Saturday, January 7, 2017

February 2017

SPARKS
For Orthodox toddlers

002.JPG

Written and Illustrated by
Casey Newman


Welcome to SPARKS

a monthly resource for Orthodox families
looking to ignite Orthodoxia in their young children.

I have designed this with pre-readers in mind
but please enjoy whatever is applicable for your family.

My goal is to share simple activities, stories and crafts in a way that incorporates Orthodox culture into everyday life.

These are activities from my home and I hope you enjoy them too!



Meet Zach and Lizzy…

Zach and Lizzy like to go to church. Every time they go they learn something new. It is always so exciting, but sometimes they forget their special church manners.

  • It is important to use indoor voices so that everyone can hear the songs and prayers

  • When we pray we make our cross, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Touch your forehead, tummy, shoulders, and tummy to practice making your cross

  • Liturgy is for all God’s children. We all practice singing and praying. Listen to Father’s story during the sermon.

  • Communion is special food from God. When it is your turn, make your cross, say your Baptismal name to the priest and open your mouth really wide so he knows you are ready!

Sparks chalice 1.JPG Sparks chanter2.JPG Sparks cross 1.JPG




Sparks F.JPG

F is for fasting,
that means that we do not eat certain foods. We do this during the forty days of LENT while we prepare for Pascha.

How many Fs can you find above? _____

Practice writing F

F F F F F F F

____________________________________________________________________

Silly sentence:

Fervent fasting feeds Frank’s faith


Valentine's Day

This is a special day to show our family and friends that we love them. Saint Valentine lived a long time ago. He told the Roman people that he loved Jesus and that our Lord Jesus loves everyone.  Tell everyone you love them today!






The Presentation of Christ in the Temple

Hymn

By Your birth oh Christ ,You did sanctify the Virgin’s womb,
And did bless Simeon’s hands, O Christ God.
Now You have come and saved us through love.
Grant peace to all Orthodox Christians, O only Lover of man!

Help Saint Simeon,
find his way into the Temple
Stick figure vector clipart.    
Story Today-

Mary and Joseph brought baby Jesus to the Holy Temple when he was forty days old for a blessing.
They met an old man there. God had told this man, named Simeon, that he would meet His Son.
Simeon had been waiting many years to meet the Savior, Jesus Christ. After waiting for years and years,
he was so happy to meet the baby Jesus.

Can you spot…

Christ- the baby Jesus
Simeon- the old man
Mary, the Holy Mother of our Lord



Enjoy coloring your very own icon!


Sparks Presentation of Christ.JPG


Craft idea-

Start a Lenten countdown!

print out a chart and decorate a cross.
Cut a slit in each box to keep track of the days, each day move your cross to the next box.
Make your cross pretty and colorful!
Add your own family activities to the boxes and see all you do to prepare for Pascha!

Sparks cross 1.JPG



Lenten Countdown

1


Clean Monday
2
3
4
5
6


7
Sun of Orthodoxy
8
9
10
11


12
13
14
15
16


17
18
19
St Patrick
20
21


Holy Cross
22
23
24
25
26


27
Annunciation
28
29
30
31


32
33
Akathist Hymn
34
35
St. Mary of Egypt
36


37
38
39
40



Lenten Countdown

Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Forgiveness
X
1
Clean Mon
2

3
4
5
6
7
Sun of Orthodoxy
8
9

10
11
12
13
14
15
16

17
18
19
St. Patrick
20
21
Holy Cross
22
23

24
25
26
27
Annunciation
28
29
30

31
32
33
Akathist Hymn
34
35
Mary of Egypt
36
37

38
39
40
Lazarus
X


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