Fourth Sunday of Easter

Year C:  April 17, 2016

First Reading:  Acts 9:36-43

Ida, Always by Caron Levis

(Written for ages 4-8)

Comment: It is likely that at least one, if not many, of the children in your church may have loved ones who are gravely ill or who have died. They may have prayed desperately for outcomes that never came. In moments like that, texts like this can be hard to explain. Stephen D. Jones addresses this struggle, stating, “The helpful distinction is between praying for a cure… and praying for healing, which can come in a hundred unexpected ways.” (Feasting on the Word, Year C, Vol 2, p 429) Gus experiences healing in unexpected ways as he prepares with his friend Ida for her death and again in the days that follow. Even though Ida has died, Gus knows she is with him. This text and story invite us to step into our grief while also opening us to unexpected experiences of healing.

Second Reading:  Revelation 7:9-17

Fox’s Garden by Princesse Camcam

(Written for ages 4 and up)

Comment:  In her commentary on this text, Dana Ferguson invites preachers to share stories “that illustrate how people facing great ordeals are sustained in the wilderness by the grace of God and their neighbors.” (Feasting on the Word, Year C, Vol 2, p 442) Fox’s Garden illustrates this concept beautifully and wordlessly. Villagers chase a pregnant Fox from their doorsteps on a snowy night. A boy offers her food, and his act of kindness sustains the fox and her pups. After reading this text and story, open space for your congregation to share their own stories of being sustained in the wilderness.

Gospel Reading:  John 10:22-30

Red: A Crayon’s Story by Michael Hall

(Written for ages 4-8)

Comment:  When discussing this text, Carolyn Brown  says the people who know and understand that Jesus is the Messiah are the people who “Pay attention!” or, “notice what is happening around [them] and act accordingly.” (http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2013/03/year-c-fourth-sunday-of-easter-april-21.html) Red is the story of a crayon whose identity is troubling for everyone around him. Even though it’s plain as day, no one seems to be paying attention to the fact that Red is actually Blue, When the crayons finally pay attention, they see and interact with Red in new and beautiful ways. Using this text and story, invite your congregation to pay attention, notice what God is doing, and consider how God is inviting them to participate in God’s work in the world.

Thanks to Union Presbyterian Seminary alumna Noell Rathbun-Cook for writing the Lectionary Links for us for the past four weeks.

Lectionary Links: Sunday, April 17, 2016 by Storypath is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.