Living an "alive life" in Jesus

Reading - John 4: 5 - 42

Kids Talk & Church Decoration suggestion:
A change of pace for this week only.

Church Decoration
Have an arrangement of boulders and rocks and sand round a shallow dish or tray of water. Beside the water place an earthenware jug or waterpot. A hint like this often makes people more receptive to the readings.

Ideas for Children Talk about being thirsty
• Perhaps after running about on a hot day, when your mouth feels dry like dust, and you're gasping for a drink.
• The children may have seen news reports where people are desperate for water.
• Explain how our bodies need water to live.
• Then pour some cold, clear water from a jug into a glass. How refreshing it sounds!
• Now read or tell the story of the Samaritan woman and Jesus. If possible have a large picture of women collecting water from a well, so they can see how it is done, and what heavy work it is.
• Bring out the point that with their water you get thirsty again, but with the kind of water Jesus was talking about, your thirst would be quenched forever.
• What did Jesus mean? He meant that we will be happy and comfortable even when life is difficult, if we have his Spirit living in us.
• Give each child a paper cup to decorate with stickers.
• Write on it 'Jesus is living water'.
• They can drink water from their cups at home, and be reminded of Jesus' spiritual water.
• Maybe some could be prepared in advance for the whole congregation (and handed out with a small amount of water in each cup) where a simple thanks for the living water of Jesus. - A little like a toast at a wedding format.

Kids Church Activity:
Activity: To decorate styrene cups

What you need to get ready:
Require: • Styrene cups • Stickers • Spirit pens • Glue
• Glitter

Children's activity that could be included in the newsletter this week for them to use during the service

The activity is related to the day's theme

Today you need to find a way for the Samaritam women to find Jesus

A simplified reading of the Gospel for today making it easier for children to comprehend.

If you have found these weekly Lent Pages helpful, you may like to consider signing up for the kid's church pages that are produced weekly throughout the year.

The cost is a very small 94¢ a week and contains a mountain of valuable resources.

Check out an overview of the pages at www.grassroots.com.au

THE SPECIAL KID'S CHURCH WEB SITE CONTAINS
• Weekly activities based on the Sunday Lectionary
• Theme days Eg: Pet Sunday, Mother/Father’s Day etc
• Numerous themes from previous weeks
• Simplified biblical stories for children
• Biblical reference of themes
• Powerpoint presentations
• Activity Work Books
• Newsletter activities
• Children’s Talks
• Scripture plays
• Craft activities
• Graphics

Plus other ministry resources for general parish needs.