What is the National Observance of Children's Sabbaths® Slated for October 19-21, 2007?
Sponsored by the Children’s Defense Fund, this observance on October 19-21 is both an opportunity for our faith communities to learn more about the plight of children in the United States and a call to put our faith into action.
The Association of Brethren Caregivers and the Church of the Brethren are among the many organizations endorsing the National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths.
What Are the Needs?
Hunger
Homelessness
Adequate medical care
Education
Mental health resources
Safety
Children are vulnerable. They rely on adults for every need—love, affection, safety, and protection. Also food, clothing, shelter, health care, education—the list goes on and on. But many children in the US are adrift in a wide sea of need. Tossed about, their little boats cannot withstand the tidal waves of poverty, violence, neglect, and abuse that threaten to capsize their vessels. Our children need us.
What Can We Do?
Become aware.
Speak out.
Respond to the needs.
Work for justice.
Change the system.
Pray.
As people of faith, we must stand up for children. Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children’s Defense Fund, challenges us with the following:
“Your congregation’s participation in the interfaith National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths® is an important part of creating a persistent, faithful voice for justice. Through worship, proclaim God’s call for justice and compassion, God’s demand that we care first for the young, poor, and powerless. Through study and educational sessions, learn more about the faith basis for your advocacy for children‘s health and how you can help. Begin right now to plan activities that will immediately engage congregation members in meeting the needs of children….”
Resources to Plan Our Observance
Several comprehensive interfaith resources, many of them reproducible, are available in the Children’s Sabbath Manual, Volume 16. To order a manual ($8 each, quantity pricing available), contact Ken Libby at the Children’s Defense Fund, phone (865) 457-6466 or order online at www.childrensdefense.org. You can also download a flyer and order form.
Your Children’s Sabbath Manual will be a resource throughout the year with:
- Lesson plans
- Worship suggestions
- Relevant Scripture verses
- Ideas for involving children and youth
- Service projects
- Sample prayers
- Musical suggestions
- Hand-outs and flyers
Please share with others how you observe the 2007 National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths®.
Lord, help me to persist although I want to give up.
Lord, help me to keep trying although I can’t see what good it does.
Lord, help me to keep praying although I’m not sure You hear me.
Lord, help me to keep living in ways that seek to please You.
Lord, help me to know when to lead and when to follow.
Lord help me to know when to speak and when to remain silent.
Lord help me to know when to act and when to wait. Amen.
By sharing what we are doing as individuals, families and congregations to improve the plight of children, we can affirm, strengthen, and inspire each other.
Send us ways that you, your family or your congregation commemorate this Children’s Sabbath. Please note if we may post your information on our website for others to see and be inspired to act on behalf of children.
Suggestions for Ways to Observe
National Children's Sabbath
- Create a Worship Service About the Theme
- Select hymns and anthems that focus on children
- Focus the sermon on children and our responsibility to act on their behalf
- Offer prayers for children, specifically naming the problems afflicting children in your community, our nation, and the world
- Celebrate the work of your ministries that serve children
- Have a special blessing on the children of your congregation
- Collect a special offering for ministries and organizations that serve children
- Present a PowerPoint program or slide show about the plight of children
- Share a favorite book from your childhood with the children of your congregation
Worship Resources
Call to Worship
Come let us worship our God who creates each child in God's own image:
Come, let us worship our God who blesses the children with enfolding grace;
Come, let us worship our God who sustains us in the work for justice.
Come, let us worship the Triune God.
-- National Observance of Children's Sabbaths® Manual, Vol. 16, Children's Defense Fund
Prayer for Illumination
Mighty God, in Jesus you gave sight to the blind, unstopped the ears of the deaf, gave voice to the mute, and restored those who could not walk. By your Spirit, open our eyes and unstop our ears that we may behold your Word to us this day and, in joyful response, seek to do your will as we speak and stand for children. In Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
-- National Observance of Children's Sabbaths® Manual, Vol. 16, Children's Defense Fund
Call to Worship: A Litany of Awareness
from the Children's Sabbath at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Frankfort, Kentucky
Leader: Every 10 seconds a high school student drops out.
(tolling of bells for 10 seconds)
People: Jesus Loves me, this I know.
Leader: Every 35 seconds a child is abused or neglected.
(tolling of bells for 35 seconds)
People: For the Bible tells me so.
Leader: Every 40 seconds a baby is born into poverty.
(tolling of bells for 40 seconds)
People: Little ones to him belong.
Leader: Every 51 seconds a baby is born without health insurance.
(tolling of bells for 51 seconds.)
People: They are weak but he is strong.
All: Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so.
-- National Observance of Children's Sabbaths® Manual, Vol. 16, Children's Defense Fund
A Litany for Children of the World
Leader 1: The children in our congregation need a voice ... a voice filled with praise and commitment ...
All: A voice inspired by a God of covenant promises and steadfast love.
We light a candle for the children of our congregation.
Leader 2: The children in our neighborhood need a voice ... a voice filled with vision and accountability ...
All: A voice inspired by a God who calls us to love neighbor and stranger.
We light a candle for the children of our neighborhoods.
Leader 3: The children of this nation need a voice ... a voice filled with compassion and strength ...
All: A voice inspired by a God of love and justice for all people -- especially children.
We light a candle for the children of our nation.
Leader 4: The children of the world need a voice ... a voice brought out of our congregations, our neighborhoods and, and our nation [and theirs].
All: Through prayer and action let us together commit to making a difference for children everywhere, so that they, and we, may grow into the fullness of God's creation.
We light a candle for the children of our world.
-- National Observance of Children's Sabbaths® Manual, Vol. 16, Children's Defense Fund
Let All the Little Children Come
Let the little children come unto me and forbid them no, for such is the kingdom of Heaven, Jesus said.
He did not say let only rich or middle-class White children come.
He did not say let only the strapping boys but not the girls come.
He did not say let only the able-bodied children come.
All the children He bade come.
He did not say let all my children or your children or our friends' children or those in our families and neighborhoods and who look and act like us come.
He did not say let only the well-behaved nice children come or those who conform to society's norms.
He did not say let a few, a third, half, or three-fourths come -- but all.
Jesus said let the little children come and forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of heaven.
-- By Marian Wright Edelman,
National Observance of Children's Sabbaths® Manual, Vol. 16,
Children's Defense Fund
Call to Worship (Based on Psalm 174)
Leader: Praise God!
People: How good it is to sing praises to our God.
Leader: God builds up the city: God brings together those who have been left out.
People: God heals the brokenhearted and makes their wounds better.
Leader: Great is our God, and abundant in power; God's understanding is beyond measure.
People: God lifts up those who are beaten down and puts down those who hurt others.
Leader: Praise God,
For God strengthens our communities;
God blesses our children within us.
God grants peace.
People: Praise God.
-- By Shannon Daley-Harris,
National Observance of Children's Sabbaths® Manual, Vol. 16,
Children's Defense Fund
Suggested Scriptures
Genesis 32:3-8, 22-30
Exodus 2:1-10
Psalm 119:97-104
Psalm 121
Jeremiah 31:27-34
Mark 5:21-43
Luke 18:1-8
John 4:46-542
Timothy 3:14-4:5
Suggested Hymns from Hymnal: A Worship Book
All things bright and beautiful; 156
All who love and serve your city; 417
Child of blessing, child of promise; 620
Guide my feet; 546
Healer of our every ill; 377
Help us to help each other; 362
Here I am, Lord; 395
Jesus loves me; 341
Jesus, friend so kind and gentle; 621
Lift every voice and sing; 579
Lord of our growing years; 479
Lord of the home; 490
Lord, listen to your children; 353
Lord, You sometimes speak; 594
O Lord, hear my prayer; 348
Renew your church; 363
We are people of God’s peace; 407
What does the Lord require; 409
You are the God within life; 537
From Hymnal Supplement
Christ be in my mind; 1133
Dios de la esperanza; 1054
God to enfold you; 1060
I was there to hear your borning cry; 1078
Jesu, Jesu fill us with your love; 1065
Lord, we bring this child; 1063
What does the Lord require; 1098
When the poor ones; 1080
Learn how to make an origami boat at www.dltk-bible.com/crafts/mboat.htm
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