August Craft

As a follow up to the collage "I am part of God's Creation" make an "I spy" tube! We used paper towel tubes that they decorated with crayons, markers and stickers. During nap-time I coated them with Modge-Podge glue to add some durability and waterproofing! They have lasted over a week, although one disappeared.

We also made John the Baptist head spin-

It may be easier to use the "printer friendly section to print John's icon

You will need:

• John the Baptist printout and head
• sharp knife
• paint/crayons/markers 
• small paper plate or paper circle
• pin fastener for center pivot

1)

2) Cut out both places for his head

3) Secure his head to plate (before it wanders off!)

3) Let your Spark enjoy!

4) Pin the plate so the head can spin from one spot to the other

5) Enjoy!

May 2017

SPARKS

FOR ORTHODOX TODDLERS

Written and Illustrated by

Casey Newman

Ascension by Sparks for Orthodox Kids

Hymn of

The Ascension

Thou hast ascended in glory O Christ our God, granting joy to Thy disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit. Through the blessing they were assured that Thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world!

Have Fun coloring your own Ascension Icon!

We celebrate the Ascension of Jesus Christ and this icon shows us that He was raised to Heaven in His body. Jesus should wear gold or white in this icon. We see Angels with Him representing His Glory and Heaven. They wear many colors like green, red, or blue. This is a good time to choose your favorite color! The circle around Jesus shows God the Father’s presence. It is dark blue.

Color the Holy Prophets we remember in May

The Holy Prophet Job

May 6th

He wears a red cloak and has gems on his clothes to show he was a rich man. He was a follower of God before Jesus lived. God blessed him with riches and many children. Job fell into a very hard time in life when his children died and he became very sick covered in painful rashes. It became his job to show everyone that even in these hard times you can be a strong believer in God and do what God wants you to do. And through God’s mercy his health and riches were restored.

The Holy Prophet Jeremiah

May 1st

He wears a green shirt and brown cloak. He lived about 600 years before Jesus was born. He spoke God’s messages to the Israelites for about 30 years. He is often called the Weeping Prophet because he lived in Jerusalem when it was destroyed and his people became slaves. It was his job to tell everyone to follow God’s laws.

The Holy Prophet Isaiah

May 9th

He wears a blue to show he is from a royal family. He was related to the Kings of Judah, almost 700 years before Jesus was born. He decided to follow God as a prophet when he saw a vision of God on His throne surrounded by angels! It was his job to tell everyone that God was going to have a Son. Powerful people were not happy with the messages that God gave Isaiah to tell and they had him killed.

Prophets of May by Sparks for Orthodox Kids

After reading the short stories about The Holy Prophets who we remember in May…

What is the job of a Holy Prophet?

The Holy Prophets _________ God’s messages to the people.

What in their stories are the same?

The Holy Prophets all ____________

What in their stories are different?

Job __________ but Jeremiah _____________ and Isaiah _______________

How did these stories make you feel, what words can you say about the Holy Prophets?

I felt__________ when we read the story because ______________

Can you think of people in the Church now that are like the Holy Prophets?

Happy Mother's Day

Tenderness by Sparks for Orthodox Kids

Pascha 2017

SPARKS

FOR ORTHODOX TODDLERS

Written and Illustrated by

Casey Newman

March 2017

SPARKS

FOR ORTHODOX TODDLERS

Written and Illustrated by

Casey Newman

The Feast of the Annunciation

March 25th

Enjoy coloring your very own icon!

Can you spot…

Mary- color her shirt blue and dress red to show she is the person who carried God in her tummy

The Angel Gabriel- color his wings yellow to show he is God’s messenger

The Story Today:

There was a little girl who lived in God’s Holy Temple, her name was Mary. One day the Angel Gabriel visited her. The angel told her that God had a special plan to show the world just how much He loved everyone. God wanted Mary to have an important job. The angel told her God wanted her to be the mother of His son, Jesus. Mary agreed to do God’s special job and that is why we call her the Theotokos, the Holy Mother of God.

Help the Angel Gabriel visit Mary

to share God’s good news!

Practice the special Hymn:

Holy Mary, Mother of our God and the Savior;

I ask you to deliver me from danger;

I run to you for protection, with both my soul and my mind.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit now and forever unto the ages of ages

AMEN

Adapted from the Service of Small Paraklesis to the Mother of God  (Intercessory Prayers)

A is for angel,

Angels are God’s messengers.

Angels deliver God’s messages and worship Him without ever resting in the Heavenly Liturgy. Each of us has a guardian angel watching over us.  

How many As can you find above? ____

Practice writing A

A A A A

Silly sentence:

Auntie Annie's angel always answers ambitious appeals

Prayer to Your Guardian Angel

O Angel of Christ, holy guardian and protector of my soul and body, forgive me of everything I have done to offend you every day, and protect me from all influence and temptation of the evil one. May I never offend God by my sin. Pray for me to the Lord, that He may make me worthy of the grace of the All-holy Trinity, and of the Most Blessed Theotokos, and of all the Saints. Amen.

From orthodoxprayer.org

Saint Patrick the Enlightener of Ireland

Patrick was born in Wales but when he was sixteen pirates kidnapped him. After many years of hard work keeping sheep safe in the fields, an angel told him it was time to go home. The next day he started walking. He walked about two hundred miles to a boat bound for Britain. He must have walked for two weeks.

Patrick was so happy that he was home that he decided to thank God by doing His work as a priest. When he was done studying, an angel told him that it was time to return to Ireland. He and other missionaries worked very hard to start many churches for the Glory of God.

We remember Saint Patrick’s hard work by calling him the Enlightener of Ireland. To enlighten means to teach. It is all our job as Christians to enlighten the world and share God’s love with the people around us.

An Irish Blessing

May love and laughter light up your days

And warm up your heart

May good friends be with you

Wherever you go

May lasting peace bless your home

Forever,

Amen

Zach and Lizzy discover…

Zach and Lizzy were so hungry when they got home that they asked Mommy for hot dogs.

Mommy explained that LENT has started and they were not having hot dogs tonight.

During LENT we practice discipline by praying extra, eating different foods and going to church more often.

Tonight we are going to eat vegetable soup and toast before we go to church for special prayers.

February 2017

SPARKS

For Orthodox toddlers

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!

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

   

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!

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!

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