The Best Party Ever

The Lion’s Children’s Bible

pgs 398-403

4^th Sunday of the Year

February 1, 2004

Introduction:

*Good Morning to You

*Sign of the Cross: From our head to our hearts, from out shoulder to our shoulder, we belong to you lord Jesus. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit AMEN

*(Tell a personal anecdote about being invited to a party.) Have you ever been invited to a party? Was it fun? Did you feel special because you were invited? When you received the invitation what did you or your mommy have to do? (call or say yes we can come)  Well today we are going to hear a story about being invited to the Best Party Ever by Jesus.  Listen carefully to the story and then we’ll talk a little bit about what it means.

*Light the candle. Sing Good News

*Read Story

*Why was the man angry in this story? (Because the people he asked to the party did not come) Jesus told this story because he wants us to understand that he invites each one of us to belong to the kingdom of God- which is just like being invited to THE BEST PARTY EVER.  It is important that we say YES we will come to the kingdom of God – just like you would say yes to a party invitation.  We can say yes by being a good person, listening to Jesus and learning about Jesus just like we are doing here today.

Activity:

Supplies:  Poster board with a big YES written on it.   Pieces of paper with YES behaviors and pieces of paper with NO behaviors; sticky tape.

YES Behaviors: Going to church on Sunday; saying your prayers at night; Reading the bible with your family; Giving food and money to the poor;  listening carefully in this class; respecting and listening to your parents and teachers; sharing your toys with friends; speaking kindly to your brother or sister; helping others; taking care of the sick or elderly; taking care of the world we live in- trees, plants, animals, people, water, and earth; Using your manners

NO Behaviors: Never coming to Church on Sunday; saying bad words; being unkind to others; Being selfish with your belongings and money; only caring about yourself and no one else; hitting or saying unkind things to your brothers and sisters or friends; Never wanting to read the Bible; throwing your rubbish on the ground and not in a bin; making fun of someone else for being different; Being rude and impolite; Not listening to your parents or teachers; goofing around in school or in this class.

Teachers hold the YES posterboard in the front of the room.  Depending on number of kids either pass out all of the behaviors and then call on them.  The child/parent reads the behavior and then everyone in the class decides if this is a yes behavior or a no behavior.  The child either throws it in the bin or sticks it on the YES sign. If too many kids then the teacher can pick a behavior and hold it up and read it to the class. 

Closure:

• Let’s come together for a quick prayer- Dear Jesus, help me to hear you invitation to the Kingdom of God and to say YES everyday.  I can say YES by:

being a good person and by being a good catholic who learns more about         you, prays to you, and listens to you.  Amen