28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle C
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 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Ask: Does anyone remember the symbol for last week? <a seed>
Ask: What did it symbolize? <taking care of our faith>
Introduce symbol
Say: Today’s symbol <hold up the symbol> is a present. What happens (or should happen) when someone gives you a gift? <you say thank you!> Today we are going to talk about thanking God for his gifts to us.
Say: Let’s look at the poster. What does it say? <The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power> This is our Responsorial Psalm for today. The Responsorial Psalms also come from Scripture, from the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament. Psalms were originally songs, so make sure you pray the response clearly and loudly.
Ask: Can anyone tell me what the word “revealed” means? <showed>
Say: God’s saving power is a gift for us. One way that we say thank you is to talk to God or pray to him.
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 second book of Kings. (2 Kings 5:14-17). It is a story about the prophet Elisha and a man from the country of Syria called Naaman. Naaman listened to what Elisha said about God and was really impressed. Naaman does something that might seem really strange to us. Listen closely and see if you can hear what it is.
Have the reader read the first reading.
Ask: What did Naaman do? <he tried to give Elisha a gift but Elisha wouldn’t accept it, he took dirt from Israel back home> Why do you think he did that? <At that time, it was believed that the Jews, those who loved in Israel, were the chosen people. They felt that the best prayers were prayed in Israel. By taking dirt from the country of Israel, Naaman felt that he would be able to create a better place to pray in his own country>
Say: Now it is time for the Responsorial Psalm. Your part is to say:
The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.
Say: Today’s Gospel reading comes from the book of Luke. (Lk 17:11-19) In the Gospel today, Jesus tells us about 10 men who had a disease called leprosy. Leprosy is a very contagious skin disease, which means that other people can catch it easily. Lepers had to leave their families and live with other lepers, just so that the disease wouldn’t spread. They couldn’t go back home until a priest had determined that they were completely healed. This story tells about something wonderful that one of these lepers did. Listen closely and find out what he did. And, if you can, try to remember where this man came from.
Say: Now we will stand to get ready to hear the Gospel
(hold up card) Alleluia, Alleluia.
Have the reader begin: “a reading from the holy gospel.....”
Read: Read the Gospel
Ask: Can you tell me what happened? <let the children retell the story> What was unusual about the one man who came back? Where did he come from? <Samaria> What can you tell me about Samaria? <most of the people that followed Jesus around listening to him were prejudiced against the people who lived in Samaria- they didn’t like them. It was always surprising to hear that anyone in Samaria did anything good> Do you remember another story about someone from Samaria? <the Good Samaritan>
Say: God wants to hear everyone say thank you for the gifts he gives us.
Ask children to add their names to the cutouts (squares) 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. (The symbol is a present). Have the older children write one thing that they can thank God for this week.
Explain: Color this symbol of the present and bring it to the altar (don’t forget to put your name on the back!) to show that we have learned about how important it is to say thank you to God.
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.
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| Cut small squares out of light colored paper. Have the children write their names on them and glue to a poster as a communal creation. |
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| Use this graphic to create the mid-sized banner symbol. Use bright wrapping paper and create a ribbon with bow on top! |
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| Use this graphic to copy for the coloring page the children bring to the Offertory procession |
Parent Letter
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time C
Dear Parents,
Today is the Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The children listened to simplified versions of two of the same readings you did: 2 Kings 5:14-17 and Luke 17:11-19.
Symbol: Gift or present
To reinforce at home:
In the Gospel today, Jesus’ love and caring made a tremendous impact on the lives of ten people. Nine joyously ran to their families. One, the least likely to be grateful to a Jew, came back to say thank you. We talked today about saying thank you to God for the gifts he has freely given us.
Activities to do at home:
*Help your child make a list of things of gifts that God has given to your family. Write a prayer of thanksgiving.
*Giving service back to God and your faith community is one way to say thank you! Together, review your parish ministries and choose one area where you and your child can help.
Thank you for sharing your children!
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