Lectionary Links: Trinity Sunday, May 26, 2013

 Trinity Sunday

Year C:  May 26, 2013

First Reading: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31

The Museum by Susan Verde

(Written for ages 4-8)

Comment: As we celebrate the work of Wisdom, we are invited to think about the ways she  was a part of creation from the beginning and continues to be present with us, inspiring our own creativity. The Museum is the story of a girl whose creativity and emotions are stirred by great works of art. Much like Wisdom rejoices and delights in the work of the great master of all creation, the girl rejoices and delights in the work of great master artists. As she leaves the museum, the girl carries it within her, causing creative visions to burst forth around her. With the help of this text and story, wonder together with the children of your church about the ways Wisdom and the beauty of creation inspire our own creativity.

Second Reading: Romans 5:1-5

The Curious Garden by Peter Brown

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment: While this short passage will not likely be understood by children in your church, the concepts mentioned are things they know and experience. You may choose to explore their understandings of peace, hope, and love. Additionally, you might explain the ideas of suffering and endurance, and explore the ways that they’ve experienced or witnessed these ideas. The Curious Garden is a lovely illustration of hope growing in the midst of suffering. Liam shows endurance and patience as he tends a tiny garden that eventually spreads throughout his dilapidated, dreary city. With Liam’s hope, color and light blossom in the midst of a broken world.

Gospel Reading: John 16:12-15

Zip, Zip… Homework by Nancy Poyder

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth…” Help children connect to the work of the Spirt by reflecting on the ways they find guidance in life. Who are the people that guide them in truth and what does that guidance look like? In Zip, Zip… Homework, Violet is guided in the ways of truth by her teacher Ms. Patience. Even when she is caught lying, Violet experiences grace when Ms. Patience teaches her the importance of truth. Wonder together about what Violet experienced when she was lying and what changed when she was able to live into the truth.

The Lectionary Links this week were written by regular contributor Noell Rathbun-Cook.

 

Lectionary Links: Sunday, May 19, 2013

Pentecost

Year C:  May 19, 2013

Pentecost Reading: Acts 2:1-21

Say Hello by Rachel Isadora

(Written for ages 4-8)

Comment: “Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?’” How overwhelming and incredible it must have been for the multicultural crowd to gather and hear the good news being shared in their own languages! On Pentecost, we are reminded that the Spirit weaves us together, regardless of our race, class, gender, age, or nationality. This is a day to celebrate our connectedness as we hear many languages spoken aloud. Say Hello follows Carmelita as she walks through her multicultural neighborhood, greeting friends and neighbors in their native languages. As you read this story alongside the Pentecost text, invite your congregation to experience the power of connection that exists beyond language barriers.

Additional suggestions for this text may be found in our posts from Year A.

First Reading: Genesis 11:1-9

We by Alice Schertle

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment:  In his commentary on this text, Ralph W. Klein offers an alternative interpretation that differs from the traditional focus on human arrogance and God’s punishment. He suggests that God’s scattering of the people is not due to punishment, but to a desire for cultural diversity. “The story embraces cultural solidarity and cultural difference and acknowledges the value of both.” (Feasting on the Word, Year C, Volume 3, p 7) We follows humanity from its origins in Africa to its expansion throughout the world, acknowledging our common beginnings as well as our cultural diversity. Use this story to help the children of your church explore what it might look like for God to scatter the people abroad over the face of all the earth.

Second Reading: Romans 8:14-17

We Belong Together: A Book About Adoption and Families by Todd Parr

(Written for ages 3-7)

Comment: “…you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” This text invites us to reflect on what it means to be children of God. Some of the children in your church may be adopted or know someone who has been adopted. Talk together about the way they understand adoption. How is being adopted by God related to other kinds of adoption? We Belong Together explores different types of adoptive families and what brought them together. The book emphasizes that adoption is something that occurs when people belong together and are rooted in love. This is also what it means to be children of God. God adopts us because we belong to God and God loves us.

Gospel Reading: John 14:8-17, (25-27)

The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment: The disciples express anxieties that are quite typical of those who worry about permanent separation. In promising the Advocate, Jesus is responding to their need for something concrete to hold, be guided by, and find comfort in. With the presence of the Spirit, their anxieties will not paralyze them from continuing the work of Christ. The Spirit provides peace, comfort, and guidance, helping us to remember Jesus is with us, even though we can’t see him. The Keeping Quilt helps a family remember they are with one another. Despite the distance across oceans and the separation of death, the quilt binds the generations of a family together through love and memories. When Anna’s mother makes the quilt from different family members’ clothing, she says, “It will be like having the family in backhome Russia dance around us at night.” Today is a day for dancing with the Spirit. May our Pentecost celebrations help us to see the way we are connected to Christ and the disciples of the church throughout time.

This week’s Lectionary Links are written by regular contributor Noell Rathbun-Cook.

Lectionary Links: Sunday, February 17, 2013

1st Sunday in Lent
Year C:  February 17, 2013
First Reading: Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Bagels from Benny by Aubrey Davis
(Written for ages 5-9)
Comment: To proclaim this text is to proclaim faithfully that the God who cared for a wandering Aramean and his descendants is a God who also cares for us. How do we respond to God’s grace and work in our lives? With gratitude, giving back to God, and celebrating God’s bounty with our neighbors. Benny recognizes that he must do more than say thank you to God for the delicious bagels Grandpa bakes. Weekly he offers a bag of hot bagels to God, placing them in God’s Holy Ark. As the story ends, readers discover Benny’s thanks to God has also touched his neighbors. “[You] made the world a little better,” said Grandpa… “And what better thanks could God have?” Like Benny, may our thank-yous to God serve to make this world a little better.
Second Reading: Romans 10:8b-13
A Book of Friends by Dave Ross
(Written for ages 3-7)
Comment: This passage invites us to reflect on what it means to belong to God and who belongs to God. Often, in our relationships and churches we are drawn to people who are like us. Sometimes we consider people who are different as outsiders, not only to our community, but to God’s. God does not make distinctions the way we do. “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him.”  With children, we may discuss our relationship with God as a friendship. God’s friends, like those described in A Book of Friends, come in all different sizes, shapes, and colors. Ross explores different kinds of friends, as well as finding and maintaining friendships. As you explore the concept of friendship with your children, think about the diversity that exists among God’s beloved children and the way we treat one another.
Gospel Reading: Luke 4:1-13
Oh No, George! by Chris Haughton
(Written for ages 4-8)
Comment: “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.” Throughout these forty days of temptation Jesus continually makes the choice to remain obedient to God. We, like Jesus, have a choice to make each time we experience temptation. Oh No, George! will help you explore the concept of temptation and choice with the children of your congregation. Sometimes George is obedient and sometimes he’s not. The experiences of Jesus and George invite us to wonder about the temptations that arise in our daily lives and the choices we make in response to them.

The Lectionary Links this week were written by regular contributor Noell Rathbun-Cook.

Lectionary Links: Trinity Sunday, June 3, 2012

Trinity Sunday

Year B:  June 3, 2012

First Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8

The Precious Gift by Ellen Jackson

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!” In using this text with children, it is perhaps God’s call and Isaiah’s response that are most accessible. Children will connect to the idea of volunteering or responding to a call or request. In this text from Isaiah, the call wasn’t really one that people would jump to volunteer for. Often responding to a call takes great courage and determination. We see this type of interaction in the Navaho story shared by Jackson. First man and woman call out for someone to go back to the world they’d left behind for a drop of water. Though the other animals are afraid to volunteer, little snail calls out, “let me go!”

Second Reading: Romans 8:12-17

I Love You Like Crazy Cakes by Rose Lewis

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment: “…you have received a spirit of adoption…it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God…” To be children of God connects us not only to God, but to one another.  When we see each other through the spirit of our adoption, we are able to recognize each other as family. Lewis tells the story of her daughter’s adoption and the way they became family. Readers also experience the way being Lewis’s child connects her daughter to the rest of the family; because of this connection, they love her.  What a blessing it is when we can see one another through God’s eyes and love one another as family.

Gospel Reading: John 3:1-17

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

(Written for ages 4-8)

Comment: “For God so loved the world…” In her comments on the text, educator Carolyn Brown suggests that this is a good time to focus with children on God’s love. (http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2012/04/year-b-trinity-sunday-june-3-2012.html) God’s love is greater than we can imagine. The classic children’s story Guess How Much I Love You? explores a love greater than little bunny can imagine. Each time he thinks he’s discovered the biggest way to explain love, his father’s describes a love that is greater. Use this story to wonder together with children about our love for God and God’s great love for us.

The Lectionary Links for this week were written by regular contributor Noell Rathbun-Cook.

Lectionary Links: Pentecost, May 27, 2012

Pentecost

Year B:  May 27, 2012

First Reading:  Acts 2:1-21

We Are One by Ysaye M. Barnwell

(Written for ages 4-8)

Comment: On Pentecost we celebrate the birth of the church and the pouring out of God’s Spirit upon a diverse body of believers. According to Donald K. McKim, “[realizing] that ‘all flesh,’ all people, receive the Spirit, enables us to watch and participate in God’s work in this world with a wide-open vision… [joining] with all others to accomplish the Spirit’s purposes.” (Feasting on the Word, Year B, volume 3, p 6) Though we are a diverse people, we are unified through the Spirit. We Are One illustrates Sweet Honey in the Rock’s song “We Are…” The book beautifully expresses our identity, both musically and visually. On Pentecost, may we seek to celebrate our unity and oneness in the Spirit. 

Second Reading:  Romans 8:22-27

Let There Be Peace: Prayers from Around the World by Jeremy Brooks

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment: This text serves to remind us that often are prayers are an expression of a hope not yet fully realized. Indeed, prayers may be groans, sighs, breaths taken, or words exhaled. This book of prayers collected by Rev. Jeremy Brooks express what it is we are hoping, groaning, sighing, praying, waiting for: a world of peace, creation as it was intended to be. When we’ve exhausted the words in this book as well as the words of our hearts, when we find no words remain, may we be comforted that our hope will forever be expressed through the sighs too deep for words of our ceaseless intercessor.

Gospel  Reading:  John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

One Thousand Paper Cranes: The Story of Sadako and the Children’s Peace Statue by  Takayuki Ishii

(Written for ages 10-14)

Comment: In thinking about this text, we might pause to consider how powerful it is that the story and mission of Jesus survived and thrived beyond the time he was physically present on earth. Surely that in itself is a picture of the Spirit at work in our family of faith, glorifying Christ, taking what is his and declaring it to us again and again. The Spirit weaves us together in life and in death,  building us up for Christ’s work in the world. In many schools, children and youth learn about Sadako, a girl who battled leukemia caused by the bomb that hit Hiroshima. Though Sadako died, her story and spirit live on, inspiring children around the world to study and seek peace.

This week’s Lectionary Links  post was written by regular contributor Noell Rathbun-Cook.

Lectionary Links: Sunday, March 4, 2012

Second Sunday of Lent

Year B: March 4, 2012

First Reading: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

Fathers Mothers, Sisters, Brothers: A Collection of Family Poems by Mary Ann Hoberman (Written for ages 3-8)

Comment: We’re continuing the theme of covenant as we move through Lent; part of what makes a covenant work is the relationship between those who make the covenant. In this case it is God and Abraham and Sarah. They trust in each other and have faith in God’s promise that their family will grow. Explore a variety of family relationships with Fathers, Mothers, Sisters, Brothers–a book of poetry about different families and family relationships and how they work.

Second Reading: Romans 4: 13-25

Saint Francis and the Wolf  by Richard Egielski (Written for ages 5 -9)

Comment: In this familiar story we read about the time when Saint Francis was living in Gubbia and the town was being tormented by a wolf. Many people and things had been tried to get the wolf to leave them alone, but Saint Francis tried something different. He walked into the forest right up to the wolf and talked with it. He had no fear because he had faith in God and in what God was leading him to do. Like Abraham and Sarah, Francis had faith in something that seemed impossible. As we reflect and pray during this Lenten season we can also be mindful of listening for God and believing in what God is telling us.

Gospel Reading: Mark 8:31-38

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling (Written for ages 14 and up)

Comment: “For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.” In recent Young adult fiction, what better example of the options presented by Jesus could there be than the characters of Harry Potter and Voldemort? Voldemort seeks to save his life for eternity by storing parts of his soul in horcruxes. He does not realize that in seeking eternal life, he has actually destroyed himself. In turn, Harry Potter has a noble goal and in seeking what is good for the world, he willingly sacrifices his own life. In this action, he ends up saving his life because he sought what was good. Harry’s action is one of taking up the cross, explained by Melinda A. Quivik in New Proclamation as “the daily journey of focusing on what endures, what matters, what reconciles and seeks the good.”

This Lectionary Links post was written by Union Presbyterian Seminary student Rachel Mastin and alumna Noell Rathbun-Cook.

Lectionary Links: Sunday, December 18, 2011

4^th Sunday in Advent

Year B:  December 18, 2011

First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

The Carpenter’s Gift by David Rubel

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment: Understanding the consistent grace of God is a helpful way to explore this text with children. Mark Douglas suggests that for the Babylonian exiles, hearing this text would have been “a way of hoping for a future based on what God has done in the past.” He goes on to say that for us to hear the text in this way is a chance to “watch the gospel be born anew.” (Feasting on the Word, Year B, Volume 1, p 78) We see a vision of hope for the future based on the past in The Carpenter’s Gift. When Henry’s wish for a house comes true through the gifts of many people, he plants a pinecone in gratitude. The pinecone grows into a huge tree, which many years later allows Henry to share the gift of a house with another family.

Second Reading: Romans 16:25-27

Cricket at the Manger by Edith Hope Fine

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment: This doxology from Romans is an expression of praise for the way God is made known to us through Jesus Christ—the incarnation. Sally A. Brown declares it shocking that God would come to earth as one of us, with flesh and bone, a vulnerable baby. “By grace, shock may give way to holy stillness, holy stillness to rising joy, until we leap to shout ‘Praise!’ to the one who took flesh for our redemption.” (Feasting on the Word, Year B, Volume 1, p 91) Cricket, too, goes through a process before he leaps to praise. When he finally comes face to face with the Christ child, he is moved to sing a song of joy.

Gospel Reading: Luke 1:26-38

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (a picture book adaptation) by Barbara Robinson

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment: “…nothing will be impossible with God.” The story of the annunciation is truly one where, through God, the impossible occurs. The classic story, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, is also a story of impossible transformation. Everyone expects the Christmas pageant to bomb because the Herdmans—aka “the worst kids in the history of the world”—have hijacked all the main roles. How can it really be a Christmas pageant when they don’t even know the story of Jesus’ birth? Although the Herdmans take artistic freedoms in interpreting their roles, it is clear that they have truly encountered the Son of God. The impossible did occur: “Every wrong thing the Herdmans did seemed right and natural… It was the best Christmas pageant ever!”

This Lectionary Links post was written by regular contributor Noell Rathbun.

Lectionary Links: Sunday, Sept. 4 and Sept. 11, 2011

23^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A:  September 4, 2011

First Reading:  Exodus 12:1-14

Passover:  Celebrating Now, Remembering Then by Harriet Ziefert

(Written for ages 4-8)

Comment:  In this passage, God institutes the celebration of Passover, saying, “This day shall be a day of remembrance for you”.  Each of the rituals described will keep the memory of Passover alive for each generation of the people of Israel.  In Passover:  Celebrating Now, Remembering Then, the vivid illustrations depict modern Passover celebrations while connecting us to the Biblical events which inspired the celebrations of the past.  As each act of Passover occurs, the story is retold, so that the day is truly one of remembrance.

Second Reading:  Romans 13:8-14

Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch! By Eileen Spinelli

(Written for ages 4-7)

Comment:  Paul writes to the Romans that all the law is found in Jesus’ command to “Love your neighbor as yourself”.  This command is urgent for Paul and us—that the day is near and we must “put on the armor of light” and live like Jesus Christ—and to do this, we must love our neighbors.  In Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch!, the idea of someone loving him changes Mr. Hatch’s life, and his change inspires love and connection to grow among his neighbors.  Mr. Hatch becomes a man who loves his neighbors and they show how much they love him, as well as all other kinds of good coming out of this mutual love.  They truly fulfill the law of Christ as Paul describes it and love their neighbor as themselves.

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 18:15-20

And to Think That We Thought That We’d Never Be Friends!  By Mary Ann Hoberman

(Written for ages 5-8)

Comment:  Matthew’s Gospel story addresses the reality of conflict within the community of faith—how do we faithfully resolve issues with one another?  In And to Think That We Thought That We’d Never Be Friends!, we see the fruits of faithfully resolving conflict.  An argument between two siblings is resolved by their sister and we see that when they resolve their disagreement they are able to take their new problem solving skills to the whole world!  Matthew commends the agreement of two or three on earth (18:19), and in this book we see far more than that—we see the whole world working to resolve differences and be bound together.

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24^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A: September 11^th, 2011

First Reading:  Exodus 14:19-31

Nachshon, Who was Afraid to Swim:  A Passover Story by Deborah Cohen

(Written for ages 3-8 )

Comment:  “Moses stretched out his hand out over the sea” and “The Lord drove the sea back…”  So begins the exciting story of the Israelites crossing through the Red Sea, following God’s command.  But Nachshon, the main character in Nachshon, Who was Afraid to Swim, though he longs for freedom, is very afraid.  But he remembers to trust in God and to follow God’s commands and is able to cross to freedom with all the rest of God’s people on their exciting escape from Egypt.

Second Readings:  Romans 14:1-12

I’m Not by Pam Smallcomb

(Written for ages 4-8  )

Comment:  Paul asks the Romans, “Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister?”  Paul knows that the body of Christ is made up of many kinds of people:  ones who eat differently and celebrate differently and live differently from one another.  But those differences don’t have to cause judgments of one another.  The narrator of I’m Not knows that she and her friend, Evelyn, are VERY different! Their differences, however, don’t lead to judgment, and in fact, the two friends find that their differences are what make them absolutely perfect friends for each other!

Gospel Reading:  Matthew 18:21-31

I Am Extremely Absolutely Boiling by Lauren Child

(Written for ages 4-8)

Comment:  In the story of the unforgiving servant, we meet a man who does not truly realize the gift of forgiveness that he’s been given, because he does not extend it to others.  Lola and Arnold in I Am Extremely Absolutely Boiling show us what happens when we show others generosity and extend kindness.  Lola shares her ice cream with Arnold, but when it drops on the ground, Arnold won’t share his ice cream with Lola.  She is very angry, but forgives him when he offers to let her play in his pool.  When they have more ice cream, Arnold’s drops and Lola decides not to treat him as he treated her, but instead extends him forgiveness and shares with him.  She shows us what could have happened in the story of the unforgiving servant if the servant had extended his gift of grace to others.

Special Topic:  10^th Anniversary of September 11^th, 2001

September 12^th: We Knew Everything Would Be All Right by H.B. Masterson First Grade Students

(Written for ages 4-8 )

Comment:  Some churches may commemorate the 10^th anniversary of 9/11 on this Sunday.  Many children may not even have been born yet when it occurred and so September 12:  We Knew Everything Would be All Right briefly tells the story of what happened in a non-graphic way (kids illustrated the book with their drawings) and emphasizes that everything was and will be all right.  A good tie-in might be the story of Jesus Christ and how it gives our lives hope and the knowledge that everything will be all right.

We are happy to have Sara Anne Berger, recent graduate of Union Presbyterian Seminary, provide the Lectionary Links posts for the next 13 weeks.

Lectionary Links: Sunday, Aug. 21 and Sunday, Aug. 28, 2011

21^st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A: August 21, 2011

First Reading: Exodus 1:8-2:10

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

(Written for ages 12+)

Comment: “The Egyptians became ruthless in imposing tasks on the Israelites, and made their lives bitter with hard service in mortar and brick and in every kind of field labor. They were ruthless in all the tasks that they imposed on them.” Using cruelty to maintain power is, unfortunately, not an concept found only in ancient texts. Throughout history we have seen countless examples of societies oppressing specific groups of people out of fear of uprising. Suzanne Collins writes of a future example, not unlike the one found in today’s text, in her bestselling novel, The Hunger Games. As Pharaoh intimidated the Israelites through oppressive work and living conditions, the people living in the districts are pushed down, threatened, and controlled by the Capitol. A highly disturbing element in both the Exodus passage and The Hunger Games is the way the power brokers use the sacrifice of children in order to manipulate and control the people. “Taking kids from our districts, forcing them to kill one another while we watch—this is the Capitol’s way of reminding us how totally we are at their mercy.” (The Hunger Games, Chapter 1)

Second Reading: Romans 12:1-8

If you didn’t use the story Head, Body, Legs on Sunday, June 12, 2011, you might consider using it for this week’s passage from Romans.

The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear by David Bruins

(Written for ages 4-8)

Comment: “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned… We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us.” Part of what strengthens our community within the body of Christ is the diversity of gifts for ministry that we claim and share. It’s definitely hard to live in community when we are constantly trying to compare ourselves to one another or one-up each other concerning the gifts we bring to the table. We find a situation of one-upmanship in The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear—the friends’ quarrel over who is the best among them potentially threatens to destroy their friendship. Fortunately they come to the important realization that no one has to be the best and they come to appreciate each other’s gifts and the special and unique qualities that make each of them different.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:13-20

Jesus, This Is Your Life: Stories & Pictures by Kids edited by Jeff Kunkel

(Written for ages 4-8)

Comment: “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’” Who is Jesus and how do we know him? The disciples experienced life with Jesus and through their experience came to recognize him as the Messiah. We recognize Jesus as the Messiah because of experiencing life with him through the telling and hearing of the Bible stories that describe him. Jeff Kunkel is a Methodist pastor who shares Bible stories with children and provides them the opportunity to illustrate the stories and tell them in their own words. His book is a collection of stories and images of Jesus that are written and drawn by children. Interacting with this book provides the opportunity for creative thinking and wonderment, opening the door for readers to consider answering Jesus’ question in our own words and pictures.

This Lectionary Links post was written by Union Presbyterian Seminary alumna Noell Rathbun.

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22^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A: August 28, 2011

First Reading: Exodus 3: 1-15

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom, by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Kadir Nelson

(Written for ages 5-8)

This week’s Old Testament text is, in and of itself, an eye-catching, ear-grabbing story – the story of God calling Moses, from within a burning bush.  While there are a number of young children’s Bible storybooks that directly tell this call story for young children, this week we highlight a book for elementary-aged children that presents an analogous story – the story of God calling Harriet Tubman, an African American woman born into slavery but called by God to help lead the Underground Railroad, to free slaves. With spare text, easy-to-repeat central phrases, and powerful full-page illustrations, the book brings Tubman’s life and work to life, explicitly depicted as response to God’s call.

Second reading: Romans 12:9-21

Just the Way You Are, by Max Lucado and illustrated by Sergio Martinez

(Written for ages 4-8)

The week’s text from Romans is one of Paul’s meditations on the call to “love one another.”  As with many of our Epistle texts, it rather tightly packed verbally, and not always readily understood by children.  Max Lucado’s book is not a direct meditation on the Romans text but is rather a metaphorical story that tells of a great King’s love for a little girl who has no gifts to give the King except her own love, expressed in the concrete ways she treats others.

Third Reading: Matthew 16: 21-28

Miss Tizzy, by Libba Moore Gray, illustrated by Jada Rowland

(Written for ages 4-8)

This is a “tough text” about discipleship in light of Jesus’ ultimate giving of his life.  It is a difficult text  for young children.  One way to handle it is to focus on Jesus’ call to “follow me,” within the pericope, emphasizing what it means to “follow” in the way of giving love.  Focus on the call to “follow me” is consistent with Matthew’s gospel, and paves the way for teaching children about the sacrifices involved in following, as they grow older.  Miss Tizzy tells the story of a woman who embodies love that reaches out to and embraces everyone she meets, particularly the young children in her neighborhood.  The children “follow” her literally and figuratively, participating in her life of everyday love, until they are able to embody that love for themselves, extending it in return TO Miss Tizzy.  In this story, following the way of such love clearly calls for giving of self.

This Lectionary Links post was written by Union Presbyterian Seminary professor Dr. Pamela Mitchell Legg.

Lectionary Links: Sunday, August 14, 2011

20^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A:  August 14, 2011

First Reading: Genesis 45:1-15

The Adventures of Granny Clearwater & Little Critter by Kimberly Willis Holt

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment: In today’s reading from Genesis, we meet Joseph and his brothers once again. This time they are reunited in Egypt and Joseph shares the stories of his adventures and encourages the whole family to settle down and make a home in Egypt.  Like Joseph, Granny Clearwater and Little Critter are separated from their family, though it is purely by accident. They also experience a wide variety of adventures and finally come to a stop in California.  Excited by their homecoming with the rest of their family, they celebrate their reunion by building a new home and settling out West together. Though the stories are wildly different, both contain adventure, journeys, families reuniting, and settling in new lands.

Second Reading: Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32

Then I Think of God by Martha Whitmore Hickman

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment: “God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.” The faithfulness of God is perhaps the most important message in this text to share with children. One way we can understand what it means for God to be faithful is remembering experiences of God’s presence and love. Children do this in the story Then I Think of God. They experience God in the midst of wonderful times, as well as scary times; God is with them regardless of the nature of their actions. Spend time exploring with children the times when they think of God and experience God’s faithfulness.

Gospel Reading: Matthew 15:(10-20), 21-28

Back of the Bus by Aaron Reynolds

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment: It takes courage to stand up for oneself as the Canaanite woman did. It’s uncomfortable imagining her talking back to Jesus, shaking the waters. Yet her actions are also encouraging and have the potential to empower us to stand up against situations of injustice. Rosa Parks stood up for herself when she refused to give up her seat on the bus. The boy in the story watches Mrs. Parks with her strong chin. His Mama, clearly nervous about Mrs. Park’s action, comments that she’s “stirrin’ up a nest of hornets,”  but even as she says it, the boy see’s her eyes brighten. He is empowered by what he has witnessed and “instead of feelin’ all shaky, [he feels] a little strong.”

This Lectionary Links post is written by Union Presbyterian Seminary alumna and regular contributor Noell Rathbun.