Every Child, a Special Childhood

The children’s charity of

And Jesus matured, growing up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people Luke 2:41-52

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Dear friends, Happy Christmas! Thank you for choosing to hold a Christmas event to support the work of Action for Children. We appreciate all you’ve done throughout the year. Whatever event you’re planning – carol service, Christingle or any other clever idea, I hope that this booklet will give you some ideas you can use and tailor for your church or group. This Christmas, we’re calling on all children to get ‘crafty’ and share the fun with family and friends. So, we’ve provided more activities for children on our website, www.actionforchildren.org.uk/ methodist-resources. Our Christmas theme, ‘Every Child, a Special Childhood’, focuses on the importance of giving each child the best start in life so that they can fulfil their potential. In 2016, we launched a campaign called ‘Fair By Five’, asking the Government to make child development a national priority; we tell you about it on page 15. We are keen to raise awareness of the campaign and get the support

of the church and whole community. I hope your church or group would reflect on this and take action. I would like to thank Rev Sue Pegg for her help with the order of service; Harry Postlethwaite for the Action for Children hymn; and Angela Yardy of www.bestchildrensnativity.com for writing a drama and poems specially for Action for Children. I also thank everyone at Whipton Children’s Centre in Exeter, Devon for letting us take pictures of them having fun as they made their Christmas nativity scene. We’d be grateful if you could take a special collection towards our work. Collection and gift aid envelopes, and a Christmas Carol booklet, are available from your local fundraiser. I wish you a peaceful Christmas and best wishes for 2017.

Karis Kolawole Head of Church Partnerships Action for Children [email protected]

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Hannah, a single parent, says:

“I have three children: a 3-year-old, a 2-year-old and a 5-month-old baby. I used to struggle quite a lot with my parenting; it was hard. Action for Children supported me through a parenting group. It helped my 3-year-old with his self-learning before he went to pre-school. I also had a chance to speak to parents in similar situations. It was a really positive experience for me and the kids.” 2

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Order of service Theme: Every Child, a Special Childhood Welcome Call to worship: John 1:1-5 Carol 1 O Come, All Ye Faithful H/P 110 Opening prayer Father God, we thank you for the gift of life and for the beauty of your creation. We thank you for setting us in communities, for family, for friends and for all who love us. Help us, as your children gathered here, to worship you with hearts full of praise. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen. And now we join in the Christian family prayer as we pray Our Father... Carol 2 Joy to the World H/P 77

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Two Special Babies: Moses and Jesus Baby Moses Bible reading: Exodus 2:1-10 Message Moses was a very special baby because God had chosen him for a very important job. Once he was an adult, he was to lead God’s people out of Egypt to the Promised Land. But his family needed help and protection, and God provided all the people who could give it to him. Today, some children, young people and families still need special help in all sorts of ways, and today we give thanks for those who God uses to provide that help through the charity Action for Children. Read one of the short real life stories about children helped in a special way by Action for Children (See pages 2, 9, and 12).

Let’s pray Father God, we thank you that we are all your special children. We thank you for all those who love us and want the best for us. We thank you for the work of Action for Children who offer help and support to families and children in need. Amen Carol 3 O Little Town of Bethlehem H/P 113 Here, before or instead of the bible reading below, you may wish to have an all-age activity such as a short nativity drama or a special song rendition. You could use your own drama or the one provided online at: www.actionforchildren. org.uk/methodist-resources. You will also find other ideas on the website for involving children in making their own nativity scene. Baby Jesus Bible reading: Matthew 1:18-23 Message The circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus were far from ideal. Mary and Joseph had no permanent home. There was no nice clean bed or cosy cot for their baby. Instead there was just a temporary home in a draughty cattle shed, with a hay box for their little one. But God provided.

Action for Children also helps children, young people and families in all sorts of need. Read one of the short real life stories about children helped in a special way by Action for Children (See pages 2, 9, and 12). Let’s pray Father, we thank you for the ways Action for Children helps so many families in need as they journey through life. Help us to give generously so that their important work can continue, and children can enjoy the comfort and warmth of loving homes and find true security. Amen. Carol 4 Away in a Manger H/P 94 Offering for the work of Action for Children Prayer as offering is received: Father God, as we thank you for your constant love in our lives, we present these offerings of money in love for the work of Action for Children. Enable these gifts to bring practical care, compassion and support to disadvantaged and marginalised children, young people and families.

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Father God, please grant that in our partnership together we may bring hope, support and comfort to those in need as they walk the difficult journey of life. Amen. Carol 5: Once in Royal David’s City H/P 114 or Action for Children hymn on page 11. Bible reading: Luke 2:41-52 Action for Children would like this to be read during the service. Every Child, a Special Childhood By Karis Kolawole, Action for Children’s Head of Church Partnerships Jesus had what seemed like an ordinary birth except for a few unusual details – angels announcing his birth, a manger for a cot, wise men bearing precious gifts led by a star. He could easily have come to the world unnoticed. However, Mary, Joseph and the wise men couldn’t ignore the signs that this was a special child; in fact, this was the Saviour of the world. He seemed so ordinary but yet He had such a great destiny, one that would impact the whole world. Jesus grew in wisdom and stature (Luke 2:52), and was able to fulfil His purpose.

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In 2016, Action for Children launched a campaign, ‘Fair By Five’, calling on the government to make child development a national priority so that every child has the best start in life. Action for Children found that 1 in 3 children in England do not reach a good level of development by the time they are meant to start school, and they want to do something about it. This is because children who are not achieving their potential by age five are more likely to experience poorer health, employment and educational attainment. This impacts their future life chances. By supporting the work of Action for Children through this service, we remember disadvantaged children in our community who deserve to have a special childhood. If every child is given the right start in life and the right opportunities, they can become someone who could make a positive impact in the world in the future. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” With the right support to help all children develop mentally, emotionally and spiritually, they, like Jesus, may have the potential to become some sort of ‘saviours’ in their community – as doctors, firemen, lawyers, teachers, vicars, preachers, politicians; the list goes on. 

You can help make sure the government does its bit. Join the ‘Fair By Five’ campaign to make child development a national priority by 2020. Details are on our website, www.actionforchildren.org.uk/fairby5. Let’s pray Loving God, as our hearts go out to children this Christmas time, we thank you for the work of Action for Children. We thank you for all who have worked and are working today with your precious children and their families through this organisation, as they put your love into action. We thank you for staff and for volunteers and all who care in so many ways. Bless them as they carry out your work in our world and share your love with all in need. Amen. Carol 6 Hark the Herald Angels Sing H/P 106 A Message to round off your Christmas Event in aid of Action for Children by Angela Yardy of www.bestchildrensnativity.com As Christmas approaches, we think of that day When one very special child headed our way. We think of the message He came to proclaim And ask God to help us in Jesus’s name.

To show, through our actions, that He’s our Messiah; To share His compassion and Godly desire. Through Action for Children, we pray that we might Help children to feel loved, whatever their plight. For each one is special, their potential is there, So help them to know that we see, and we care. May each child know joy, from our Father above, As Action for Children share Jesus’s love. And as we support them in our own way Help us to take Action for Children today. Blessing May the joy of the angels The enthusiasm of the shepherds The generosity of the wise men The obedience of Mary and Joseph And the peace and love of the baby Jesus Be ours this Christmas time. Amen

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Rebecca became pregnant while at university. She felt isolated when all her friends left after they’d finished their studies. She says:

“Coming to the weekly Play and Stay sessions has really boosted my confidence as a parent. I can meet and talk with other parents and share experiences. I feel reassured that my daughter is on track with her development milestones and how she expresses herself.”

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Action for Children Hymn Suggested tune – Cross of Jesus Praise the Lord for men of vision, who, when moved by God above, Then reached out in zealous mission, based and formed in costly love. Love which had itself descended, through the Father’s only son, Love which had their lives upended, Leading them to act as one. Men united with a purpose, to bring aid to those in need, Children who, for various reasons, Needed acts of love and deed. Lord, for those throughout the decades, who’ve continued with that plan, We give thanks and give you praises, as with joy their work we scan. Lord, for those who by their actions, still sustain this work of love, and for those who need its service, Lord we pray to you above. Lord, we thank you for your mercy, and your love to us made known, Now through us in love and kindness, May this love to all be shown. Written by Harry Postlethwaite. Springfield Greenlands Methodist Church, Blackpool

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Four-year-old Leah had started nursery when her mum noticed her development was delayed and her behaviour was very challenging. A health assessment revealed she has global development delay. Her mum started taking her to one of our crèches. She says:

“She’s really come out of her shell. Before, she wouldn’t talk to anyone and wouldn’t play with any other kids. She doesn’t like to have physical contact. But she’s started playing with them and is getting better. Her talking is coming on really well too.” 12

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Fair by Five Did you know that 1 in 3 children in England do not reach a good level of development by the time they are meant to start school at 5? While most children do, there are still far too many, particularly from the most deprived areas, who don’t. They may be physically uncoordinated and unable to listen to stories or make themselves understood. For too many, going to the toilet or eating lunch unaided is difficult. In 2016, we launched a campaign, ‘Fair By Five’, calling on the government to make child development a national priority, giving every child the best chance of reaching a good level of development by age 5. Proverbs 22:6 says, ‘Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it.’ Playing and learning at home creates the foundation for children to grow up healthy, social and curious, all of which are crucial in future life – but some parents need extra support to provide these building blocks. We are asking the church to back our campaign to persuade the government to make child development a national priority by 2020.

Information on how to sign up to be a campaigner and what we would like you to do, is on our website: www.actionforchildren.org.uk/ fairby5

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When Thomas Bowman Stephenson arrived in London in 1869 he couldn’t believe how many homeless children there were. One boy said, “Do what you can for us, Sir”. He listened and set up the National Children’s Home to reach out and support children across the UK. Today, we are Action for Children and we work relentlessly to fix problems early and give every child and young person the love, support and opportunity they need to unlock their potential. Our local services support 390,000 children and their families across the UK. Thanks to the generous support of amazing people just like you, who leave a gift to Action for Children in their Will, we are able to give children a brighter future. For more information about remembering Action for Children in your Will: www.actionforchildren.org.uk/legacies [email protected] 0300 123 2112

The children’s charity of

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and be remembered.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

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