YOUTH SUNDAY SERVICE

ORDER OF SERVICE

1ST	Announcements	2nd	Try using a different setting of the Holy 
	Invocation	Communion Service in the LBW than you
	Confession & Forgiveness	usually use.
	Hymn
Prayer of the Day
First Lesson	3rd	Use the Service of the Word in the LBW,
Psalm	         p.128
Second Lesson
Gospel
Special Music
Children’s Sermon
Sermon time
Hymn
Creed
Offering
Anthem
Prayer of the Church
Lord’s Prayer
Passing of the Peace
Hymn
Benediction

INVOCATION

Leader:		In the name of God, author of Peace, who gives His peace to you today.

Congregation:				And to the next generation also.

Leader:						Let there be peace on earth.

Congregation;		And, Lord, let it begin with me.

Leader:	We gather today in a time of peace and in the name of peace we worship.  May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Congregation:	And also with you.

All:	O God, the Lord of all, your Son commanded us to love our enemies and to pray for them.  Lead us from prejudice to truth; deliver us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and enable us to stand before you, reconciled, through your Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord.

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Leader:	Now in the presence of God and each other, let us ask God’s forgiveness for all our sins:

	For not trusting the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our lives:

Congregation:	Father, we ask your forgiveness

	For turning our backs on our brothers and sisters when they need us:

	Father, we ask your forgiveness

Leader:	For being too busy to stop and give you thanks every day:

Congregation:	Father, we ask your forgiveness

Leader:	For not being living witnesses of the new life in Jesus Christ:

Congregation:	Father, we ask your forgiveness

Leader:	For not realizing that you alone are the way, the truth, and the life.

Congregation:	Father, we ask your forgiveness.

Leader:	For these and all other sins which we may not be aware of:

Congregation:	Father, we ask your forgiveness.

Leader:	As children of God, let us ask Him for the ability to be more aware of his saving power in our lives.

Congregation:	Give us the ability, O God, to remember our baptism when we first became your children.  Give us the ability to understand that your grace alone assures us of our salvation.  Give us the ability to celebrate this Holy Communion in a spirit of Christian unity through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.

Leader:	Our Loving Father grants to us, being sorry for our sins, forgiveness in the cross and resurrection of Jesus the Christ.  Go forth now, renewed, restored, and forgiven that you may once again serve God and humankind.

Congregation:	So be it.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

LBW  p. 42	Peace
LBW  p. 44	The Human Family

LESSONS

Ephesians 2:13-18	Colossians 3:12-14
Micah 4:1-5	Philippians 4:4-7
Isaiah 54:11-17	Romans 5:1-5
Isaiah 32:16-18	Romans 12:9-21

GOSPEL

Matthew 25:31-46	John 15:9-12
Matthew 5:1-9	John 14:22-29
Luke 10:25-37
Luke 19:41-48		

	Use a Gospel Procession (see the Pastor’s Edition of the LBW for guidelines)

PSALM

85
122
37:1-11
29

CREED

Nicene Creed  LBW p. 64		Apostles’ Creed  LBW p. 65

Affirmation of Faith

I believe in the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ.
I believe that behind the clouds of life shines the love of God.
I believe that God has a purpose for the world and purpose for my live.
I believe that God wills the blessedness of all lives and of every single life.
I believe that Jesus Christ saves life from the power of sin and sorrow and death.
I believe in the life-giving power and grace of the Holy Spirit.
I believe that through faith and prayer and sacrament I can live the life which is life indeed.
I believe that God calls my life to love and service.
I believe that through Christ life leads at last to the fullness of goodness, truth and beauty.
I believe in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
Amen!

“I AM”

ALL:

I am loved and affirmed by God - -
	Therefore, I am able to love and affirm others.
I am forgiven by God and accepted unconditionally—just as I am - -
	Therefore, I am able to forgive and accept others unconditionally—just as they are.
I am nourished by the Bread of Life - -
	Therefore, I am committed to building communities where people are nourished, physically and spiritually.
I am one for whom Christ suffered and died - -
	Therefore, I am willing to accept the suffering in my life that God may turn it into blessing for me and for others.
I am led through the dark times in my life by the light of God’s love - - 
	Therefore, I can walk with others through their times of darkness.
I am being made whole through God’s love - -
	Therefore, I am a channel for God’s healing love for others.
I am strengthened by the faith and fellowship of those who have know God’s love - -
	Therefore, I reach out to share that faith and fellowship.
I am renewed by the peace and stillness of prayer - -
	Therefore, I pray that others may know God’s peace.
I am blessed a thousand times over by the abundance of life in Christ - -
	Therefore, I seek to share that abundance with others.
I am filled with joy and thanksgiving - -
	Therefore, I want the whole world to join me in song and dance and celebration.

-	Charlotte D. Nichols

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Use a song version of the Lord’s Prayer

Leader:				Our Father in heaven,

Congregation:		Father, we need your attention.  There are some matters we must discuss with you today.

Leader:	Holy be your Name…

Congregation:	It’s like this.  In some circles your name is misused.  People laugh when your name is mentioned.  For some your name is used to emphasize profanity.  Help us to honor your name, Lord.

Leader:	Your Kingdom come…

Congregation:	We have some real difficulties here, Lord.  It’s so hard to see your hand at work in the world around us.  There are so many wars and evils.  We need your guidance in straightening out the mess in our world.  And use us to do it.

Leader:	Your will be done, on earth as in heaven…

Congregation:	We’d like to point out, Father, that no one seems to know the plans of heaven and very few seem to care.  Anyway, your sons are very confused about what your will is supposed to be on earth.  What kind of change in politics and people will make this world free and good?  Teach us your plan, put it into operation.  We need it now.

Leader:	Give us today our daily bread…

Congregation:	Daily bread is one of our foremost needs.  Millions upon millions are starving.  The world’s population is exploding.  How can we use our resources to develop each man’s pride in his own work?  As we tackle this task give us some of the rich bread from that banquet table prepared for us at the end of this age.  We need it now!

Leader:	Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us…

Congregation:	We are rather sensitive about this, Father, we’re talking about a chain reaction of forgiving.  That’s not so easy.  We are proud.  We sometimes feel guilty or miserable despite your love and acceptance.  And we find it rough trying to forgive some people.  Open our hearts to your love and give us the power to love others now as we will at that new age…

Leader:	For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever.  You are God.  You have the power.  You have the plan.  You have the honor.  Take over now and rule forever.  And give us the joy of seeing it happen.

ALL:	AMEN!

Leader:	Let it happen, Father.

Congregation: 	Let it happen now!

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Leader:	Let us join together as one body in Christ and pray for peace, here and everywhere throughout your kingdom.

	O Lord, our creator, by your holy prophet you taught your ancient people to seek the welfare of the cities in which they lived.  We commend our neighborhood to your care that it might be kept free from turmoil.  Let love and peace reign eternal.  May we create a community of justice and peace where your will may be done.  In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

Congregation:	Hear our prayer.

Leader:	Almighty God, all thoughts of truth and peace come from you.  Kindle in the hearts of all your children the love of peace, and guide with your wisdom the leaders of the nations, so that your kingdom will go forward in peace and the earth will be filled with the knowledge of your love.  In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

Congregation:	Hear our prayer.

Leader:	O God, you made us in your image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son.  Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance, hatred and quarrelling; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bands of love and let peace reign in our homes.  In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

Congregation:	Hear our prayer.

Leader:	Save and defend your whole church purchased with the precious blood of Christ.  Give it pastors filled with your Spirit, and strengthen it through the Word and sacraments.  Make it perfect in love and in all good works.  Let the church serve as a symbol of peace throughout the world.  In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

Congregation:	Hear our prayer.

Leader:	All of these things and whatever else you see that we need, grant us, Father, for the sake of Him who died and rose again.  In peace, we pray one God forever.

Congregation:	A – Men

OFFERING

Make symbols of peace (dove, olive branch, outstretched hand, eternal ring, etc.) out of cloth or paper and put on the offering plates or baskets.

Make symbols of peace out of paper (or use plain cards) and pass them out to the members of the congregation as they come in.  Have them write on these their prayers for peace, how they can work towards peace in their own lives, or any other response you may ask them to make related to the service.

THE PEACE

Leader:				The peace of the Lord be with you always.

Congregation:		And also with you.

Leader:				Let us share the peace of God.

Have all present turn to their neighbors and greet each other with “Peace be with you,” or “Peace of the Lord be with you,” or another appropriate greeting and shaking hands (or embracing).  The youth may want to walk among the congregation greeting others.

BENEDICTION

Use the LBW, p. 76

Sing the “Doxology”

Leader:		May the peace and love of God strengthen you to follow Him today and always.

Congregation:		Amen

Sung to the tune of “Edelweiss”

Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord,
Praise the Lord, Alleluia!

Thank the Lord, Thank the Lord,
Thank the Lord, Alleluia!

Jesus Christ, He is King of Kings,
Lord of Lords forever!

Serve the Lord, Serve the Lord,
Serve the Lord, Alleluia!

Light a candle of peace for the Holy Spirit.

To dismiss the congregation this exchange could be used:

Leader:				Go in peace.  Serve the Lord.

Congregation:		Thanks be to God.

HYMNS

Related to peace in the LBW:		414, 416, 471, 466, 462, 366

Relate to family in the LBW:		474, 561, 512, 357

ANTHEMS

“Let There be Peace on Earth and Let it Begin with Me”

“Spirit of God”

“Day by Day”

“Pass It On”

“Reach Out to your Neighbor”

“Happiness is the Lord”

See the book Songs by Yohann Anderson, publisher, Songs and Creations, Inc. for more anthem ideas.

CHILDREN’S SERMON

Use the finger puppets provided, or make your own, and invite the children of the congregation to come to the front while members of the youth group put on The Mouse Family’s Problem.  Ask the children questions after the play like, “How do you solve problems like this in your family?”, “Is it important to get along with your family?”…with your friends?”  “Why?”, etc.

Preview story by introducing characters first.

THE MOUSE FAMILY’S PROBLEM

Charlie -		What did you do with the kickball, Mary?

Mary -		I didn’t have it last.  You were playing with it yesterday.

Charlie -		Was not!  I put it in the closet when I brought it in.

Mary -		No, you didn’t – you never put anything away.  Never, never, never!

Charlie -		You’re just jealous ‘cause you can’t kick it over the fence.

Mary -		I can kick it almost to the fence and that gets me on base.

Charlie -		Yeah, but you always make an out when you’re up last.

Mary -		(Pouting, whining) – Momma, Charlie’s making fun of me again.

Charlie -		She’s just made ‘cause she’s just a dumb ole girl and can’t kick the ball.

Mary -		(Whining) – That’s not true.  Momma, that’s just not true.

Charlie -		Yes, it is.

Mother -		Children, children, we have to get to the bottom of this!

Charlie -		She hid the ball, that’s the problem!

Mary -		I did not – you never put anything up.  Never, never, never!

Grandpa -	Seems to me you both could use some practice putting things up.  Only yesterday, I tripped over a bat that somebody had left out in the yard.

Mother -	This still isn’t solving the problem.  I know both of you think the other one is causing the problem.  Mary, you are whining and not talking to Charlie.  Charlie, you’re being too bossy.  The way you are speaking to each other will not solve anything.

Charlie -	She started it, Mom.

Mary -	That’s not so; he started it.

Mother -	Children, children, listen to me for a minute.  Brothers and sisters do not always get along.  Sometimes they yell and scream and hit one another, but Jesus wants ut to be peacemakers.

Charlie -	What’s a peacemaker?

Mother -	That’s when people listen to one another, talk to one another, and learn how to live together in our families and our world.  Even Christians sometimes argue, but Jesus loves us and wants us to listen and get along with each other.  Let’s play a little game to see if the two of you can get along for even 10 minutes.

Mary -	OK, Charlie.  I’ll help you find the ball.

Charlie -	No kidding?  Even if I didn’t know where I put it?

Mary -	Sure, why not?  You’ve helped me sometimes when I couldn’t’ find the ball.

Charlie -	All right – let’s go!

By Amy Trexler

SERMON TIME

Act out the story There Goes the Neighborhood with members of the youth group as narrator, Ron, the new kid, and the gang.  You may want to end the play where the story stops and give a short meditation on how “easy it is to wreck a neighborhood or ruin a world” and how we are called as Christians to be peacemakers.

Or, you may want to continue the play and write your own ending or several endings showing alternate ways this conflict can be solved.

There Goes the Neighborhood

	Once I knew a neighborhood that was a wonderful place to live.  There were lots of children so there was always something to do: go on hikes, build forts, sing songs, play games.

	The oldest kid in the neighborhood was named Ron.  Sometimes someone would say, “I know! Let’s go for a bike ride!”

	And the others would say, “Yeah!  Good idea!  Let’s go for a bike ride!”

	Ron would say, “Naw, I don’t want to go for a bike ride.  Let’s play in the tree house!”

	Or, someone else would say, “I know!  Let’s play in the tree house!”

	And the others would say, “Yeah!  Good idea!  Let’s play in the tree house!”

	Then Ron would say, “Naw, I don’t want to play in the tree house.  Let’s go for a bike ride.”

	So the others would say, “Yeah!  OK, let’s go for a bike ride!”

	Ron had a good thing going.

	One day in July a moving van pulled up to the house across the street from Ron’s house and men began to unload it: beds, boxes, tables, lamps; and then came what Ron and the kids were watching for: a bike, a soap box racer, a soccer ball.

	When a car pulled up behind the van and the family that was moving in piled out, Ron said, “Uh, oh.”

	The others said, “Uh, oh?  What do you mean, ‘uh, oh’?”

	Ron said, “We’re in big trouble.  The new kid is even bigger than I am.  He’s going to push us around and tell us what to do.  He’s going to bully us and beat us up!”

	The kids were shocked and scared.  “The new kid is even bigger than Ron!” they cried.  “He’s going to push us around and tell us what to do!  We don’t want to be pushed around and told what to do!  We don’t want to be bullied and beaten up!  What’ll we do?”

	“Get stones,” said Ron.  “Big ones.”

	About an hour later the new kid came out of his house to meet the neighborhood crowd, and there they were – fifteen kids sitting on the curb in front of a huge pile of stones.

	The new kid strolled toward them until they stood up, and he saw that each one had a stone in his hand and the stone was aimed at him.

	He stopped.  He turned around, walked behind his new house, and when he came back, he had an armload of stones.

	Soon the new kid had a huge pile of stones on his curb so he felt safe from the pile of stones on the opposite curb.

	That was it for the rest of the summer.

	No more bike rides, or playing in the tree house.  No more building forts or swimming.

	All through July and August – fifteen kids on one curb staring at one kid on the opposite curb and two big piles of stones.

Prayer:  O Lord, it’s so easy to wreck a neighborhood, so easy to ruin a world.  Give us courage to live together in friendship.

Another possibility is to write your own skit showing a real or fictional interpersonal conflict situation (parents with teenager, brother with sister, friend with friend, etc.)  Act out the skit twice showing different ways of dealing with the conflict.

Used with permission from Heilig Resource Center