In Australia, Monday is the Anniversary of the Uniting Church in Australia, some Uniting churches may use the readings for the Anniversary on Sunday, instead of those for the Pentecost 3A readings. You may want to share this video on Monday or during the service on Sunday.
(note there are some mistakes with the logo, see if you can pick them)
The readings below are for the After Pentecost 3 readings
START WITH: THE LORDS PRAYER IN ACTIONS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOugEQpcc_k OR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMjm93ylL2w
FIRST READING: GENESIS 21:8-21
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWX5LPkB18Y
Just a few things to note about this presentation of the story,
1) Though we do not know how old Ishmael is he is recently weaned so probably 4-5 years old and the video represents him as older,
2) The reason Ishmael and his mother needed to leave was due to a request from Sarah and had nothing to do with the way he responded to his brother.
MAKE: Recreate the story of Hagar and Ishmael You can make these characters and use some of them to recreate the story http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2015/09/creative-storytelling-freestanding.html
You might like this history lesson from http://worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com/2014/06/year-proper-7-12th-sunday-in-ordinary.html to share with the younger members of the family
The story is also an opportunity to explore the close relationship between Jews, Muslims and Christians. All are the children of Abraham. Rather than dig into the details of the story, introduce the symbols for each faith and briefly explain how all are related. The Jews are the descendants of Isaac. One of those Jewish descendants was Jesus. Muslims are the descendants of Ishmael. All are descendants of Abraham. Pray for peace in the big family of Abraham.
PRAY:
Praying without words Ishmael said nothing that is recorded in the Bible but God still heard him
You could use a sand pit, or some flour. With your finger, trace a pattern or a picture in the sand/flour. When you have finished smooth the surface.
Make the picture or the pattern a reflection of your thoughts, your prayer to God.
PSALM 86:1-10,16-17
Psalm 86: An Undivided heart
Bend your ear to us, O God; we need you! (cup your hand around your ear)
We cry to you and keep on calling. (pretend to rub your eyes)
We know that you will answer us! (clasp your hands in a prayer shape)
Is there another god greater than you? (plead)
Is anything greater than what you have made? (arms out wide)
Certainly not! You alone are God! (put your arms above your head)
an exert from http://www.conversations.net.nz/psalm-86-an-undivided-heart.html, actions in Brackets by me
How does this Psalm make you feel? Describe that feeling, show it on your face or body or draw it, or point out what it feels like from a set of emotional cards https://innovativeresources.org/resources/card-sets/bears-cards/ or the Bears App https://innovativeresources.org/resources/digital-applications/bears-app/
SECOND READING: Romans 6:1b-11
READ/WATCH: David gets in Trouble by David Shannon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV4ZYfPPftI a suggestion by http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-june-22-2014/
SING: https://sovereigngracemusic.org/music/songs/one-step-at-a-time/
DO: put a few drops of food colouring in a small bowl of water, then place a sheet of paper in the water and watch the paper change colour. OR you can put a cut flower in a vase of coloured water and watch the flower’s colour change. When we immerse ourselves in God’s teachings we change.
GOSPEL READING: Matthew 10:24-39
This is a complicated reading with many different themes. After much thought I have decided to share the http://storypath.upsem.edu/lectionary-links-sunday-june-22-2014/ advise to read Sam and the Lucky Money by Karin China https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzsvSrtns9g as it concentrates the idea that the way we respond to life depends on what is important to us.
Family Activity: There is a suggestion at the end of the video, as a family think of ways that you can show the love of God with others in your community.
DRAW or go and find those things that are important to you.
PRAY:
Help me God
To always have you
as the most my most important thought
and may it shape all I do
Amen
The Cross in My Backyard 