Children Activities for 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
Curated children’s ministry resources and sermons (object lessons) for Sunday Readings from SermonWriter, Ministry-to-Children, Religion Teacher and other sources.
Curated children’s ministry resources and sermons (object lessons) for Sunday Readings from SermonWriter, Ministry-to-Children, Religion Teacher and other sources.
Objects suggested: NONE
What if we read our Bible lesson from today like it was an article in a daily newspaper? Today’s story is from the Gospel of John. The word gospel actually means “good news,” so let’s imagine that we are reading an article from the “Daily Galilean” or perhaps “The Jerusalem Times.”
Wow! Listen to this headline! “Wedding Guest Turns Water Into Wine.”
Hmmm…That sounds interesting. Let’s read the rest of the story!
On Tuesday, a woman named Mary was in Cana to attend a wedding. A large number of guests, including her son, a man named Jesus, also attended the wedding. Guests at the wedding were reportedly having a good time until the host ran out of wine. At that point, it seemed that the happy celebration might turn into a disaster.
Objects suggested: NONE
How can you tell when it is time for things in the garden to begin to blossom and grow? Yes, the weather becomes warmer. The sun shines more. Birds sing. You will see small green shoots coming out of the earth and buds forming on flowers and trees. These are signs that spring is coming and the earth is waking up; plants are getting ready to blossom and grow.
Now another question: how can you tell if someone is happy or sad? Yes, you look at a person’s face to see if there is a smile or a frown. You listen to what the person says and the way the words are said. Sometimes you can even tell how a person is feeling by noticing their posture and the way they move. Are they full of energy or tired? These are signs that help us know what another person may be feeling.
Objects suggested: A Wedding Invitatino
Have you ever been to a wedding where something went wrong? That does happen, you know. I went to a wedding one time when the minister called the bride by the wrong name throughout the entire ceremony. Hmm. . . made me wonder if they were really married. Then there was the wedding when the father of the bride’s cellphone went off at the worst possible moment. To make matters worse, the groom reached over, took the phone out of his pocket, and answered it! If you use little children as the flower girl and the ring bearer, that provides many opportunities for humorous moments. I heard about one wedding when, at the close of the ceremony, when the minister said, “You may kiss the bride”, the ring bearer leaned over and planted a kiss on the flower girl!
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Coloring illustration shows Jesus in the background watching two servants fill six Jars with water. He has his right hand up about to change the water into wine.
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Scripture Reference: John 2:1-11
Suggested Emphasis: The miracles of Jesus were more than just tricks. They were ways to show the power of God and build faith in people.
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Talk about how and why ‘spiritual gifts/fruits’ (See list at the end of this session) bring out the best in a person and always are “given for some benefit” of others. The Letter to the Corinthians lists gifts: wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing powers, the ability to perform mighty deeds, prophecy, discernment of spirits, tongues and their interpretation most often associated with Confirmation. But ‘every good gift comes from heaven above’ for all of us to enjoy. Have ready a drawing/picture of a large jar for each child—or if you choose, one large jar picture for the group to use. Under the jar, write the words: “Make a difference.” From the list of “spiritual gifts/fruits” choose one and talk about how the children can live it in practical ways during the week. Place the ‘gift word’ in the jar. Choose another word and continue until the jar is full of ‘good gifts’ that the children will use to ‘make a difference’ during the week.
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A young woman holds her newborn son and looks at him lovingly while she sings: I’ll love you forever I’ll like you for always As long as I’m living My baby you’ll be. So begins this story of love and the commitment between a parent and a child. When reading this story, keep in mind the ways that parents and children live out their commitment to love and respect each other.
Gospel Reading:
The Spirit of God comes upon Jesus as he is baptized by John.
Grades 1,2, and 3:At the wedding at Cana, Mary saw a need and asked Jesus for help. As younger children become less self-focused, they are able to notice the needs of others. Support them in knowing that they can help others and ask God to care for the needs of all people.
Grades 4-6:At the wedding feast at Cana, Mary observed the needs of the hosts and brought the concern to Jesus, confident that Jesus would respond. Older children are becoming more articulate about their own needs and the needs of others. We follow Mary’s example when we observe and present these needs to God in prayer, confident that God answers our prayers in extraordinary ways.
Grades 7 and 8: At the wedding feast at Cana, Mary observed a human need and presented it to Jesus, confident that Jesus would respond. We follow Mary’s example when we bring our needs and the needs of our world to God in prayer, confident that God will answer our prayers in extraordinary ways.
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Opening Question: When have you spoken up? What happened?
In the story for the first reading, Jeremy corrected his grandfather when he made a mistake in directions. Sometimes God wants people to speak up when people are too depressed to do his will.
Bridging Question: What does it take to help someone feel better? What does it take to help someone see beyond their hurt feelings?
In the story for the gospel, Sophie felt down for a giant mistake that scored a goal for the opposing team. Her coach, however, would not give up on her. Like Sophie’s coach, the mother of Jesus would not give up on him or the wedding banquet they attended. Her belief in Jesus revived the party, and gave others a reason to believe in him.
Closing Question: How can you help others see God in their lives? How can you help others trust in God?
John used the scene of a marriage celebration to reveal the glory of Jesus. His followers saw his glory (reputation) in the abundance of wine that would fuel the marriage reception for a few more days (yes, days!). Many Jews at the time of Jews believed the Kingdom of God would be one, long, continuous party. Unending food and drink. The extra-fine wine sparked images of the Kingdom in the minds of Jesus’ followers.
In these January post-holiday blues, let us remember we gather to celebrate Jesus at prayer and at Church. To make this point with your family, try a family party with Jesus as a guest. Pack a picnic or have a special meal. But set a place for Jesus. Celebrate his presence with prayer. And raise a glass of juice to the Lord, as a way to express your thanks.