Children’s Message
“Word-Play” Family Service
In our church, we hold “Family Services” about four times a year. These services are held during our normal Sunday morning worship time on the first Sunday of the month when we celebrate Holy Communion. On these days, we do not convene Sunday School but all ages worship together the whole time (nursery is still available). This pattern has given us permission every quarter to worship in different ways and to try new things. Some elements don’t work well. Some do though, and these often move into rotation within our more...
read moreGod’s Love in Print
Like many churches do, on most Sundays of the year I gather with the youth and children of our congregation for a children’s message. Sometimes we just talk. Sometimes I offer an object lesson. Always we pray at the end. Over the years I have said many things to them and they have said many things to me. For my part, the most important thing I ever say to them is simply, wonderfully, perfectly, the good news that each one of them is loved by the God of love in Christ from their head down to their tippy toes. Loved, not for who...
read moreChristmas Eve Instant Pageant: “A Very Special Night”
Below is a short (5 to 7 minute) INSTANT PAGEANT for Christmas Eve. What is an instant pageant? It is a story read by a narrator or narrators where the other characters are selected “instantly” before the story is ready by willing individuals/groups. For example, the famed Bethlehem star could be a “character” and every time it is mentioned in the story, those who volunteered to be the star could make a twinkling sound (whatever that sounds like!). It is possible for everyone in the congregation to have at least...
read more“‘Star Wars’ Nativity: A Long Time Ago, in a Village Far, Far Away…”
Below is a short (5 to 7 minute) Star Wars themed nativity that may be used as a pageant, or as part of a service or worship on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. We might also call it a tableau. As the Christmas story is read, individuals will be invited forward to help form a living picture. When the reading is done, the tableau will be held for a minute or so as a scene for reflection and personal prayer. Click here for an audio recording of this being enacted on 12/24/2015 at the United Church of Underhill, VT. “Star Wars...
read moreAdvent 2015: The Faith Awakens
BILLIONS. That’s how much I imagine Walt Disney will be spending to promote the new Star Wars film set to release in theaters on 12/18/2015. You know, Star Wars: the Force Awakens, part of the Star Wars film franchise that has embedded itself so deeply in my brain (and probably yours!) that I know the story better in some ways than I know “the greatest story ever told.” Oh, there is great potential here to move our worship and preaching into conversation with Star Wars. BILLIONS. Did I mention that the film industry will...
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