Liturgy for Lower Primary School ChildrenReturning to School after Covid-19 Lockdown May 2020

Preparation: Prayer focus (e.g. with white/gold/blue cloths) and spaces for a candle and a bible Matches and taper to light candle Candle (unlit), bible and symbolic items placed on a table and children chosen to process

in with them, holding them high and walking slowly Check Powerpoint and sound works Reading parts given and children allowed to prepare ahead of time:

o Leader (teacher)o 1 child to read opening prayer and light candleo 1 reader for Gospel readingo 4 children to read prayers of intercession ( or 1 person to read all 5)o Teachers (if more than one) pre-warned that they all join in the final blessing.

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Gathering Song: Jesus This Day, Gather Us (John Burland) SLIDE 2

Words and song are on the Powerpoint. Listen first, then sing the song. It is quite short. As it is sung, children in a procession bring three candles, a bible and if desired symbols of the lockdown, to the prayer focus.

Leader: Welcome back to school, everyone! Tena koutou katoa! SLIDE 3

Talofa lava… malo e le lei… mabuhay… ni hao… kia orana... bula vinaka… etc. Let us each begin by beaming a huge smile for God, for our friends, and for our teachers… pause for smiles… It is good to be back at school after weeks of staying home because of Covid 19. It is good to rejoice, to be happy, and our Easter word ALLELUIA is a great word to say how we are feeling. Let’s say it together:

All: ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! ----------------------------------------Leader: And so, together as one, we make the Sign of the Cross in Te Reo Maori;All: Ki te ingoa o te Matua, o te Tamaiti, o te Wairua Tapu, Amene.

Reader 1: Loving God you care for everyone in our school and in our world. We light this candle to help us to remember that you are here with us. SLIDE 4 All: Loving God we are glad that you are here with us. Light candle

Leader: God of children and teachers, you love us so much that you sent your son Jesus, to be our taukana, our older brother. Our school is like a big family and we are glad to be back with our teachers and friends. …pause…Together, let us listen to God’s word and think about how much we are all loved by God. SLIDE 5

Reader 2: A reading from the Gospel of Mark

Mark 10:13-16 The Little Children and Jesus13 People were bringing little children to Jesus

for him to place his hands on them,

but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant.

He said to them,

“Let the little children come to me,

and do not hinder them,

for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you,

anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God

like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms,

placed his hands on them and blessed them.

The Word of the Lord.

SLIDES 6-10Leader: Look at the pictures on the screen. This is a beautiful blanket that someone knitted while we could not come to school. It is made up of little knitted jigsaw puzzle pieces. Lots of little pieces joined together to make a nice, warm and strong blanket. Flick through the pictures of the blanket.Look at the whole blanket again… isn’t it pretty?

But just imagine if that blue piece was missing… or that red piece… or if there were no purple pieces. Close your eyes and imagine what it would look like then. Would it be pretty if it had holes in it? Would it be as strong? Or as warm?

Well, our school is just like the blanket in a way. It is made up of lots and lots of pieces, lots of people, who together make it a happy place, where we can all learn and grow together. It wouldn’t be as happy without Mrs…………… , or ……………….. or…………………….. .

Jesus wanted the little children to come to him. And he wants you to come to his school. He knows you, he knows your name. And he wants you all to be happy, to learn and to be strong in his school.

I think God must be very happy that we are together again at school, don’t you?

Leader: Let us talk to God in prayer… SLIDE 11

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Reader 5: Loving God, thank you for our families, our teachers and all who have helped us when we could not come to school. ALL: E te Ariki, whakarongo mai ra kia matou

Reader 6: Loving God, thank you for our friends, especially the ones we have missed during the lockdown.ALL: E te Ariki, whakarongo mai ra kia matou

Reader 7: Loving God, we pray for all the people who are sick with Covid 19 and ask you to heal them.ALL: E te Ariki, whakarongo mai ra kia matou

Reader 8: Loving God, we pray for those who died from Covid 19, that they will be with you in heaven. ALL: E te Ariki, whakarongo mai ra kia matou

Leader: Let us say the Lord’s Prayer together

All: Our Father….

Leader: Bow your heads as your teachers pray for God’s blessing on you.

Teachers: with raised hands in a gesture of blessing over the children. E te Atua o nga tamariki, For all these children who have returned to school and for those still at home, We ask your blessing. May their experiences of lockdown in a pandemic make them more aware of the human family and our need for each other and for you. May the Holy Spirit fill their hearts and keep them safe. and we ask this in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen

Leader: Let’s all stand and sing and dance because we know that God Loves us.

GOD LOVES ME (John Burland) SLIDES 12-18

SLIDE 19