For Children and Their Parents; Time after Pentecost

Whatever the season of the Church year, we must remind ourselves that we are living between two great events: the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples (us!) with great power and the coming of Jesus as Lord at the end of time. The time after Pentecost is a time for us to remember that God asks us not to live in the past or to become obsessed with what will happen in the future. Instead, we are to live as God's children now. In other words, we are to grow into the attitude and image of Christ and continue the mission with which we were entrusted by Jesus. God has definitely given us the tools we need to do this in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Now is the time for us to look for and discover what those gifts might be for each of us, and to do al we can to help them grow strong in us.

Our weekly formation resource page will be taking a summer hiatus while we redesign our webpage.

Please rejoin our formation community for the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost on September 19th.

Tenth SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - August 1

To bear with one another is to sacrifice for the other. It is to help carry the other’s burdens. Love is not an emotion; love is an act of the will - a decision we make. We are not called merely to have warm feelings for one another, but to act according to our calling as followers of Jesus: to love one another by serving one another. The Church is called to be a new community based the view of humanity that we see in the person of Jesus Christ. Social hierarchies have been replaced by our understanding of the Body of Christ. In this new view, all members are essential and connected to one another. Love is neither theoretical nor abstract but is what hold sour community together.

READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY

The readings appointed for the 10th Sunday after Pentecost are: (Click on the link for the text of each reading from this Sunday.)

2 Samuel 11:26-12:13a (Theme: David's story is an example of "what goes around, comes around": the bad things we do today affect all our tomorrows in ways we can never quite predict and certainly do not want.)
Ephesians 4:1-16 (Theme: The tools we need for life are humility, gentleness, and patience. Humility keeps us real. Gentleness reminds us of our identity as part of a family/community. Because we are part of the body of Christ, we are called to build up that body by helping to one another. We are patient because we live in time. The kingdom of God is a gift from God, not a work achieved by humans in God’s name.)
John 6:24-35 (Theme: Too often, we forget how to pursue what really matters. We are accustomed to inviting people into the community of faith for all the wrong reasons: for the “right” kind of worship; for political engagement on behalf of the poor and marginalized; for the sake of a “Christian America”; for a strong youth ministry; for the opportunity to practice mission among needy people; or to go on mission trips to areas of poverty and need. Yet what we have to offer, first and foremost is “soul food,” which lasts forever and does not change.)

RESOURCE CORNER

A visual telling of this week's Gospel story.

Jesus is surrounded by a hungry crowd looking for a miracle. But Jesus declares that he is the miracle! It is Jesus alone who can satisfy the spiritual hunger of the human heart.

GODLY PLAY ONLINE

Godly Play Online! is taking a break during the summer months to allow our teachers and presenters to prepare for a new year of lessons beginning in September. Meanwhile, we will be examining some important elements of our stewardship of creation (see below).

CELEBRATING GOD'S CREATION

During June, July, and August we will feature activities and suggestions for enjoying God’s creation out in nature, ways to enjoy the company of others, or maybe a little personal time on your own. It is a time for play, creativity, and growth - a time to engage our own God-given curiosity about the world and the people around us.

The month of July - More Water Stories
God Saves Us
There is much to discover and love about God's Creation all around us. Here we are offer some stories from Holy Scripture to ponder, and some activities to help along the way.

Click here to go to the page with materials for the month of July.

Family Activity
In this week's Gospel story, the crowd asks Jesus for a sign so that they can believe that he has come from God. This is a curious request, because Jesus has just fed more than 5000 people with just five barley loaves and two fish. How quickly they seem to have forgotten the wonderful thing that Jesus has done for them. Or, maybe they never recognized the miracle in the first place. Sometimes we don’t recognize the wonderful things that God has done for us. And, sometimes, we simply forget and ask for further evidence of his love and care. We pray that God will remove our blindness so that we can receive with thanks and praise all the wonderful things that God accomplishes in our lives.
Together as a family:

Name the wonderful gifts that God has given you and some of the remarkable deeds that God has accomplished in our world.
Observe that it is important to stop to count our blessings because we can easily miss recognizing all of the wonderful things that God does for us. Read together today’s Gospel, John 6:24–35.
Ask:
- Why are the people seeking out Jesus? (because he has fed them) What do they want from Jesus? (a sign that he has come from God)
- What does Jesus tell them? (He says that he will give them something greater and more important than the bread that fed their physical hungers; he will give them bread that will give them eternal life.)
- Recall that we have this gift from Jesus in the Eucharist.
Pray together, thanking God for all that he has given to us, especially for the gift of eternal life and the Eucharist.
Pray together the Magnificat.

Magnificat
The Church often uses The Magnificat as part of its Evening Prayer in the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer)

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.

Ninth SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - JULY 25

We live in a world where many are in need. Just like the disciples in today's gospel, we often look at the information available to us and conclude that there is not enough to go around. What is one "shortage" that we think about could be miraculously eliminated like hunger, homes, or clean water, what would it look like? Jesus invites us to imagine just such a world, where everyone is "satisfied" - had just enough that they would not need more. God still acts among us in surprising ways. Just what role could we play in such a miracle?

READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY

The readings appointed for the 9th Sunday after Pentecost are: (Click on the link for the text of each reading from this Sunday.)

2 Samuel 11:1-15 (Theme: The beauty of Bathsheba causes David to stray from what he understands is right and good and do unspeakable things.)
Ephesians 3:14-21 (Theme: Paul invites God's blessing on those who are listening to him so that they will experience Christ's presence and begin to understand what God has in store for them.)
John 6:1-21 (Theme: Like he always does in the gospel of John, Jesus takes charge and provides food for more people than you can imagine. There are strong parallels to what we do at the Holy Eucharist: Take, bless, give. In the hands of Jesus, little becomes more than we ever knew.)

RESOURCE CORNER

Check out this original Bible story jingle by Kids on the Move.

The Life Of Jesus: feeding the multitude acted out.

Family Activity
Parents may sympathize with the disciples’ protests when Jesus asks Philip where food might be found for the crowd. In the responses of both Philip and Andrew, we hear feelings of inadequacy as they survey their limited resources in the face of such great need. We may sometimes share these feelings about our own material possessions or our emotional and spiritual resources in the face of our family’s needs.

This is a Gospel of hope for these times, which are all too frequent in parenting and family life. As Jesus made the five barley loaves and two fish sufficient to more than meet the needs of over five thousand people, Jesus will also work with what we have to provide for our family’s needs. When we offer our efforts to God, we ask him to transform them so that they will be more than adequate to the tasks and needs before us.As you gather as a family, talk together about the things that your family needs, starting with the basics—food, shelter, safety, and so on. Continue by naming other things that a family needs to be happy and healthy—time together, cooperation, patience, and so on. Observe that sometimes we can feel like we don’t have enough of the things that we need or want.

Read together today’s Gospel, John 6:1-21. Talk about how Jesus provided plenty of food for the crowd with just five barley loaves and two fish. We have faith that Jesus will also take what we have and make it enough to satisfy and fill all our needs. We ask for this blessing when we offer to God the work of each day in prayer in our morning prayers. Pray together the a portion or all of the Morning Prayer in this week's bulletin remembering to ask God to bless and make fruitful the work of each of our days.

GODLY PLAY ONLINE

CELEBRATING GOD'S CREATION

Click here to go to the page with materials for the month of July.

Putting faith into practice
(Use examples from everyday life to teach a vital truth about the faith. They don't need to be structured into a lesson plan but are part of how we live out our faith.)

Manna. When the People of Israel were starving in the desert, God provided them with mann, "bread from Heaven." All bread (food) can be considered holy and good because it is part of God's creation and is meant to sustain us. This becomes especially true when we set aside some of our own to feed others who are very hungry. This is the model Jesus sets for us and we are reminded of this everytime we celebrate the Holy Eucharist.
Eucharistic actions. Everytime we celebrate the Holy Eucharist we do the same things: we take, we bless, we break, we give - just like Jesus did when he fed the 5000. This is the pattern of our lives as followers of Jesus.
Feeding body and soul. Jesus not only feeds the crowd with bread and fish to meet the hunger of their bodies. After he meets this important need, he meets another equally important need: he feeds their souls with the teaching of his Good News. We do this whenever we help someone understand God better. We should never try to do one without the other.

Activities for Children
Below are downloadable files for the "Sunday Papers" - both Senior and Junior.

The Sunday Paper [Junior], to which St. Luke's Church paid subscription, is posted here with permission of the author/illustrator, Gretchen Wolff Pritchard. © Gretchen Wolff Pritchard, The Sunday Paper, 19 Colony Road, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, www.the-sunday-paper.com. All rights reserved. This is copyright material and should not be further forwarded or distributed

Facebook discussion group
Also available for parents is a special Facebook Group where parents can support one another, ask questions, offer advice, share ideas and insights as we work together to strengthen the faith of our children. For permission to participate in this discussion forum, please contact Mother Mary at youth@stlukeslebanon.org

A Prayer for the Morning

Praise to you, O God most holy, Uncreated Light.
I am thankful that in you there is no night.
Let my morning prayer rise to you
as blooming flowers turn to meet the sun.
May I meet the adventure of this day
open to the opportunities you give me
to show the love and justice of Jesus Christ.
May I be so filled with the Holy Spirit
that peace and compassion radiate from me
to bless others so that they are touched by your glory.

Enrich my senses with the beauty of your world,
my mind with wonder at your ways,
and my spirit with gratitude for all that you prepare
for the redemption of creation through Jesus Christ the Son.

Fill my heart with love,
especially for those in any kind of need,
so that I am moved to help where I can
and moved to cry out for help if the need is greater than I can answer.

Make me slow to anger,
quick to forgive,
and quicker still to confess my faults.
In all things, let me trust in you.
Let me finish the day as I begin it, in your care
in your gentle, merciful, loving hands,
beloved and blessed triune God,
whom I would worship and adore now and forever.
Amen.

eighth Sunday after Pentecost - JuLy 18

If you have ever lived with other people -- parents children siblings, or roommates -- you are probably familiar with how your plans may have been interrupted by the needs of others. Someone bats you to the one available shower when you are already running late. Or drink the rest of the milk. Or borrows a piece of clothing you wanted to wear. You miss work to take someone to the doctor. When Jesus' intended rest is interrupted by a needy crowd Jesus responds not with frustration but with compassion. What does this kind of response looks like in our lives? How do we balance self-care with the needs of others? Where does God show up in all this?

READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY

The readings appointed for the 8th Sunday after Pentecost are: (Click on the link for the text of each reading from this Sunday.)

2 Samuel 7:1-14a (Theme: Today's lesson tells us more about King David's rule over the people of Israel. This time is considered the "high point" of history for ancient Israel. Even though he did not build the temple (the central symbol of religious life for the people), he had a deep desire to do so. Today we hear about Nathan's prophecy concerning the reign of David.)
Ephesians 2:11-22 (Theme: We believe that Christ is our "Lord and Savior." One of the ways that Jesus accomplished this was to abolish the distinction between Jew and Gentile - to begin the process of reconciling all peoples to God, their Creator and "Father." Paul composes a hymn of praise to God in thanksgiving for this great work, which continue to our own day as we seek to bring unity to the human race. )
Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 (Theme: What does compassion mean? Why is it important? This children's message describes for children how they can express care and concern to others. It is a good and Godly thing to demonstrate compassion. Most importantly, we recognize that Jesus had compassion for others. He healed and helped people because He loved them, and He promises the same to us! )

RESOURCE CORNER

This video tells the story of how David wanted to build a house for God.

This video teaches an important truth about compassion and how Jesus taught us to have this attitude to others.

Family Activity
Family demands can make us feel like Jesus and the twelve apostles. We wish for times of relaxation and renewal, but there are errands to do, household chores to keep up with, volunteer commitments to keep. These are all good things, but we can be left feeling drained and tired as we try to keep up. Perhaps we might take the opportunity this week to give ourselves permission to find the rest and relaxation that Jesus seeks for his disciples in today’s Gospel. One of the gifts we can give to one another in our family life is assistance in finding the time and space to renew ourselves through prayer.

When you gather together as a family this week, bring your family calendar. Together review your family calendar and spend some time reflecting on your family activities. In particular, ask if your family has an appropriate amount of time for rest and relaxation. If not, discuss ways in which this time for renewal might be included in the week ahead.

Read together today’s Gospel, Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 . Notice how Jesus tried to find time and space for his disciples to rest and relax after they returned from their mission. Conclude in prayer together, asking God to help us find time to renew ourselves so that we might be better disciples of Jesus. Pray together the Lord’s Prayer.

GODLY PLAY ONLINE

CELEBRATING GOD'S CREATION

Click here to go to the page with materials for the month of July.

Temple. We use the word temple to designate a "holy place" - a space or building set aside for a sacred purpose. Permanent temples are constant reminders of God's abiding presence even when they are not being used for worship. In this sense, our church buildings are a kind of temple.. But the work of Jesus expands this even further - we are the Lord's temple, built of living stones (I Peter 2:6). So, it seems, we, as God's people, need to live in such a way that others see in us the abiding presence of God in our world. Because we are God's, we are different - not in the sense of privilege or being "better than" but because the Holy Spirit is at work changing (transforming) us into the life of God.
Sabbath. The Old Testament make a big deal of the Sabbath day - an observance that even God rested from his work. The church has adopted this view for Sundays - "the day of the Lord" in remembrance of Jesus' rising from the dead on the third day after the crucifixion. Sabbath, however, is a much bigger idea - it is not so much about what you can/can't or should/shouldn't do on the Sabbath day. Rather it is a lesson that our nature as humans made in the image of God, need to take time for self-care, especially for rest and relaxation. Jesus teaches his disciples the value of taking a proper view of sabbath rest when he calls them to a quiet place when they return from their work of ministry.

Activities for Children
Below are downloadable files for the "Sunday Papers" - both Senior and Junior.

sunday_paper__-_pentecost_8.pdf
File Size:	165 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

sunday_paper_jr_-_pentecost_8.pdf
File Size:	313 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Sixth SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - JUly 4

Going out two by two is an image of companionship that is more characteristic of the church than are personal mystical visions. That believers are sent out on a journey has been a beloved image throughout church life. Taking this passage literally, many missionaries have journeys throughout the world. Christianity is a missionary religion, infused with the commission to spread the work of repentance and healing everywhere. In medieval times, a journey to a sacred shrine was ordered as penance for sin. Especially in Europe, pilgrimages are again popular. But even in one's regular secular life, the image of one's years as a journey remains important for many people. For Christians, the journey through life to death is always is always a journey with and toward God.

READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY

The readings appointed for the 6th Sunday after Pentecost are: (Click on the link for the text of each reading from this Sunday.)

2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 (Theme: We often think of Samuel as a great prophet - and that is what he was. But he was also named among the "Judges" of Israel, who led the People of God before Saul was named a king like in other nations. Saul grudgingly anointed Saul as king only to have his doubts borne out. A great civil war ensues until finally, Saul is destroyed and David, the Lord's own anointed, arises as king over all the tribes of Israel. For the first time, a truly united Israel emerges on the world stage and becomes a great kingdom.)
2 Corinthians 12:2-10 (Theme: Strength comes through weakness. Once more, Christian teaching stands over and against the wisdom of the world. Every great biography witnesses to the truth that so often, a leader's weakness becomes a great strength - and this is what marks their greatness. The experience of weakness encourages humility - which ultimately needs to be part of leadership at any level.)
Mark 6:1-13 (Theme: Up till now Jesus ministered "to his own." Eventually, he has the experience that his own did not want to listen to what he had to say, despite his great works. Perhaps this is because in our human experience "familiarity often breeds contempt." So Jesus takes his mission and ministry beyond the borders of God's chosen people to the outcast, the poor, the stranger, and the alien.)

RESOURCE CORNER

This video reveals how Jesus Christ sends out the Twelve disciples ahead of Himself, after not being honoured in His home town of Nazareth. He gave his disciples authority to preach the gospel, heal the sick and to drive out evil spirits. And He gave them instructions to rely on God for provision through those God had prepared for them to minister to.

GODLY PLAY ONLINE

CELEBRATING GOD'S CREATION

The month of July - More Water Stories - God Saves Us
There is much to discover and love about God's Creation all around us. Here we are offer some stories from Holy Scripture to ponder, and some activities to help along the way.

Click here to go to the page with materials for the month of July.

Activities for Children
Below are downloadable files for the "Sunday Papers" - both Senior and Junior.

sunday_paper_-_pentecost_6.pdf
File Size:	144 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

sunday_paper_jr_-_pentecost_6.pdf
File Size:	152 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Family Activity
Our family plays an important role in shaping us and forming our self-identity. In family life, we find a safe place to discover who we are and who God calls us to be. But sometimes the influences from outside our family can make us unrecognizable to those who know us best. These outside influences can lead us away from God, or they can lead us toward a deeper relationship with God.

In today’s Gospel, we see that the people of Nazareth could not recognize Jesus as the Son of God. They could know him only as the son of Mary. We hope that through our family life we will be encouraged to filter the many influences on our lives through the lens of faith so that we will become the person that God calls us to be.

As you gather as a family, talk about the people and events that are influencing members of your family. Acknowledge that many of these people and events are positive influences, helping us be better people and leading us to a deeper relationship with God. Also acknowledge, however, that there are negative influences in our lives that risk pulling us away from God. Observe that Jesus was a person who allowed his relationship with God to be the most important thing in his life. This led many people to have faith in him as the Son of God. However, not everyone could recognize this about Jesus.

Read today’s Gospel, Mark 6:1-13 or watch the video presentation above. Ask: Who does not recognize Jesus as God’s Son in this Gospel? (some of his kinfolk in Nazareth) Observe that because of the people’s lack of faith, Jesus could not perform many miracles in Nazareth. Conclude by praying together that our families will continue to help us follow God in our lives. Pray together the Prayer for Vocations (below).

A Prayer for Vocations
God, in Baptism you called me by name
and made me a member of your people, the Church.
Help all your people to know their vocation in life,
and to respond by living a life of holiness.
For your greater glory and for the service of your people,
raise up dedicated and generous leaders
who will serve your people in the Church.

Send your Spirit to guide and strengthen me
that I may serve your people always by
following the example of your Son, Jesus Christ,
in whose name I offer this prayer.
Amen.

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost - JUNE 27

The Jesus that the gospel story teller Mark portrays is a mighty and successful healer, but he doesn't require praise and a slap on the back for his acts of healing. Surrounded by crowds, large or small, he has a laser-like focus on the ones, insignificant though they may see, to whom he is attending. So when the adult woman in today's gospel story has been restored to health, he takes time to speak with her. When the child comes back to life, his concern is that she will be given something to eat. Jesus shows us, in ways both large and small, how we are caked to act as the agents of God's kingdom in the world.

READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY

The readings appointed for the 5th Sunday after Pentecost are: (Click on the link for the text of each reading from this Sunday.)

2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 (Theme: David mourns the loss of King Saul (a father figure) and Jonathan (his best friend) - both mighty warriors for Israel in their own ways. Even though they are both gone now, David will do God's bidding to keep Israel united and prays that other strong and mighty warriors will arise that will help him fulfill this destiny.)
2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (Theme: St. Paul teaches us to be diligent about taking care of the poor - even when they include people we don't fancy or agree with. He had been at odds with the leaders of the Jerusalem Church but Paul realizes that he has a responsibility to help them as they suffer persecution and endure chronic food shortages.)
Mark 5:21-43 (Theme: Jesus' touch is a healing touch. The woman with the chronic health problem believes just touching Jesus' robe will bring healing. Jairus experiences this touch as Jesus takes the hand of his little girl. In both cases, Jesus does more than offer a sympathetic hand - he does something to help restore individuals and family to wholeness. This is the essence of healing - to bring inner peace and a sense of wholeness.)

RESOURCE CORNER

The video below helps to tell part of the today's gospel story. It focuses on how Jesus responded to Jairus' request to heal his daughter who was dying.

In this video, we review the relationship between Saul and David and how David eventually became King over Israel. This helps to understand the series of readings we have had in the Old Testament lessons over the last few weeks.

GODLY PLAY ONLINE

CELEBRATING GOD'S CREATION

The month of June - Water Stories
There is much to discover and love about God's Creation all around us. Here we are offer some stories from Holy Scripture to ponder, and some activities to help along the way.

Click here to go to the page with materials for the month of June.

Healing. We often identify healing with finding a cure for a disease. Healing is a much broader concept. People who remain sick can still find healing. It is more a matter of the spirit (or soul) than a matter of our physical body. For example, you may know someone who has been diagnosed with a serious or terminal disease. Even knowing that there may be no cure, the individual has an almost eerie sense of peace about it all. This is more of what healing is about.
Restoration. When a flood or a fire has damaged someone's home, they often call a "restoration" company to help put things back together. It can never be exactly the same because what we had was damaged. But with some work and resources, we can recover a place to call home. Often, Jesus' healing works were more about restoration - helping people find their way back to a more normal way of life.
Shalom - "Shalom" is the Hebrew word for peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare, and tranquility. It is often used as a greeting for both hello and goodbye. Notice how often Jesus uses this word. He used it when he calmed the sea (last week's gospel lesson). He uses it again in today's lesson. This connection - between healing and wholeness - gives us a clue as to what true healing is. It is more than a mere cure for disease, it is a life changing event. The Arabic word salaam is related and amounts to the same wish when someone greets you and says, "Assalaamu alaikum" (Peace be upon you.)

Activities for Children
Below are downloadable files for the "Sunday Papers" - both Senior and Junior.

sunday_paper_-_pentecost_5.pdf
File Size:	133 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

sunday_paper_jr_-_pentecost_5.pdf
File Size:	164 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Family Activity
There are many ways in which we can compare the request for healing made by Jairus and the request of the woman with the hemorrhage. One comparison helps us think about prayer. Jairus asked Jesus for healing on his daughter’s behalf; the woman with the hemorrhage had no one to speak for her and bravely approached Jesus on her own initiative.
In our prayers, we do both. We intercede for others’ needs, and we also courageously express our own needs to God. We find hope in Jesus’ response to both of these people, who sought him out in their hour of need.As you gather as a family, talk about some of the things you have prayed for this week.
Notice that some of your prayers may have been for other people, and some of your prayers may have been for your own needs. In today’s Gospel we find encouragement for both kinds of prayer.
Read together today’s Gospel, Mark 5:21-43.
Talk about the similarities and differences between the two people who presented their needs to Jesus in this Gospel. Notice that both people received the healing they sought from Jesus. We want to pray for the needs of others and for our own needs with as much faith and hope as Jairus and the woman with the hemorrhage did.
Pray together in thanks and praise to God, who hears our needs and answers them, by praying today’s psalm, Psalm 130.

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost - June 20

Following Jesus can be risky business. When Jesus calls us to venture out beyond our own comfort zone, we enter unknown territory, a bit unsure of our surroundings, even a bit unsure of ourselves. As disciples "on the way," we face the unknown, emboldened by our faith. We might get scared, but we always have Jesus to see us through.

READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY

The readings appointed for the 4th Sunday after Pentecost are: (Click on the link for the text of each reading from this Sunday.)

1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, 10-16 (Theme: Jonathan and David's abiding love for one another and their mutual covenant in the face of obstacles and dangers shows us the beauty of affectionate solidarity/friendship.)
2 Corinthians 6:1-13 (Theme: St. Paul continues to explain how God's reconciling action is shown in his ministry and the life of the church.)
Mark 4:35-41 (Theme: A great lake storm is a test of what the disciples have learned from Jesus' teaching. But as so often happens, the disciples fall short of total confidence in Jesus. Nonetheless, Jesus demonstrates power over nature in another show of how God works in Jesus - and for the disciples.)

RESOURCE CORNER

The brief video below tells the story about Jesus calming the storm. (Gospel Lesson)

David and Jonathan were two unlikely friends who stood up for each other during the toughest times! Check out this quick look at their incredible friendship. (First Lesson)

GODLY PLAY ONLINE

Click here to go to the page with materials for the month of June.

Nave. "Nave" is the word we use to designate the main body of our church building - where the people are. It comes from the Latin word for "boat." For many centuries, Christians have used the image of a boat as a picture for the church (the people), which like Noah's ark carries us safely across the stormy seas of life.
Friendship. Friendship is an important part of life. All through the bible, we have stories of how friends stand up for one another, protect each other, and express God's love for us. Jesus calls his followers "friends" because he trusts them to carry on the important work he began. As we become friends of Jesus, we become each other's friends at the same time. The commitment of friendship is what binds us together into the community of the church.

Activities for Children
Below are downloadable files for the "Sunday Papers" - both Senior and Junior.

sunday_paper_jr_-_pentecost_4.pdf
File Size:	147 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

sunday_paper_-_pentecost_4.pdf
File Size:	179 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Family Activity
Worries and concerns are part of human life. Jesus teaches us, however, that we ought not to let worries and concerns consume us. Jesus teaches us that our faith ought to lead us to trust in God's protection and love, no matter how strong the whirlwind going on around us. Like the disciples, we can bring our worries and concerns to Jesus in prayer. Jesus will hear our cries for help. He knows that our faith can be fragile and he will act so that our trust in God will be strengthened.

As you gather as a family, invite each family member to talk about something that might be worrying them. Talk about how important it is to share worries and concerns with other people. When we do this, we learn to see our worries from a different perspective.

Read today's Gospel, Mark 4:35-41. Ask your family questions such as these: Why were the disciples worried about the storm? Why wasn't Jesus worried about the storm?

When we bring our worries to Jesus in prayer, Jesus can help us see things from God's perspective. Invite family members to name again a worry or concern and pray together that Jesus will help us have faith in God's love and protection.

Conclude in prayer together by praying the Lord's Prayer.

Third Sunday after Pentecost - June 13

In Mark's gospel, we do not hear Jesus using many parables; so, when he does use one, he uses fewer words than in other places. When we hear these "nuggets" of truth - very much like today's gospel - they act like seeds. Seeds, planted deep and dark soil, together with the sun and rain, do what they are destined to do by their nature. Seed insist on growing and bestow their fruit to everyone who might pass by. A tree (which comes form a seed) shares its shade and a flower (also from a seed) shares its beauty and scent with anyone who happens to walk by - without discrimination or prejudice. Jesus teaches that this is the way of the Kingdom of God.

READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY

The readings appointed for the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost are: (Click on the link for the text of each reading from this Sunday.)

1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 (Theme: God was not pleased with the way Saul acted as king; so, God decides to choose someone else. The prophet Samuel listens for God's directions and follows them precisely. Sometimes these instructions can be far from what we may have expected!)
2 Corinthians 5:6-10,[11-13],14-17 (Theme: What will we be like after the "resurrection of the dead"? Paul struggles with this question and uses several metaphors (house, clothing) to seek understanding. Metaphors often help us explain something that is otherwise unexplainable.)
Mark 4:26-34 (Theme: Jesus uses two images to describe the kingdom of God. These images are spoken in the form of "parables." In these parables Jesus wants us to think about how these common things "grow" - seeds and the yeast used to leaven bread. What does this teach us about God's kingdom - God's influence in the world?)

Resource Corner

The brief video below tells the parable of the mustard seed using both words and images to make the parable's powerful point.

This video uses a chemical reaction to drive home the point in both parables (mustard seed and yeast) used by Jesus in todays' gospel lesson. It's not long - watch it and discuss with your kids!

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Celebrating God's Creation

Click here to go to the page with materials for the month of June.

Parables. Parables are a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson and were common teaching tool in the time of Jesus. Parables focus not only on the subject or the image of the story but also on the one hearing it. They differ from allegories in that there is no "equivalence" in the images used - that's left for the hearers to figure out! While the story in a parable is not historical, it is true to life, not a fairy tale. We use parables more often than we think. reflect on when you might have used a parable to explain something that is complex, uncomfortable, or difficult to explain. (Some examples: the blind man and the elephant; the birds and the bees.
Memes. Memes are popular in social media. Many people make memes by capturing a meaningful quote and setting it in a nice font and image. Not long ago, memes appeared primarily as quotes in inspirational art posters found on office or kitchen walls. Today when short and quick are esteemed, memes are a contemporary version of longer stories like parables and fables that share a moral lesson worth remembering. You might have some of these around your house. Try linking favorite memes to biblical stories that speak the same oral values.

Family Activity

The Church has often understood the Christian family to be the “domestic church.” This is both a compliment and a call to commitment. Because the family is a community formed in love and dedicated to the physical and spiritual growth of its members, it is a miniature version of the Kingdom of God on earth. This Sunday’s Gospel Reading, Mark 4:26-34, consists of two parables that Jesus used to help us discern the mystery of the Kingdom of God.

The beginning of the kingdom is compared to a tiny seed that over time matures and ripens. Many of the things we do within the family seem insignificant. They are part of our daily activity and attract little attention. Yet they show our love and concern for one another. According to the Gospel, it’s these small things that yield big results, acting as significant contributions to the growth of God’s kingdom on earth. The growth of the seed illustrates the nature and the results of a strong faith.Read aloud together the Gospel lesson Mark 4:26-34. Consider how your family’s concerns reflect the Church’s concerns for those members who are poor, forgotten, hungry, ill, shunned, or lonely.

Together think of a specific actions that you can do to assist a person in your extended family, neighborhood, or parish. Now pray together the Lord’s Prayer, pausing briefly to consider the importance of the words “thy kingdom come.”

Each evening this week as you gather for supper, share with one another the simple acts of love you witnessed within the family that day.

First SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - May 30 - Trinity Sunday

Trinity? Three in One? One in Three? Do we believe in ONE God or not? The stock answer is that it is a mystery. Some think that's a cop-out. Actually it is an invitation to journey deeper into the heart and mind of God.

REAdings for this sunday

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The readings appointed for Trinity Sunday are: (Click on the link for the text of each reading from this Sunday.)

Isaiah 6:1-8 (Theme: As Isaiah recounts how God called him to be one of God's prophets, he describes a vision where he "saw" God.)
Romans 8:12-17 (Theme: The Scriptures nowhere define the Trinity as we do in our theology books or in our catechism. For St. Paul, it is less a matter of understanding and more a matter of how we experience God in our lives and in the life of the world around us.)
John 3:1-17 (Theme: As Jesus describes the work of the Spirit to Nicodemus, a faithful Pharisee, he reminds us all that the Spirit of God is never under our control - only God controls the Spirit. In other words, once we are part of God's life it's not all about us, but about our relationship with God and how God uses us to work out his plan for the world.)

Resource corner

Follow along with the "Trinity Song" and learn about the three persons we call the Holy Trinity.

Watch a "quick" theology lesson describing the Trinity in words we can all understand.

Family Activity

Trinity Sunday invites us to remember that God has revealed himself to us as one God in three Persons. As Jesus departed from his disciples, he shared with them the power to make disciples of all nations - people in every part of the world. He taught his disciples to invite others to share in the life of the Holy Trinity by sharing the gift of Baptism. This continues to be the mission of the Church. Each of us who has been baptized shares in the life of the Holy Trinity and also shares in the Church’s mission of inviting others to share in God’s love.

As you gather as a family, bring out pictures and other mementos of family celebrations of the Sacrament of Baptism. Talk about the significance of Baptism with your family. In Matthew 28:16-20 (you may want to read that together) Jesus taught his disciples to baptize all nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

What else does this remind you of? (the Sign of the Cross) Recall that whenever we pray the Sign of the Cross, we are reminding ourselves that we are united with God through our Baptism and share in the life of the blessed Trinity. Conclude by thanking God for sharing his life with us. Pray together the Glory Be to the Father.

oother Mary guides us through the Mystery of the Holy trinity through an interpretation of the famous icon by Rublev.

Activities for Children

Click on the file below to download and print the "Sunday Paper Junior" for this week.

sunday_paper_jr._-_pentecost_1_-_trinity_sunday.pdf
File Size:	149 kb
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Click on the file below to download and print the "Sunday Paper for this week.

sunday_paper_-_pentecost_1_-_trinity_sunday.pdf
File Size:	125 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Sprit as wind. In the gospel lesson for today, Jesus describes the Spirit of God to be like the wind: we don't know where it comes from or where it is going. When we release a floating balloon into the air we watch it go in all different directions as the wind blows and takes it here and there. In the same way, we do not understand everything about God or how God works. We do know that he loves us (John 3:16) and that wherever he takes us (like the wind) he will guide us and watch over us.
Trinity/Shamrock. St. Patrick used whatever was at hand to teach the nonbelievers among the Celtic (Irish) peoples about the mysteries of God. We still use many of those symbols because they were so simple and yet so powerful. Patrick used a shamrock to help describe the Trinity. With three leaves, it remains but one plant - each leaf is indistinct form the other - separate but one. This is why the shamrock has become the quintessential symbol of the Irish. It was the basis was Patrick's teaching about God and how God works in the world.
Triangle. In geometry, we define an "equilateral" triangle as a three-sided figures having three equal sides. such a triangle is often used to describe the Holy Trinity. Each side is equal to either of the two other sides. Take one side away and we no longer have a triangle. If we stood on one side of a triangle shaped building, we would see something different but we would be on the same form. Each side has its own perspective but is never separate from the other two.

Second Sunday after Pentecost - June 6

Anyone who does the things that Jesus had been seen doing might have been considered "crazy" or possessed by a spirit. "Normal" human beings just don't do these things. In so many ways, Jesus did not measure up tot he expectations of people - he wasn't a great military leader who would liberate Judea from the Romans - he wasn't overly "holy" by people's standards because he associated with people who were known to be sinners. In these ways, Jesus acted in a countercultural way (contrary to the expected norms of the society). He sets that pattern for the way we are to act - to point out that the ways of God are not the ways of the world and that they point to a more loving, more inclusive world where selfless love is the most important value we could have.

Readings for this Sunday

The readings for Second Sunday after Pentecost are: (Click on the link for the text of each reading from this Sunday.)

1 Samuel 8:4-11, (12-15), 16-20, (11:14-15) (Theme: Samuel, a Nazarite, is chosen to lead the people of Israel as king. Samuel was reluctant because before this the only one who held the title "king" in Israel was God. The people of Israel wanted to be more like the other nations and have a human king to lead them.)
2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 (Theme: St. Paul continues to describe the nature of his mission and ministry. Even though it demands sacrifice and suffering, he cannot keep from proclaiming God's goodness in Christ Jesus. So, he is willing to undergo all this because the reward he contemplates is so much greater.)
Mark 3:20-35 (Theme: Jesus skillfully redraws the lines of kinship and connection when he asks, "Who is your family?")

RESOURCE Corner

Today's first lesson tells us about the early history of God's people (Israel) and how they looked for a king to rule over them.

This video tells us about today's gospel story.

Family Activity
Our celebration of the Eucharist each Sunday requires planning and preparation. Certainly the ministers at the Eucharist prepare for their roles: the person presiding prays and prepares the homily; the prayers of petition are written; the music ministers prayerfully select music and practice it before worship; Eucharistic ministers, lectors and altar servers prepare carefully for their roles. As the worshiping assembly, we can also prepare through our prayer during the week, by reading the Scripture before the service, and by making ourselves present to one another in the celebration.

As you gather as a family, talk about some of the things that are required to prepare for your family meals. Plan together a special Sunday meal by choosing the menu, preparing the shopping list, and assigning duties for cooking, setting the table, preparing decorations, leading the prayers, and cleaning.

Read together Mark 14:12-16 and 22-26. Notice how Jesus instructed his disciples to prepare for their Passover meal. All meals require some kind of planning and preparation; so, too, our Sunday Eucharist requires planning.

What might we do as a family to better prepare for our celebration of the Eucharist? Choose one or more ideas to begin to implement together as a family. Pray together that God will help your family make your celebration of the Eucharist the highlight of your week. Pray together the Lord’s Prayer.

Godly Play - Online!

Godly Play Online! will be taking a break during the summer months to allow our teachers and presenters to prepare for a new year of lessons beginning in September. Meanwhile, we will be examining some important elements of our stewardship of creation.

“Celebrating God’s Creation – Water Stories.” This will be a series of stories and activities to learn and enjoy. Families will receive stories and lessons in the mail about key scriptures about water. These will also be available for anyone to download from our Journey in Faith website. A new story will be featured on the first Sunday of the month from June through September.

We will also include links for older students and adults from The Episcopal Church website regarding our church’s initiative for the environment, Creation Care. Christian Formation continues year round, every day of our lives. See how our faith journey can take us to new places right outside our own door.
To sign up for this series, please contact Mother Mary Kisner at youth@stlukeslebanon.org.

Activities for Children

Click on the file below to download The "Sunday Paper" for this week.

sunday_paper_-_pentecost_2.pdf
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sunday_paper_jr_-_pentecost_2.pdf
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Family. Ohana is a Hawaiian word that refers to a family of choice that is marked by the supportiveness of its members for one another. Members are not necessarily connected by blood or tribal ties. Instead they are connected by their shared love or similar beliefs and their choice to be present with and for one another. Joining a congregation or community group is likewise about making the decision to be present for one another through both good times and bad times. In Hawaii, aunties and uncles are all the adults in your life that care about you and for you. This is the kind of family Jesus describes.
Nazarite. This word comes from the Hebrew word nazar, which means “to abstain from,” or “to consecrate oneself to.” Among the ancient Hebrews, a sacred person like this was marked out (separated from others) by certain signs, most notably uncut hair and abstinence from wine. Originally, the nazarite was endowed with special spiritual gifts and was considered to be in a special status for life. We mark ourselves as special in different ways - through baptismal water, the use of sacred chrism at baptism, using sacramental gestures and signs. [A nazarite is not to be confused with a Nazorean, a person who came from the village on Nazareth in Galilee. Jesus was a Nazorean but was not a nazarite.]
Satan/Beelzebub. These are names for what we understand as the devil. Graphic depictions os Satan, like those of angels, are not profound enough to convey what these biblical figures embody. Over the centuries, regrettably, art often depicted Satan in essentially racist terms - with the features of those thought to be enemies. More contemporary pictures of the devil merely evoke Halloween images. For many Christians, the devil has become an "alternate deity." Yet Christian doctrine proclaims that there is only one ultimate power (not two), and that the power of the devil, although formidable, is still subject to the ultimate power of God. We need to be careful how we depict this lesser, evil power to be sure that we instill confidence in God rather than fear of the devil, or worse, make others appear as the devil simply because we do not agree with them.

Tenth SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - August 1

​​​​READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY

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​​​​CELEBRATING GOD'S CREATION

Ninth SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - JULY 25

​​​​READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY

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​​​CELEBRATING GOD'S CREATION

eighth Sunday after Pentecost - JuLy 18

​​​​READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY

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​​​CELEBRATING GOD'S CREATION

Sixth SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - JUly 4

​​​READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY

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​​CELEBRATING GOD'S CREATION

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost - JUNE 27

​​READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY

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​CELEBRATING GOD'S CREATION

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost - June 20

​READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY

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Third Sunday after Pentecost - June 13

READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY

Resource Corner

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Celebrating God's Creation

First SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST - May 30 - Trinity Sunday

REAdings for this sunday

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Second Sunday after Pentecost - June 6

Readings for this Sunday

RESOURCE Corner

Godly Play - Online!

READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY

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GODLY PLAY ONLINE

CELEBRATING GOD'S CREATION

READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY

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GODLY PLAY ONLINE

CELEBRATING GOD'S CREATION

READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY

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GODLY PLAY ONLINE

CELEBRATING GOD'S CREATION

READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY

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GODLY PLAY ONLINE

CELEBRATING GOD'S CREATION

READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY

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GODLY PLAY ONLINE

CELEBRATING GOD'S CREATION

READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY

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GODLY PLAY ONLINE

GODLY PLAY ONLINE