Summary of Today’s StoryJesus goes to Bethany to the house of Mary and Martha, whose brother, Lazarus, Jesus had raised from death.
At supper, Mary takes some expensive ointment and anoints Jesus’ feet with it. Judas Iscariot complains that this ointment could have been sold to give to the poor. But Jesus tenderly defends Mary. “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial.”
Then Jesus Christ says, “The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”
L e S S o n 3 0Jesus’ Ministry Draws to a Close; Mary Prepares Him for Burial
Where You’ll Find Today’s StoryIn the BibleWe recommend the New Revised Standard Version Bible.
John 12, especially 1-8
In Children’s BiblesIf you plan to use a children’s Bible for storytelling, write the page numbers of today’s story in the space below.
In our Sunday LectionaryToday’s story is told in church on the following Sundays:
Years A, B, C: Monday of Holy WeekYear C: Fifth Sunday in Lent (RCL)
Weaving our Story with the Biblical StoryWhat lavish attention Mary places on her beloved Lord! Judas
thinks this is extravagant and wasteful; the money she spent on the ointment could be used to feed a lot of hungry people. Jesus’ response is troubling to some: “You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”
Jesus is, of course, not telling us to give up on feeding the hungry and helping the poor. Rather, he knows about God’s abundance, which never runs out and never demands from us an “either-or” dilemma between giving to God and giving to others. He knows that God is lavish with love for us and extravagant in forgiving us. Jesus himself, as the Word made flesh, has embodied that lavishness himself. He has loved all, blessed all, given all and will soon lose all.
So Mary’s act seems to come as a natural, impulsive response to that extravagant love that Jesus has shown to her. As John will later write in 1 John (4:19), “We love because he first loved us.” Love begets love; extravagant love begets extravagant love.
What Mary may not know—but Jesus knows—is that her anointing of him is an early preparation for his death. He probably knows the urgency of their time together. He cherishes this time. He has raised Lazarus and has incurred the ire of the Jewish authorities. His time will end soon. As he says, “His hour has not yet come”—but it will. This brings an extra poignancy to Mary’s devotional act.
It is odd that we sometimes find it easier to identify with Judas’s grumbling complaint that we should be using our money to feed the poor. Yes, that is true. But we also need to nourish ourselves to be able to nourish others. It is important to build the spiritual foundation of our faith—in worship, prayer, and in simple love and devotion to God. We need this foundation to support and strengthen our commitment to serve those who need our help.
So imagine yourself in Mary’s place. Feel the abundant, lavish, unconditional, generous love that is poured upon her by her Lord Jesus. Would you respond any differently than she does—with an equally generous, lavish outpouring of love given back to the one who gives so much to her?
The episcopal ThreadEpiscopalians love the majesty of worship, the mystery of the sacraments, and the emphasis on
God’s love and forgiveness. All these are reflected in Mary’s anointing of Jesus with the extravagance that so offended Judas.
The Episcopal Church’s two principal sacraments are Holy Baptism and the Holy Eucharist. Unction is a sacramental rite along with confirmation, ordination, holy matrimony and reconciliation of a penitent (confession). The “sacramental rites” differ from the two sacraments in that they are not necessary for all persons in the same way that Baptism and the Eucharist are, though they are means of grace as the two great sacraments are (in the Catechism, BCP, p. 860).
3 | LeSSon 30 | JeSuS’ MInISTrY DraWS To a CLoSe; MarY PrePareS HIM For BurIaL | WeavIng TogeTHer THe FaMILY oF goD, Year 2
Unction of the Sick is defined in the Catechism (p. 861) as “the rite of anointing the sick with oil, or the laying on of hands, by which God’s grace is given for the healing of spirit, mind, and body.” Anointing and prayers for healing are not prayers for curing, but rather for the healing of the whole person and soul as we trust God to heal. The “Ministration to the Sick” (BCP, p. 453) includes the laying on of hands and anointing with holy oil, with prayers for healing, deliverance from suffering, and forgiveness of sins.
The Episcopal Church’s embrace of anointing and healing (Unction of the Sick) as a sacramental rite is a theological and ecclesial embodiment of Mary’s act of love and devotion. We also take great care, as Mary did, in preparing for the death and resurrection of our Lord, both sacramentally and personally. But the Episcopal Church also has a strong tradition of helping the poor and the needy, building upon our foundation of faith and sacraments to be extravagant in our service to others.
gatheringAs the children enter the room, engage them in a simple activity that relates to today’s
lesson. This may be a puzzle or coloring page, or a more elaborate activity such as puppets to create for the storytelling time. Instructions for making simple finger puppets are located on pages 16-17 at the end of this lesson.
Older children may enjoy making puppets, but will also enjoy a brief time to socialize and to reaffirm their community and friendships in the group.
After all the children have arrived and had a few minutes of activity or fellowship time, gather them together and say a simple opening prayer: ■ O God, you are loving and kind, giving and
forgiving. You give us your stories about you and your people so that we can get to know you and love you better. Be with us today, we pray, tell us your Story, and give us ears to hear you, in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord. Amen.
Telling the StoryRead today’s story aloud from a children’s Bible, showing the pictures, or tell the story in your own words.
You might use flannel boards or a miniature dinner scene to illustrate the story. If the children made finger puppets, encourage them to act out the story with their puppets as you tell the story.
Let the children hear the story without analyzing it for them or discussing it. For now, simply let the story sink into their minds and hearts. Later, while having snacks, you can bring up the story again and invite the children to talk about it and explore its message.
4 | LeSSon 30 | JeSuS’ MInISTrY DraWS To a CLoSe; MarY PrePareS HIM For BurIaL | WeavIng TogeTHer THe FaMILY oF goD, Year 2
Materials:small table with a cloth to cover it2 candles or a single large Christ candlematchesBiblecrossoptional: flowers (real, artificial or handmade by the children)
Have the children set up a simple altar with the materials listed above. Invite them to place on the altar any drawings or crafts that they created during Gathering time. Then light the candles.
Read a verse from today’s scripture from a Bible so that the children connect the story they heard with the Bible, which is the word of God. If working mainly with older children, you might expand the reading to several verses.
Suggestions for the readings:
For younger children: John 12:3
For older children: John 12:3-8
Help familiarize the children with our liturgy by reading as it is done in church. Read as follows:
Reader: A reading from the book of John: (Read the selected passage.)
Reader: The word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Invite the children to sit in a circle and join in prayer. Say a brief prayer yourself, then invite prayers from each child in the circle: ■ Invite children to share their thanks to God for
the ways in which God has guided them in their daily lives during the past week. Encourage them to think of the times at home or school when they can sense God’s work and help for them.
■ Ask for any prayers they have for those in need or trouble—anyone who is or has been sick, those having difficult times or those making difficult life choices.
■ Recognize birthdays or other special occasions. Give thanks to God for these special times and for the opportunity for us to celebrate these times with our church family.
■ End by praying the Lord’s Prayer together.
Carefully extinguish the candles.
5 | LeSSon 30 | JeSuS’ MInISTrY DraWS To a CLoSe; MarY PrePareS HIM For BurIaL | WeavIng TogeTHer THe FaMILY oF goD, Year 2
SharingPass out snacks and say a simple grace, such as:
■ Give us grateful hearts, O Lord, for all your gifts, and make us mindful of the needs of others, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Favorite table graces may also be shared. If everyone knows the words to a particular grace, say it together.
This is an excellent time, while sharing a snack, to begin talking about the story that the children have just heard. Encourage the children to enter the scene from inside—from the perspective of Mary, and of Jesus, and even of Judas. ■ Can we imagine the feelings of love and devotion
that brought Mary to care so tenderly for Jesus? ■ What about Jesus—his awareness that Mary is
preparing him for his own death? ■ And Judas, who thinks of the poor, even as he
begins the journey to betrayal?
As we see Jesus’ response to his friends in the face of his death, we can also begin to see their responses to him. ■ If we were there at Mary’s house, what would we
say to Jesus?
6 | LeSSon 30 | JeSuS’ MInISTrY DraWS To a CLoSe; MarY PrePareS HIM For BurIaL | WeavIng TogeTHer THe FaMILY oF goD, Year 2
After Sharing, begin an activity to supplement and enhance today’s story. While the children are doing an activity, talk about the story so that they make the connection.
Suggested story-related activities are provided at the end of this lesson on pages 8-19.
Additional activity ideas can be found on pages 3-6 in the Appendix where we’ve provided suggestions and directions for a variety of general activities that can be adapted to any lesson. Also included are outreach and service projects that can be done at any time.
aCTIvITIeS For THIS Week’S SeSSIon
7 | LeSSon 30 | JeSuS’ MInISTrY DraWS To a CLoSe; MarY PrePareS HIM For BurIaL | WeavIng TogeTHer THe FaMILY oF goD, Year 2
MemorizationThere is no memorization connected with this Bible story.
You may encourage children to continue to work on past memorization passages or assignments.
Weaving the Family of godAs your time together draws to a close, take a few minutes to help the children summarize the story and say what they learned today
by asking questions such as: ■ Who was our story about today? ■ What did Mary do? ■ What did the disciples say about this? ■ How did Jesus respond?
Encourage the children to remember key family of God words and themes from the story, such as: love, generosity, giving.
Closing PrayerBefore the children leave, say a closing prayer to send them into
the church worship service or back to their homes with God’s love and blessing. The prayer can be very simple, such as this one: ■ Loving God, you show us through your stories
how we can love and serve you. We thank you for Mary and her love for you. Send us back to our families and friends with your guidance for us, that we can love and serve you this week as Mary did, as we go about our daily work and play. We ask this for the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
End with a dismissal used in church, such as: ■ May the peace of the Lord be always with you.
u n I q u e Ta L e n T Sfor elementary, Intermediate
In this game children see how their unique gifts can add to the whole community, how we all add to the whole picture.
Materials:white papercrayons (there must be a different color crayon for each child)
Directions:1. Give one crayon to each child. Each person must have a different color.
2. Give a piece of paper to the first child. That child must draw something on the paper with his or her one color crayon, then pass it on. You might suggest that they illustrate something related to today’s Bible story.
3. The second child adds to the drawing, with his or her one color crayon, then passes it on.
4. Continue passing the paper until everyone has had a chance to contribute to creating the picture.
5. Show the picture to the group and discuss how everybody contributed to it, using their own unique and special gifts.
8 | LeSSon 30 | JeSuS’ MInISTrY DraWS To a CLoSe; MarY PrePareS HIM For BurIaL | WeavIng TogeTHer THe FaMILY oF goD, Year 2 | gaMe
Children add special fragrances to oil and decorate jars for storing it.
Materials:coffee stirrersolive oilsmall containers such as baby food jars, 1 per childcolored tissue paperglue mixed with waterpaintbrushesglittercolored foil or other pretty paperrubber bandsscissorsscents: potpourri, refresher oil, perfume, oil lamp scent, almond extract, cinnamon sticks and/or anise
Directions:Invite each child to make a jar of fragrant oil as follows:
1. Cut the tissue paper into small squares.
2. Brush glue all over the sides of the jar and apply the tissue paper to make a “stained glass” effect.
3. Lightly sprinkle glitter on the outside of the glass before it dries.
4. Pour a little olive oil into the jar. Add one of the scents provided. Mix with a coffee stirrer.
5. Seal the lid tightly.
6. Cut a circle around 6" in diameter from the foil or decorative paper. Lay this on top of the lid and put a rubber band around it to hold it in place.
9 | LeSSon 30 | JeSuS’ MInISTrY DraWS To a CLoSe; MarY PrePareS HIM For BurIaL | WeavIng TogeTHer THe FaMILY oF goD, Year 2 | CraFT
Directions:Invite each child to make a necklace as follows (the quantity below makes one necklace):
1. Put 1 cup vanilla potpourri into a baggie and crush with a pop can.
2. Mix ½ cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 2 tablespoons water in a bowl.
3. Add the crushed potpourri to the dough and mix, then knead. If the mixture is crumbly, add a bit of olive oil.
4. Take a tiny ball of dough and roll into a bead. Pierce the bead with a toothpick so it can be threaded. Make as many beads as you want on your pendant.
5. Dry the beads by putting them in a microwave at 50% power for several minutes.
6. Cut a length of metallic thread around 24." String the beads, adding either bay leaves or rosebuds at intervals for a decorative effect.
10 | LeSSon 30 | JeSuS’ MInISTrY DraWS To a CLoSe; MarY PrePareS HIM For BurIaL | WeavIng TogeTHer THe FaMILY oF goD, Year 2 | CraFT
Children use colored cellophane to make a necklace of flower shapes.
Materials:colored cellophanecording (plastic cording is easier for children to use, but string or yarn will be adequate)scissorshole punchoptional: light, flowery spray cologne
Preparation:1. Cut the cellophane into circles 2" in diameter. Punch a hole in the center of each circle.
2. Cut the cording into 24" lengths. If using string or yarn, tape the ends to keep them stiff and easier to thread.
Directions:1. Give children a pile of colored cellophane circles. If desired, spray lightly with the cologne.
2. Thread the cellophane through the cording. Use as many circles as you want.
3. Tie the ends of the cord together to make a necklace.
11 | LeSSon 30 | JeSuS’ MInISTrY DraWS To a CLoSe; MarY PrePareS HIM For BurIaL | WeavIng TogeTHer THe FaMILY oF goD, Year 2 | CraFT
C u r r I e D T r a I L M I xfor Preschool, Primary, elementary
Children make a gift for people in need.
Materials:large bowlmixing spoonsmall jelly jars or zip lock sandwich bags
(recipe for 4 cups trail mix:)1½ cups puffed rice cereal½ cup dried coconut½ cup peanuts½ cup raisins1 tablespoon curry powdercurling ribbonscissors for curling the ribbonoptional: extra peanuts and raisins for snacking
Preparation:Make arrangements with your clergy or pastoral care team to distribute the gifts.
Directions:Invite the children to make the trail mix as a group:
1. Mix all ingredients into bowl.
2. Pack the finished mix into jars or sandwich bags.
3. Decorate with curling ribbon tied around the jar or bag.
4. Deliver the gifts to your clergyperson or pastoral care team.
18 | LeSSon 30 | JeSuS’ MInISTrY DraWS To a CLoSe; MarY PrePareS HIM For BurIaL | WeavIng TogeTHer THe FaMILY oF goD, Year 2 | aCTIvITY
M a r T H a’S k I TC H e n: H e a r T Co o k I e S a n D C r o S S B r e aD ST I C k S
for Preschool, Primary, elementary, Intermediate
Children make cookies and bread to share at home, to give away, or both.
Materials:cookie dough or pre-baked sugar cookiespink frostingcake sprinklesoptional: heart-shaped cookie cutter refrigerated bread stick doughwax paper to put on tablepaper platesplastic knivespaper towels or napkins
Preparation:1. Make the cookie dough. Or for an easier and quicker activity, you can bake the cookies ahead of time or buy
already-baked cookies.
2. Make arrangements to use an oven during class time to bake the bread.
3. Make arrangements to distribute the cookies and bread to the homebound in your church.
Directions for making the bread:1. Take the bread stick dough out of the package.
2. Let children shape the bread sticks into the form of a cross.
3. Bake according to the instructions.
Directions for making the cookies:1. If using unbaked cookie dough, make cookies in the shape of hearts, and bake according to the recipe.
2. When the cookies are baked and cool, put a cookie on a plate and spread frosting on it. Add sprinkles.
3. If using already-baked cookies, have children spread frosting in the shape of a heart, then add sprinkles.
19 | LeSSon 30 | JeSuS’ MInISTrY DraWS To a CLoSe; MarY PrePareS HIM For BurIaL | WeavIng TogeTHer THe FaMILY oF goD, Year 2 | aCTIvITY
