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Scripture Text (NRSV)

 

Psalm 34:1-8  (19-22)
 

34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

34:2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.

34:3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

34:4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

34:5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.

34:6 This poor soul cried, and was heard by the LORD, and was saved from every trouble.

34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.


34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD rescues them from them all.

34:20 He keeps all their bones; not one of them will be broken.

34:21 Evil brings death to the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

34:22 The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

 

Comments:

 

34:5 "Look to him & be radiant".... A friend shared with me her "pumpkin sermon" which I plan to use this Sunday for the Family Service. Prepare a large jack o'lantern ahead of time by cutting out eyes, ears, nose and mouth, slicing off the stem end and hollowing out the rest. Put all the pieces (except the seeds, pulp, etc.) back in place, so that the pumpkin still looks whole. Then talk about how the senses (sight, hearing, etc.) allow us to be in touch with God. As each is mentioned, remove the pieces and reveal the face. Then ask the children what is missing. When they respond "a light", place the candle and light it to show God's spirit within each one. Then talk about how sometimes we refuse to use what we have to get in touch with God. Put back the pieces to stop up the nose, mouth, etc. Put back the top and observe what happens to the light within us.


The parable of the three pumpkins: This story touches several central mysteries of our faith: Baptism. belonging to the light; forgiveness, conversion, and transformation: new life and life eternal. Display three pumpkins; the first without any face carved or painted; the second with a face painted with a black marker(if you choice to do it at the time of the story telling); the third with eyes, nose and mouth carved out but with the cut-out pieces plugged into the holes. You will also need a candle and a match.

Once upon a time there were three little pumpkins. The lst little pumpkin said, "I want to remain just as I am. I never want to change." The 2nd little pumpkin said, "I want to be a jack-o-lantern but I don't want to let go of what I already have. I want to change but I'm afriad to let anyone carve eyes, nose and mouth out of my shell. So I won't change either. I will just pretend" The 3rd little pumpklin said, "I want to shine like the sun. And in order to let the light come out of me I need ot lose part of myself. I need to change. Open my eyes, ears and mouth and put a lighted candle inside me. (take out the plugged pieces and light the candle within).

After a while the lst little pumpkin rotted away and disappeared into the soil. After a while the 2nd little pumpkin did the same. After a while the 3rd little pumpkin shriveled and turned back to the soil as well. But its light seemed to grow even brighter because there was nothing blocking it. The light of the 3rd little pumpkin together with the light of all the other jack-o-lanterns, made the night become brigher than day, and darkness went away forever.

You could play with "Jesus calling us" some answer, some pretend, some ignore... losing part of yourself (jealousy, anger, forgive...) Enjoy.  Rev.WWM