There is an “official” Sunday suggested by our Presbyterian Planning Calendar on which to recognize the presence and gifts of young people in our church—often referred to as Youth Sunday. Our denomination has moved from the idea of setting aside a particular day to include young people in the leadership of worship to an expanded vision that includes them in an ongoing manner. A Sunday worship service that has as its emphasis “Young People in the Church” offers many opportunities for worship and reflection. Youth Sundays or youth-led worship services have a certain sense of grace about them. There is a bit more room for creativity, for risk, for open ears. There is a bit more room for trying a new way of being the church. While this grace is present, however, so is added responsibility for helping young people understand their role as worship leaders.

If your church celebrates with one particular service, here are some suggestions for youth and adults as well as educators and pastors as you plan for worship:

• Choose a theme. Remembering that young people are concrete thinkers and planners, choose a one-word, one-concept, one-image idea to focus upon.
• Be faithful to a Presbyterian and Reformed order of worship. This does not mean be boring, traditional, or repetitive; but it does mean using important components for worship—call to worship, confession of sin, proclamation, affirmation of faith, and the offering of gifts. Orders of worship help span the generational needs that arise from a congregation. Adults and youth will be familiar with an order—it gives some ground to stand upon for creative thinking and gives us and our young people a link to our history, our journey as a faith community.
• Work with a team of about five to seven young people to plan and implement a service. In a smaller youth group, this team can serve as the group that plans and implements the worship service. In a larger congregation, use this team to lead smaller teams, such as the sermon team, prayer team, dance team, visuals team, bulletin team, and music team.
• Help youth think creatively about worship. Study and explore the various aspects of Presbyterian and Reformed worship. Help them understand the unique role that each piece of the Order of Worship plays.
• Set a goal to involve learners of all types and intelligences, using the whole space of the sanctuary or hall, incorporating visuals and including all ages of young people (not only seniors). Offer a blend of music—new, youth-friendly, traditional, and global.
• As traditional as Youth Sundays are, so are the traditions of young people leading a congregation in a song they love and are moved by—but a song that the adult members are often challenged by. Like most innovations it requires some teaching and some practicing. Teach the songs that have been powerful faith tools for youth, but be vigilant in teaching them. Take time at the beginning of worship to teach the words and melodies.
• Recognize those adults in the congregation who are passionate about or involved with young people. If your congregation assigns elders to confirmands, consider a time when reflection from both the elder and the young person might be offered.
• Highlight the five intentions of Presbyterian Youth Ministry. Did you know that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) has a strong theological structure for ministering with and to young people?
  For more information on the five intentions and resources to explore them, visit the Presbyterian Youth Ministry Web site, www.pcusa.org/youthministry/pyc/links.htm, and click on the PYC link.

All That We Are: An Arts and Worship Workbook, by Aimee Wallis Buchanan, Bill Buchanan, and Jodi B. Martin. Louisville, KY: Bridge Resources, 2002.

Awesome Youth Sundays, edited by Martha Johnson and Beth Basham. Louisville, KY: Bridge Resources, 1997.

Getting Connected: Presbyterian Youth Connection Congregational Guide. PDS item #70-250-96-206.

New Song: Musical Expressions for Youth Ministry. CDs, leader’s guide, participant’s book, and transparency set published by the Office for Youth Ministry/Presbyterian Youth Connection.

Contact Gina B. Yeager, Associate for Youth Ministry, Youth and Young Adult Ministries, at (888) 728-7228, ext. 5497, or send e-mail to gyeager@ctr.pcusa.org.