Feast of Christ the King

Opening Song: I decided to use the kids' version of "He Reigns" as found in the LifeWay VBS "Pandamania" from Summer 2011. The song is found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwM6meAVWqc Before teaching the song and the motions, I briefly went over what the word "reigns" means and how it applies to Christ the King. (I also explained what the phrase, "It's every tribe, every tongue, every nation" means). It's a quick and easy song, and fits the occasion very well!

Lesson: For this week's lesson I wanted to focus on the Gospel reading with the mandate from Christ to take care of "the least of my people." To do this, I created a video slide presentation with 12 different pictures of Jesus and 13 pictures of people who were hungry, homeless, in poverty, etc. I found all of the images by using Google image, then saved them onto my computer. I then utilized a web site called One True Media http://www.onetruemedia.com/ which creates music videos out of material that you upload. I arranged the photos so that they alternated between Jesus and the person in need. The end result is posted as a part of this blog page, and you are welcomed to view and/or use it.

I told the children that I would be playing a video for them, and that I would like them to count how many times they see Jesus in the video. (Obviously, virtually everyone is going to count 12). When the video is finished, I ask for answers from about 5 different children, and when they each give the incorrect answer, I told them that I would be giving them a hint. I asked them to listen to the story that Jesus tells us in the Gospel this Sunday, and then proceed to read the selection from Matthew 25: 31-40. I find that the version listed at Pflaum's web site is the most easily understood and child-friendly version, found here: http://www.pflaum.com/readings/ After sharing the reading, I summarize: So, this is what Jesus is telling us -- that all of these people who are in need are really HIM! Helping the hungry is helping Him! Helping the thirsty is helping Him! (etc.)

I then discuss with the children the fact that we are coming into the holiday season and that there are many, many people who will not be able to afford a big Thanksgiving dinner or lots of presents under the Christmas tree... maybe can't even afford a Christmas tree! We have many opportunities to help through our parish, and I go over each of those with the children (food pantry, giving tree, etc). I encourage them to talk it over with their family and think about how they might do what Jesus tells us: help the "least of my people" whenever we can, as much as we can.

I then play the slide show again and ask the children to count the number of times they see Jesus, and that I will let the first person to answer correctly be my contestant for "Minute To Win It" today! This time, of course, I get closer guesses to the right answer! :-)

For our MTWI game today, I chose "Tea Party". The blueprint for this game is found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioGaJYZ4XkQ It was an easy one to create, but a lot of fun watching the child try to win!

As always, please feel free to email me directly at jtruitt@stolivers.com if I can answer any questions or share any material with you!