September 2017

SPARKS

FOR ORTHODOX TODDLERS

Written and Illustrated by

Casey Newman

Moses the Godseer and Prophet

Sparks for Orthodox Toddlers

September 4th

Moses was adopted by Pharaoh's royal family as a baby. But when we got older he ran away and lived as a shepherd. He was an old man when God chose him to save the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. Moses loved his family and didn't want to leave to do God's special job.

God knew that Moses was the right man for this job. To convince Moses, God talked to Moses in a big voice.

It took a long time for Moses to get the Jews out of slavery in Egypt. They started a long adventure in the desert, going to land God gave them.

On their long walk through the desert, God gave Moses laws. We call these The Ten Commandments.

https://kathyhutto.wordpress.com/2012/01/21/ten-commandments-poster/

Moses was a very important man. He brought God's news to the people. He saved the Jews from slavery. He saw God and heard His voice. He gave us God's Law. He lived a very long time doing God's special work.

Zacharias the Prophet

Sparks for Orthodox Toddlers

September 5th

We talk about John the Baptist a lot. What do you know about him?

Zacharias was a priest of God in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. When he was an old man with no children, an angel appeared and told Zacharias that God loved him and hears his prayers. God decided to give them a baby boy.

Zacharias is the father of John the Baptist.

But Zacharias was so surprised and didn't believe the angel. Because Zacharias didn't believe the angel he could not talk until the baby was born. Imagine that, a priest who could not talk until next summer!

When the baby was born everyone wanted to know what to call him. Zacharias was filled with joy and the Holy Spirit, then he could talk again.

When the evil King Herod sent his soldiers to look for baby Jesus; Zacharias protected his baby from the soldiers; the soldiers killed him. He loved his special boy so much!

Nativity of the Theotokos

Sparks for Orthodox Toddlers

September 8th

We are celebrating the birthday of the Mother of Our Lord Jesus Christ. We know His grandparents were named Anna and Joachim. They were old and had been praying to God for a long time to give them a baby.

Can you think of anyone else who prayed to God a long time for a baby?

September Craft

September's Craft

We decided to make crosses for Exaltation.

You will need:

• craft glue
• craft sticks (we save popcicle sticks)
• paint
• good scissors
• paper plates (optional)

Glue sticks into a cross allow time for it to dry. I added layers for strength. My older Spark glued his own, but the younger one did not, so you decide how much to prepare for your little ones. Then let them have at it to decorate! I also glued crosses onto paper plates as an alternative for my little one, it worked well since he doesn't really understand "decorating" yet!