WAYS TO BEGIN: Greet your class. You may wish to spend some time talking about All Hallow's Eve (Halloween) which is the following Saturday with All Saints Day next Sunday. Of late, there have been some church people who object to Halloween because of pagan origins. Yet many of our church feast days occur at the same time as ancient pagan rites, Christianized and taking advantage of a time already set apart. The dates for Easter are an example of this practice. Rather than forbid the festivities around Halloween, use it as a time of preparing for All Saints Day. Look at the liturgy for All Hallows' Eve in THE BOOK OF OCCASIONAL SERVICES as your way of preparation. Allow your class to talk about their costumes. Or if possible, organize an UNICEF collection rather than "Trick or Treat". Or you may want to teach your class the following song written and given to me by the choir director, Dee Voorhies at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Maitland, Florida shortly before her death.
" Halloween is very dark, the darkest night of the year.
But we don't have to be afraid, and we don't have to fear.
For Jesus came into the world to chase the dark away,
And when He comes into our hearts, He turns the night to day.
So shine Jack-o-lantern, with all of your might.
THE THEME:How we should approach God in prayer.
THE STORY:Luke 18:9-14 Read or tell the story aloud.
SOME QUESTIONS TO TALK ABOUT:
1. What do you think the Pharisee was thinking as he prayed? What do you think the tax collector was thinking while he was praying?
2. Why do you think Jesus favored the tax collector?
3. What do you think Jesus wants to teach us with this story?
4. All Saints Day is next Sunday. What kind of person is a saint? Who do you think is a saint?
5. What does it mean to "humble yourself"?
AN ACTIVITY TO DO: Read together the hymn "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God". Think of things that you or someone you know might do to become "saints of God". Make a class poster of all the things you think of and give it the title "All, Saints of God, and I Mean to be One Too!" You will need poster board, markers or magazines to cut out pictures to illustrate your poster. If you choose to use magazines, you will also need scissors and paste.
End with a prayer, either the Collect for the day or a class prayer with everyone offering their own petitions, thanksgivings or thoughts.
