CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SERVICE
A Celebration of Children and Their Ministry
Rev. Billy D. Strayhorn
(I developed this service while in Seminary after reading Dennis Benson's book, The Ministry Of The Child. This service was designed to celebrate the life and ministry of children in the life of our congregation. Children are in ministry with us and to us. Their questions and queries enliven our faith. Their simple faith touches us. Often times they act and respond to the presence of God in very unique and profound ways. During this service, pointing out how children touch our lives, I invite the children to be the very first to receive the Sacrament and then I ask them to assist me. I do this by using a whole loaf and breaking it into smaller pieces. I give these smaller pieces to the children and they, in turn, serve the congregation. I (and sometimes an assistant) serve the wine (juice). God has never failed to touch the lives of the congregation in some manner through this service. It has had many iterations since it was first put together. I offer this year's version for your use. May God bless you and your congregation through it.
Hymn Selections are from the United Methodist Hymnal
Children's Sunday 1999
GATHERING
ANNOUNCEMENTS & RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP
REGISTRATION OF ATTENDANCE
LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES
PRELUDE
CALL TO WORSHIP (All who are able are invited to stand)
Leader: We come as little children seeking guidance from our Heavenly Father.
People: We desire the loving relationship that comes from being the children of God.
Leader: We are God's, not through what we have done, but simply through God's Grace.
People: Through that Grace, may God inspire us to be more childlike in our faith.
HYMN OF PRAISE "I'm Goin' a Sing When The Spirit Says Sing" No. 333
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Lord, today we come as little children. Help us to hear and accept Your Word with the same innocent hearts and minds which they possess. In Jesus' name. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING 1 Peter 2:2-10
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE LORD'S PRAYER (In Unison)
MISSION MINUTE
HYMN OF PREPARATION "Jesus Loves Me, This I Know" No. 191
GOD'S TITHES AND OUR OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY
DOXOLOGY (Standing)
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING (Standing)
CHILDREN'S SERMON
THE CHORAL ANTHEM
MESSAGE "I Go To Prepare A Place For You"
(John 14:1-14)
THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER
We invite everyone in worship with us today to partake of the Lord's Supper. If for any reason you are unable to come forward for Communion, please let one of the ushers know and we will serve you in the pew.
(The Congregation is invited to sing the following hymns during Communion)
"Take Our Bread" No .620
"Break Thou the Bread of Life" No. 599
"Fill My Cup, Lord" No. 641
THE LORD'S SUPPER
INVITATION:
Pastor: Christ our Lord invites to His table all who love Him and who desire to live in peace with one another. As forgiven and reconciled people, let us offer ourselves to God.
THANKSGIVING:
Pastor: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you.
Pastor: Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Pastor: Let us give thanks and praise to the Lord.
People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Pastor: Lord, it is right that we should always and everywhere give you thanks and praise. Only you are God. You created all things and called them good. You made us in your own image. As a loving parent, you gave us life and call us to be your children. Even when we rebel against your love like the prodigal son, you don't desert us. Sometimes we act as spoiled errant children, yet your love never waivers. You welcome us back. You set us free to celebrate your love as little children.
Therefore, as Your children, we join the entire company of heaven and all your children now on earth in worshipping and glorifying you:
People: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
We thank you, God, that you loved the world so much you sent your only child, Jesus, to be our Savior. The Lord of all life came to live among us. He started out as a child, an infant with no room to lay his head, who had to flee for his life with his family. Through Your Grace, He grew to be a youth and then a man, flesh and blood, just like each of us.
On the day people brought their children to him, he blessed them saying that we must receive your Kingdom as children. In His eyes, we were all children. He ate with young and old alike. The children sat in his lap and he taught them. All were welcome at His table. Through His life and love, He won for you a new people by water and the Spirit. We saw His glory. As your child, He humbled Himself in obedience to your will. He freely accepted death on a cross for the sins of the whole world. By dying, He freed us from unending death; by rising from the dead, He gave us everlasting life.
On the night in which our Lord Jesus, your only Son gave himself up for us, He took bread. After giving you thanks, He broke the bread, gave it to the disciples, and said: "Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you."
When the supper was over, He took the cup. Again He returned thanks to you, gave the cup to the disciples, and said: "Drink from this, all of you, this is the cup of the new covenant in my blood, poured out for you and many, for the forgiveness of sins."
When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we become as little children. We experience the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ once again, and look forward to His coming in final victory.
People: Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.
As your children, we remember and proclaim what your Son has done for us in His life, death, resurrection and ascension. Accept our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, in union with Christ's offering for us, as a reasonable and holy surrender of ourselves.
Send the power of your Holy Spirit upon all your children gathered here out of love for you. Remind us that your Son invites us to His table as His personal guest. Bless these gifts before us, that we might receive them in innocence. As we partake of these elements, so feed us and enrich our lives through your grace that, like Christ, our love will extend to all. Help us to celebrate our children and to celebrate our faith as children.
Help us know in the breaking of this bread and the drinking of this wine the power of Your Holy Spirit and the presence of Christ who gave His body and blood for all. Make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in service to all the world.
People: Through your Son Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in your Holy church, all glory and honor is yours, Heavenly Father. Amen.
THE GIVING:
Because there is one loaf, we, many as we are, are one body in Christ Jesus our Savior. When we break the bread, it is a means in sharing in the body of Christ.
Likewise, when we give thanks over the cup, it is a means in sharing in the blood of Christ.
PRAYER AFTER RECEIVING:
Pastor: You have given yourself to us, Lord.
People: Now we give ourselves for others.
Pastor: Your have made us your children;
People: as your children we will serve you with joy.
Pastor: Your glory has filled our hearts;
People: help us to glorify you in all things. Amen.
INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
HYMN OF INVITATION (Standing) "Kum Ba Yah" No. 494
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS
BENEDICTION (Standing)
BENEDICTION RESPONSE "Sweet, Sweet Spirit" No. 334
POSTLUDE (Standing)