SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

YEAR C: July 21, 2019

First Reading: Genesis 18:1-10a

Ricky, the Rock that Couldn’t Roll by Jay Miletsky

(Written for ages 3-11)

Comment: When the Lord appeared to Abraham, it had been a long day already in the heat of the desert. One of the first things Abraham did for his guests was offer them refreshment: water to clean up with, bread to be nourished with, and an opportunity to rest in the shade of a tree. Abraham’s hospitality illustrates the importance of caring for self and for neighbor. Jay Miletsky tells the story of Ricky, a rock with one flat side, and his friends. One of his friends’ favorite activities was to roll around and down on their favorite hill. However, Ricky couldn’t roll because of his one flat side. Yet his friends did not want to leave him behind so they try to figure out a way to include him in rolling down the hill. Ricky’s friends, like Abraham, knew the importance of hospitality, as they made sure those they encountered were welcomed and taken care of.

Note: This Sunday in Year C in earlier years has used Genesis 18:1-15 as the Old Testament scripture, so you may want to check books used for those earlier dates as well.

Second Reading: Colossians 1:15-28

God Made Us All by Kristen McCurry

(Written for ages 5-6)

Comment: In his letter to the Colossians, Paul reminds the early Church about both the vastness and the personal nature of God. God created “all things in heaven and on earth,” “things visible and invisible.” At the same time, God is reconciled, is near to, and is within each and every person. God is both big and small! In this charming board book, children are reminded of these two attributes of God. That God made the big animals, as well as the small animals, and that God made us all, too! This book is a good introduction to helping young children think about both the big and the small wonders in the world that God has created.

Third Reading: Luke 10: 38-42

Welcome by Barroux

(Written for ages 4-8)

Comment: Through both words and illustrations, Barroux tells the story of three polar bears who find themselves without a home when their spot of ice breaks off and they drift away. They begin to look for a new home. Along the way, they meet cows who think they are too furry, a panda who says there is no room on his island, and some giraffes who pretend not to hear them. It does not look like they are welcome in any new home, until they discover a deserted island. However, three lost monkey come looking for a new home, and the bears have the chance to extend the welcome to them that they did not receive when they were in the monkeys’ position. In this week’s gospel text, Martha knows the importance of making sure people feel welcome and cared for, including Jesus (even though it led her to worry!). After reading Welcome & Luke 10:38-42, some faith communities might dare to ask the children in their presence how church welcomes them.

Thanks to Union Presbyterian Seminary alumna Rosy Robson for writing the Revised Common Lectionary Links this week.

Lectionary Links (RCL): July 21, 2019 by Storypath is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.