worshiping as a family
TRANSCRIPT
We are so glad that you are worshiping with us at Faith!
When we worship God, we are reminded that we belong
to God’s love. That love is for everyone in the family!
This booklet is designed as a resource to help children
follow along as we worship together as a family today.
Worshiping as a Family a children’s guide to worship
It’s a joy for me to partner with you in nurturing the faith of your children! Be in touch with questions, and for additional resources and support.
Rev. TJ Remaley | Associate Pastor for Family Ministry | [email protected]
Worship Event Things to Look for & to Do
Prelude
As we gather to worship God, music
can help us to feel closer to God.
Prelude
Look around to see what is special about
today’s service. Are we celebrating
communion or a baptism today? Is there a
guest musician? Do you see a friend?
Welcome and Announcements
The pastors welcome us to worship.
We share updates about the programs
in our church.
Welcome and Announcements
Listen for what is going on at Faith! Is there
something happening soon that you and
your family can come to, or help with?
Minute for Mission
Sometimes, a member of Faith or a
special guest talks about a mission
project or activity (and sometimes, the
Minute for Mission is a video!)
Minute for Mission
Listen closely to this special announcement.
Our ministries give members of Faith the
chance to help share God’s love with our
neighborhood and world. This is good news!
Greeting
As we worship together, we stand up
and share the peace of God’s love with
our church family.
Greeting
Think about ways that you can be kind and
share God’s love with the people in your life!
We stand and shake hands and hug people.
We Gather Together in God’s Holy Name God brings us together as “children.” It’s wonderful to be loved by God! We worship God to say “thanks!”
Worship Event Things to Look for & to Do
Introit (11:00am service)
Our choir helps us prepare for worship
with a short song called an “introit.”
Introit (11:00am service)
Listen closely as the choir sings. If the words
appear on the screen, follow along with them.
Call to Worship
We stand and share words that invite
us to worship God together.
Call to Worship
Watch how the liturgist and the congregation
speak. Follow along with the words on the
screen. Who says the words shown in white?
Hymn
The whole congregation sings a joyful
song to praise God. Hooray for God!
Hymn
Is this a new hymn? Follow along and don’t
be afraid to sing. Do you know it well
already? Sing loudly and joyfully!!
Call to Confession
Nobody’s perfect. God knows that.
God asks us to pray about the things
we do wrong.
Call to Confession
Listen carefully. What is the liturgist saying?
Think about what you might want to say
“sorry” for this week.
Prayer of Confession
We try to make good choices, but when
we don’t, we can ask God to forgive us.
We try to help all the people in God’s
world, but when we don’t do enough,
we can tell God we’re sorry. This is
what “confession” means.
Prayer of Confession
Join the rest of the congregation in praying
the prayer of confession out loud. At the end
of the prayer, there are a few seconds of
silence where you can pray quietly for
anything else you are sorry for.
Words of Assurance
After saying we are sorry, we are
reminded of very good news.
Words of Assurance
Listen for the good news: God forgives us
and loves us, no matter what!
Response of Praise
We stand and sing because we are
happy that God has forgiven us.
Response of Praise
We often sing songs with the words
“hallelujah!” Hallelujah means “Praise God!”
We Respond to God’s Great Gift of Grace God invites us to be followers of Jesus. We respond to God by offering our lives to God, and promising to do God’s work in our lives.
Worship Event Things to Look for & to Do
Special Music
Sometimes, music is shared by the choir,
bell choir, or a soloist. This helps us to
learn about and worship God.
Special Music
Do you recognize anyone who is singing? How
does this music make you feel? What do the
words say about God?
Prayers of Intercession
One of the pastors says a prayer,
thanking God for our many gifts, and
asking God to help us and to help other
people. This prayer ends with everyone
praying the Lord’s Prayer.
Prayers of Intercession
What do you want to say “thank you” to God
for? Is there anyone you want to ask God to
help? How can you ask God to help you? (You
can learn more about the Lord’s Prayer on the last
page of this booklet!)
Invitation to Offering / Offering
Our gifts support the work of the church.
We give our time, our talents, and our
money. We give to God because God
gives so much to us. Thank you, God!
Invitation to Offering / Offering
Everything we have comes from God! Listen to
the music and think about all that you have
been given by God. When the offering plate
comes by, help your family pass it to the ushers
or other people in the pew.
Doxology
Doxology is a fancy word that means
“spoken/sung glory.” We sing a short
song that thanks God for everything
we’ve been given!
Doxology
Stand and sing with the congregation. Do you
recognize the ushers who bring the offering up
front? (Here ’s a fun fact: The offering is joyful.
One time, the ushers even SKIPPED up the aisle!)
Prayer of Dedication
Together we pray God will help us to use
our gifts to do God’s work.
Prayer of Dedication
Stand with the congregation and listen to the
liturgist pray to God.
Worship Event Things to Look for & to Do
Hymn
Sometimes, we sing a hymn before the
sermon. Usually, this hymn is
meditative, and helps us get ready for
the scripture and sermon.
Hymn
Is this a new hymn? Follow along and don’t
be afraid to sing. Do you know it well
already? Sing loudly and joyfully!!
Prayer for Illumination
Illumination means “turning the light
on.” In this prayer we ask the Holy
Spirit to help us understand God’s
Word in the Bible.
Prayer for Illumination
Bow your head and pray. When we
understand something from the Bible, it can
feel like somebody turned the light on for us!
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand.
Scripture
God’s word is written in the scriptures.
Listen very carefully!
Scripture
If you have a Bible, try to find today’s
passage in it. Is it from the Old Testament or
the New Testament? Sometimes, the words
are also on the screens.
Sermon
One of our pastors talks about what the
scripture readings mean. We can learn
about God’s love for us. We can learn
about the life of Jesus Christ. We can
learn what that teaches us about our
own lives today.
Sermon
Ask God to help you listen to the sermon.
What are some words the pastor repeats? If a
word sticks out to you, write it down. If a
picture comes to mind, draw it. You can also
use the “Worship Reflections for Families”
worksheet to help you follow along.
We Gather Around God’s Holy Word
Our worship (and our lives!) are centered around Jesus’ love and God’s word in the
Bible. We hear the story of God’s love and we say: “Thanks be to God!”
Worship Event Things to Look for & to Do
Affirmation of Faith
We say together what we believe.
Sometimes we use words from the
Apostle’s Creed, which is said by
churches all around the world. Other
times, we use words from other places.
Affirmation of Faith
Imagine that YOU are a pastor giving a short
sermon when you stand and say these
important words. (You can learn more about
the Apostles’ Creed on the back page of this
booklet!)
Hymn
We sing a final hymn together as we
get ready to go out into the world.
Hymn
Look and listen closely to the words on the
screen. Is this song asking you to do
something or be something? Try to go out
into the world to do and be those things!
Charge and Benediction
At the end of the service, we stand and
listen to the benediction, which means
“good word.” God goes with us into
the world to do God’s work.
Charge and Benediction
Listen carefully to the pastor’s words, and try
to remember them during the whole week.
Take them with you as a special gift.
Choral Response (11:00am service)
Our choir often helps us to end our
worship service with a brief song.
Choral Response (11:00am service)
Listen to the choir sing the choral response.
Does it inspire you for the week ahead?
Postlude
We listen to joyful music as we go. We
go to love others just as God loves us!
Postlude
We go out into God’s world ready to share
God’s love with our words and actions.
We Go Out In God’s Name We came together to worship and learn about God. Now we go out into the world as we try to share God’s love with one another.
Some Info for Parents & Families Worshiping with children can be a truly joyful (and sometimes frustrating!) experience for parents and guardians. This guide is designed to help you teach your children how to worship. Here is some more background information to support you in this!
What is worship all about?
Worship is a response of celebration to God’s mighty acts through the history of God’s people, the beauty of creation, and particularly through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we gather in worship we come together to encounter Christ and to watch together for God’s presence in our lives.
Is my child welcome to worship in the sanctuary?
In baptism, parents and families join with the whole congregation to promise (with God’s help) to nurture the faith of children. Of course, a big part of this promise includes childcare in the nursery,
Sunday School classes, and Children’s Church, and we give thanks to God for everyone who shares their time and talents to make those programs happen. But it also includes warmly welcoming children into our worship services—and even inviting children to lead us in worship, too! Children are welcomed in worship at Faith not because they are “the future of the church,” but because they are the church’s present, too. They’re part of our family, and being with family is a big part of how we learn to be family. Remember the words of Jesus to his well-meaning disciples: “Let
the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs!” (Matthew 19:14 NRSV)
What about the sacraments?
Presbyterians celebrate two sacraments in our worship services: The Sacrament of Baptism and the
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (sometimes called Communion). At Faith, we celebrate the Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday of every month. Baptisms are celebrated with people of any age, and scheduled throughout the year. Here are some tips for celebrating the Sacraments as a family.
Worship Event Things to Look for & to Do
Sacrament of Baptism
Sometimes we have a baptism. In baptism a baby, child, or adult becomes a member of
God’s family, called the “Church.”
Sacrament of Baptism
Baptism is a very special moment for our church family. Can you think of something you can do to welcome this person to our church family? (During the 9:30am service all children are invited forward to participate in the baptism!)
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
This is a joyful event celebrated by Christians everywhere. We give thanks to God, remember Jesus, celebrate Jesus giving his life
for us, and celebrate being together as God’s children. The pastors tell us about Jesus and
the meal he shared with his friends.
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
What makes this meal special to you? Listen to the stories the pastors tell about creation, Jesus’ life and his work. Do you recognize any stories? This can be an “eyes open” prayer. Look at the bread and the cup. Are you ready to share this special meal together? Watch as the pastors break the bread and pour juice.
About the Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven,
We begin by saying who we are praying to. God
tells that God is a parent and we are God’s children.
hallowed be thy name.
Hallowed is a big word that means "Holy." By
saying, "hallowed be thy name," we are saying that
God's name is holy.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it
is in heaven.
We’re asking for God’s peace to be made known to
everyone on earth, and that everything God wants
to happen on earth will happen, so the earth will be
as perfect as heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
This means that we trust God to give us everything
we need to live.
and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who
sin against us;
“Sins” are things we do that we shouldn’t do. We
are asking God to forgive our sins, but we also
promise to forgive people that have hurt us!
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from evil.
Pretend there are two roads. One road is filled with
anger and sadness. The other road is filled with
peace, love, and joy. Which road would you take?
The road with peace, love, and joy, of course! When
we’re tempted to do the wrong thing, it can lead to
anger and sadness. But when we do the right thing,
and follow God, that brings peace, love, and joy. So
when we pray, "And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil," we are asking God to keep
us on the right road.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the
glory forever. Amen.
This is God’s kingdom, and God is powerful!
“Amen” means “please let it happen.” This means
that you are certain that God hears your prayers
and will answer them.
About the Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of
heaven and earth,
Everything we see—the earth, the sky, the sea—are
gifts from God.
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord;
And we believe God's greatest gift is Jesus Christ,
God's only son, who came to earth to be our friend.
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the
Virgin Mary,
By the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was born in
Bethlehem long ago, and Mary was his mother.
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead,
and buried;
Even though he lived a perfect life, Jesus was
sentenced to death by a Roman judge named
Pontius Pilate. There didn’t seem to be much good
news when he was buried in a tomb...
he descended into hell; on the third day he rose
again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and
sitteth on the right hand of God the Father
Almighty;
...but God brought Jesus back to life. On Easter
Sunday, his friends saw him alive, and all his
friends rejoiced and sang -- Hallelujah!
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and
the dead.
Jesus is always with us, a friend for our whole life.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic
church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness
of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life
everlasting. Amen.
The Holy Spirit gives life to us, too, and guides the
church around the world. By the power of the Holy
Spirit, our sins are forgiven, and we have hope for
life forever. Amen! (“please let it happen!”)
Portions of this booklet are adapted from the following resources:
Boling, R., & Muzzy, L. (1997). A children's guide to worship. Louisville, KY:
Geneva Press; Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, North Bethesda, MD.; and St. Giles
Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC.
With appreciation to: Rev. Shelby Etheridge Harasty; Rev. Matt
Matthews; Mrs. Leigh Anne Ring; and Mrs. Debbie Stenzel