Pentecost Four - Sunday, June 8
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Read the Gospel for the day over - Matthew 9: 9-13, 18-26. Pay attention to the words or phrases that jump out at you.
Read over the lesson so that you are familiar with what is intended to happen. Gather the materials that you will need for each section of the lesson. For deeper thinking or for ways to extend the lesson take a look at the following websites:
http://www.textweek.com/yeara/propera5.htm
http://www.word-sunday.com/Files/a/10-a/K-10-a.html
http://www.cyberfaith.com/proclaiming_faith.cfm?reading_id=209&language=eng&book=0
http://msssbible.com/newtestament/jesusheals.htm
Materials needed:
Small table or end of one table
White candle
Bible & Bookmark
Green cloth (optional)
Box of plastic bandages
Gather around the small table or at the end of one table. If you have the green cloth put it down and place the candle on it. Put the Bible and the box of bandages near the candle (you may want to let the children help with this).
Light the candle.
Pray the following prayer together:
Creator God you are here,
Loving Jesus you are here,
Holy Spirit you are here,
Come and show us the way.
Amen.
Blow out the candle. Ask the children what happens in their family when someone is sick or hurt. How do they help to take care of others in their families? Give each child a bandage from the box. Ask how they would use the bandage (for a cut, to make someone feel better). Explain that in today's story they are going to hear about two different people who are helped by Jesus.
Materials needed:
Comfortable place to set up a story area - around a table or on the floor with cushions
Box of bandages from "Gathering" section
Piece of construction paper
Jesus had gone out for dinner with his friends. They had been invited for dinner by Matthew who was Jesus' newest friend. Matthew used to be a tax collector - someone who was not liked by anyone! Matthew invited Jesus to meet his friends - many of whom were not really nice people.
The religious leaders saw Jesus eating with these people. They were just not sure what to think. One of them called a friend of Jesus over. He said, "What is Jesus doing with those people? Doesn't he know that they are not nice people?"
Jesus heard what they were talking about. He called the two of them over and answered the leader's question. "Remember God sent me to heal the sick and be with those who need to hear about God's love. Those who are already well do not need to hear about God's love as they already now about it."
Lay down the piece of construction paper. Place one bandage on the construction paper, for the first part of a heart shape.
As Jesus was talking to the people at dinner a leader of the local synagogue came in. (Explain to the children that the synagogue is the place where Jews would go to learn about God and worship together.) He was very upset. He looked all around the room for Jesus. When he found Jesus he knelt down in front of him.
He said, "Jesus, my daughter, my little girl, has died. I know that if you come and lay hands on her she will live."
Place another bandage on the construction paper to form more of the heart.
Jesus nodded to the man and followed the man out of the house. As they were walking down the street a woman who had been ill for a very long time and she saw Jesus coming. She thought to herself, "If I just touch the fringe on Jesus' cloak I will get better."
Place another bandage on the construction paper to form more of the heart.
As Jesus went past the woman, she reached out and touched his cloak. Jesus turned around when that happened. He looked at her with great love and compassion. He said, "Be well daughter. Your faith has healed you."
The woman knew immediately that she was all better.
Place another bandage on the construction paper to form more of the heart.
Jesus came into the home of the synagogue leader. All around people were crying for they thought the daughter of the synagogue leader was dead. They were playing sad songs and getting ready for her funeral. Jesus said to all the people, "Go away, the child is not dead. She is just sleeping."
Place another bandage on the construction paper to form more of the heart.
The people all laughed at Jesus but they did go outside. When everyone had left, Jesus went into the girl's room. He took her by the hand and the girl got up from her bed.
Place another bandage on the construction paper to form more of the heart.
Everyone heard about what had happened. They started telling all they knew about what Jesus was doing and saying.
Show the children the heart on the construction paper and invite them to think about the work of Jesus.
Idea #1: Healing Hands Poster
This project will reinforce the idea of Jesus using his hands to heal those who asked for it.
Materials needed: poster board, construction paper, box of bandages, scissors, glue and markers
Instructions: Print across the top of the poster board WE CAN BE JESUS' HEALING HANDS. Read the phrase to the children and ask if they can think how we can be Jesus' healing hands today (taking care of the person, praying for them, going to the doctor are some possible answers). Give each child a couple of pieces of construction paper. Have them trace their hands with their fingers widespread on the construction paper. Help the younger ones to cut out their hands and have the others cut theirs out. Invite the children to think about who needs prays for healing or help - in their families, in the church, in their school or their friends. When they think of someone help them to print the names on the hands. Using the glue put the hands onto the poster board. Use the bandages to decorate the hands and the poster. With the children find a place that the poster can be displayed for all to see in the church community.
Idea #2: Get Well Cards
These can be an outreach the children can do for others in their community.
Materials needed: card stock, markers, scissors, construction paper, bandages, glue, and seasonal stickers
Instructions: Fold the card stock in half. Print on the inside: THE CHILDREN OF "NAME OF PARISH" ARE PRAYING FOR YOU TO GET WELL SOON. Give each child a prepared card and read them (or have one of the children read it) the sentence on the inside of the card. Invite the children to decorate the cards with the material that has been laid out for them. If you have time you might want to get the children to sign all of the cards. Have the children present the cards to the person responsible for going to visit the sick (priest or pastoral visitors) so that they can be passed out as needed.
Idea #3: Word Search
This idea will work with older children and will give them a chance to do more direct reading of the gospel passage.
Materials needed: word search website, pencils
Instructions: Print up the word search from the website. Make copies for each child. Give them pencils. Encourage them to read over the passage with the puzzle. Invite them to find as many words from the healing stories as they can. You may want to make extra copies so that they can share them with their families. Have fun.
Gather with the children around the worship table again. Relight the candle. Say the prayer line by line and encourage the children to repeat it after you:
Creator God thank you for loving us,
Loving Jesus thank you for teaching us,
Holy Spirit thank you for helping us grow,
Be with us in everything we do.
Amen.
