1st Sunday in Lent Cycle C
Welcome children to their worship space.
Explain: Today is the First Sunday of Lent. Does anyone remember anything about Lent? (40 days of preparing for Easter, etc.) What do we do in Lent? (we make small sacrifices, we might fast, we think about ways to be closer to God)
Ask: Did you notice any changes in the church today? <much less singing, Father is wearing purple vestments or stole> Does anyone remember what the color purple means in the church? <sadness or seriousness>
During Lent we try to make our lives simpler so that we can spend more time thinking about God.
Introduce symbol
Say: Today’s symbol <hold up the symbol> is a stone.
Ask: Does everyone know what a stone is? <a rock> What can you tell me about stones or rocks? < very hard, big or small, smooth or rough, can hold you up> There are lots of references to stones in the Bible? How can God be like a stone? <He is always there for us> Has anyone ever had a rock in their shoe? <share a few stories> Sometimes God is like that, too. He makes you stop and think about where you are going and what you are doing.
Say: Let’s look at the poster. What does it say? <Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble.> This is our Responsorial Psalm for today. The Responsorial Psalms also come from Scripture, from the Book of Psalms in the old Testament. Lent is a time when we actively think of ways to become closer to God.
Introduce readings
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 Deuteronomy. (Deut 26:4-10) Today’s reading is about a man that you all probably remember. He was the one that God gave the 10 commandments to. Do you remember who that was? <Moses>
Ask: What do you remember about Moses? <discuss> At the time of this reading, Moses and the Israelites were still in the desert. Do you remember that they escaped from Egypt? That God helped them? And then do you remember that God sent food from heaven to feed them? Do you remember what that food was called? <manna> Let’s pretend that we are Israelite people in the desert with Moses and hear him proclaim our faith in the God who takes care of us.
Have the reader read the first reading.
Say: Now it is time for the Responsorial Psalm. Your part is to say:
Be with me Lord, when I am in trouble.
Say: Today’s Gospel reading comes from the book of Luke. (Lk 4:1-13) Do you remember when Jesus was baptized? Who baptized him? <his cousin, John> Jesus’ baptism marked the beginning of his public ministry. After his baptism in the Jordan River, he needed to spend some time alone get ready to do his work. So he went into the desert. While he was in the desert, something really strange happened to him. The devil came to visit him. Listen to the Word of God written by Luke and hear what happened next.
Say: Let’s get ready to hear the Gospel
(hold up card) Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Have the reader begin: “a reading from the holy gospel.....”
Read: Read the Gospel
Ask: What happened? <discuss> Satan tempted Jesus. What does the word temptation mean? <to make you want to do something, usually wrong> Satan tempted Jesus by suggesting that he turn stones into bread.
What would be a temptation for you? <maybe your parent bought some candy and hid it and you know where it is and want to sneak some, OR maybe your older brother or sister told you not to go in their stuff and you really want to> That’s the way Jesus felt. He COULD have done what Satan tempted him to do, but he didn’t. He believed in God enough to trust that he would be all right without doing wrong.
Ask children to add their names to the cutouts (stones) provided. Remind the children that we are making a poster for each Sunday and that they will sign a cutout and glue it on when they are here.
Hand out the symbols to color and cut out. (The symbol is stone).
Explain: Color this symbol of the stone and bring it to the altar (don’t forget to put your name on the back!) to show that we have learned about Jesus handled temptation.
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 they leave.
 |
| Use this graphic in all 3 sizes for all 3 applications |
Parent Letter
1st Sunday Lent C
Today is the First Sunday in Lent. The children listened to simplified versions of two of the same readings you heard: Deuteronomy 26:4-10 and Luke 4:1-13.
To reinforce at home:
Both of the readings today take place in the desert. We tried to help the children visualize a desert… a dry, dead-looking, a place where humans have a hard time trying to survive. In the reading from Deuteronomy, the Israelites are in the desert and starving.. when they trust in God, they are fed manna!
In Luke, we are reminded of the time that Jesus went into the desert to prepare for his ministry to us. He fasted for 40 days! Though he was God, he suffered as a human would, from hunger, from thirst, and most assuredly from the same doubts that try us! Satan tried to take advantage of Jesus the same way that he takes advantage of us. Jesus set an example for us of resisting temptation and following his father.
Activities to do at home:
*Bake or buy fresh bread for dinner. Enjoy the smell and taste! Discuss with your child how difficult it must have been for a very hungry Jesus to stand up against Satan.
*Teach your child the first commandment: I am the Lord your God. You shall have no other gods before me. Talk about what that means in today’s world.
*Compare Jesus’ 40 days in the desert to get ready to teach us about the Kingdom to the 40 days of Lent where we prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christ’s death and resurrection.
Thank you for sharing your children!
No comments:
Post a Comment