Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Year C:  June 12, 2016

First Reading: 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a

The Great White Man-Eating Shark: A Cautionary Tale by Margaret Mahy

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment: “Because you have sold yourself to do what is evil in the sight of the Lord, I will bring disaster on you…” This text is rife with greed and wickedness. As it comes to an end, we are reminded that there are consequences for terrible behavior. Mahy’s book offers a good way to talk about these themes with young children while leaving out death and destruction. Norvin’s greed and wicked plan to have Caramel Cove all to himself doesn’t turn out so well. Jezebel and Norvin were both cunning and their actions harmed other people. Wonder together with the children of your church about greed, and how it can lead us to make bad decisions.

Second Reading: Galatians 2:15-21

Ninja Bunny by Jennifer Gray Olson

(Written for ages 4-8)

Comment: Alicia Vargas says, “The great theme of Paul’s letter to the Galatians is Christian freedom.” (http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2872) Paul is not saying the law is bad, rather that it should not be imposed upon the Gentiles because it is Christ, not the law, who saves us. Ninja Bunny shows readers just how difficult it can be to follow the rules required to be part of a group. While Ninja Bunny tries very hard to follow the rules of being a ninja, he isn’t very good at it. In the end, he learns that he is a better ninja when he doesn’t keep all of the rules. Through Ninja Bunny and Paul we learn that our belonging is not based upon our ability to keep the law.

Gospel Reading:  Luke 7:36-8:3

Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer by Carole Boston Weatherford

(Written for ages 12+)

Comment:  Sarah Henrich highlights the risk-taking action of the woman in Luke 7: “Within the narrative, the woman shows extraordinary behavior… she takes the risk… because her gratitude is too great to be contained within ordinary boundaries.” (http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=600) Voice of Freedom is the story of another woman who stepped outside of the boundaries placed upon her and took many risks based upon her beliefs. It explores the life of Fannie Lou Hamer, “known as the spirit, or the voice, of the civil rights movement.” Using this text and book, invite your congregation to share the stories of women who have stepped out in faith, taking risks to do what they know is the right thing.  (Note: This book contains a scene in which some strong language is used towards Fannie Mae.  It is realistic in its setting, but difficult to hear today.)

The Lectionary Links are written this week by Noell Rathbun-Cook, Minister of Children and Youth Discipleship at Grace Baptist Church, Richmond, VA.

Lectionary Links: Sunday, June 12, 2016 by Storypath is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.