Sunday, July 2, 2023

14th Sunday Ordinary Time A


Children’s Liturgy Instructions
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time   Cycle A

Welcome children to their worship space.

Ask them to get their carpet squares and sit down in a circle.

Introduce yourself and your helpers.

Introduce
              Say:  Today is the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. 

Ask: Last week’s symbol was a pineapple.  We talked about the importance of welcome and hospitality.

Introduce symbol
Say:  Today’s symbol is a dove.  We’ve talked a lot about all the things Jesus expects from us.  Today we are reminded that or God is a God of peace.

Say:  Can anyone tell me what the word ‘peace’ means?  <calmness, no fighting, rest>  Jesus tells us that if we do what he asks, if we act the way he did, he will give us peace.

Say:  Let’s take a look at the poster.  What does it say?  <I will praise your name forever, my king and my God.>  This is our Responsorial Psalm for today.  The Responsorial Psalms also come from Scripture, from the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament.

Introduce readings

We have two readings today.

Say: Let’s light the candle to show that we are ready to listen to the Word of God.

Say:  Today’s first reading is from the Old Testament book of the prophet Zechariah (Zech 9:9-16).  Zechariah tells us that our God is a God of peace, not a God of war.  God wants us to enjoy this world and each other.  God does not want us to hurt each other. While you are listening to this reading about God’s peace, listen closely to see if you can hear something that will happen in Jesus’ lifetime.

Have the reader read the first reading.

Ask:  When we listen to the Scripture readings in the Old Testament, we often hear about things that will happen in the New Testament.  Did anyone hear anything that will happen much much later?  <the king will come to Jerusalem riding on a donkey>  When did this happen?  <on Passion Sunday – the beginning of Holy Week>  Is that the way kings usually arrive in a town?  <no>  What usually happens when someone important comes?

Say:  The important person is treated in a very special manner.  Jesus was HUMBLE – he did not put himself above others.

Say:  Now it is time for the Responsorial Psalm.  Your part will be to say:
I will praise your name forever, my king and my God. 

Say: Today’s Gospel reading comes from the book of Matthew (Matt 11:25-30)  Matthew tells us about something that Jesus said.  He was talking about God and said that he was glad that ordinary people understood more about God than wise, educated people.  Does this make sense to you?  <discuss>  What Jesus is telling us is that the more people learn, the harder it is simply to believe in Jesus.  Think about this while you listen to what Matthew says in this reading.

Say:  Now we will get ready to hear the Gospel
Please stand up.
(hold up card)  Alleluia!  Alleluia!

Read:  Read:
“a reading from the holy gospel.....”

All respond:  Glory to you, O Lord.

Read the Gospel           

Say:  Sometimes when we know a lot, we think we know even more!  Sometimes it is hard to listen to others if we think we already know what is going on.  The smart people Jesus spoke with were looking for a savior.. They were looking for a king or a soldier who would overthrow the government.  We know that Jesus was not a soldier, don’t we?  Jesus came to bring us peace.  It was hard for the smart people to believe that Jesus was the leader they were looking for.

Hand out the symbols to color and cut out. (the symbol is a dove ) 

Explain: Let’s color the doves  (don’t forget to put your name on the back!)  to show what we have learned about believing in God.

If there is time for discussion, try to ask questions and reinforce what has already been discussed.  This helps the children to remember what they learned.
While they are coloring, explain how we will go back into the church, up to the front with our gifts and rejoin our families.

Give out stickers, parent letters and hand-outs as they leave.



Use this graphic in a small size for the poster and for the banner symbol

Use this graphic for the full-sized coloring sheet (Offertory gift)  [please excuse the print on it.. I am out of town and cannot fix it at this time]




Parent Letter

14th Sunday of Ordinary Time  A

                                                                                 
                                                                                 
Dear Parents,                                                     
              Today your children heard simplified versions of two of the same readings you heard: Zechariah 9:9-16 and Matthew 11:25-30.
Symbol:  dove

To reinforce at home:
The reading from Zechariah reminds us that the king we follow, Jesus, does not act the way we expect kings on earth to act.  He is humble and kind.  This Old Testament reading also shows us clearly how many of the Old Testament readings either foretell or foreshadow events in the life of Jesus.
The reading in the Gospel of Matthew tells us what Jesus says about the faith of ordinary people, people who are not educated enough to be cynical about God.  We are reminded that faith in God’s love is critical!  Always!  We have a responsibility as we learn and grow in Jesus, to keep that faith strong no matter what happens in life.  Keeping that faith strong fills us with peace.

Activities to do at home:
*Experience the rest God gives us!  Go outside into God’s creation.  Take a book to read or something quiet to do.
*Ask God to help give you peace!  Pray about one area of your life that you could simplify and change it.

*Discuss it together!  Together with your child, discuss the peace that we feel when we do what we are supposed to do.
 
Thank you for sharing your children!


3 comments:

Unknown said...

I am new to your liturgy of the word lessons and love the simplicity and similarity from week to week. I would like to use the lesson for this Sunday, but I am a little confused by it. In one part of the lesson it talks about the symbol being a dove and another part says that children should color a heart with an eye on it. Is there an error or am I just not understanding? I also was unsure of how the gospel reading fit in with the teacher's comments/questions for the children that are listed after the gospel. Any help would be appreciated!

kvanatta said...

Krista - Thank you for spotting this!! The symbol is definitely a dove - the heart/eye AND comments apparently came from Cycle B - probably a copy/paste error from years ago. Due to geography I don't have ready access to the hard copies being used at church so I will try to come up with new questions for the teacher - or YOU can :-) I apologize for any problems but will tackle this after my workday..

kvanatta said...

I think I have fixed it for you! Thanks again for spotting the discrepancy!