WE ARE GOD’S FAMILY
Scripture: Galatians 3:28 (NLT)
Season/Sunday: World Communion Sunday
Focus: Regardless of our differences, we are one family of God. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to love and respect our brothers and sisters, no matter what color or part of the world they now live in or come from. An important day for celebrating our oneness as a family of God and for remembering Jesus Christ as our Head is World Communion Sunday.
Experience: Children and the congregation will sing along with “Jesus Loves the Little Children” as they take their positions. (If possible, form a big circle around the sanctuary representing the world; or the children may be invited to come to the front.) Preselect adults to give a short description of each continent as the children name the seven continents.
Arrangements: Have your regular World Communion Sunday setting, but add a globe or world map, have available a colorful beach ball with names of the world’s continents on it, and prepare description cards for each continent with the information indicated below. Also select children to represent Christians from the different continents. The beach ball game will allow children to learn more about the world around them and the concept of World Communion Sunday. The leader will throw the ball to a child and he or she will name a continent listed on the ball followed by a selected adult’s description of the identified continent. (Repeat this until all continents are identified.)
ASIA |
AFRICA |
NORTH AMERICA |
SOUTH AMERICA |
ANTARCTICA |
EUROPE |
AUSTRALIA |
Leader: | (Moving to the center of the circle or among the children) Through the blood of Jesus Christ, we are now one family of God. We thank God for this day of celebrating Communion with our brothers and sisters around the world. Jesus gave away his life so that we might have abundant life. As we share this meal, let us remember that there are those who may be different from us. Jesus died for us all, and together we are one family of God. Before this special meal, let us explore our world and those with whom we share it. (Throwing the beach ball to children within the circle) |
Children: | (The ball catcher names a continent he or she sees on the ball. All children repeat the name of the continent together.) |
Volunteer: | (A selected adult gives the description of the identified continent.) |
Leader: | (After all the continents have been identified) Thank you for identifying God’s family from around the world. We may be miles apart, but we are one in Jesus Christ. Around our communities we have people who may be different from us but who believe, as we do, that Jesus Christ is the living Son of God. They are part of our family. Now that you have discovered that you have so many brothers and sisters in Christ, how do you feel to be part of this family? |
Children: | (Random selection; children share who they are, where they come from, and how they feel to be part of God’s family.) |
Leader: | We are one family. The wonderful meal on World Communion Sunday reminds us of God’s love toward us through his Son, Jesus Christ. Remember the words of the Apostle Paul: “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians—you are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28 NLT). It is through this World Communion that we celebrate our oneness in Christ. Every member of this family is important, for we are equal in the eyes of God. As you remember, ask God to give you a heart (ask children to place their hands over their hearts) to love those who are different from you. Let us pray. (All join in the Lord’s Prayer.) |
Adlene Kufarimai