Children's Church
Kindergarten-5th Grade
Sundays after Time With Children
Starts September 12th
Kindergarten-5th Grade
Sundays after Time With Children
Starts September 12th
Letter for the Family
Theme Introduction
In Luke 4:14–30, Jesus reads the words of Isaiah as he boldly proclaims that he has been sent to preach good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and freedom for the oppressed. As followers of Jesus, we do this work as well. Often Christians talk about being Christ’s hands and feet. There is truth in this statement, yet God’s justice is not only our work in the world, but God’s work in us. As we are transformed and become aligned with the heart of God in Christ, we are better able to reflect God’s justice and peace through our lives to the world.
This is a lifelong journey toward loving kindness, courage, justice, peace, and reconciling love in relation-ship with God, other people, self, and the earth.
In Luke 4:14–30, Jesus reads the words of Isaiah as he boldly proclaims that he has been sent to preach good news to the poor, release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and freedom for the oppressed. As followers of Jesus, we do this work as well. Often Christians talk about being Christ’s hands and feet. There is truth in this statement, yet God’s justice is not only our work in the world, but God’s work in us. As we are transformed and become aligned with the heart of God in Christ, we are better able to reflect God’s justice and peace through our lives to the world.
This is a lifelong journey toward loving kindness, courage, justice, peace, and reconciling love in relation-ship with God, other people, self, and the earth.
April 10th-Palm Sunday!!
April 3rd
April 3rd-A Son Returns Home
Luke 15:1–3, 11b–32
The Bible story:
1. Father’s House
Once there was a man who had two sons. They were almost grown up. Th e sons knew that when their father died, they would be given his land and all his money. The older son was a hard worker on his father’s farm. Th e younger son did not want to stay on the farm and work hard. The younger son went to his father and said, “Give me my share of your land and money now. I don’t want to wait.” The father did what his younger son asked. He divided his land and all that he had and gave the younger son his share.
A few days later the younger son gathered his things and traveled to a faraway land.
2. Faraway Land
In that land, the son spent lots of money on things that were not good for him. When he had spent all his money he was in need. But so was everyone else. It hadn’t rained in a long time. Th e crops weren’t growing and things were tough for everyone. The only job he could find was feeding pigs.
3. Pig Farm One day as he worked among the pigs, the younger son realized that he was so hungry that he wanted to eat the pigs’ food. The son said to himself, “My father’s workers have more than enough to eat. I will go back to my father and tell him I am sorry. I’ll tell him that I am not worthy to be his son, and I will ask him to hire me as one of his workers.” So the son set off for home
4. Father’s House
While he was still far off down the road, the father looked out and saw him. Th e father ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him. Th e son told his father that he was not good enough to be called a son anymore. But, the father called to the servants, “Bring out the best robe for my son. Bring sandals for his feet, and a ring for his finger. Make a feast. We’re going to celebrate! My son is home!” When the older brother came in from the fields he heard the noise of a party. When he found out what was going on, he was very angry. He said to his father, “It’s not fair. I’ve worked hard and you have never given me a party. My brother wasted your money and you are having a feast for him!” The father replied, “All I have is yours. But your brother was lost and now he is found. So we must celebrate!”
With the Family:
Link: Watch “Stop Making Excuses and Own Your Actions” by RocketKids (YouTube) or read But It’s Not My Fault by Julia Cook. Invite children to share about their own experiences of making mistakes. Was it hard to admit their mistakes? Why?
Create: In today’s story God is compared to a loving father. Have children look up Deuteronomy 32:11–12; Psalm 23; Hosea 11:10; and Luke 13:34 for other images of God in scripture. Invite them to create their own picture of what they think God is like.
Luke 15:1–3, 11b–32
The Bible story:
1. Father’s House
Once there was a man who had two sons. They were almost grown up. Th e sons knew that when their father died, they would be given his land and all his money. The older son was a hard worker on his father’s farm. Th e younger son did not want to stay on the farm and work hard. The younger son went to his father and said, “Give me my share of your land and money now. I don’t want to wait.” The father did what his younger son asked. He divided his land and all that he had and gave the younger son his share.
A few days later the younger son gathered his things and traveled to a faraway land.
2. Faraway Land
In that land, the son spent lots of money on things that were not good for him. When he had spent all his money he was in need. But so was everyone else. It hadn’t rained in a long time. Th e crops weren’t growing and things were tough for everyone. The only job he could find was feeding pigs.
3. Pig Farm One day as he worked among the pigs, the younger son realized that he was so hungry that he wanted to eat the pigs’ food. The son said to himself, “My father’s workers have more than enough to eat. I will go back to my father and tell him I am sorry. I’ll tell him that I am not worthy to be his son, and I will ask him to hire me as one of his workers.” So the son set off for home
4. Father’s House
While he was still far off down the road, the father looked out and saw him. Th e father ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him. Th e son told his father that he was not good enough to be called a son anymore. But, the father called to the servants, “Bring out the best robe for my son. Bring sandals for his feet, and a ring for his finger. Make a feast. We’re going to celebrate! My son is home!” When the older brother came in from the fields he heard the noise of a party. When he found out what was going on, he was very angry. He said to his father, “It’s not fair. I’ve worked hard and you have never given me a party. My brother wasted your money and you are having a feast for him!” The father replied, “All I have is yours. But your brother was lost and now he is found. So we must celebrate!”
With the Family:
Link: Watch “Stop Making Excuses and Own Your Actions” by RocketKids (YouTube) or read But It’s Not My Fault by Julia Cook. Invite children to share about their own experiences of making mistakes. Was it hard to admit their mistakes? Why?
Create: In today’s story God is compared to a loving father. Have children look up Deuteronomy 32:11–12; Psalm 23; Hosea 11:10; and Luke 13:34 for other images of God in scripture. Invite them to create their own picture of what they think God is like.
March 13th and 20th
March 13th -20th - Esther Saves Her People
Scripture: Esther 2-8
The Bible story:
Esther was a young Jewish woman who lived in Persia. When her parents died, her uncle Mordecai adopted her as his own daughter. One day, King Ahasuerus sent his servants to fi nd the most beautiful woman in the land to be his queen. Many young women were brought to the palace, and Esther was one of them. Before she left for the palace, Mordecai made her promise not to tell anyone she was a Jew. When she arrived at the palace, the king chose Esther to be his queen.
After this, the king promoted an official named Haman to command the other officials. The king ordered all the servants to bow down to Haman. Everyone did this—everyone, that is, except Mordecai. Th is made Haman very angry. He wanted to kill Mordecai and all the Jews in the Persian Empire. “The Jews do not obey you,” said Haman to the king. “You should destroy them all.” Th e king agreed. When Mordecai heard this, he tore his clothes and went wailing through the city. He told Queen Esther to plead with the king to spare the people. Mordecai said, “Perhaps God has made you queen for such a time as this.” Esther agreed to go to the king, even though anyone who approached the king without his permission could be killed. “I will go to the king,” she said, “even though I may die.” She told Mordecai and her people to pray. But the king was not angry when Esther came to him. He told Esther he would give her anything she wanted, as much as half of his kingdom.
Esther said, “I would like you and Haman to come to a special dinner that I am preparing.” The King and Haman came to Esther’s special dinner. Th e king offered to give Queen Esther anything she wanted. “I want you to save my people from their enemy,” she told the king. “That is my only wish.” Who is this enemy? Who has done this terrible thing?” the King demanded. When Esther pointed to Haman, the King agreed to grant her wish. First Haman was removed from his position. Then King Ahasuerus declared that all the Jews should be spared. With the help of God, Queen Esther had saved her people!
With the Family:
Books: Noni Speaks Up by Heather Hartt-Sussman; The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade by Justin Roberts
Discover: Learn about Purim, the Jewish holiday that celebrates how the Jews were saved from Haman. Retell the story with the Jewish tradition of shouting whenever Haman’s name is spoken.
Create: Make shadow stick puppets out of black card stock and craft sticks. Characters can be simple silhouettes. A desk lamp and a blank wall will be needed to create the shadows. Have children act out the story with their shadow puppets as it is read.
Scripture: Esther 2-8
The Bible story:
Esther was a young Jewish woman who lived in Persia. When her parents died, her uncle Mordecai adopted her as his own daughter. One day, King Ahasuerus sent his servants to fi nd the most beautiful woman in the land to be his queen. Many young women were brought to the palace, and Esther was one of them. Before she left for the palace, Mordecai made her promise not to tell anyone she was a Jew. When she arrived at the palace, the king chose Esther to be his queen.
After this, the king promoted an official named Haman to command the other officials. The king ordered all the servants to bow down to Haman. Everyone did this—everyone, that is, except Mordecai. Th is made Haman very angry. He wanted to kill Mordecai and all the Jews in the Persian Empire. “The Jews do not obey you,” said Haman to the king. “You should destroy them all.” Th e king agreed. When Mordecai heard this, he tore his clothes and went wailing through the city. He told Queen Esther to plead with the king to spare the people. Mordecai said, “Perhaps God has made you queen for such a time as this.” Esther agreed to go to the king, even though anyone who approached the king without his permission could be killed. “I will go to the king,” she said, “even though I may die.” She told Mordecai and her people to pray. But the king was not angry when Esther came to him. He told Esther he would give her anything she wanted, as much as half of his kingdom.
Esther said, “I would like you and Haman to come to a special dinner that I am preparing.” The King and Haman came to Esther’s special dinner. Th e king offered to give Queen Esther anything she wanted. “I want you to save my people from their enemy,” she told the king. “That is my only wish.” Who is this enemy? Who has done this terrible thing?” the King demanded. When Esther pointed to Haman, the King agreed to grant her wish. First Haman was removed from his position. Then King Ahasuerus declared that all the Jews should be spared. With the help of God, Queen Esther had saved her people!
With the Family:
Books: Noni Speaks Up by Heather Hartt-Sussman; The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade by Justin Roberts
Discover: Learn about Purim, the Jewish holiday that celebrates how the Jews were saved from Haman. Retell the story with the Jewish tradition of shouting whenever Haman’s name is spoken.
Create: Make shadow stick puppets out of black card stock and craft sticks. Characters can be simple silhouettes. A desk lamp and a blank wall will be needed to create the shadows. Have children act out the story with their shadow puppets as it is read.
March 6th
The Bible story: 2 Samuel 12:1-15
There once was a king named David.
Sometimes he was a very good king, but not always. David fell in love with Bathsheba. But she was already married to Uriah. David planned for Uriah to be killed and then took Bathsheba for his wife.
In King David’s kingdom, there was a prophet named Nathan. Nathan’s job was to listen for God’s instruction and to help the people of the kingdom follow in God’s way, including the king. One day, Nathan went to visit King David. He told the king a story.
Nathan said, “Once there were two men who lived in the same city. One was a rich man. He had many sheep.
The other man was poor. He had almost nothing, just one little lamb. The poor man loved his little lamb. It was like one of his own children. It ate with him and even slept in his arms! Now a traveler came to visit the rich man. Th e rich man wanted to feed his visitor a wonderful meal of lamb. But the rich man did not want to take an animal from his own flock. So, he took the poor man’s lamb and had it prepared for his guest’s dinner.”
Nathan turned to King David and said, “What do you think of that story?” David said
angrily, “That is terrible! Th e rich man should be punished. He did not care for the poor man at all. He must give the man four lambs to replace the one lamb he took!” “My king,” said Nathan. “You are that man! God made you king over all the people of Israel. You had everything you needed. But that was not enough for you. You wanted Bathsheba too. You even had her husband killed so that you could get what you wanted! Uriah and Bathsheba had only each other and their happiness together. You took everything from them. My king, you turned away from God. You did things that you should not have done. Your actions hurt people.”
David cried out, “Oh no, what have I done? I have sinned against God!” Nathan said, “Because you are sorry, God forgives you—but that cannot change the hurt you caused. Sad things will still happen because of what you’ve done.”
Retell: Have children create and share their own stories or parables for Nathan to tell
King David using examples from their own lives.
Link: Sometimes saying “sorry” is not enough. It takes further action to make things
right. Read the book Sorry! by Trudy Ludwig. Invite children to share their own stories
of saying sorry and what they did, or might have done, to try and make things right.
With the Family:
Retell: Have children create and share their own stories or parables for Nathan to tell King David using examples from their own lives.
Book: Sometimes saying “sorry” is not enough. It takes further action to make things right. Read the book Sorry! by Trudy Ludwig. Invite children to share their own stories of saying sorry and what they did, or might have done, to try and make things right.
There once was a king named David.
Sometimes he was a very good king, but not always. David fell in love with Bathsheba. But she was already married to Uriah. David planned for Uriah to be killed and then took Bathsheba for his wife.
In King David’s kingdom, there was a prophet named Nathan. Nathan’s job was to listen for God’s instruction and to help the people of the kingdom follow in God’s way, including the king. One day, Nathan went to visit King David. He told the king a story.
Nathan said, “Once there were two men who lived in the same city. One was a rich man. He had many sheep.
The other man was poor. He had almost nothing, just one little lamb. The poor man loved his little lamb. It was like one of his own children. It ate with him and even slept in his arms! Now a traveler came to visit the rich man. Th e rich man wanted to feed his visitor a wonderful meal of lamb. But the rich man did not want to take an animal from his own flock. So, he took the poor man’s lamb and had it prepared for his guest’s dinner.”
Nathan turned to King David and said, “What do you think of that story?” David said
angrily, “That is terrible! Th e rich man should be punished. He did not care for the poor man at all. He must give the man four lambs to replace the one lamb he took!” “My king,” said Nathan. “You are that man! God made you king over all the people of Israel. You had everything you needed. But that was not enough for you. You wanted Bathsheba too. You even had her husband killed so that you could get what you wanted! Uriah and Bathsheba had only each other and their happiness together. You took everything from them. My king, you turned away from God. You did things that you should not have done. Your actions hurt people.”
David cried out, “Oh no, what have I done? I have sinned against God!” Nathan said, “Because you are sorry, God forgives you—but that cannot change the hurt you caused. Sad things will still happen because of what you’ve done.”
Retell: Have children create and share their own stories or parables for Nathan to tell
King David using examples from their own lives.
Link: Sometimes saying “sorry” is not enough. It takes further action to make things
right. Read the book Sorry! by Trudy Ludwig. Invite children to share their own stories
of saying sorry and what they did, or might have done, to try and make things right.
With the Family:
Retell: Have children create and share their own stories or parables for Nathan to tell King David using examples from their own lives.
Book: Sometimes saying “sorry” is not enough. It takes further action to make things right. Read the book Sorry! by Trudy Ludwig. Invite children to share their own stories of saying sorry and what they did, or might have done, to try and make things right.
Februrary 13th -27th
The Bible story:
The people of Israel had been traveling through the wilderness. Finally, they were getting close to the land God had chosen for them to live. Before they entered the land, God told Moses to count every person and every family. Then he should divide the land among all the families.
One day all the people gathered at the Tent of Meeting. Moses said, “Every name has been written down in the records. Every person has been counted. And now all the land has been fairly divided according to the numbers of each family. Our work is done.”
Just then five sisters who were at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting looked at each other. Th e fi rst stood up and said, “Wait, we want to speak. My name is Mahlah, and these are my sisters, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. We are the five daughters of our father, Zelophehad. Our father died. Th e law says that when a man dies all of his land is given to his sons. But our father had no sons.” “But he did have daughters!” said Noah. “Yes, five of us!” said Hoglah. Then Milcah said, “Our father’s name should be remembered, not forgotten. His name can continue through us. “Moses,” said Tirzah, “we know the law says that only sons should be given their father’s land. But we ask you to include us. We want our father’s name to live on.” Moses thought for a moment. Then he said, “I will have to bring your request to God. God will tell us what must be done.” Moses went away and told God what he had heard from the fi ve sisters. God said, “Th e five sisters are right. You should give them the land that would have been given to their father. And tell all the Israelites that if a man dies and doesn’t have a son, you must give his land to his daughters. This will be a new law for my people.”
With your Family:
Retell: Act out the bible story below with one child as Moses in front of the Tent of Meeting. Go through the story again having children make up other situations that are unfair and asking Moses what to do. Take turns playing Moses.
Create: Provide a variety of art materials for children to make their own miniature Tent of Meeting. Have them make a welcome mat with words and pictures welcoming all to God’s tent.
Books: Say Something by Peggy Moss; Dear Malala, We Stand with You by Rosemary McCarney; Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney
The people of Israel had been traveling through the wilderness. Finally, they were getting close to the land God had chosen for them to live. Before they entered the land, God told Moses to count every person and every family. Then he should divide the land among all the families.
One day all the people gathered at the Tent of Meeting. Moses said, “Every name has been written down in the records. Every person has been counted. And now all the land has been fairly divided according to the numbers of each family. Our work is done.”
Just then five sisters who were at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting looked at each other. Th e fi rst stood up and said, “Wait, we want to speak. My name is Mahlah, and these are my sisters, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. We are the five daughters of our father, Zelophehad. Our father died. Th e law says that when a man dies all of his land is given to his sons. But our father had no sons.” “But he did have daughters!” said Noah. “Yes, five of us!” said Hoglah. Then Milcah said, “Our father’s name should be remembered, not forgotten. His name can continue through us. “Moses,” said Tirzah, “we know the law says that only sons should be given their father’s land. But we ask you to include us. We want our father’s name to live on.” Moses thought for a moment. Then he said, “I will have to bring your request to God. God will tell us what must be done.” Moses went away and told God what he had heard from the fi ve sisters. God said, “Th e five sisters are right. You should give them the land that would have been given to their father. And tell all the Israelites that if a man dies and doesn’t have a son, you must give his land to his daughters. This will be a new law for my people.”
With your Family:
Retell: Act out the bible story below with one child as Moses in front of the Tent of Meeting. Go through the story again having children make up other situations that are unfair and asking Moses what to do. Take turns playing Moses.
Create: Provide a variety of art materials for children to make their own miniature Tent of Meeting. Have them make a welcome mat with words and pictures welcoming all to God’s tent.
Books: Say Something by Peggy Moss; Dear Malala, We Stand with You by Rosemary McCarney; Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney
November 14th and 21st
With your Family:
Share: A band is a great way to explore being a community. Have children create their own band using rhythm instruments. Children can play along with “Whatever You’ve Got” or “Enough for All” by Bryan Moyer
Books: Mama Panya’s Pancakes by Mary Chamberlin; Strega Nona’s Harvest by Tomie dePaola; The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins
Share: A band is a great way to explore being a community. Have children create their own band using rhythm instruments. Children can play along with “Whatever You’ve Got” or “Enough for All” by Bryan Moyer
Books: Mama Panya’s Pancakes by Mary Chamberlin; Strega Nona’s Harvest by Tomie dePaola; The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins
Acts 4:32–37
The Believers Share Their Possessions
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. There was a Levite, a native of Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
October 17 and October 31
With your Family:
Share: Share a story using the situations from your own lives. Have everyone come up with six different needs and ways they might be met, for example, "For I was lonely, and you asked me to play with you."
Books: The Lunch Thief by Anne C. Bromley; Visiting Day by Jacqueline Woodson; Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson
Share: Share a story using the situations from your own lives. Have everyone come up with six different needs and ways they might be met, for example, "For I was lonely, and you asked me to play with you."
Books: The Lunch Thief by Anne C. Bromley; Visiting Day by Jacqueline Woodson; Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson
Matthew 25: 31-46
The Judgment of the Nations
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
September 16th and October 10th
With your Family:
Share: Share a time when you may have felt left out. What did that feel like? What did you do? How would you have felt had someone included you?
Create: Act out how you might fix the situations you came up with if you were on the other side. How might you make someone else feel welcome.
Books: Desmond and the Very Mean Word by Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Share: Share a time when you may have felt left out. What did that feel like? What did you do? How would you have felt had someone included you?
Create: Act out how you might fix the situations you came up with if you were on the other side. How might you make someone else feel welcome.
Books: Desmond and the Very Mean Word by Archbishop Desmond Tutu
James 1:27–2:8, 14–17
True devotion, the kind that is pure and faultless before God the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their difficulties and to keep the world from contaminating us.
Don’t show favoritism
My brothers and sisters, when you show favoritism you deny the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has been resurrected in glory. Imagine two people coming into your meeting. One has a gold ring and fine clothes, while the other is poor, dressed in filthy rags. Then suppose that you were to take special notice of the one wearing fine clothes, saying, “Here’s an excellent place. Sit here.” But to the poor person you say, “Stand over there”; or, “Here, sit at my feet.” Wouldn’t you have shown favoritism among yourselves and become evil-minded judges?
My dear brothers and sisters, listen! Hasn’t God chosen those who are poor by worldly standards to be rich in terms of faith? Hasn’t God chosen the poor as heirs of the kingdom he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Don’t the wealthy make life difficult for you? Aren’t they the ones who drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who insult the good name spoken over you at your baptism?
You do well when you really fulfill the royal law found in scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself. But when you show favoritism, you are committing a sin, and by that same law you are exposed as a lawbreaker. Anyone who tries to keep all of the Law but fails at one point is guilty of failing to keep all of it. The one who said, Don’t commit adultery, also said, Don’t commit murder. So if you don’t commit adultery but do commit murder, you are a lawbreaker. In every way, then, speak and act as people who will be judged by the law of freedom. There will be no mercy in judgment for anyone who hasn’t shown mercy. Mercy overrules judgment.
Showing faith
My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Claiming to have faith can’t save anyone, can it? Imagine a brother or sister who is naked and never has enough food to eat. What if one of you said, “Go in peace! Stay warm! Have a nice meal!”? What good is it if you don’t actually give them what their body needs? In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity.
Don’t show favoritism
My brothers and sisters, when you show favoritism you deny the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has been resurrected in glory. Imagine two people coming into your meeting. One has a gold ring and fine clothes, while the other is poor, dressed in filthy rags. Then suppose that you were to take special notice of the one wearing fine clothes, saying, “Here’s an excellent place. Sit here.” But to the poor person you say, “Stand over there”; or, “Here, sit at my feet.” Wouldn’t you have shown favoritism among yourselves and become evil-minded judges?
My dear brothers and sisters, listen! Hasn’t God chosen those who are poor by worldly standards to be rich in terms of faith? Hasn’t God chosen the poor as heirs of the kingdom he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Don’t the wealthy make life difficult for you? Aren’t they the ones who drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who insult the good name spoken over you at your baptism?
You do well when you really fulfill the royal law found in scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself. But when you show favoritism, you are committing a sin, and by that same law you are exposed as a lawbreaker. Anyone who tries to keep all of the Law but fails at one point is guilty of failing to keep all of it. The one who said, Don’t commit adultery, also said, Don’t commit murder. So if you don’t commit adultery but do commit murder, you are a lawbreaker. In every way, then, speak and act as people who will be judged by the law of freedom. There will be no mercy in judgment for anyone who hasn’t shown mercy. Mercy overrules judgment.
Showing faith
My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Claiming to have faith can’t save anyone, can it? Imagine a brother or sister who is naked and never has enough food to eat. What if one of you said, “Go in peace! Stay warm! Have a nice meal!”? What good is it if you don’t actually give them what their body needs? In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity.
Sept. 12th and 19th
With Your Family:
Share: What makes you unique? Who do you think that God wants us to care for?
Create: Make good news cards for people in the church who are sick or can’t come to church for other reasons. Cards might include messages, such as “Jesus loves you,” “You belong!” and “God’s good news is for you!” Make sure the cards are delivered to those who need them.
Books: The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson; The Sandwich Swap by Queen Rania Al Abdullah and Kelly DiPucchio
Share: What makes you unique? Who do you think that God wants us to care for?
Create: Make good news cards for people in the church who are sick or can’t come to church for other reasons. Cards might include messages, such as “Jesus loves you,” “You belong!” and “God’s good news is for you!” Make sure the cards are delivered to those who need them.
Books: The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson; The Sandwich Swap by Queen Rania Al Abdullah and Kelly DiPucchio
Luke 4:14–30
Jesus went from town to town and taught in the synagogues. People were amazed by what he said and did.
Jesus traveled home to Nazareth. On the Sabbath, Jesus went to the synagogue as usual. As he looked around, he saw his friends and neighbors. He saw his family. They had all come to worship God together.
The leader in the synagogue asked Jesus to read the scriptures. Th e synagogue helper handed a scroll to Jesus. Jesus unrolled the scroll to fi nd the place where the prophet Isaiah wrote (unroll the prepared scroll and read from it):
Th e Spirit of God has blessed me. God has sent me to bring a special message. Th is good news message is
for all people who are poor, hurting, or in trouble. Listen closely, for God says, “You will be free! You will be healed! My love is for all of you!
Jesus rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the helper, and sat down. Everyone in the synagogue watched him closely. Then Jesus said, “Today this scripture has come true. I am the one God has sent.”
Everyone was amazed to hear how well Jesus spoke. They praised God. They asked each other, “Isn’t this the son of our friends, Mary and Joseph?”
Jesus said to them, “I have done amazing things in other towns. You probably think I should do amazing things for you, since you are my friends and family. But, do you remember when it didn’t rain in Israel for over three years? It was in the time of Elijah the prophet. There was hardly any food in Israel. Many widows went hungry. But God sent Elijah to help a widow in a faraway city, not in Israel.
Then Jesus said, “Do you remember when many people in Israel had skin diseases? It was in the time of Elisha the prophet. But Elisha healed only Naaman, a man from the enemy country of Syria.
Then Jesus said, “Do you think God’s good news will be just for you (place hand above synagogue), or will the good news be for all people?” Th e people became angry and tried to force Jesus to leave town. But Jesus slipped through the crowd and continued on his way.
Jesus traveled home to Nazareth. On the Sabbath, Jesus went to the synagogue as usual. As he looked around, he saw his friends and neighbors. He saw his family. They had all come to worship God together.
The leader in the synagogue asked Jesus to read the scriptures. Th e synagogue helper handed a scroll to Jesus. Jesus unrolled the scroll to fi nd the place where the prophet Isaiah wrote (unroll the prepared scroll and read from it):
Th e Spirit of God has blessed me. God has sent me to bring a special message. Th is good news message is
for all people who are poor, hurting, or in trouble. Listen closely, for God says, “You will be free! You will be healed! My love is for all of you!
Jesus rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the helper, and sat down. Everyone in the synagogue watched him closely. Then Jesus said, “Today this scripture has come true. I am the one God has sent.”
Everyone was amazed to hear how well Jesus spoke. They praised God. They asked each other, “Isn’t this the son of our friends, Mary and Joseph?”
Jesus said to them, “I have done amazing things in other towns. You probably think I should do amazing things for you, since you are my friends and family. But, do you remember when it didn’t rain in Israel for over three years? It was in the time of Elijah the prophet. There was hardly any food in Israel. Many widows went hungry. But God sent Elijah to help a widow in a faraway city, not in Israel.
Then Jesus said, “Do you remember when many people in Israel had skin diseases? It was in the time of Elisha the prophet. But Elisha healed only Naaman, a man from the enemy country of Syria.
Then Jesus said, “Do you think God’s good news will be just for you (place hand above synagogue), or will the good news be for all people?” Th e people became angry and tried to force Jesus to leave town. But Jesus slipped through the crowd and continued on his way.
