4th Sunday of Easter

Year A:  May 7, 2017

First Reading: Acts 2:42-47

Auntie Yang’s Great Soybean Picnic by Ginnie Lo

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment:  This text highlights central elements of Christian community: “teaching, fellowship, eating together, and prayer. Fellowship and eating together, mundane as they seem, are not activities we just happen to do but are essential acts…” suggests Scott Shauf. (http://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=2043) In the story of Auntie Yang, readers see the powerful way community grows around shared time together at the table. What role does table fellowship play in drawing together and strengthening your own community?

Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:19-25

Rabble Rousers: 20 Women Who Made a Difference by Cheryl Harness

(Written for ages 8-12)

Comment:  “For this you have been called. Because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his footsteps.” This text serves as an invitation to share stories of people who have been called to the work of justice and love of others and have endured suffering because of it. Rabble Rousers highlights many such women, including suffragist Alice Paul and civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer. As you read this text and story, invite your congregation to share their own stories of people who have followed in the footsteps of Jesus.

Gospel Reading: John 10:1-10

Beware of the Frog by William Bee

(Written for ages 4-8)

Comment: Jesus describes himself as the gate, letting sheep in and out safely, and keeping out thieves. The guard frog in Bee’s story is a silly, yet approachable way to illustrate this concept of being the protective gate or doorway. Mrs. Collywobbles’ pet frog gobbles up the scary creatures that emerge from the woods to harm her so that she can move freely about her home and yard. As you read this text and story, invite the children of your church to give thanks for the people who help to keep them safe.

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

Lectionary Links (RCL): May 7, 2017 by Storypath is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.