Reformed covenantal theology and the sacrament of baptism both say that children are an integral part of the church. But our words and actions often communicate quite the opposite. In a variety of ways the church tells its younger members, "Grow up and then you'll count!"
The worship planning team at our church recently decided it was time to take a fresh look at how we might communicate best to the children in our congregation. When we minister to more than two hundred children under the age of thirteen each week, we can't afford fuzzy thinking on the role of children in the church and its worship.
Actually, we've been including children in a variety of ways for years. We have a children's bulletin, a choir for children, and a "Children's Moment" in many worship services. The children always join me in front for every baptism, and in many ways they participate in verbal and musical leadership. But we felt the need for something more—something that would involve children in a meaningful way and help them (and their parents!) understand that they are a vital part of our worship community.
The Process
Norma Malefyt, our director of music, and I hold quarterly long-range planning sessions. The idea for a series of child-oriented worship services originated in one of these sessions. We agreed on the need for a greater focus on children in worship and shared the idea with Anita Huizenga, our director of children's ministries. The three of us began to brainstorm. Soon we also drew in Sally Dykstra, the director of King's Kids, our children's choir.
Since our worship committee of nine members is a monthly forum for brainstorming new ideas, presenting the idea there seemed the next logical step. At two succeeding monthly meetings the committee addressed the issue. Members suggested many new ideas, gave us good encouragement, and agreed that a series of services should be scheduled with children as the primary focus.
The basic direction was set: the series, called "Kids of the Covenant," would consist of four services. Although the worship in these services would be intergenerational, it would involve children in many ways as worship leaders.
We were excited, though we knew the concept was still only in seed form and would require many more planning sessions. To help us with that process, we set the following guidelines:
1. The pastor would set the basic direction for each service by his selection of the passage and theme. I knew this information would be needed early if I expected others to do adequate planning.
2. The primary focus of the entire service should be on children, with a secondary focus on adults (just the opposite of our usual worship).
3. The children should serve as worship leaders wherever possible and appropriate. We wanted the services to be worship by children as well as for children.
4. These services, though different, should include certain standard and recognizable features so that there would be continuity with the normal worship life of the congregation. We didn't want a once-a-year-extrava-ganza that could prove how out-of-the-ordinary we could be.
5. The messages should be written and addressed to the life issues of elementary and middle school children. We decided that, because children have shorter attention spans than adults do, several short messages would be more appropriate than one larger one.
6. Congregational songs should be intergenerational, those that are known and recognized by children but are able to draw all ages together in unity. We wanted these services to pay credence to the unity of the body while highlighting children.
With the guidelines before us, we began more detailed planning. We set aside four evenings in June for the series. I selected passages and gave a digest of each message to the planners. Then together we decided on what special elements we'd like those services to include. Some of our ideas follow:
Visual artwork
We decided to have a special banner created for the sanctuary. We were so pleased with the banner that we also used it as the cover of each of the worship booklets and incorporated it into the design of the thank-you note we sent each participant.
Personal expressions of faith by children and families
We anticipated that these expressions would take the form of either testimonies or interviews. In actual practice they included an interview of a three-generation family at a baptism service; an interview of four children about their faith; and a recitation of the Apostles' Creed by Worship Center children.
Children in roles of musical leadership
Each service would include as many children as possible on recorders and Orff instruments, or as vocalists.
Scripture drama
Since drama communicates well to children, and they were interested in trying it, we planned to have the Scripture passages acted out at a few of the services.
Prayers by and for children
It was obvious that the pastoral prayers should include children's needs, but we also wanted children to be the ones who led in prayer.
Sermon outlines appropriate for children
Sermon outlines are already a regular part of our bulletin. But for these services, they would be written with an eye to children's use.
WEEK 1
"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" (Mark 10:14).
The worship booklet for this service included a description and interpretation of the "Covenant Banner" hanging in front of the sanctuary. Twenty-seven persons were involved in leading the service in addition to myself and the director of music.
I began the service with a verbal introduction to the entire series of services. I wanted the congregation to understand our purpose and how we should participate in unity. Each service has a theme sentence printed at the head of the worship sheet to set the tone for worship in the minds of the worshipers.
The Opening of Worship
Organ Prelude
"Jesus, We Love to Meet" Parson
"Variations on 'Kum Ba Yah'(Behnke)
The Call to Worship
Our Declaration of Trust and God's Greeting
The Declaration of Trust, God's Greeting, and the Benediction, essential elements of the services, are the same for each of the services.
Congregation of Jesus Christ, in whom are you trusting?
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Grace, mercy, and peace to you in the name of the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Amen!
The Service of Praise
Songs
"This Is the Day" Garrett
"Oh, How Good Is Christ the Lord" Puerto Rican folk hymn
"Lift Up Your Hearts" Stassen
Celebrating God's Covenant
The Church's Profession
Our new life in Christ
is celebrated and nourished
in the fellowship of congregations
where God's name is praised,
his Word proclaimed,
his way taught;
where sins are confessed,
prayers and gifts are offered,
and sacraments are celebrated.
God meets us in the sacraments,
holy acts in which his deeds
elicit our response.
God reminds and assures us in baptism,
whether of those newly bom or newly converted,
that his covenant love saves us,
that he washes away our guilt,
gives us the Spirit,
and expects our love in return.
In marriage and family,
we serve God
by reflecting his covenant love
in life-long loyalty,
and by teaching his ways,
so that children may know Jesus as their Lord
and learn to use their gifts in a life of joyful service.
from "Our World Belongs to God" par. 39, 10, 49
Response
"Alleluia" Sinclair
sung twice
The Presentation of the Rose
At each baptism, our pro-life committee presents a red rose to the family to symbolize the value of human life as a gift from God.
Conversation about Baptism
In the "Conversation about Baptism" I interviewed three generations of a family. A grandmother, two daughters, a granddaughter, and a grandson sat casually with me on the platform steps for an informal conversation about what their baptism means to them and how it influences their family life. Since we have baptism services on a regular basis, this provided a pleasant change of pace from reading a Form for Baptism. I was careful in the interview to cover nearly all the material included in the Form for Baptism.
The Baptism
Hymn
"Baptized in Water" (stanzas 1-3) Saward
The Intercessory Prayer
The Offering
The Service of the Word
The Scripture
1 Samuel 3:1-10
Song
"Samuel" Pulkingham
sung and dramatized
The song "Samuel" provided an excellent opportunity for a Scripture drama. While three children sang the parts of narrator, Samuel, and Eli, two others mimed the drama between Samuel and Eli.
Message
"The Boy Who Heard God Call" [6]
Songs
"Seek Ye First the Kingdom" Lafferty
"Lord of Our Life" Braen
Message
"Boys and Girls Who Hear God's Call"
The message was divided into two parts. The first was the biblical study of the passage and its action, reflecting on how and why God called Samuel. The second was the application of the passage to the lives of God's children today. I wondered with them how God may be calling them and how they might be answering God's call.
Prayer
The Closing of Worship
Song
"Lord, Be Glorified" Kilpatrick
The Benediction[2]
Song
"Go Now in Peace" Sleeth
"Go Now in Peace" is the regular closing song for our Worship Centers, so the children were very familiar with it. We closed each of the four services with this song, including instrumentation by children on recorders and Orff instruments before and after the singing. At this service all fourth graders accompanied the singing.
Organ Postlude
"Communion" (Guilmant)
WEEK 2
". . . and a little child will lead them" (Is. 11:6).
This service included twelve persons in leadership roles in addition to the worship center children, the pastor, and the organist.
The Opening of Worship
Organ Prelude
"Faith of Our Fathers" (Kraft, Callahan)
"Praise to the Lord, the Almighty" Neander, tr. Winkworth
The Call to Worship
Our Declaration of Trust and God's Greeting Congregation of Jesus Christ, in whom are you trusting?
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Grace, mercy, and peace to you in the name of the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Amen!
The Service of Praise and Profession
Songs
"In the Presence of Your People" Chambers
The congregation has learned to love the song "In the Presence of Your People" and we've appreciated the opportunity to add two other stanzas written by Bert Polman (SFL25).
"I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord" Fillmore, Post
Children's Profession
The Apostles' Creed
The third- and fourth-grade children made their profession of the Apostles' Creed verbally and visually. While reciting the creed together, they signed it with the appropriate hand motions they had learned in their worship center. This was very effective and meaningful for all of the worshipers.
Song
"Father, I Adore You" Coelho
The Service of Prayer and Thanks
Intercessory Prayers
for the world
for our community
for our families
for God's special protection
The prayers were offered by three children and myself. I had coached them with ideas for their prayers in preparation for this time. Our discussion and their participation was especially important for this service because during the week preceding it one of the children of the congregation almost drowned in a swimming pool, was rescued, and then responded to treatment in an amazing way. So we concluded with a prayer of thanks for God's special protection for this child, a particularly appropriate act of worship in this children's service!
The Offering
Song
"Tell Your Children" Psalter, 1912, alt.
The Service of the Word
The Scripture
2 Kings 4:8-37
Message
"The Boy Who Sneezed"
The message was again divided into two parts. The first dealt with the biblical story and its meaning. A sneeze has no significance unless you have died, and in that case it's proof that you are alive again. The second asked the bigger question about what this story might mean for children today. I pointed out that God is concerned when children get sick too. I wanted them to see God as one who is interested in children and is powerful enough to raise Jesus and others from the dead.
Children's Song of Trust
"When I Am Afraid" Hernandez
The song of trust "When I Am Afraid" was sung by four children who are brothers and sisters. It made a particularly fitting transition from one part of the message to the next.
Message
"Why Is This Story in the Bible?"
Prayer
The Closing of Worship
Song
"You Are Our God; We Are Your People" Hoekema
The Benediction
Song
"Go Now in Peace" Sleeth
Sung twice
Organ Postlude
"All Praise to You, My God, This Night" Ken
WEEK 3
In our worship tonight we celebrate the faith of families and the value of children.
We Come to Praise
Organ Prelude
"Trumpet Tune" (Johnson)
"Earth and All Stars" Brokering
"All Creatures of Our God and King" Francis of Assisi, tr. Draper
Songs
"Rejoice in the Lord Always" Philippians 4:4
"Worthy Is Christ" Traditional Spanish
Our Declaration of Trust and God's Greeting
Congregation of Jesus Christ, in whom are you trusting?
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Grace, mercy, and peace to you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Amen!
Song
"Alleluia/Alabare" Polman
To Profess Our Faith and Be Baptized
The Presentation of the Rose
Profession of Faith
Hymn
"He Is Lord" Philippians 2: 6-11
Baptism
Hymn
"Jesus Loves Me" McGuire, Warner
To Affirm Our Faith
Conversations about Faith
The "Conversations about Faith" involved four children from the congregation. I prepared an outline for them of what we would be talking about and what questions I would use. I wanted to give them opportunity to express themselves about baptism, about their views of Jesus and what it means to be a Christian. They met me on the steps, and we sat informally for the "interview."
The Apostles' Creed
The Worship Center children came forward for the Apostles' Creed and again professed it both by unison recitation and signing.
Songs
"I Love You, Lord" Klein
sung twice
"Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks" Fishel
The Offering (received during the singing)
To Hear God's Word
The Scripture
2 Kings 5:1-15
Message
"The Young Girl Who Spoke Up"
For this first message I focused on the story of the slave girl who was courageous and loving enough to give advice to a sick master.
King's Kids Ensemble
"A Child's Prayer" (Cox/Ligon)
Message
"This Young Girl Makes Me Think"
For the second message I did some wondering and thinking out loud about the lessons she teaches us about the gift of words and the need for love toward those who are needy.
Intercessory Prayers
for our outreach and missions
for the children of our community
for the suffering children of the world
The intercessory prayer was led by three children. Again I had given them suggestions and guidelines for their prayer prior to the service.
To Leave for Service
Song
"Shine, Jesus, Shine" Kendrick
The Benediction
Song
"Go Now In Peace" Sleeth
Sung twice
Organ Postlude
"Postlude in Classic Style" (Young)
WEEK 4
We worship the Lord, who often surprises us in what he does.
This service included sixteen children in leadership roles, in addition to five adults.
The Opening of Worship
Organ Prelude
"Rigaudon" (Campra)
"Fill Thou My Life, OLord, My God" Bonar
The Call to Worship
Song
"Praise the Lord with the Sound of Trumpet" Sleeth
Our Declaration of Trust and God's Greeting
Congregation of Jesus Christ, in whom are you trusting?
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Grace, mercy, and peace to you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Amen!
Songs
"Clap Your Hands" Owens
You will notice that the song "I Will Sing unto the Lord" is sandwiched between a double singing of "Clap Your Hands." We will occasionally cluster a song in this fashion to reinforce its message and to provide a convenient form of response.
"I Will Sing unto the Lord" Song of Moses and Miriam
The Intercessory Prayer
for children and their needs
for parents and grandparents
for our children's ministry
The intercessory prayer in this final service of the series was led by three parents. It seemed a very fitting conclusion to the series to have young parents interceding for children, families, and the ministry of the church to children.
Song
"Lord, Our Lord, Your Glorious Name" Psalter, 1912, alt.
The Offering (received during the song)
The Service of the Word
The Scripture
John 6:1-15 (read and dramatized by children)
For the dramatized Scripture reading we used John 6:1-15 from The Dramatized New Testament (see RW 34, p. 25). Four children read the various parts, while six others simultaneously acted out what was being read. Good preparation and coaching by our director of children's ministries made this presentation very effective. Costuming and props added a helpful visual element.
Trio
"Discipleship" Brokering
A trio of fourth- and fifth-grade girls sang this song.
Message
"The Boy with the Lunch Basket"
In the first part of the message I reflected on the boy and how he came into contact with Jesus at such a strategic time.
Song
"He's Got the Whole World" Afro-American Spiritual
Message
"The Miracle That Surprised Everybody"
In the second part I focused on the miracle that Jesus performed and how he revealed himself through it.
Prayer
The Closing of Worship
Song
"The King of Glory Comes" Jabusch
The Benediction
Song
"Go Now In Peace" Sleeth
sung with instruments as around, sung twice
The use of "Go Now in Peace" accompanied by Orff instruments as a closing song was a constant in each service. The use of recorders, signing, and singing as a round were variables from week to week.
Organ Postlude
"Postlude for a Joyful Occasion" (Lang)
Feedback
At the conclusion of the series of four services, we printed an invitation for reactions and feedback. The response from people of all ages was so encouraging that we are implementing the same process in planning another series of worship services—this time for high school youth.
