 Each Sunday during the 9:00 and 11:00 am services, children ages 3 to Kindergarten have the opportunity to join our trained Liturgy volunteers for a special service geared toward teaching children the gospel in a way that speaks to them. The following is an example of the format of the Children’s' Liturgy service, which mimics our normal church service and helps the children understand the ways their parents worship and learn the Bible lessons each week. |
The children are lead from the church sanctuary to their classrooms to begin Children’s' Liturgy.
Teachers gather the children into the room and follow these guidelines:
- Hand out nametags with children’s names and introduce yourself.
- Pick the leaders: Among the older children: crucifer, 1 or 2 readers, hold Stand/Sit/Kneel signs, pass out prayer cards; Among all ages: candle lighter, candle snuffer, offering. Put up jobs on wall
- Light the candles
STAND |
Welcome Song - Good Morning Lord |
Good morning, Lord, it's a beautiful day.
Good morning, Lord, I'm going your way.
Open my eyes and let me see,
Someone who needs a friend like me.
I know that I can surely be
- loving, caring, always sharing.
Good morning, Lord, it's a beautiful day.
Good morning, Lord, I'm going your way.
STAND (or SIT if Gospel is part of the sermon lesson) |
Gospel (or OT/NT Lesson) Reading |
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Before the Gospel Reading:
Leader: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to ___________.
Response: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
The Gospel is read.
After the Gospel Reading:
Leader: The Gospel of the Lord.
Response: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
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Sermon/Response |
The sermon is given, sometimes followed by correlated activities and discussions that emphasis the lesson from the Gospel.
STAND |
Apostles’ Creed |
Children repeat each segment after leader/Older child:
I believe in God / the Father almighty / creator of heaven and earth. / I believe in Jesus Christ / his only Son, our Lord / He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit / and born of the Virgin Mary. / He suffered under Pontius Pilate, / was crucified, died, and was buried. / He descended to the dead. / On the third day he rose again. / He ascended into heaven, / and is seated at the right hand of the father. / He will come again / to judge the living and the dead. / I believe in the Holy Spirit, / the holy catholic Church, / the communion of saints, / the forgiveness of sins, / the resurrection of the body, / and the life everlasting. / Amen
STAND |
The Prayers of the People |
Pass out or hold the Prayer Cards/Signs.
Ask children if there is anything they would like to pray for and allow them to answer or encourage them to remember those things in their prayers.
Leader: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Hold up CLERGY Sign
Leader: We pray for Bishop Andy, Fr. Rob, Fr. Joe, Fr. Bob, and everyone in our church.
Response: Lord, have mercy.
Hold up LEADERS Sign
Leader: We pray for the leaders of our world, so all are treated fairly and we can all live in peace.
Response: Lord, have mercy.
Hold up FAMILIES Sign
Leader: We pray for our families, that Your love will fill our hearts.
Response: Lord, have mercy.
Hold up HUNGER Sign
Leader: We pray for the boys and girls and their families who are hungry, and give thanks for those who help them.
Response: Lord, have mercy.
Hold up BELIZE Sign
Leader: We pray for the Anglican Diocese of Belize and Lord Bishop Wright and all the people of Belize.
Response: Lord, have mercy.
Hold up SICK OR SAD Sign
Leader: We pray for all people who are sick or sad.
Response: Lord, have mercy.
Hold up DIED Sign
Leader: We pray for all people who have died.
Response: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: We pray all these things in communion with Blessed Mary, Mother of Jesus, Blessed Dunstan and all the saints who have loved you, and ask that we may love you, too, O lord our God. Amen
All: Amen
KNEEL |
Confession |
Older child/Leader: Let us confess our sins to God.
Children repeat each segment after leader.
Dear God / I am sorry that I have done things / I should not have done. / I ask you to forgive me / for hurting others and those I love. / Please help me to do better. / Thank you God, for your love. Amen.
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Prayer of Thanks |
Leader: Dear God, we know you want what is best for us and you want us to try to do what is right. We thank you for the forgiveness you give us through your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
STAND |
Passing the Peace |
Gather the children in a circle crossing their right arm over their left arm and holding their neighbors hands. Have one begin a gentle hand squeeze that will be passed from one hand to the next around the circle back to the beginning. Then respond with the following:
Leader: The Peace of the Lord be with you.
Response: And also with you.
Then, everybody turns to the right and lifts their hands over their heads and twists out of the circle ... signifying going out into the world to do the work which God has given us to do. |
Birthday Song |
Ask the children if any of them have a birthday in the next week. If a child has a birthday, have them come to the front of the room and sing the birthday song to them.
Happy Birthday to you / Happy Birthday to you / Dear Jesus bless _______ / Happy Birthday to you. |
Birthday Prayer |
| Jesus, watch over __________. Help him/her/them to grow strong and to follow you all his/her/their life. Amen. |
Offering |
Explain that the offering will go to help children in the country of Belize in a continuing effort of our mission work there.
Take up offering.
Songs until time to leave. |
Other Instructional Notes |
- An Usher will come from the service to give you a five minute warning.
- Hand out any take home item to the children, put the nametags back, pick up mats and other material.
- The children can line up at the door behind the Crucifer and return to the church.
- One child will act as crucifer and carry the cross back in; one or two children will bring up the offering. The Acolyte Master on duty will help with the offertory procession. Two adults need to stay at the back of the church (Narthex) with the children.
- The rest of the children can return to their parents.
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