You are my hiding-place; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.— Psalm 32:8

Isaiah 1:10-18

Brother Bartholomew and the Apple Grove, by Jan Cheripko (K+)

2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12

Paul Writes (a Letter), by Chris Raschka (Grade 1+)

Luke 19:1-10

Wings, by Christopher A. Myers (PreK+)

For Halloween

Zen Ghosts, by John J. Muth (PreK+)

For All Saints

The Name Quilt, by Phyllis Root (PreK+)

This week’s text from Isaiah reads like a counterpoint to the alternative lectionary text from Habakkuk. In Habakkuk, the prophet is surrounded by destruction. He cries out, “how long?” but resolves to wait and watches for the Lord to act. In Isaiah’s prophecy, the Lord has grown tired of waiting for the people to follow her God. The people spend all their time planning extravagant festivals, when what God wants is for them to “do good, seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” Jan Cheripko’s book, Brother Bartholomew and the Apple Grove, connects to this idea of doing justice and the importance of justice for worshiping God well. In the story, the young monk Bartholomew learns about justice by tending an orchard. This orchard is an important source of food for his small community of monks. When he first begins to take care of the trees, he comes up with lots of plans to take care of them, so that they will produce lots of fruit. One of the first things he does is to fix the fence surrounding the orchard to keep the animals out. But when a stag is injured on the fence, Brother Bartholomew learns that keeping the animals out is not truly just. God will still provide enough for the monks to eat, even if the deer and other animals get in and munch up some of the fruits. How might you practice justice in your own lives? How might our church community practice justice together?

Our epistle text this week come from Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians. Paul, as you know, wrote lots and lots of letters to small church communities all over the Mediterranean. He also travelled constantly to visit these churches and to encourage them as they lived out their faith in Jesus. This letter begins with encouragement – Paul is so proud of the Thessalonian church for being faithful and brave, even when things get difficult. Have you ever received a letter full of encouragement? Have you ever sent someone a letter like this? Chris Raschka’s book, Paul Writes (a Letter), is a colorful celebration of Paul’s lively correspondence. After reading this book, you might try writing your own letters. Who would you like to encourage? You can write something simple, like “I’m glad I know you!” or “Hey, I was thinking about you today, and I want you to know how much I love you!” Say a blessing over the postcard or letter and drop it off in the mailbox.

Our gospel text from Luke is the story of Zacchaeus, the tax collector, who climbs up a sycamore tree just to get a glimpse of Jesus when he passes through town. Jesus sees him, and he tells Zacchaeus, “Hurry up and climb down because I’m coming to stay at your house.” Because he was a tax collector, Zacchaeus was an outcast – no one trusted him. Jesus’s visit is an experience of grace that gives him a fresh start. Christopher A. Myers’ book, Wings, tells the story of Ikarus,

who is an outcast at his school because he has wings. One of his classmates overcomes her shyness in order to stand up for Ikarus. Her bravery is an expression of grace that transforms them both. Remember that sometimes compassion takes bravery, and that you can be brave with God’s help. Have you ever been left out until someone noticed you, and reached out to include you? How did that feel? Have you ever reached out bravely with compassion when someone else being excluded? How did that feel? What helped you to be brave in that moment?

Finally, next week, we will celebrate All Saints’ Day, after Halloween. One of my favorite Halloween books is Zen Ghosts, by John J. Muth. Stillwater the panda tells a ghost story to his human friends, Addie, Michael, and Karl. Muth’s watercolor illustrations are hauntingly gorgeous, and Stillwater’s story-within-the-story is provocative and multilayered. The Name Quilt, by Phyllis Root, connects well to All Saints’ Day. Sadie’s grandmother has a quilt with the names of generations of relatives stitched into the squares. At bedtime, Sadie points to names on the quilt and her grandma tells her stories of their ancestors. All Saints’ Day is the perfect occasion to share family stories of our ancestors and their faith. What are your favorite family stories?