Children And The Sacraments
Sermon
Dancing The Sacraments
Sermons And Worship Services For Baptism And Communion
Communion And Children
As we plan for One Great Hour of Sharing or Children's Day, we remember the children and their place in the sacrament of communion, the meal of the fellowship of faith that says, "You belong." As baptized members children belong.
Experience comes before understanding and a symbol is a means of participation in that which is known through participation. Because the sacraments are primarily related to the heart rather than the head, children, who learn through their feelings, can be drawn into the mystery of the sacraments. Children have an intuitive awareness of the meaning of the celebration. In communion we are bonded in love with our neighbor and God.
The three--year--old, not wishing to be left alone in her pew, knelt beside her grandmother at the communion railing. When the minister passed her without offering her the bread or the cup, she turned to her grandmother and said in a loud, puzzled whisper, "But, Mumsie, I didn't get nothing again."
Jesus washed the feet of the unclean, cleansed the body of the leper, bathed the eyes of the blind, pouring out God's grace. Never in my reading of scripture does he ask, "Have you been baptized?" or "Do you understand?"
Robert Fulghum says he learned about communion in kindergarten where he shared milk and cookies with his son's class. It was a lesson in community. Each day every child had an essential job in the sharing. Two children set the table with napkins and cups. Two arranged the chairs. Two fetched cookies from the cupboard, two went to the refrigerator for the milk, one placed something in the middle of the table to talk about during the snack. Before the sharing, everyone sat in silence for a moment. Then each "host" broke the cookies in half to give to the "guests." Guests cleaned up and put everything away. It was the "outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual grace."
The church is the "table" of God, where all are welcome. When the boy, sitting beside his father at the dinner table, reached to get the bread, his father slapped his hand so hard he had to leave the table because he was going to cry, and crying was forbidden in that house. The table, where we celebrate holy communion, redefines our lives, for at this table we can cry, we can laugh, we can enjoy, because we are in communion with God. The Eucharist is the celebration of the hope of a new creation where all will sit down together at the table, where everyone "belongs."
As a child, I would watch the adults slide down the aisle toward the altar, kneel, lift their faces, open their mouths, drink from the cup, and take the bread. We were not allowed to participate because we were too young.
When my young friend pours "tea" into my cup and says, "Take, drink," I do. We cannot keep the Holy Spirit from children.
We pretend we are on the hillside, when Jesus has compassion and five loaves of bread and two fish, and says, "Take, eat!"
In my church we drink grape juice as a symbol of the wine which comes from the land, the grape, the hands that plant, prune, and pick, and the water of rain and tears and hard work, and bread from the ripened grains of the golden fields of sunshine, gathered by grateful people.
Some churches set up "Last Supper" experiences, celebrating the Eucharist around a seating arrangement. On each table is placed a loaf of freshly baked bread, served warm, its fragrance filling the room. The sense of smell is the sense of memory, and Jesus asked his friends to remember!
As snails we slide down the aisle
toward the table where we will eat together.
From crumbs of bread and coin--like crackers,
tiny thumbs of crushed grape,
our bodies lighten, our steps quicken,
communion in our countenance,
words of Jesus in our ears,
"Take, eat!"
echoes in our hearts.
Baptism And Children
Although children do not understand the symbolic words of "washing sins away" or "the death and resurrection of the believer with Christ," belonging is a concept they understand through experience.
Children want to belong. There are people in their community of faith whom they love, admire, and respect. To belong with these people in communion is important to children.
They enjoy the finger play "If I Were The Church":
If I were the church, my church bells would ring,
"Come everyone," I'd gladly sing. (Place hands together and swing arms.)
If I were the church, I'd stretch my arms wide
To welcome everyone inside. (Stretch arms to sides.)
If I were the church, but I am, you see,
For the church is people, you and you,
And you and me. (Point to others and self.)1
They "play" church. Some preach. Some listen. Some take the offering and the others give.
Some draw pictures of the church. Some participate in things to do with water. They eat together. They pray together. And some of them are baptized and take communion together.
Baptism water is more than just water.
Baptism water is stronger than steel.
Baptism water lasts longer than longer.
Mixed with its blessing are words that will heal.
Baptism water is truer than truth.
Baptism water is more than you see,
Love and acceptance and God--given freely,
Promising you and promising me,
"Now you are part of God's family."2
To Do:
1. Pantomime Mark 10:13--16, "Let the children come to me." All of the children participate in all of the persons' actions as the narrator reads. Motions are listed in parentheses: One morning the mothers woke (gently shake) their children who (stretched), got out of bed, (put on their robes and sandals), and (rolled up their mats). The mothers (packed a lunch) and (swept the floor) and hurried out of the house (run in place). They had heard that Jesus was coming and wanted to see and hear him. The children (picked flowers) to give to Jesus. When they reached the hill where he was teaching, there were so many people they could not see (stand on tiptoes). They looked around the people (lean to right or left), but they could not see (shake head "no"). At last they (pushed) through the crowd to (reach) Jesus. But Jesus' friends stopped them (hand up and outward). They (folded their arms on their chests, frowned) and said, "No, Jesus is busy!" (shake head "no"). Jesus heard (cup ears) and said, "Let the children come to me!" The children (ran) and (gave him their flowers), and he blessed them (place hands gently on the head).
2. Read Matthew 25:31--46 aloud and pantomime sharing a cup of water with the sick, a loaf of bread with a homeless person, and invite the gathering of canned food for the "breadbasket."
3. Discuss the meaning of baptism. What is the purpose of baptism? Who is responsible for the baptismal vows when a baby is baptized? What does your baptism mean to you? Does baptism take place before or after joining the church? Are you a member of the church before confirmation?
4. Discuss the meaning of communion. What does it mean? What happens? Why do we take communion? Who takes communion in your church?
5. Participate in a guided faith meditation. Close your eyes and take three deep breaths. In your imagination you feel the sun warm you, the wind caress you, and the sand welcome your bare feet. You see John the Baptist in the distance and approach him. What are you expecting? (Pause) What do you want to happen? What in your life would you like changed? (Pause) Speak to John and let John speak to you. (Pause) John invites you to enter the water and you do, feeling its soothing coolness. The sky opens and a voice speaks, "You are my beloved child." Sit in silence, listening. (Pause) When you are ready, return to this place and write or share what comes to you, concerning your meditation.
____________
1. Elaine M. Ward, Love in a Lunchbox: Poems and Parables for Children's Worship (Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon, 1996), p. 83.
2. Elaine M. Ward, Baptism: Celebrating The Wonder Of Water And The Word (Prescott, Arizona: Educational Ministries, 1997), p. 63.
As we plan for One Great Hour of Sharing or Children's Day, we remember the children and their place in the sacrament of communion, the meal of the fellowship of faith that says, "You belong." As baptized members children belong.
Experience comes before understanding and a symbol is a means of participation in that which is known through participation. Because the sacraments are primarily related to the heart rather than the head, children, who learn through their feelings, can be drawn into the mystery of the sacraments. Children have an intuitive awareness of the meaning of the celebration. In communion we are bonded in love with our neighbor and God.
The three--year--old, not wishing to be left alone in her pew, knelt beside her grandmother at the communion railing. When the minister passed her without offering her the bread or the cup, she turned to her grandmother and said in a loud, puzzled whisper, "But, Mumsie, I didn't get nothing again."
Jesus washed the feet of the unclean, cleansed the body of the leper, bathed the eyes of the blind, pouring out God's grace. Never in my reading of scripture does he ask, "Have you been baptized?" or "Do you understand?"
Robert Fulghum says he learned about communion in kindergarten where he shared milk and cookies with his son's class. It was a lesson in community. Each day every child had an essential job in the sharing. Two children set the table with napkins and cups. Two arranged the chairs. Two fetched cookies from the cupboard, two went to the refrigerator for the milk, one placed something in the middle of the table to talk about during the snack. Before the sharing, everyone sat in silence for a moment. Then each "host" broke the cookies in half to give to the "guests." Guests cleaned up and put everything away. It was the "outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual grace."
The church is the "table" of God, where all are welcome. When the boy, sitting beside his father at the dinner table, reached to get the bread, his father slapped his hand so hard he had to leave the table because he was going to cry, and crying was forbidden in that house. The table, where we celebrate holy communion, redefines our lives, for at this table we can cry, we can laugh, we can enjoy, because we are in communion with God. The Eucharist is the celebration of the hope of a new creation where all will sit down together at the table, where everyone "belongs."
As a child, I would watch the adults slide down the aisle toward the altar, kneel, lift their faces, open their mouths, drink from the cup, and take the bread. We were not allowed to participate because we were too young.
When my young friend pours "tea" into my cup and says, "Take, drink," I do. We cannot keep the Holy Spirit from children.
We pretend we are on the hillside, when Jesus has compassion and five loaves of bread and two fish, and says, "Take, eat!"
In my church we drink grape juice as a symbol of the wine which comes from the land, the grape, the hands that plant, prune, and pick, and the water of rain and tears and hard work, and bread from the ripened grains of the golden fields of sunshine, gathered by grateful people.
Some churches set up "Last Supper" experiences, celebrating the Eucharist around a seating arrangement. On each table is placed a loaf of freshly baked bread, served warm, its fragrance filling the room. The sense of smell is the sense of memory, and Jesus asked his friends to remember!
As snails we slide down the aisle
toward the table where we will eat together.
From crumbs of bread and coin--like crackers,
tiny thumbs of crushed grape,
our bodies lighten, our steps quicken,
communion in our countenance,
words of Jesus in our ears,
"Take, eat!"
echoes in our hearts.
Baptism And Children
Although children do not understand the symbolic words of "washing sins away" or "the death and resurrection of the believer with Christ," belonging is a concept they understand through experience.
Children want to belong. There are people in their community of faith whom they love, admire, and respect. To belong with these people in communion is important to children.
They enjoy the finger play "If I Were The Church":
If I were the church, my church bells would ring,
"Come everyone," I'd gladly sing. (Place hands together and swing arms.)
If I were the church, I'd stretch my arms wide
To welcome everyone inside. (Stretch arms to sides.)
If I were the church, but I am, you see,
For the church is people, you and you,
And you and me. (Point to others and self.)1
They "play" church. Some preach. Some listen. Some take the offering and the others give.
Some draw pictures of the church. Some participate in things to do with water. They eat together. They pray together. And some of them are baptized and take communion together.
Baptism water is more than just water.
Baptism water is stronger than steel.
Baptism water lasts longer than longer.
Mixed with its blessing are words that will heal.
Baptism water is truer than truth.
Baptism water is more than you see,
Love and acceptance and God--given freely,
Promising you and promising me,
"Now you are part of God's family."2
To Do:
1. Pantomime Mark 10:13--16, "Let the children come to me." All of the children participate in all of the persons' actions as the narrator reads. Motions are listed in parentheses: One morning the mothers woke (gently shake) their children who (stretched), got out of bed, (put on their robes and sandals), and (rolled up their mats). The mothers (packed a lunch) and (swept the floor) and hurried out of the house (run in place). They had heard that Jesus was coming and wanted to see and hear him. The children (picked flowers) to give to Jesus. When they reached the hill where he was teaching, there were so many people they could not see (stand on tiptoes). They looked around the people (lean to right or left), but they could not see (shake head "no"). At last they (pushed) through the crowd to (reach) Jesus. But Jesus' friends stopped them (hand up and outward). They (folded their arms on their chests, frowned) and said, "No, Jesus is busy!" (shake head "no"). Jesus heard (cup ears) and said, "Let the children come to me!" The children (ran) and (gave him their flowers), and he blessed them (place hands gently on the head).
2. Read Matthew 25:31--46 aloud and pantomime sharing a cup of water with the sick, a loaf of bread with a homeless person, and invite the gathering of canned food for the "breadbasket."
3. Discuss the meaning of baptism. What is the purpose of baptism? Who is responsible for the baptismal vows when a baby is baptized? What does your baptism mean to you? Does baptism take place before or after joining the church? Are you a member of the church before confirmation?
4. Discuss the meaning of communion. What does it mean? What happens? Why do we take communion? Who takes communion in your church?
5. Participate in a guided faith meditation. Close your eyes and take three deep breaths. In your imagination you feel the sun warm you, the wind caress you, and the sand welcome your bare feet. You see John the Baptist in the distance and approach him. What are you expecting? (Pause) What do you want to happen? What in your life would you like changed? (Pause) Speak to John and let John speak to you. (Pause) John invites you to enter the water and you do, feeling its soothing coolness. The sky opens and a voice speaks, "You are my beloved child." Sit in silence, listening. (Pause) When you are ready, return to this place and write or share what comes to you, concerning your meditation.
____________
1. Elaine M. Ward, Love in a Lunchbox: Poems and Parables for Children's Worship (Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon, 1996), p. 83.
2. Elaine M. Ward, Baptism: Celebrating The Wonder Of Water And The Word (Prescott, Arizona: Educational Ministries, 1997), p. 63.
