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. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
Proper 4 YEAr B
Introduction
Introduction
In this Sunday's lesson, we learn of God's call to young Samuel whose response was "Here I am". Samuel had to wait and listen and recognize God's call for him to go forward as the important prophet he became. What will it take for you to become what you are called to be. Will you wait? Will you listen? How will you recognize God's voice? It's so amazing to realize that God will and does speak to you. Many of us are waiting for the roll of thunder to accompany God's voice. See 1 Kings 19:11-12 to learn of the many ways Elijah thought God's voice would be revealed. But it was not revealed in power and might but in quiet. Equip yourself to hear God's voice. Take time for silence.
1 Samuel 3:1-10(11-20)
1 Samuel 3:1-10(11-20)
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. . . . Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, "Samuel! Samuel!" and he said, "Here I am!"
From sermon4kids.com: ". . . God knows your name just as he knew the name of Samuel, and God still calls boys and girls today saying, "Come, follow me." So, listen for God's call and answer just as Samuel did, "Here I am!""
Scripture: June 2, 2024: Track 1: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) (image); Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 (image); Track 2: Deuteronomy 5:12-15 (image); Psalm 81:1-10 (image ); 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 (image); and Mark 2:23-3:6 (image). A visual/audio journey through the scripture.
Collect: O God, your never-failing providence sets in order all things both in heaven and earth: Put away from us, we entreat you, all hurtful things, and give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reflection: Most of us strive to demonstrate trustworthy character in our lives, often not understanding trustworthy character as a fruit of our relationship with God. Reflect on 1 Samuel 3:19-20 ("As Samuel grew up, the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the LORD"). How does this challenge our understanding of what makes us trustworthy?
(excerpted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year B, Volume 2 © 2014 Westminster John Knox Press)
Symbols of the Church
Symbols of the Church
The rainbow is a symbol of God's faithfulness and his promise, . . . from the story of Noah and the Flood. After the flood, God placed a rainbow in the sky as a sign of his covenant . . .. By arching high over the horizon, the rainbow shows the all-embracing expanse of God's faithfulness through his work of grace. God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ isn't only for a select few souls to enjoy. The gospel of salvation, like a rainbow, is all-encompassing, and everyone is invited to behold it . . ..
Writers of the Bible use rainbows to describe the glory of God. . . . In the book of Revelation, the Apostle John saw a rainbow around the throne of God in heaven . . . When believers see a rainbow, they are reminded of God’s faithfulness, his all-encompassing grace, his glorious beauty, and his holy and eternal presence on the throne of our lives.
from "Christian Symbols Glossary" website.
Click here for a page of symbols described in this publication.
Images enhancing
the scripture
Icon of Prophet Samuel from 17th Century
"Hannah presenting her son" by Gerbrand van den Eeckhout
"The man with the withered hand" by James Tissot
Music founded
in the scripture
"Somewhere listening" by Wardlaw Brothers
"Somewhere listening for my name" by Jimmy Swaggert
"Here I am, Lord" by Daniel Schutte
Other voices
about the scripture
"Having trouble sleeping through the night?" by William Carl III
"The call of Samuel", short play by Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
"Can't I sleep without someone talking to me?" from RevGalBlogPals
"Samuel Hears", a poem by Katy Hailes
Movies representing some part of the scripture
“Keeping the faith” (2000, PG-13), meeting of a priest & a rabbi, “explores and celebrates our religious differences”, a screwball comedy about a priest and a rabbi, Review
Samuel is considered a "miracle child" because his mother could not bear children, until God blessed her. Upon learning she was pregnant, she promised Samuel to God's service. Read more.
For families: Study guide and activities (another guide), group activity, snacks—decorate a toilet paper roll with butterflies & use to listen for the Lord's call, kid video.
For children: See family guide/activities (other activity); bulletin; craft;
For middlers: See family guide/activities (other activity); bulletin; craft
For youth: For the summer, we are exploring how faith and science fit together—or do they. We'll continue with the introductory video. Last week, I asked you to think about: Why do you think science causes people to lose their faith? Have you ever felt like science challenged or threatened your faith? If so, how? This week, think about ways your faith is enhanced because of science you know. Also, think about a place you have visited where you felt very small (like an open field, the edge of The Grand Canyon, on the beach). Write down how small you felt and how surrounded by God's magnificence you felt. Share your thoughts.
In today's liturgy the meaning of the Sabbath and of Sunday is the focus of the Gospel reading. Jesus sets aside the Sabbath rule, not because the Ten Commandments are to be ignored, but because in his ministry something new is happening. In ancient days, King David's soldiers broke the Commandment because they were in a crisis situation, pursued by enemies and starving. Jesus' disciples are in a crisis situation because the kingdom of God is breaking into history. In both critical moments the Law gives way to the immediate need.
[Using I Samuel] The first reading begins our semi-continuous reading of the Davidic history. It begins today with the call of God to the boy Samuel. Samuel grows to be the primary leader of the people and the agent of God's choice of David and David's family as the rulers of the people. Much later the kingdom of David became the image of the coming of Messiah.
[Using Deuteronomy] The commandment to keep the Sabbath day holy provides our first reading. No one in the land, not even aliens or farm animals are exempted. Not even slaves, for the people are to remember that they were slaves in Egypt and they should have compassion on those who live as they once lived. The Sabbath is a weekly reminder of Israel's salvation, as Sunday is for us.
In today's second reading, Paul roots his authority as an apostle in his suffering. When a Christian suffers for the sake of Jesus, Christ is manifested as crucified in that suffering. In that way the Gospel is proclaimed.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.
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