Year C - Proper 26, 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, 24th Sunday after Pentecost (November 3, 2013)

There are choices to be made by worship planners this weekend.

Halloween was on Thursday night, but will probably be celebrated in many communities on Friday and on into the weekend.  The Habakkuk reading and the format of Psalm 119 provide great opportunities for meditating on our fears.

All Saints Day was on Friday, but will be celebrated in many churches on Sunday.  If you are one of those, go to All Saints Day - Year C.  But also check out these texts since there are some interesting connections.  Another possibility to consider is the gospel text about life after death found in Proper 27.  It could be moved here saving Zaccheus for next week.  Go to Proper 27 (Year C) to see the details.

And, if you live in the USA it is time change Sunday.  So no matter what texts you select, remember to set your clock back an hour to claim that wonderful extra hour of sleep.

The Texts

Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4

F  Habakkuk complains about the violence and injustice that are causing so much pain in the world.  He speaks in generalities about what everyone fears and then delivers God’s promise that the violence and evil will not be the final word.  On Halloween we practice facing up to our fears.  We tell scary stories, walk through haunted houses, and dress up as monsters.  Children’s Halloween picture books range from tales in which heroes rise above their fears and in the process prove the scary thing or place is not so scary after all to tales in which monsters are shown to be just like us.  (There is even a take-off on Good Night Moon called Good Night Goon in which a young monster says goodnight to all the scary-to-us stuff that is part of his everyday life and a similar take off on Runaway Bunny called Runaway Mummy.) 

F  Display a not-too-scary mask (remember it doesn’t take much to scare the youngest).  Handle it, describe how it might frighten you but then point out that it is just a mask and not all that scary.  Use this as an entry to identifying the things we really fear – that bullies at school will go after us, that something bad will happen to someone we love, that we will get lost, that there will be a war where we live, that we will never be able to do what we want most to do….   If the children’s fears lead to talking about adult fears about jobs, the economy, world conflicts, etc., the children learn that fear is part of life.  They will then be ready to hear God’s promise to Habakkuk and us in Habakkuk 2:2-4. 

GOD SAYS

“Those who are evil will not survive,

but those who are righteous will live

because they are faithful to God.”

F  The TEV provides the translation of verse 4 that makes most sense to children: “Those who are evil will not survive, but those who are righteous will live because they are faithful to God.”  Write it in large letters on a big poster.  Have fun seeing if someone running up the aisle can read it while running.  Then, note that God’s goal in asking Habakkuk to write the message so big was that God wanted everyone to read it and know that God was on the side of the faithful and against the evil.

F  Suggest that everyone in the congregation hold hands because you are going to talk about scary things.  Then start with Halloween-y things and progress to the violent scary parts of everyday life for people of all ages.  Read Habakkuk 2:2-4 again, explaining some of its meaning related to the fears you have named.  Shake hands loose or clap hands to celebrate not having to be afraid because God is with us and will not all the bad things have the last word.
 

F  Some Things Are Scary, by Florence Parry Heide, is a random collection of things that scare children.  Turn to some of them to be sure the things that scare children as well as the things that scare adults get attention today.  

 

F  Display a large poster or some other item with an Alpha and Omega on it (maybe a stole or parament).  Explain its meaning and connect it with Habakkuk’s message.  Just as God was in charge at the beginning, God will be in charge at the end, so we don’t have to worry.  We can trust God.

F  Sing “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” after Halloween and in response to Habakkuk’s list of all the things that are going wrong.  It was written by Martin Luther while he was hiding in castle from people who wanted to kill him.  Tell this brief story of its writing before singing it and encourage worshipers to watch for fear and trust words. 

Psalm 119:137-14

F  Psalm 119 is an acrostic, that is an alphabet poem.  Each line in each section starts with a word beginning with the same letter.  The lines in this section start with the Hebrew letter zade/tsade (צַ).  If possible show a Hebrew Bible opened to this psalm or print this passage in Hebrew in your worship bulletin and help people recognize the repeated letter. 

When reading the psalm, have the congregation say the Hebrew letter zade before each line is read.

F  Each line says something about the value of God’s Word.  Hebrew poets rhyme ideas rather than sounds.  So, they say the same thing over and over again in slightly different ways.  For example,

It is a beautiful day.

The sun is bright and there is not a cloud in the sky.

It is wonderfully warm and there is a pleasant breeze.

I wish every day were just like this one.

Then, read one or two of the lines about God’s Word to show their similarity. 

F  Challenge children (and others) to write an alphabet psalm praising God on Halloween weekend or on other days when we are afraid.  Below is an activity sheet for doing this using words that begin with the letter H in honor of Halloween. 

N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

Try some of             Write a psalm prayer about fear. 

these words            Make each line begin with H in honor of Halloween.

 

Help

H_______________________________

Have

 

Hope

H_______________________________

Heal

 

Hallelujah

H_______________________________

Hear

 

Hide

H_______________________________

Happy

 

Hold

H_______________________________

How

 

Horrible

H_______________________________

 

 

N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

Isaiah 1:10-18

To understand Isaiah’s message one needs detailed information about worship in Old Testament times and then be able to connect that message to our different form of worship today.  That is a tough task for children.  So I would tend to use the other Old Testament texts.  If you do work with this one, go straight to verses 17 and 18 with the children.  They are more direct and use more familiar words. 

F  If your congregation regularly uses the language about sins as scarlet being made white as snow, this is a good chance to explain what we are saying when we say that and then to use it in the usual way.  Bring something rough and deep red (even a wadded up ball of red Christmas foil) and something soft and white (maybe a white sweater or piece of white cotton).  As you discuss the colors, remember that most children would prefer red over white.  For them the stark difference between red (think red ribbons, Christmas, valentines..) and white (think white paper, white shirt, OK, maybe also snow, but… white is generally boring) is more important than the colors themselves.  Tie the difference in the colors to the different feelings we have when we are hiding sins and when we admit them in Psalm 32. 

Psalm 32:1-7   SIN  TRANSGRESSION  INIQUITY  DECEIT  GUILT

F  Psalm 32 in the New Revised Standard Version is a collection of words about sin used often in worship but nowhere else.  So, before reading it, list the words and encourage listeners to watch for them in the psalm and in other parts of worship today.  If this will be the focus of worship, give children red pencils with which to underline all the sin words they find in their printed order of worship.

2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12

Because there is so much for children in the other texts and themes for this day and because a preacher is likely to go many different ways using this text, I am going to leave it with you.  If you find a great connection for children, please share it with the rest of us in the Comments.

Luke 19:1-10

F  This is another text that can take worship leaders many different directions.  Themes that speak especially clearly to children include:

• People CAN change.  Zacchaeus changed.  You can change.  People around you can change. 
• The best way to deal with a troublesome person or enemy is to become a friend.  We can follow Jesus’ example by eating with the lonely ones or inviting them to eat with us in the school lunch room.
• Giving away money or stuff can save you (or bring happiness).  Jesus told Zacchaeus that returning the money he stole and giving half of all he had to the poor was going “to save his life.”  Take time to define “save his life” to include bring happiness, peace, and a place among God’s people as well as eternal salvation.

F  Jesus and Zacchaeus get most of the attention in this story.  But the crowd is us and is worthy of our attention.  To explore their responses, enlist the help of a few youth or adults.  Their job is to show the crowd’s response at key points in the story using their faces and their whole bodies.  The script below could be used to prepare a rehearsed pantomime.  Or, it could be the beginning of a more free-wheeling interaction between members of the crowd as the worship leader helps them and the congregation explore the response of the crowd to what happened.

MNLOMNLOMNLOMNLOMNLOMNLOMNLO

Luke 19:1-10

 19:1 He entered Jericho and was passing through it.

 

19:2 A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich

Zacchaeus stands proudly to one side.

 

19:3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature.

Jesus stands to the other side.  The crowd steps between the two and they jostle with each other with knowing smiles to keep Zacchaeus at the back of the crowd.

 

19:4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way.

Zacchaeus climbs a short step ladder.

 

19:5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today."

Jesus calls Zacchaeus down. 

 

19:6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him.

Zacchaeus comes down smiling happily and heads off with Jesus.

 

19:7 All who saw it began to grumble and said, "He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner."

At this point a worship leader steps in and works with the crowd actors to show with their faces and bodies how they might be feeling.  Feelings might range from  disbelief (Zacchaeus couldn’t change!) to disgust with Jesus for reaching out to such a sinner or maybe amazed acceptance of what happened.

 

19:8 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much."

Zacchaeus stops, turns to Jesus as this is said.

 

19:9 Then Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham.

Jesus reaches out to Zacchaeus.  Putting an arm around Zacchaeus’ shoulder, walks off the stage with him.

 

19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost."

                                                                                    NRSV

MNLOMNLOMNLOMNLOMNLOMNLOMNLO

F  It’s another opportunity to point out the invitation to the Lord’s Table and stress that it is open.  People who look hopeless like Zacchaeus (and sometimes us) are welcome. 

 

F  If it’s still Stewardship Season in your congregation, take a look at Miss Fannie’s Hat, by Jan Karon.  Elderly Miss Fannie gives the best of her grand collection of hats to raise money to fix up the church.  When she goes to church hatless on Easter morning, she finds the church surrounded by blooming rose bushes purchased with funds from the sale of her hat.  She and those all around her find great happiness in her gift.  One hopes that Zacchaeus and some of the folks he refunded will share similar happiness.

Year C - All Saints Day (November 1 or 3, 2013)

All Saints Day falls on Friday this year.  That makes it tempting to create an all church festival supper with costumes and activities for all ages UNLESS community Halloween celebrations will have moved from Thursday to Friday night.  Still, most congregations who celebrate All Saints Day will do so on Sunday morning.  Whenever you celebrate, you will find lots of ideas below.  Rather than sending you to links to other years, I have brought all I have from them and added some fresh ideas to this post.

U  If you do this on Sunday morning in the USA, remember to set your clocks back to enjoy that wonderful extra hour of sleep!

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Saints Day

U  With children we tend to turn All Saints Day into a celebration of Christian heroes and heroines.  There is value in doing that.  Children need role models and it is wise to offer them some specifically Christian ones. 

To do this (and take up on the Halloween costume interest) invite children (or worshipers of all ages) to wear costumes or carry a prop related to one of their Christian hero/ines.  Stage a processional in which worshipers stop at a microphone to tell in one sentence the name of their hero/ine and why that person is important to them.  Help parents get their children into this with advanced publicity that defines saint as a person who shows us about God, lists several well - known saints, e.g. St. Patrick, St. Paul, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa, at least one local saint and notes that saints may be living or may have already died.  In an oral announcement, identify one of your saints and tell what you would wear or carry to represent that person.  If there are churches named after saints in your community, encourage people to learn about one of those saints.  A light touch throughout will make this a fun and celebratory worship event for everyone.

Instead of wearing costumes, challenge church school classes and households to make a paper banner or poster about one of their saints.  Stage a processional of these art works and display them during worship.

U  The downside of celebrating saintly hero/ines is that it leaves most of us feeling less than saintly.  To avoid this, emphasize that all God’s people are saints.  Saints are people through whom God shines.  Each saint shows us a different part of God.  Illustrate this by naming what of God you see in some of the saints in your congregation – maybe the music minister or the guy who heads up the CROP Walk every year.  Challenge worshipers to identify what they see of God in people around them.  Remind them that the more people we know and pay attention to, the more we know the grace of God through those people.

U  If you regularly recite the Apostles’ Creed in worship, point to the phrase “(I believe in) the communion of saints.”  Direct worshipers to find it wherever you have it printed.  Note that it is a reminder that we are connected to all the people who have loved God and followed Jesus in all times and all places.  We are a community, a family.  Name some of the saints you will be thinking of today when you say this and invite others to think about the saints they will remember.  Then, recite/read the creed together.

U  To celebrate some of these saints (both living and dead) who are dear to members of the congregation create posters, banners, or table cloths decorated with their names.

Prepare several blank banners (possibly cloud shaped to refer to the great cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 12).  Invite worshipers to arrive early enough to add names of their saints in fabric marking pens to one of the banners.  Just before worship slide the banners on to poles, process in with them, and display them prominently during worship.

Instead of creating banners create a table cloth for the central worship table.   Worshipers can write the names of their saints on a white sheet which is then draped over the worship table at the beginning of worship.  Candles, crosses, even communion elements can be added during a Call to Worship which summons all the saints, both the living and the dead. 

U  Two children’s picture books about quilts provide good back stories for these creations. 

 

In The Keeping Quilt, by Patricia Polacco, a woman immigrating to America creates a quilt that connects to memories of family in the old country.  The quilt is used as bedcover, a Sabbath tablecloth, and a wedding canopy, and a baby blanket to wrap a new generation.  The book is too long to read in worship, but can be easily told turning to a few key pictures for illustration.

In The Naming Quilt, by Phyllis Root, a little girl goes to sleep each night with stories about the people represented in her family quilt.  The quilt is destroyed in a storm, but the little girl and her Grandmother still have the memories, and start a new quilt that includes the little girl’s name in the middle.  (This book may be harder to locate than the other.)

A Little Easter

U  All Saints Day is also known as a Little Easter.  Children are fascinated by celebrating Easter in a different season.  So bring out all the Easter paraments and robes.  If you “buried” an Alleluia banner or poster during Lent, bring it out and refer to it in worship again. 

U  Talk about the difference in celebrating resurrection in the springtime when flowers blooming and in the autumn when everything is turning brown and dying.  Celebrate both the joy of knowing there is new life when you see it all around you and the importance of remembering there is new life when everything around you is looking dead.  Older children enjoy thinking about how different Easter feels in the different hemispheres. 

U  On this day many congregations remember all the members of the congregation who have died during the last year.  Children are keenly aware of the intensity of this reading.  Indeed, many adults have childhood memories of the occasion.  Ways to enhance this worship event for children (and all worshipers) include:

• Toll a handbell as each name is read.
• Light a candle as each name is read and leave the candles lit throughout the service as a reminder of the continuing presence of the saints who have died.
• One church in Maine projects the names on the walls – talk about being surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses!
• Speak briefly about the connection between the living and dead saints.  At its best this can be a time when gratitude takes the center in the grieving process.

U  Selecting songs for All Saints Day is almost a no-brainer.  But there are ways to make them more sing-able for the children.

“For All the Saints” is 6 verses long!  Rather than sing all of them at once, spread them throughout the service.  Everyone will pay better attention to the words.  At the beginning of the service point out the Alleluias and practice them so non-readers can join in.

“I Sing A Song of the Saints of God” uses simpler language, names very specific recognizable saints, and asks the singer to commit to sainthood.  Singing it in the congregation suggests to all that children are also saints.

“For All the Saint’s Who’ve Shown Your Love” by John Bell uses simpler language than some All Saints hymns but is not as “cute” as “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God.”  Find the words and music at For All the Saints Who've Shown Your Love.

“We Are the Church Together” makes the point that the church is not a building, a steeple, or a resting place, but a community of people.  Before singing this song, recite this phrase and remind worshipers that they and all saints together are the church.

The second verse of “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty” is especially appropriate for All Saints and Communion.  Walk through it pointing out the connections.  Ask a class of children in advance to make banner illustrating it.  Process the banner in and display it during the singing of the hymn.  Sing the second verse again at communion even in response to the phrase “with the faithful of all times and all places.” 

Highlight the phrase “Praise Him above you heavenly host” in the Doxology.  Note that all the saints you have been talking about praised God and we praise God.  That connects us.

Singing “When the Saints Go Marchi’ In” in worship delights children and helps them understand the song in a new way.  I even heard of one congregation that sang “When the Saints Go Marchin’ Out” at the end of service.

 

U  If you celebrate communion and use the reference in the Great Prayer of Thanksgiving to “joining with all the saints (or the faithful) of all times and places,” point it out.  Describe the people we see actually standing at this table.  Then invite worshipers to imagine all the ones we cannot see who are also at the Table.  Refer to those who died in the last year.  Name a couple of famous saints familiar to your congregation.  Mention all the others whose names we don’t know but who are saints worshiping and loving God with us.  Point out that all these saints are unseen at our Table.  Restate the phrase.  Have the congregation echo it.  Urge them to listen for it in the communion liturgy.  Then, move into the invitation to the Table. 

The Texts

U  First decision of the day is whether to use the All Saints texts or the Proper 26 texts.  Strangely enough the Proper 26 texts – especially Habakkuk and the Psalm - might fit into the celebration of All Saints better than the texts set for this day.  Go to  Year C - Proper 26 to check them out. 

Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18

U  On the Sunday at the end of Halloween weekend, Daniel’s nightmare recalls all the scary stuff dealt with over the last few days and connects those to the scary nightmares and fears of monsters under the bed that trouble children.  It can also lead to identifying other scary things we face every day.  To all of these monstrous fears verse 18 is the answer.

U  Verses 1-3 say only that there were four monsters in Daniel’s dream.  Add verses 4-8 from CEV to hear about each monster and enjoy the awfulness of his nightmare.  A dramatic reading including facial responses to some of the details of the monsters bring the monsters to life.

N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

Daniel 7:1-15

     Daniel wrote: In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylonia, I had some dreams and visions while I was asleep one night, and I wrote them down.

     The four winds were stirring up the mighty sea, ³ when suddenly four powerful beasts came out of the sea. Each beast was different.

      The first was like a lion with the wings of an eagle. As I watched, its wings were pulled off. Then it was lifted to an upright position and made to stand on two feet, just like a human, and it was given a human mind.

⁵ The second beast looked like a bear standing on its hind legs. It held three ribs in its teeth, and it was told, “Attack! Eat all the flesh you want.”

⁶ The third beast was like a leopard—except that it had four wings and four heads. It was given authority to rule.

⁷ The fourth beast was stronger and more terrifying than the others. Its huge teeth were made of iron, and what it didn’t grind with its teeth, it smashed with its feet. It was different from the others, and it had horns on its head—ten of them. ⁸ Just as I was thinking about these horns, a smaller horn appeared, and three of the other horns were pulled up by the roots to make room for it. This horn had the eyes of a human and a mouth that spoke with great pride.

Pause here, shaking your head as if shaking off the dreams.  Then read verses 15-18.  I’d immediately say “let’s reread that last verse again.  It is the one we need to remember.” Then, reread verse 18. 

¹⁵ Daniel wrote: I was terrified by these visions, and I didn’t know what to think. ¹⁶ So I asked one of those standing there, and he explained, ¹⁷ “The four beasts are four earthly kingdoms. ¹⁸ But God Most High will give his kingdom to his chosen ones, and it will be theirs forever and ever.”

From CEV

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U  Some Things are Scary Things, by Florence Parry Heide, can take you from Halloweeny fears to more everyday fears.  The book is a random collection of wonderfully illustrated things that scare children.  Rather than reading the whole book, select a few of the pages to read and discuss.  Present verse 18 as hope for each of the fears.

 

Psalm 149

U  Turn verses 1-5 into a responsive reading.  Have a worship leader read the verses with the congregation responding, “Praise the Lord!” to each one.  Even non-readers can join in on that.  Or, prepare a more elaborate reading with a choir (maybe a children’s choir) and children (maybe those in the choir) with rhythm instruments.   One brief rehearsal with the saints involved in the latter is essential.

C B I C B I C B I C B I C B I

Psalm 149:1-5

Responsive Reading

Leader:          Shout praises to the Lord!

People:         Praise the Lord!

              Rhythm instruments sound off

Leader:          Sing him a new song of praise when his

                        loyal people meet.

People:         Praise the Lord! or a praise phrase sung by choir

Leader:          People of Israel, rejoice because of your Creator.

People:         Praise the Lord!

Leader:          People of Zion, celebrate because of your King.

People:         Praise the Lord!

Leader:          Praise his name by dancing and

                        playing music on harps and tambourines.

             Rhythm instruments sound off

Leader:         The Lord is pleased with his people,

                        and he gives victory to those who are humble.

People:         Praise the Lord!

Leader:         All of you faithful people, praise our glorious Lord!

  Celebrate and worship.

People:         Praise the Lord!

             Rhythm instruments sound off

Based on the CEV

C B I C B I C B I C B I C B I

 

Ephesians 1:11-23

U  On the Sunday after Halloween, Paul insists that the saints belong to Christ who is the most powerful being in the whole universe.  We are safe.

Last Judgment, from Art in the Christian Tradition,
a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.
 http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=29448
[retrieved October 3, 2013].

To explore the lordship of Christ, display a photo of a judgment door from a middle ages cathedral.  Point out the demons who are being thrown aside and the big powerful statue of Christ in the middle.  Note that every time people walk through those doors to worship, they remember that they are safe with Christ. 

Mosaic of Jesus Christ, from Hagia Sophia,
from Art in the Christian Tradition,
a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.
  http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54554
[retrieved October 3, 2013].

For the youngest children, display a picture of a very gentle Jesus (maybe Jesus with the children) and a stern Jesus as the Lord of the world.  Discuss the differences in the faces and how it feels to look at each picture.  Note that both are the same person – Jesus, the Christ.  Jesus is what his friends called him.  Christ is who he really was, the Lord of the whole world.  Conclude that having both pictures reminds us that we are safe with Jesus who is the Lord of the world and who loves us.

Remind children of all the gory tattoos people wore for Halloween, then give them each a removable cross tattoo or sticker to remind them that they belong to Jesus, the Christ, who is Lord of the whole Universe.

U  Tell worshipers that Paul wrote a prayer for the Christians at the church in Ephesus.  Insist that the same prayer could be for us.  Invite them to listen to it as if it were being prayed for them and for your church.  For the sake of the children with shorter attention spans, read only verses 16-18.  Read from The CEV with great inflection stopping to look up at the congregation at key points.

Luke 6:20-31

U  This reading might be titled “Rules for Saints.”  Children will get lost in the blessings and woes.  If the verses about loving enemies and the golden rule are raised up separately, children will struggle with them and claim them for themselves.  The easiest way to explore this with children is to focus on The Golden Rule in verse 31.  Introduce it as the number one rule for saints.

U  One rule for saints it to love your enemies.  Enemy Pie, by Derek Munson, tells the story of a boy who saw his new neighbor as an enemy.  His dad volunteers to help get rid of the enemy by baking enemy pie.  One ingredient was that they boys had to spend one afternoon together before the pie could be served.  You can guess what happened.  The enemy became a friend.  The challenge for saints is to turn enemies into friends.  (It is important to note that it is often harder to do than it is in this book, but that the book gives us a good goal.) 

U  Highlight “Forgive us our debts/transgressions/sins, as we forgive…” in the Lord’s Prayer.  Before the congregation prays it, point to the phrase.  Talk about all the things people do to each other that need forgiving.  Include everything from saying mean things, hitting, taking what isn’t ours, and playing mean tricks on people to really hurting someone, even going to war with them.  Insist that the only difference between a friends and enemies is that the friends forgive each other.  Challenge worshipers to think of friends they need to forgive so they don’t become enemies.  Then, pray the whole prayer.