2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A

2nd 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

             Explain: Today begins the season of Ordinary Time.  What is the liturgical color we usually use in Ordinary Time?  <green>  This segment of Ordinary Time is very short—just a few weeks.  Then we will begin the season of Lent.

Ask:  Does anyone remember what our symbol was last Sunday?  <hold up the symbol of the shell with a dove> We learned about the Baptism of Jesus and our own call by God to do his work.

Introduce symbol

Say:  Today’s symbol <hold up the symbol> is a shell with a flame. 

Explain:  As you probably remember, we use the shell to symbolize Baptism.  But what about the flame (or fire)?  Fire represents light and warmth and energy.

 

Say:  Let’s look at the poster we will make to day.  What does it say? <Here I am Lord; I come to do your will> This is our Responsorial Psalm for today.

 

Ask:  Can anyone tell  me what the word ‘will’ mean  in this psalm?  <it means wishes or desires>  So then, what does the whole phrase mean?  <that we are here to do what God wants us to do>  These are the words of a servant, the same kinds of words we heard from the prophet Isaiah last week.

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 Isaiah. (Isaiah 49:3, 5-6)  Isaiah is an Old Testament prophet who told us all about Jesus many years before he was actually born.  Isaiah says that the Lord says that “Israel is his servant”.  What might that mean?  <discuss>  Listen to exactly what Isaiah says and see if you can figure out who is “Israel” is.

Have the reader read the first reading.

Ask:  What does God want Israel to do?  <lead others to God, be a light to for others, take God’s power to others>  Who do you think Israel is?  <all of us>

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

Here I am Lord; I come to do your will.

Say:  Today’s Gospel reading comes from the book of St. John.  (John 1:29-34).   This reading is St. John’s version of the Baptism of Jesus.  See if you can hear any of the same things you heard last week in John’s Gospel.

Say:  Now we will stand and 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:  What did John tell us today?  <about the Trinity appearing at Jesus’ baptism, about how he didn’t know Jesus was the messiah until that moment in time, that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit>  What does that mean?  <discuss—that Jesus brings a new meaning and strength to Baptism>

Hand out the poster cut-outs and Offertory symbols.

Ask the children to add their names to the cutouts (flames) so that they can be glued onto the poster.

 

Explain: Color this symbol of the shell with a flame and bring it to the altar (don’t forget to put your name on the back!)  to show that we have learned about the energy and love that Jesus brings to the Sacrament of Baptism.

If there is time, ask the older children to write one thing that they will do this week to show that they are the servants of 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.

Parent Letter

2nd Sunday Ordinary Time A

Dear Parents,

           Today we celebrate the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time.  The children listened to two of the same readings you did: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6; John 1:29-34.

Symbol: shell with a flame

To reinforce at home:

Today we heard Isaiah telling us what it means to be a servant of the Lord, what our own baptism means in our lives.  We are called to be a light to the world.

In the Gospel we heard John’s version of the Baptism of Jesus, when he was publicly acclaimed the Son of God.

Activities to do at home:

*Play with a flashlight with your child one evening.  Show how light pushes back darkness.  Explain how acting in the way Jesus taught us to act is like shining a light in the darkness.

Thank you for sharing your children!