Have you ever had to stand in line for something? Maybe it was a ride or an ice cream cone or some other treat. It's no fun to wait, is it? [Wait for answers]
Wouldn't it be nice if you could just go to the front of the line?… Read the rest “Children’s Moment (Gospel) for Proper 20a – 20-September-20”
In his parable, Jesus tells us that all workers in the vineyard would be given an equal measure. Some of the workers were disappointed that they didn't receive a greater measure. As we gather around this Table, let it not be so with us. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 20a – 20-September-20”
Remember last week when we talked about what you would do if someone did something that hurt you badly? Today I want to talk to you about forgiving them. Do you think you could do that? [Wait for answers]
Yes, I think it would be quite hard to do that.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment (Gospel) for Proper 19a – 13-September-20”
Jesus says we're supposed to forgive wrongs done seventy-times-seven times. In other words, too many times to keep count, so just don't keep count. When we're living up to that standard, the Table, where we gather with those we've forgiven, being forgiven countless times ourselves, can be a place of joy and peace as we celebrate that nothing separates us. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 19a – 13-September-20”
Isn't it amazing that, even in the midst of talking about what to do with difficult people, Jesus never loses sight of the open arms of God's welcome? His focus is not on how to punish someone who has wronged another, but on how to restore them. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 18a – 6-September-20”
What do you do when someone does something you don't like -- something that makes you feel bad? [Allow for answers]
Jesus said, that when someone does something that hurts you, that you should go and talk with them and tell them about it.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment (Gospel) for Proper 18a – 6-September-20”
I have a riddle for you today. What gets bigger when you take away from it? [Allow time for guesses]
The answer is a hole. Most riddles are like that. There's a kind of a trick to finding the answer.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment (Gospel) for Proper 17a – 30-August-20”
Jesus showed the truth of his own words, "those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it." So, at the Table, as you meet our Host, who laid down his life that we might have life with God, let's recommit ourselves to laying down all that stands in the way of our life with God. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 17 – 30-August-20”
Jesus commends Peter saying "flesh and blood have not revealed this to you." Interesting that Jesus himself was revealing God in flesh and blood. Here at the table, these two symbols, the bread and the cup represent the broken flesh and spilled blood that Jesus gave to open the way for us to be right with God. … Read the rest “Table Meditation (Gospel) for Proper 16a – 23-August-20”
Who do you think Jesus is? How would you describe him to a friend or a teacher?
[Allow time for answers]
Jesus asked the same question to his disciples and they came up with a lot of different ideas, just like you.… Read the rest “Children’s Moment (Gospel) for Proper 16a – 23-August-20”