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!

August 2017

SPARKS

FOR ORTHODOX TODDLERS

Written and Illustrated by

Casey Newman

John the Baptist

Saint John the Baptist

August 29th

John the Baptist was Jesus cousin. He was a very holy man. We call him The Forerunner because he started preaching that the Christ was coming before Jesus began his ministry.

He lived almost like a monk, his icon shows him wearing fur or green clothes to remind us that he lived close to nature.

John was a prophet. He told everyone God’s important news. John’s followers were baptized to wash their sins off and make them ready to follow Jesus.

We remember John the Baptist on August 29th. He was killed by an evil woman who tricked a powerful man into having him executed. John spoke the truth about her naughty life and she felt bad but did not ask for God to forgive her. Instead she got angry and got a man to cut off his head.

Throughout history his head has been lost and then found!

I hope you enjoy coloring The icon of John the Baptist, God’s messenger (just like angels). Remember he lived in the desert, so he wears green and angel wings are yellow or orange.

Find John’s head under crafts!

Dormition of Theotokos

The Falling Asleep of Mary the Mother of God

Theotokos

August 15th

Mary was a special girl from the moment she was born to the moment she died. Her parents prayed to God for a miracle because they wanted a child, and He gave them Mary. When she was a kid her parents brought her to live at the Holy Temple to be taught all God’s rules by the priests.

Then as a teenager God sent an angel to ask her if she would bring His son into the world and raise Him. She accepted this very special job and gave birth to Jesus on Christmas. Mary became the first Christian, believing that He was God’s Son. She encouraged Jesus to do God’s good work. She went with Him when He preached. And when Jesus died for everyone’s sins, Mary was there. She helped bury Jesus’ body and was there for His Resurrection on Holy Pascha.

Eventually Mary was an old lady. One day she fell asleep and didn’t wake up. All Jesus friends came to say goodbye. And just like she was there for Jesus, He came and carried His Mom up to Heaven. She has a special spot in Heaven, close to Jesus Christ where she is still there for us. She prays and prays to Jesus and can help us when we ask.

Here is a small piece of Paraklesis to try as a prayer

To the Theotokos, let us run now most fervently,

As sinners and lowly ones,

Let us fall down in repentance,

Crying from the depths of our soul:

Lady, come and help us,

Have compassion upon us;

Hasten now for we are lost

In the host of our errors;

Do not turn your servants away,

For you alone are a hope to us.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

-Amen

Transfiguration

July Craft

I am part of God's Creation

I took my Spark with a bowl to find things that are part of the Animal and Plant Kingdoms as well as something for the Earth. We came in and glued them on a paper plate.

You will need-

• paper plates
• glue
• crayons/ markers
• items from outside

July 2017

SPARKS

FOR ORTHODOX TODDLERS

Written and Illustrated by

Casey Newman

Archangel Gabriel July 13th

Please enjoy coloring your own Angel Gabriel.
Gabriel is an Archangel that means he commands other angels in God's host. He wears blue and gold. He carries a ball that represents the Earth.

  

We often remember Gabriel during the Annunciation, when he talked with Mary, the Theotokos, about having baby Jesus.

We sing to Gabriel-

O Commanders of the Heavenly Host,

we the unworthy beseech you,

that through your entreaties you will fortify us,

guarding us in the shelter of the wings of your ethereal glory, even as we fervently bow before you crying:

"Deliver us from all danger,

as Commanders of the Powers on high! "

Saint Anna, Grandmother of Jesus, July 25th

Anna lived a very long time ago with her husband Joachim.

They were married for a long time without having any children. They prayed to God often to bless them with a baby. God surprised her with the blessing of a baby girl. We call that girl the Theotokos, to remember that she was Jesus’ Mom.

Anna and Joachim were so grateful to God for blessing them with a child that they made sure to raise her as God’s beloved handmaiden. They taught her God’s rules, to pray and love .

Please enjoy coloring your icon of Jesus with his Mom and grandma! Baby Jesus often wears yellow, his mom and grandma wear red and blue.

I is for Independence:

Independence means to be free from the control of others.

Practice writing I:

I   I   I   I   I

Silly sentence:

Independent Irene inspires Isaac.  

Independence Day

Fourth of July

Pappa is cooking burgers on the barbeque.

Mama brings pasta salad to the picnic table.

Its Zach’s job to bring the silverware and plates out

and Lizzy has the cups.

Before we eat, Pappa leads us in a prayer to thank God for living in a country that gives us the freedom to worship God

as Orthodox Christians.

After lunch we have watermelon and blueberries.

Mama says tonight when it gets dark, we’re going to the park for a special adventure called fireworks!

She said there will be a band playing music and lots of people. Lizzy and I are super excited!

Blessed are Thou, Oh Lord, who has fed me from childhood, who gives food to all flesh. Fill our hearts with joy and gladness, that we, always having enough of all things, may do every good work in Christ Jesus, Our Lord. Through whom be all glory, honor, might, majesty and dominion, forever and ever

-Amen

Adapted from My Daily Orthodox Prayer book by Anthony Conaris 2001, page 140

June 2017

I apologize but I am unable to post right now. I will as soon as I'm able. We had a toddler vs. camera and this post will have to wait.

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

May Craft

Send in the Dads for this!
These are all mother's day ideas with a little Orthodox flair :) 

Card inspired by the Holy Mother's Garden-

You will need:

• Children in the mood to hold still for just a minute!
• Paint, green plus one color per child or Mom's favorite- you choice! 
• Straws for flower stems
• Glue
• Colored paper or stock paper if you have it

One of my Sparks wanted to leave a footprint and the other (younger and got no choice) left his partial hand print. They colored the grass and some leaves after gluing on the straw- stems. We like to add stickers, little pictures cut out of magazines and handmade drawings on our projects...just let them fill it with love for Mama! 

Possible messages for the card