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Notes:

 

This service was developed for the smallest congregation in our diocese, St. Matthews, San Ardo.  Our inaugural “kid friendly” service was on Sunday, June 20th with 19 people gathered.

 

We moved pews up into the chancel and arranged them in a “U” facing the altar.  We could now see each other’s faces and hear each other’s voices.  A table, with white linen, was placed in the center and a credence table, with white linen, was placed next to the officiant.  On the center table was a bowl with small black stones and a ceramic dish filled with sand and tea lights.  On the credence table were long matches, a small pitcher with water and the offering plate. 

 

Each Sunday, before beginning the service, the officiant will share that this is a special place, a holy place where we will sing songs to God, listen to and be with God, hear stories about God and talk to God.  We want especially for the children’s voices to be heard.  God wants to hear us and we want to hear God so it is important to be ready, follow the service as best you can, at times being still and quiet and at other times speaking and singing.

 

The forgiveness stones were placed silently in the bowl.  We spoke to God only from our hearts.   The thanksgiving prayers were spoken out loud as we each lit a tea light.  The lesson was read in place rather than from the lectern and the officiant remained seated during the homily. Reading only one lesson a week, we will choose the one, O.T., Epistle or Gospel, that is most conducive to discussion with children and to story form.

 

Celeste A. Ventura June 20, 2004

 

 

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church

San, Ardo, California

 

 

A Service of Morning Prayer

 


June 20, 2004

 

 

 

 

 

V      With much gratitude for the guidance of:

The Rev. Canon Jan Smith Wood

The Rev. Holly Hudson-Lewis

St. Mary’s “All God’s Children” Service

V      Music:

   Joy on Earth CD recorded in Taize

Celtic Daily Prayer – Northumbria Community

 

V      The liturgy combines

       The Book of Common Prayer with

Adaptations from A New Zealand Prayer Book

         and Scripture from The Message

 

 

 

Gathering Together                                          

Announcements; explanation of worship service

Gathering Prayer

Loving God, as we gather together with you, we thank you for this new day.  Thank you for your love and care.  Thank you for making each of us special.  Help us this day to be kind to each other and everyone we meet during the week.  Now as we begin our worship, in silence, as the candles are lit, may we feel your love and presence. Amen   

                            

Lighting of High Altar Candles in silence (One of the older kids)      

    

Opening Taize Hymn    “This is the Day”           (all stand)

            Sing a new song to the Lord,

            This is the day the Lord has made!

            For the wonders God has done.

            Alleluia, alleluia!

            Shout to the Lord all the earth.

            This is the day the Lord has made!

            Sing out your joy.

            Alleluia, alleluia!

            Sing psalms to the Lord with the harp.

            This is the day the Lord has made!

            Praise God with the sound of music.

            Alleluia, alleluia!

            With trumpets and the sound of the horn.

            This is the day the Lord has made!

            Acclaim the Lord, your God.

            Alleluia, alleluia!

            Let the sea and all within it thunder;

            This is the day the Lord has made!

            The world and all its people.

            Alleluia, alleluia!

            Let the rivers clap their hands

            This is the day the Lord has made!

            and the hills sing our their joy.

            Alleluia, alleluia!

            Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good,

            This is the day the Lord has made!

            For God’s love endures forever.

            Alleluia, alleluia!

            Let those who worship God proclaim:

            This is the day the Lord has made!

            “God’s love endures for ever.”

            Alleluia, alleluia!

           

Invitatory          (remain standing)                                 

Unbutton my lips, dear God

Unbutton my lips, dear God

I’ll let loose with your praise!

I’ll let loose with your praise!

 

Psalm 95:1-7 (Adapted Venite from NZP)

Oh come let us sing to God;

Let us shout with joy because God is present

Let us come to God with thanksgiving

And sing songs of praise to God;

For God is great and above all others;

God holds everything from all that is:

From the tops of the mountains to the

Inner parts of the earth;

God made the ocean and formed the land

Let us worship God who made us.

God is our God and we are God’s people;

God gathers us together like a shepherd.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen.

                       

The Word: Luke 9:18-24 (The Message) (please be seated)

            A reading from Luke

One time when Jesus was off praying by himself, his disciples nearby, he asked them, “What are the crowds saying about me, about who I am?”   They said, “John the Baptizer.  Others say Elijah.  Still others say that one of the prophets from long ago has come back.”  Jesus then asked, “And you – what are you saying about me?  Who am I?”  Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.”  Jesus then warned them to keep it quiet.  They were to tell no one what Peter had said.  Jesus went on, “ It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the religious leaders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and on the third day be raised up alive.’  Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead.  You’re not in the driver’s seat – I am.  Don’t run from suffering; embrace it.  Follow me and I’ll show  you how.       The Word of the Lord.        

Thanks be to God.

 

Message/Story/Homily     (please be seated)

Interactive with People, asking questions/wondering     

 

Confession

            “Let us hold our forgiveness stones, as God holds us, in the palm of our hands. The stones help us remember the things we have done wrong and the things we have left undone.”

            “Almighty God, we have hurt you and each other.

            “Almighty God, we have hurt you and each other.

            We have not done the things you want us to do.

            We have not done the things you want us to do.

            We are sorry, God, please forgive us.

            We are sorry, God, please forgive us.

            Help us to walk in the way of  your love.”

            Help us to walk in the way of  your love.”

In silence, people come forward and place forgiveness stones in the bowl.

Officiant pours water over the stones and says:

            God forgives us.  Let us forgive ourselves. 

God forgives us.  Let us forgive others.

As this water washes these stones, God washes away our wrongs and embraces us with God’s love and Peace.

 

Sharing of God’s Peace

            The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

            And also with you.

 

Offertory and Doxology

            Let us offer gifts to share our love and give thanks to God.        

            Basket passed  by two of the little ones

                                               

            Standing, sing Doxology as gifts are brought forward                

                Praise God, through whom all blessings flow; praise Him,    

               all creatures here below; praise Him above, ye heavenly              

                host; praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  Amen.

 

The Prayers (seated)

            The Lord be with You

            And also with you.

            Let us pray as Jesus teaches us

            Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name;

            Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,

            On earth as it is in heaven.

            Give us this day our daily bread.

            And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who    

                       trespass against us.

            And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

            For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,                      

                        forever and ever. Amen.

For Church, world, the nation, community & those that suffer

                        (Based on current needs and appropriateness for kids)

            Lighting of individual tea lights with individual prayers    

            Silence

            Litany of Thanksgiving (standing)

                        Let us give thanks to God

                        For the beauty of farmland, ranches and vineyards

                        Thank you God.

                        For the kindness and wisdom of family, friends and                               

                                 teachers

                        Thank you God

                        For food and drink that nourishes us; for homes that                 

                                 shelter us

                        Thank you God

                        For our hearts that love, our minds that think and our                

                                  hands that serve.

                        Thank you God.

                        For health and strength to work and learn: time to rest,             

                                  play and laugh.

                        Thank you God.

                        For all the people that have gone before us, in all time               

                                  and all places.

                        Thank you God.

                        Above all God, we give you thanks for your love, your             

                                 Son Jesus and The Holy Spirit that guides us.

                        To God be praise and glory.

 

 

            Adaptation of Prayer of St. Chrysostom

Holy God thank you for being here with us and for listening as we talked with you; through Jesus, you taught us that when two or three people come together in your Name, you are there.  You give us what is best for us, you teach us and you are always, always with us.  Amen

           

Closing Hymn     (repeats 3 times)

            May the Peace of the Lord Christ go with you wherever He                     

                     may send you.

            May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you                             

                     through the storm

            May bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has                               

                     shown you.

            May bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

 

Dismissal (one of the older children)

            Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

            Thanks be to God.