Second Sunday in Lent
Scripture: John 3:1-17
What color is the wind? What shape is the love of a parent for a child? Some things are easily quantified. In some matters, we simply fall, trustingly, into the arms of faith.
LPTW Lent 2, Year A, Younger Children
LPTW Lent 2, Year A, Older Children
LPTW Lent 2, Year A, Adult
LPTW Lent 2, Year A, All
Leviticus is a collection of laws related to worship, priests, sacrifices and holiness. It is named after Levi, the tribe of priests. Leviticus reminds us that the people of Israel are called to have a relationship based on justice and love. They are to be holy in their relationship with each other just as God treats his relationship with them as something sacred. This book underscores the holiness of God and the hope for Israel to reflect that holiness in all aspects of life. “Be holy, for I am holy” is the heart of this book. Israelites believed holiness was accomplished by keeping God’s commandments and codes.
LPTW Epiphany 7, Year A, Younger Children, Old Testament
LPTW Epiphany 7, Year A, Older Children, Old Testament
This passage can difficult for the children to hear and understand. And, it is the “old law” which is not helpful to our understanding about having a loving, merciful relationship with God. However, remember that in a previous verse (vs. 11) we see that God thinks that to keep the commandment is not too hard for us. Therefore, it represents the interpretation that one can make the choice which will lead to a loving and healthy relationship with God. We are encouraged to practice that behavior with each other, mirroring our relationship with God. We can choose to have that relationship.
LPTW Epiphany 6, Year A, Younger Children, Old Testament
LPTW Epiphany 6, Year A, Older Children, Old Testament
Isaiah continues the theme of Justice. The prophet explains to the people that their relationship with each other reveals their true relationship with God. They cannot say that they have a good relationship with when they have no mercy for others. God does not require fasting. God requires justice and mercy.
LPTW Epiphany 5, Year A, Younger Children, Old Testament
LPTW Epiphany 5, Year A, Older Children, Old Testament
The prophet Micah is trying to get the people of Israel to remember their covenant with God. They are to do justice and live humbly. God does not want extravagant offerings or sacrifices. Today we hear God having an argument with his people. Children sometimes have arguments and they will relate to this story. God is reminding the people about all the wonderful things that have been done for them. The people have gone back to their old ways and are not living their lives in a gracious way. They are no longer humble.
“Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6: 7-8)
LPTW Epiphany 4, Year A, Younger Children, Old Testament
LPTW Epiphany 4, Year A, Older Children, Old Testament
Collect for Martin Luther King Jr.
Almighty God, by the hand of Moses your servant you led your people out of slavery, and made them free at last: Grant that your Church, following the example of your prophet Martin Luther King, may resist oppression in the name of your love, and may secure for all your children the blessed liberty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
As we hear the story of Christ’s passion today, how do we hear it anew? Where is this story hitting us differently this year? I wonder what questions you bring to the story and how it relates to your life today.
LPTW Palm Sunday, Year A, Younger Children
LPTW Palm Sunday, Year A, Older Children
LPTW Palm Sunday, Year A, Adult
LPTW Palm Sunday, Year A, All
He has been in the tomb for four days, Martha reminds Jesus. Yet Jesus stands before the tomb and cries in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” Then Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” Where are we bound? What is keeping us from getting unbound?
LPTW Lent 5, Year A, Young Children
LPTW Lent 5, Year A, Older Children
LPTW Lent 5, Year A, Adult
LPTW Lent 5, Year A, All
A man born blind, and a healing that placed the authorities at risk: How does the way we look at things affect our capacity to see?
LPTW Lent 4, Year A, Younger Children
LPTW Lent 4, Year A, Older Children
LPTW Lent 4, Year A, Adult
LPTW Lent 4, Year A, All
Sunday, January 12, 2014 is the fourth anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti. We will invite our sisters and brothers in the Episcopal Church to mark and remember this day in prayer and gratitude for the continued ministry in Haiti. The Episcopal Church in Haiti is a significant part of the everyday lives of the people in Haiti with its 250 schools, a dozen clinics, two hospitals, and 170 congregations. To help you mark this anniversary, raise awareness, and contribute to the rebuilding of the Cathedral, we are proud to present two lesson plans with stories, ideas, videos, prayers, and pictures.
Lesson Plan for Haiti, Children and Younger Youth
Lesson Plan for Haiti, Adults and Older Youth