Step into the Story – Advent 2024
Step into the Story
A bank of resources for churches which accompany and link with the 2024 Advent Pack from the URC.
The Advent Pack, Step into the Story, invites everyone to recognise that they too are part of God’s big story; Jesus came for each individual person, no matter when or where they were born or lived, no matter who they are. The Nativity Story is a story about many different nationalities and ethnicities and all around the world, the birth of Jesus is recognised and celebrated by people of all ages. So let’s step into God’s story together as we celebrate God stepping into ours.
Resources
YouTube videos links
Whole book 12: 57
Introduction to the Nativity 1: 51
Mary and Joseph 2: 31
The Shepherds 2: 50
The Wise Men 2: 49
Jesus is born 3: 23
Ideas for church activities to link to the theme
There are all sorts of ways in which you might develop the theme of Step into the Story. Here are a few that we came up with. They may work for your church, or you may wish to adapt them.
Church Activity Suggestions (PDF | 192KB)
Props for photo booth (PDF | 768KB)
Ideas for an intergenerational church service linked to the theme
Rather than give an outline service, we have provided some prayers, some hymn and song suggestions, some activities suitable for inclusion in an intergenerational setting.
Call to worship (PDF | 98KB)
Prayer of approach and adoration (PDF | 78KB)
Prayers of confession and absolution (PDF | 126KB)
Prayers of thanksgiving (PDF | 136KB)
Prayers of intercession (PDF | 156KB)
Closing prayer (PDF | 101KB)
Suggestions of hymns/songs which link to the theme (PDF |89KB)
Prayers from the Step into the Story book (PDF | 128KB)
Suggestions of activities to share as a congregation (PDF | 186KB)
Colouring page and puzzle page for download
Download and colour this beautiful illustration by Samara Andrews
Angels colouring picture (PDF | 1MB)
Try your hand at these puzzles based on the story
Puzzle Page (PDF | 302KB) Answers (PDF | 278KB)
Banners and posters for noticeboards
These downloadable banners and posters may need enlarging for your church noticeboards. Suggestions on how to use them are included in the ideas for church activities to link to the theme.
Christmas across our church family banner (PDF | 180KB) poster (PDF | 259KB)
God’s story, your story, everyone’s story banner (PDF | 189KB) poster (PDF | 266KB)
Step into the Christmas story with us banner (PDF | 184KB) poster (PDF | 256KB)
Shopping lists
Some churches may wish to provide packs of ingredients or resources for families to make some of the recipes or crafts in the activity book. Here is an easy reference sheet to refer to when deciding what you might wish to offer.
Shopping list for recipes (PDF | 83KB)
Shopping list for craft/sensory activities (PDF | 141KB)
Faith at Home
Faith Adventures: Children Together - Advent postcards home (PDF | 186KB)
These A5 double-sided postcards from the Faith Adventures are just right for sending home each week.
They include the passage from the Bible, a wondering question on the theme, links to videos of the story, an easy activity for individuals to do or for a family to do together, and a simple one-line prayer that children and adults can use as part of their daily life.