Shannon Kelly

Proper 24, Year A

Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22

Once again, people who opposed Jesus and his message are trying to entrap him. This is the first of three exchanges between the Jewish leaders and Jesus. The lesson begins with them buttering Jesus up, and then asking a question that they thought would show that he was speaking out against the government so that he could get arrested. However, Jesus does not fall for it and calls them to the test instead.

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LPTW Proper 24, Year A, Younger Children
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Proper 23, Year A

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

This is the final parable that Jesus gives in the temple, and it is especially a difficult one for children and youth to understand. To explain the parable briefly, many sight it as being an allegory of salvation history. The wedding banquet is given by the king (God) for the son (Jesus). Many guests are invited ahead of time and say they will come, but on the day of the wedding, no one will come and some, in fact, abuse the slaves he sent to gather them. The king (God) is furious and sends troops to punish them.

The wedding banquet is still ready, so the king (God) tells the slaves to go and gather all who are in the streets, good and bad, to the banquet. They come, ready for the banquet – all except one, who is singled out and taken away. This final piece is said to be not about a physically being ready, but about leaving behind the old and being ready for the feast, being ready for God, presenting yourself to God in such a way as to say, I have prepared myself and am here. It is also good to note that in Jesus’ culture, when one was invited to a wedding, there were robes given to the guests to wear and this man chose not to – he chose to keep his own clothes, thus not giving himself fully to God and to the feast.

This is a difficult parable that has been used to exclude people and bully people into being a certain way to get into the feast. This is really about God inviting us to come, choosing to come, and welcoming us to be ready when we are invited. Jesus is urging us to come to the feast when we are invited and to put on the “clothes” that God has provided for us. We are all invited into the kingdom of heaven, it is our choice to accept and prepare ourselves or not.

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LPTW Proper 23, Year A, Younger Children
LPTW Proper 23, Year A, Older Children
LPTW Proper 23, Year A, Adult
LPTW Proper 23, Year A, All

Proper 25, Year A, Old Testament Lesson

Scripture: Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Previous to this, the people of Israel have been in a process of transition from being a people on a journey to a people entering into the land of Canaan.  They are transitioning from one part of their lives to the next.  Moses has given them instructions that carry forward into the book of Joshua, we hear the Song of Moses in 31:30-32:52, as Moses tells of the past and offers a vision for the future.  This is followed by Moses blessing the Israelites before he departed, and finally by Moses death and burial.  This is an amazing insight into God’s relationship with Moses and God’s love for Moses as servant and friend in leading the people.  Moses burial site is still unknown.

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LPTW Proper 25, Year A, Younger Children, Old Testament
LPTW Proper 25, Year A, Older Children, Old Testament

Proper 24, Year A, Old Testament Lesson

Scripture: Exodus 33:12-23

Today’s lesson comes after the story of the Golden Calf from last week.  Following on the heels of that story, we hear and exchange between God and Moses about God’s role in their lives and in the rest of their journey.  Moses continues to intercede on behalf of the people of Israel and remind God what God had told them in the past.  We hear that Moses wants a better understanding of how God works so he can serve God better and have a deeper relationship with God.  Moses asks God to be made clearer so he might better understand how best to follow God and therefore how to be a better leader.  Finally, Moses asks to see the glory of God to deepen the relationship and be filled with God’s presence and love.  As God passes by Moses, he cannot see all of God, but only where God has been.  We as humans never see God at work, but only where God has been, only where God was.  Those “God moments” are evidence of where God has been in our lives in order to deepen our faith and understanding in God.

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LPTW Proper 24, Year A, Younger Children, Old Testament
LPTW Proper 24, Year A, Older Children, Old Testament

Proper 23, Year A, Old Testament Lesson

Scripture: Exodus 32:1-14

Moses has been on the mountain with God for 40 days and nights which means that the Israelites have been without either of their leaders.  In their anxiousness they turn to Aaron who helps and encourages them create a calf and then to have a festival.  As God sees what they are doing, God becomes angry and wants to get rid of them.  Moses, however, steps in and asks for God’s mercy, quoting God’s promise from Genesis.  This is a great risk for Moses, as he asks God to turn away from anger and remember the promises that were made to the people.  God changes his mind and does not burn wrath upon the people.

Download the Old Testament Lesson Plan for Proper 23

LPTW Proper 23, Year A, Younger Children, Old Testament
LPTW Proper 23, Year A, Older Children, Old Testament

Nicholas of Myra

c. 270-343

Prayer for Nicholas of Myra: Almighty God, who in your love gave to your servant Nicholas of Myra a perpetual name for deeds of kindness on land and sea: Grant, we pray, that your Church may never cease to work for the happiness of children, the safety of sailors, the relief of the poor, and the help of those tossed by tempests of doubt or grief; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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LPTW Nicholas of Myra

Mary Magdalene

First century CE

Prayer for Mary Magdalene: Almighty God, whose blessed Son restored Mary Magdalene to health of body and mind, and called her to be a witness of his resurrection: Mercifully grant that by your grace we may be healed of all our infirmities and know you in the power of his endless life; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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LPTW Mary Magdalene

Martin of Tours

c. 330-397

Prayer for Martin of Tours: Lord God of hosts, who clothed your servant Martin the soldier with the spirit of sacrifice, and set him as a bishop in your Church to be a defender of the catholic faith: Give us grace to follow in his holy steps, that at the last we may be found clothed with righteousness in the dwellings of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

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LPTW Martin of Tours

Margaret of Scotland

c. 1045-1093

Prayer for Margaret of Scotland: O God, who called your servant Margaret to an earthly throne that she might advance your heavenly kingdom, and gave her zeal for your church and love for your people: Mercifully grant that we who commemorate her this day may be fruitful in good works, and attain to the glorious crown of your saints; though Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

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LPTW Margaret of Scotland

Francis of Assisi (1181/1182 to 1226)

Prayer for St. Francis:
Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, grant your people grace gladly to renounce the vanities of this world; that, following the way of blessed Francis, we may for love of you delight in your whole creation with perfect joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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