Together with Children
About this blog
Together With Children is the blog of the Office of Child Advocacy.
Recent posts
- Media Violence is Violence, Too
- Fragile Children in Fragile Families
- Home: A Safe Place for Children?
- The Vanishing Culture of Civility
- When Violence Supercedes Dialogue
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Light A Candle for Children Prayer Vigil Liturgies
Candle Lighting Services
In the weeks leading up the National Observance of Children's Sabbaths on October 21, use these brief liturgies in the service of worship to invite members of the congregation to pray with and for children.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
(Christian Education )
(Light candle)
Child: Dear Lord, be good to me. The sea is so wide and my boat is so small.
Adult: Hear these words from Scripture:
"The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom: and the favor of God was upon him. " — Luke 2: 40
Gracious God, we pray that our children may grow physically and spiritually strong. Make our communities of faith safe harbors of nurture to give our children and all children the wisdom to meet the gales that assail them in their growing years.
People: Help us to be a safe harbor for children. Amen.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
(Theological Education )
(Light candle)
Child: Dear Lord, be good to me. The sea is so wide and my boat is so small.
Adult: Hear these words from Scripture:
"Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." — Mark 10:15
Loving God, we give thanks for the witness of the faith of children. Raise up among us mentors and guides for our children and all children, that they may navigate the waters of childhood and youth. Give them anchors of stability and sails of hope.
People: Help us to be a safe harbor for children. Amen.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
(Native American Day)
(Light candle)
Child: Dear Lord, be good to me. The sea is so wide and my boat is so small.
Adult: Hear these words from scripture:
". . . [Jesus] was in the stern [of the boat] asleep on the cushion; and [the disciples] woke him up and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea. "Peace! Be still!" Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. — Mark 4: 38-39
Creator, we pray for the most vulnerable among us, those children who perish in the face of the storm from lack of affordable health care, from violence and neglect, from the denial of their culture, from failing family structures and crumbling social systems. Forgive us when we act as if we do not care that they are perishing. Move us to act in ways that demonstrate that we do.
People: Help us to be a safe harbor for children. Amen.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
(Evangelism)
(Light candle)
Child: Dear Lord, be good to me. The sea is so wide and my boat is so small.
Adult: Hear these words from Scripture:
Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me . . . If any one of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea.
— Mark 9:37a; 42
Loving God, who sent your only Son Jesus Christ, we pray that all children will feel the hospitality of welcome in our churches. Give us the will to remove the stumbling blocks that stand in the way to comprehensive health care and quality education. Grant all children safe passage through the turbulent waters of this world.
People: Help us to be a safe harbor for children. Amen.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
(World Communion: Peacemaking Offering)
(Light candle)
Child: Dear Lord, be good to me. The sea is so wide and my boat is so small.
Adult: Hear these words from Scripture:
Extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and so not curse them.
—Romans 12:13b-14.
Gracious God, who calls us to welcome the stranger, open our hearts to truly extend hospitality to the children on our midst. Widen our embrace to include the children whom we might consider the stranger- children of another culture, country or faith who yearn for your shalom. Stir us to be peacemakers, to offer your blessing so that all children might grow up as you intend. In the name of the Prince of Peace. Amen.
People: Help us to be a safe harbor for children. Amen.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
(Domestic Violence Awareness Sunday)
(Light candle)
Child: Dear Lord, be good to me. The sea is so wide and my boat is so small.
Adult: Hear these words from Scripture:
O Lord, you will hear the desire of the meek; you will strengthen their heart, you will incline your ear to do justice for the orphan and the oppressed, so that those from earth may strike terror no more. —Psalm 10: 17-18.
God our refuge and our strength, we pray for the children who have no safe place, even in their own homes. We pray for the little ones who are the silent victims, witnessing the sights and sounds of abuse. Bring to our awareness that which exists in the shadows. Make our churches places of sanctuary and healing.
People: Help us to be a safe harbor for children. Amen.
- Posted at 6:00 a.m.
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