Fourth Sunday of Easter

Year B: April 22, 2018

First Reading: Acts 4:5-12

Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson

(Written for ages 3-7)

Comment: Peter explains to the authorities that he was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by Jesus to “do a good deed” to “someone who was sick.” Through his actions and the way that Peter tried to follow in Jesus’s footsteps, Peter sets an example for us to take Jesus’s teachings to heart and to make his teachings a reality in our own lives. In lyrical rhyme, Karma Wilson writes of the way Bear’s friends rally around him and take actions to help Bear get over his cold. Each of Bear’s friends cares for him in different ways, bringing him tea and singing him lullabies. Bear soon starts to feel better, but then his friends start to feel sick. Bear returns the favor and works to take care of his friends, too. What are some ways that your congregation follows in Jesus’s footsteps to help heal those who are sick? How may God’s Spirit be empowering your congregation to follow Jesus’s teachings?

Second Reading: 1 John 3:16-24

Mama, I’ll Give you the World by Roni Schotter

(Written for ages 4-8)

Comment: The writer of 1 John reminds us that we love God and one another through our actions, and not just through our words. In Mama, I’ll Give you the World, love is illustrated through the actions of a mother, her daughter, and their community. Luisa goes to her mother’s salon after school each day, where she completes her homework and watches her mom cut and style her customers’ hair.  Mama works hard and she is saving her tips for Luisa’s college fund. Without her mother knowing, Luisa works together with Mama’s customers to throw Mama a surprise birthday party. The mutual love between Mama, Luisa, and their community is a multi-faceted action illustrated through the everyday interactions between Mama and Luisa, as well as the interactions between Mama and her customers, and Luisa’s efforts to throw Mama’s party. Through this book and this text, children can explore the different ways that love can be an action.

Gospel Reading: John 10:11-18

One World, One Day by Barbara Kerley

(Written for ages 4-8)

Comment: In this text, Jesus speaks of unity. The good shepherd doesn’t have multiple flocks, but cares for one flock. No matter how large that flock may be, there is always enough room for more sheep. Jesus’ flock extends across the world, and in One World, One Day, Kerley explains to readers that we are one global family (or flock as Jesus would say). With powerful photos on every page, Kerley traces the course of one day in the world. Kerley shows how children across the world do similar things, but in different ways. The world is filled with one large family, and Jesus cares for and loves all the members of that family.

Thanks to current student Rosy Robson for writing the Revised Common Lectionary Links this week.

Lectionary Links (RCL): April 22, 2018 by Storypath is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.