Sunday, May 25, 208
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Second Sunday after Pentecost
Read the Gospel for the day over Matthew 6: 24-34. 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/epipha8.htm
http://www.faith-at-home.com/articles/daily-life.html
Materials needed:
Small table or end of one table
White candle
Bible & Bookmark
Green cloth (optional)
Potted plant
Picture for the day - from the website
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, the plant and the picture for the day 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. Point out the plant to the children. Ask them what the plant needs to survive (light, water, and care). Now take a look at the picture. Ask the children what the birds need to survive (food, water, and care). Ask the children who they think cares for all the creation (hopefully someone will suggest God). Tell the children that in the story today Jesus will be reminding us about who cares for everyone and takes care of everyone.
Materials needed:
Comfortable place to set up a story area - around a table or on the floor with cushions
Bring the plant and the picture with you and place in front of the children.
Teach the children the following song:
This is sung to the tune of Freres Jacques:
Who will care for us? Who will care for us?
We know who! We know who!
God looks after everyone,
Our God loves, our God loves.
Jesus was standing on the top of big hill. There were lots of people around him. Some of him were his friends and loved listening to all that Jesus had to tell them about God. Some of them were people who had heard about Jesus and were curious about the things he had to say. Others were not sure at all of what Jesus was doing and wanted to make sure that he only did the things that the leaders wanted to him to do.
Jesus looked at all the people on the hill. He knew that they were hungry to hear how God was going to take care of them. He decided to tell them this story.
Who will care for us? Who will care for us?
We know who! We know who!
God looks after everyone,
Our God loves, our God loves.
Jesus said, "Look at the birds in the air. They do not plant seeds. They do not harvest them. They do not take care of their food. Look at them again. They always have food to eat. They know where to get water. It is God who feeds them, just like a parent feeds their children." (Show the children the picture of the day to the children again.)
Who will care for us? Who will care for us?
We know who! We know who!
God looks after everyone,
Our God loves, our God loves.
Then Jesus looked around the field. He saw all the flowers that were blooming in the field. He said to the people, "Look at those lovely lilies. They don't make or buy their clothes. They grow and are beautiful to look at. Even the greatest leader in the world does not look as lovely as these flowers. Who is it that looks after them? It is God, our loving God who cares for all creation." (Let the children look at the plant again.)
Who will care for us? Who will care for us?
We know who! We know who!
God looks after everyone,
Our God loves, our God loves.
Jesus asked the people who were listening to him a question, he asked, "Why do you worry so much? God does not want you to worry. The flowers in the field and the birds in the air they do not worry. God takes care of them. Do you not realize how much more important you are to God? God will always take care of you. "
Who will care for us? Who will care for us?
We know who! We know who!
God looks after everyone,
Our God loves, our God loves.
The people all looked at each other and knew that Jesus was right. It was time to let God look after them and not worry so much.
Idea #1: Do Not Worry Poster
The key message that Jesus wants to get across to his listeners is "Do Not Worry". One way to share this message with others in the parish having the children making a poster to share.
Materials needed: poster board, markers, creation pictures from magazines and other sources, scissors, glue, glitter and anything else that might be useful to decorate the poster with
Instructions: Print on the poster in large letters DO NOT WORRY. Gather as many pictures of creation as you can find. Place these in front of the children. Invite them to think about how they can share Jesus' message of ‘Do not worry' with others. Let them decorate the poster as they see fit. If you have a large group of children you may want to think about splitting the children up into groups of 3 or 4 to make up posters in that way. When the children are finished see if there is a way that they can share their posters with others in the parish.
Idea #2: Bird Feeder Ideas
These ideas will remind the children that we are all connected and that we all need to care for God's creation.
Bird Feeder #1
Materials needed: day old bagels, lard or vegetable shortening, blunt knives, bird feed, resealable large plastic bags, scissors and heavy string or yarn
Instructions: Cut string into 60 cm/24 inch lengths. Put bird seed into resealable bag. Give each child a bagel. Let them spread as much as lard or vegetable shortening as they can on the bagel (you will probably want the lard/shortening as thick as possible to take up more bird seed). Put the bagel in the bag with the bird seed, seal the bag and let the children shake the bag around to get the seeds embedded into the lard/shortening. When the bagel looks full of seeds take out of the bag and tie on the string. Put the bagel back into the bag and reseal. Encourage the children to find a place at home to hang up so that the birds can have a nice treat.
Bird Feeder #2
Materials needed: 2 litre empty clean milk cartons, sharpie marker, sharp knife, heavy string, hole punch, masking tape, and bird seed
Instructions: Make a rectangle on each side of the milk carton - that is at least 8 cm/3 inch from the bottom and top of the carton and at least 2.5 cm/1 inch from the edges. Using the sharp knife cut out the rectangles. Cut the string into 60 cm/24 inch lengths. Give each child a prepared milk carton and piece of string. Help them to punch a pair of holes into the top of the carton for the string. Tie the string around and tie so that it makes a hanger. Using the masking tape cover up the edges of the rectangles in the carton. Put about 5 cm/2 in of bird seed into the bottom of the bird feeder. You may want to have small resealable bags available to put the bird seed into for the children when they take the feeder's home. Encourage the children to find a place to hang the feeders up at home. Also remind them that they will need to refill the feeder from time to time.
Idea #3: Flower Pots
This idea will connect with the children with caring of the earth and God's care for all creation.
Materials needed: small ceramic pots, potting soil, flower seeds (some suggestions - nasturtiums, sweet peas, cosmos or mixed wild flowers), spoons, watering can with water and newspaper
Instructions: Cover the working area with newspaper to save on clean up later. Give each child a flower pot. Show the children the flower seeds. Ask them what they think the seeds will need to grow into flowers (soil, water, light and care).Help the children to fill up the pots to about ¾ of the way with soil. Place 3 to 6 seeds in the pot (depending on the size of the seeds and that of the pots). Lightly cover them with soil. Gently water the seeds. Tell the children about how long the seeds will take to start sprouting and that they will need to be kept damp until then. Encourage the children to remember Jesus words about the lilies of the field. If you would like to extend this craft you may want to use acrylic paint and let the children paint designs on their pots before doing the planting.
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.
