27th Sunday of Ordinary Time Cycle B

Children’s Liturgy Instructions

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time   Cycle B

***Note to presenter*** Today’s readings talk about families and the importance of children in families.  Be very sensitive to the fact that there are many types of family structures and the care and love of the children is the most important issue.  The children need to be affirmed and feel secure.  Period.***

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

Explain: Today is the Twenty-seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time.

Ask:  Does anyone remember what our symbol was for last Sunday? ( a gift)  And what did it mean?  <it stood for the individual gifts that God gives each of us, our talents and our possessions>

Explain:   God gives each of us many gifts.  What does He expect us to do with them?  <SHARE>

Introduce symbol

Say:  Today’s readings are about one of the gifts that God gives each of us.  Our symbol <hold up symbol - several hearts together > represents that gift..  What gifts did God give you?  <the children will suggest several things.  You are looking for the answer “family”>

Ask:  What is a family?  <typical answers are - mother, father, brother, sister, etc.>  What other kinds of families are there?  <give the children a chance to offer their particular family structure - and AFFIRM it>  The main thing that makes family is LOVE and commitment to one another, particularly to loving children.

Say:  Children are a special gift that families protect and take care of.  Children usually find it easy to believe in God.  Sometimes when people get older, they begin to find it more difficult.  The happiness and love that children have is important to God and a wonderful example to adults.

Say:  Now we are going to practice the Responsorial Psalm, that part between the readings where you get to help.  The Responsorial Psalm comes from the Bible just like our readings do.  Today’s psalm is: May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.  Can you say this with me?  <Have the children repeat it.>

Introduce readings

We have two readings today.

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

Say: Today’s first reading is from the Old Testament, the book of Genesis. (Genesis 2:18-24) This is the story of how God created the first family.  Does anyone remember the names of the first family?  <Adam & Eve>  Let’s listen to the reading and think about what we need to learn about families.

Have the reader read the first reading.

Ask:  What do you think was being said here about families?  <the children will talk about man & woman and marriage.  Affirm this BUT say that.... > God tells them to become like one person.  This means that we are supposed to love the people we live with, our families, and treat them as well as we treat ourselves.  Our families are as important as we are.  

Say: Now it is time for the Responsorial Psalm.  Your part is to say:

May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.

Say:  Next we’ll have the Gospel reading.  The Gospel selection today is from the book of Mark. (Mark 10:13-16). The last couple of weeks, we have been talking about things that happened when Jesus was just sitting around talking with people.  Today will be the same.  Today, Mark tells about a time when Jesus was teaching.  Some parents tried to come to Him with their children so that He could bless them.  Jesus’ friends tried to keep them from interrupting Him.  Listen closely to hear what Jesus did and said.

Say:  Now we will get ready to hear the Gospel

(hold up card)  Alleluia!  Alleluia!

Have the reader begin: “a reading from the holy gospel.....”

All respond:  Lord, let your Word be in my mind <make cross on forehead>, on my lips <make cross on lips>, and in my heart <make cross on heart>

Read:  Read the Gospel

Ask:  What do you think?   What did Jesus do? <told His disciples to let the people come to Him, held the children, blessed the children>  What did that mean?  < it meant that sometimes adults get wrapped up in their own importance - sometimes children do too - and forget what is really  important.  Love is what is most important>  Did that mean that children can always interrupt adults?  <NO - but adults should be kind and loving>

Hand out the symbols to color and cut out. (The symbol is hearts) 

Explain: Color this symbol of the hearts and bring it to the altar (don’t forget to put your name on the back!)  to show that we have learned about what the Scripture tells us about love and families.

Ask:  What can you do this week to show love for someone in your family?  If you can, write that on the back of your symbol.

If there is time, ask questions and go over the lessons one more time to help the children remember.

While they are coloring, explain how we will go back into the church, up to the front with our gifts and rejoin our families.

Count out the parent letters and hand-outs to go home.

Give out stickers and hand-outs as they leave.

Use this graphic for the communal poster

 

Use this graphic for the mid-sized banner symbol and the full-sized Offertory gift

Parent Letter

Twenty-Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time

                                                   

             Today your children heard simplified versions of two of the same readings you heard: Genesis 2:18-24 and Mark 10:13-16.

            

To reinforce at home:

Today we talked about the importance of children!  Children have a love and a faith that is a tremendous gift to the families they live with.  It is the job of the family to protect and nurture the gifts of its members.

Activities to do at home:

*Together with your child, do something special for the members of your family. 

*Hold a surprise party to show your love for your family.

*With your child, brainstorm some secret things you can do for others in your family.

 

Thank you for sharing your children!