11th
Sunday of 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 11th Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Introduce symbol
Say: Today’s symbol is a HAND.
Ask: What can you do with your hands? <discuss – eat, make things, give hugs, help others>
Our readings today tell us how God keeps telling us to take care of His People <each other>
Say:
Let’s look at the poster. What
does it say? <We are his people, the sheep of his flock.> This is our Responsorial Psalm for
today. The Responsorial Psalms also come
from Scripture, from the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament.
Ask: When Jesus was alive with us, many people around him were shepherds, people who took care of sheep. Jesus taught people how to live using stories - called parables. Many of his stories use a shepherd's job to teach how to treat people.
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 Exodus. (Exodus 19:1-6a) In this reading, we hear about a leader of the Israelite people. Have you ever heard of Moses? <let the children respond> Moses led the Israelite people into Egypt. Listen to what happened to him.
Have
the reader read the first reading.
Ask: What happened to Moses? <He went up the mountain, God told him that the people needed to follow him> What did God tell Moses would happen next? <if they followed God's Word, they would be the his special servants.... priests> Priests are God's helpers by taking care of others
Say: Now is the time for
the Responsorial Psalm. Your part is to
say:
We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Say: Today’s Gospel
reading is taken from the book of Matthew (Matt 9:36 - 10:8). In the reading today, St. Matthew tells us about a meeting Jesus had with the apostles. Listen to hear what he told them.
Say: Now we will stand
and get ready to hear the Gospel
Have
the reader begin: “a reading from the
holy Gospel according to…”
Read: Read the Gospel
Ask: Jesus called each of the apostles by name. Did you hear what he told them? <let the children retell what they
heard>
Say: Jesus told his followers to take care of his people. We are all God's people... what does this mean for you and me? <discuss the need to help each other>
Hand
out the small poster cut-outs for the children to put their names on. Collect them to glue on a poster when they
are finished.
Hand
out the larger Offertory symbols (hand). Ask the older children to
write one thing they can do this week to show how they can do God's work of taking care of others
Explain:
Color this symbol of the hands and bring it to the altar (don’t forget to put your name on the
back!) to show that we have learned about taking care of
others.
If
there is time, ask questions and go over the lessons one more time to help the
children remember.
Give
out stickers and hand-outs as the children leave to join the Offertory
procession.
Parent Letter
11th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Dear
Parents,
Today is the 11th Sunday of
Ordinary Time. The children listened to
two of the same readings you heard: Exodus 19:1-6a and Matthew 9:36-10:8.
Symbol: hand
To reinforce at home:
The readings today talk about how God has asked us to take care of others.
Activities to do at home:
*
Show your faith in God! Ask him how you can do his work in your life.
* Learn about Jesus' life! Read about shepherds during Jesus' life - how and why they care for their sheep. How can you bring that kind of love and care to the people in your life?
* How can I help? A child (and sometimes parents!) often feels helpless - like they have nothing to offer others. Brainstorm with your child some of the ways you can each help others - possibilities are chores, or listening to someone, giving hugs or extra toys.
Thank you for sharing your children!
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