in my heart, in my heart. I have joy within my heart. I love Jesus! Sing this familiar song it will make you joyful! I have the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, down in my heart. I have the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, down in my heart to stay. Words: George W. Cooke

9 PARENT/ CAREGIVER MAY They were all filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4). Faith Word: HOLY SPIRIT The concept of the Holy Spirit might be difficult for babies and woddlers to understand. It is a difficult concept for many adults to understand. However, we can teach our children that the Holy Spirit causes us to think, move, and act in a new and different way in a Christ-filled way! Faith-Filled Body Movements Play these movement games with your baby to help her or him know that God is with us. Eyes and Ears Praise (Sing to the tune of London Bridge: ) God gave you two EYES to see, EYES to see, EYES to see. God gave you two EYES to see. What do you see? (Pause to talk about what the baby sees.) God gave you two EARS to hear. What do you hear? God gave you two HANDS to clap, HANDS to clap, HANDS to clap. God gave you two HANDS to clap your praise to God! (Guide the child in simple hand-clapping during this verse.) God gave you a MOUTH to sing, MOUTH to sing, MOUTH to sing. God gave you a MOUTH to sing your thanks to God! (Point to own mouth and help the child discover her or his mouth.) If You re Happy and You Love God Here is a familiar song for babies and woddlers to clap their hands to or have an adult gently clap their hands. Sit with the baby or woddler on your lap, facing you, and sing: If you re happy and you love God, clap your hands. (Clap, clap) If you re happy and you love God, clap your hands. (Clap, clap) If you re happy and you love God, then your hands will surely show it. If you re happy and you love God, clap your hands. (Clap, clap) Repeat the above song with different movement activities such as patting your leg, tapping your face, and stomping your feet. The Wind One of the significant aspects of the Pentecost story is the wind. Pretend to be the wind with your child. Do these activities, and say these words: 1. SAY: On Pentecost Day, the wind did blow, blow, blow. (Make a blowing sound with your breath.) 2. SAY: On Pentecost Day, the wind did blow, blow, blow, (Make the blowing sound.) and the people did go, go, go. (Walk in place.) 3. SAY: On Pentecost Day, the wind did blow, blow, blow; (Make the blowing sound.) the people did go, go, go; (Walk in place.) and the church did grow, grow, grow. (Raise hands toward Heaven.) God gave you two EARS to hear, EARS to hear, EARS to hear.

10 PARENT/CAREGIVER JUNE Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you (John 14:27). Faith Word: PEACE Many babies have a difficult time being peaceful enough to fall asleep easily. Instead of this being a difficult time for patient parenting, think of this as a time to calm yourself down, and prepare your body to feel God s peace and presence. Prayers of Peace Say these Prayers of Peace while you rock your baby to sleep, or put the baby on her or his stomach and pat her or his back gently or bottom. Lord, Thank you for this little one given from above. May your loving hands work through mine to show this child your love. Dear God, So vulnerable this little one, trusting and carefree. Lord, let my life reflect the same. Humbly I ask, change me. Recite this prayer to your little one, or sing it, if you know the melody. It is found in The United Methodist Hymnal, #95: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. Songs of Peace Following are Songs of Peace or lullabies to say as you pat your baby or rock it to sleep: Kum Ba Yah (#494 in The United Methodist Hymnal) Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah. Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah. Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah. Oh, Lord, kum ba yah! Other verses include: Someone s praying, Lord. Someone s crying, Lord; Someone needs you, Lord; Someone s singing, Lord; Let us praise the Lord. Words and Music: African-American spiritual Sleep Little Jesus (Sing to the tune of Rock-a-Bye Baby ) Sleep, little Jesus. Sleep on the hay. Mary is singing, Her lullabye. Joseph is watching, Stars shine so bright. So sleep little Jesus, Sleep through the night. Here is a traditional song to which you might know the melody: God Is So Good God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, God s so good to me! God cares for me, God cares for me, God cares for me, God s so good to me! Words, Phrases, and Scriptures of Peace: Peace, Shalom, Love It s nighttime time to rest your sleepy head and body. I love you, (Child s name.) Good night, sleep tight, may God s guardian angels keep you through the night. I will lie down and fall asleep in peace (Psalm 4:8). Lord, grant us peace because all that we have done has been your doing (Isaiah 26:12). Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors (Luke 2:14).

11 PARENT/CAREGIVER JULY Faith is the reality of what we hope for (Hebrews 11:1). Faith Word: FAITH Faith is a difficult concept to teach. The best way to teach faith is to live a life of faith in front of your child. Faith is the reality of what we hope for (Hebrews 11:1). In this Scripture passage, Paul gives examples of the fathers and mothers of the Judeo-Christian faiths who changed their world because they believed and had faith in God. They made faith a reality, and so can you. Ways to Model Faithful Living Follow the Ten Commandments. While many Christians overlook the Ten Commandments because they are so familiar, they give us a wonderful guideline for living our lives. The commandments are so familiar that they seem simple, but they are not! Following the Ten Commandments takes a true commitment to lead a faithful life. Leading a faithful life for and in front of your child will make a difference in both of your lives. Buy a plaque with the Ten Commandments on it and post it in your home in an obvious place. As your child grows, he or she will be able to read the Ten Commandments, and they will sink in. Seeds will be planted. The Ten Commandments can be found in Exodus 20. Model Spiritual Disciplines There are many authorities and lists of spiritual disciplines designed to help Christians lead faithful lives. If you lead your life following these spiritual disciplines, your child will eventually notice, and hopefully, lead a similar faithful life. Some of the Spiritual Disciplines are: Bible study, worship, prayer, serving, and fellowship. Craft to Remind the Child About Faith Faith, Fingers, Angel Craft 1. Trace both of your child s handprints on white construction paper. Cut them out. 2. Draw and cut out a triangle 4 long, and a circle 2 in diameter. 3. Glue your child s handprints to the back of the triangle and the circle to the top of the triangle for the angel s head. 4. Place the angel on the refrigerator. 5. When you walk to the refrigerator with your child in your arms, point out the angel. SAY: This is an angel. Angels are God s messengers. These are your handprints. You belong to God. We have faith in God. Building Faith With Blocks Let your toddler or woddler play with blocks. Encourage the child to build a house or a church. SAY: I can have faith in God when I am in my house. I can have faith in God when I am at church. I can have faith in God wherever I am! SAY: Just like these blocks, our faith grows, and grows, and grows! (Play with your child to build a tower.) Talk About Faith With Your Child SAY: Jesus told the people, God hears you when you pray. You are God s chid. PRAY: Dear God, I love you very much. Thank you for giving me my home and family. Please be with me today. Amen.

12 PARENT/CAREGIVER AUGUST Let s go to the Lord s house! (Psalm 122:1) Faith Word: CHURCH As a parent, you have been given many responsibilities in caring for your child. The most important thing that you can do for your child is to raise your child in the Christian faith. The Christian Church can have the largest influence of faith on your child, and her or his moral development. One of the great fingerplays that all children must learn tells of the community that can be found at church. Teach this fingerplay to your child: SAY: Here s the church. (Put backs of hands together and intertwine fingers.) Here s the steeple. (Put pointer fingers together and point them upwards.) Open the doors, (Separate the thumbs apart.) And see all the people! (Wiggle the fingers.) SAY: Here is a church (Hold arms overhead in a roof shape.) With doors open wide. (Hold arms out wide.) The people are smiling (Smile, and point to it.) As they come inside. (Walk in place or pat legs.) They read from a Bible. (Make a book with hands.) They sing, and they pray (Put hands together as if in prayer.) As they worship our God in church today. (Stretch arms overhead.) A Christian I will be. I will follow Jesus. A Christian I will be. Words: Margaret Porter Graded Press. (Sing this song to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star: ) SING: I will go to church today. Where I ll share, and sing, and pray. Church is where I learn of God. Church is where I feel God s love. Thank you, Father, for my church. Thank you for each person there. Church is also a place where your child will hear prayers said. Repeat these prayers to your child: PRAY: We thank you, God, for happy hearts; for rain and sunny weather. We thank you, God, for this our food; and that we are together. Amen. PRAY: Dear God, be with us as we go to church. Help us to listen and learn with all our hearts. Help us to love each person there, and hold them in your love and care. Amen. Church is also a place where your child will learn Bible stories. Repeat this Bible story to your child at home, so your child will learn to know it and love it: SAY: The parents and their children wanted to see Jesus. They walked to where Jesus was. The disciples said, No, no, no! Jesus does not have time for little ones! Jesus said, Let the children come to me. The children belong to God. I love the little children. The children went to see Jesus. The children sat on Jesus lap. The children loved Jesus. Jesus loves all the children even you! Church is also a place where people sing, worship, pray, and praise God. Teach your baby this simple song: (Sing this song to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell: ) SING: A Christian I will be.