After Pentecost comes Trinity Sunday and the beginning of a long period of Ordinary Time or Growing Time, as many churches teach their children. Ordinary Time (time not connected to the Christmas and Easter cycles) stretches this year from the beginning of June until the end of November. Either the beginning or end of this long period would be a good time to review the entire Christian year. The first two services here were planned for June, and the children were able to sing songs they had learned throughout the year. The third service was planned for November to anticipate the new year that was about to begin.
—ERB
Dutton Christian School, Dutton, MI.
Jean DeVries prepared this program for the children at two elementary Christian day schools. She writes, “It was a spiritual experience for me as I studied, prepared the students, and watched them perform. I pray they will never forget our church seasons.” All the banners were made by the fifth-grade students.
Advent
Processional
“O Come, O Come, Immanuel” Latin, 12th cent.
Banner Display
Isaiah 9:2
Hymn
“People in Darkness Are Looking for Light” Carlson
Prophecy
Isaiah 40:3
Hymn
“The Prophets Came to Israel” Witvoet
Fulfillment
Matthew 3:1-3
Hymn
“Prepare the Way of the Lord” Taizé
Mary’s Song
Luke 1:46-49
Hymn
“Magnify the Lord” Polman
Christmas
Banner Display
Luke 2:8-20
Hymns
“Angels We Have Heard on High” French, 18th cent.
“Good News” Sleeth
accompanied by flutes
“He Came Down” Traditional
“Go, Tell It on the Mountain” Afro-American spiritual, 19th cent.
Epiphany
Banner Display
Matthew 2:1-12
Hymns
“As with Gladness Men of Old” Dix
“The King of Glory Comes” Jabusch
with percussion instruments and interpretive dance
Lent
Banner Display
John 12:12-15
Hymn
“Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” Threfall
Anthem
“My Song Is Love Unknown” Carolyn Jennings
Hymn
“Were You There” Windfred
Easter
Banner Display
Matthew 28:1-7
Hymn
“Were You There”, stanza 4
Scripture
Philippians 2:10-11
Hymns
“Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” Wesley
with interpretive dance from Songs for LiFE, Leader’s Edition
“Low in the Grave He Lay” Lowry
“He Is Lord” unknown
“He’s Alive” Fettke
with Orff instruments
Ascension
Banner Display
Luke 24:50-53
Hymns
“Clap Your Hands” Owens
“Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise” Wesley
Pentecost
Banner Display
Acts 1:4-5, 8; Acts 2:1-4
Hymns
“The Fruit of the Spirit” Casebow
“Spirit of the Living God” Iverson, Baughen
“The Spirit of the Lord” Ramseth
with hand drum
Closing Comments and Prayer
Grace Presbyterian Church, Madison, AL.
For more information, contact the church through their website: http://www.hsv.tis.net/~grace/ His six meditations for this service (we didn’t have room for them here) are available without charge on e-mail: rw@crcpublications.org.
The People Gather and Welcome One Another
The Prelude
“Praise to the Lord,” Albrecht, Walther
“Prelude and Fugue in C Major” Bach
Call to Worship
Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ!
Grace to you, and peace.
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth.
Let the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.
Praise the Lord!
The Lord’s name be praised!
Advent
A season of hope and preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ
Hymn
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Latin, 12th cent.
Scripture
Isaiah 11:1-10
Meditation
Christmas
A celebration of the birth of the Christ Child
Hymn
“O Come, All Ye Faithful” Wade, tr. Oakeley
Scripture
Luke 2:1-11
Meditation
Anthem
“The Sky Can Still Remember,” Michael Gray (SAB), G. Schirmer Inc. #12442
Epiphany
The growth and extension of Jesus’ ministry into the world
Hymn
“As with Gladness Men of Old” Dix
Scripture
Ephesians 3:1-12
Meditation
The Lord be with you
and also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession concluded with the Lord’s Prayer
Lent
The season of penitence and self-discipline, reflecting Jesus’ forty days in the wilderness and our preparation for his suffering and death
Hymn
“Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley” American-Spiritual
Scripture
Isaiah 52:13-53:9
Meditation
Anthem
“O Sacred Head Now Wounded”
Prayer for Reconciliation
Most merciful God, we your church confess that our spirit has not been that of Christ. We have failed to love one another as you have loved us. We have pledged loyalty to him with our lips, but betrayed, deserted and denied him. Forgive us, we pray, and by your Spirit keep us faithful in every time of trial or temptation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Time of Silence for Private Confession
Assurance of God’s Grace
Hear the Lord’s words of grace to us all: “Your sins are forgiven.”
Thanks be to God! Amen.
Hymn
“Glory Be to the Father” Gloria Patri, the Lesser Doxology, 2nd cent
Easter
The resurrection of the Lord and celebration of new life in Christ
Hymn
“Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” Wesley
Scripture
Mark 16:1-8
Meditation
The Apostles’ Creed
Pentecost
The celebration of the giving of the Holy Spirit, God’s continuing presence, and the birth of the Christian Church
Hymn
“Come, O Spirit, Dwell Among Us” Alford
Scripture
Acts 2:1-12
Ordinary Time
Most of the time, when we are called to live faithfully
Hymn
“Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!” Heber
Scripture
Psalm 96 (PH 217 chanted, with congregational refrain)
Meditation
The Offering
Offering of Music
“Old Hundredth,” Pachelbel
Doxology
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” Ken
The Offertory Prayer
The Peace
Since God in Christ has given us peace, let us share that peace in the whole family of faith. The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all
And also with you.
[The congregation shares some sign of God’s peace with those nearest them.]
Christ the King
The cycle begins again
Hymn
“Lift High the Cross” Kitchin
Scripture
Luke 23:33-43
The Dismissal
Go in peace to serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
The Blessing
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the partnership of the Holy Spirit be with you all, now and forever. Amen.
Postlude
“Hornpipe,” Handel
The art depicting the different seasons of the liturgical year was designed by Paul Stoub, an artist in Grand Rapids, MI. Subscribers to RW are encouraged to use this art for bulletin or banner designs.
