This worship series helps children (and adults) connect their lives to creation and the intersection of other issues. We’re all connected. As a through-line for the children’s message, we recommend building a terrarium together - or some kind of nature-centered altarpiece. Each week will have suggestions on how to do that. If your worship space does not lend itself to this activity, alternatives are also suggested.

Revelation 22:12, 17, and 20 New International Reader's Version

Look! I am coming soon! I bring my rewards with me. I will reward each person for what they have done.

The Holy Spirit says, “Come!” And the person who hears should say, “Come!” Anyone who is thirsty should come. Anyone who wants to take the free gift of the water of life should do so.

Jesus is a witness about these things. He says, “Yes. I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

Visual Aids:

The water or representation of water from week 3.

Message:

So far, we have talked about our bodies and food and helping everyone feel welcome and love and peace. You know what they all have in common? We have to DO something to make them happen. Today’s reading from Revelation talks about doing and inviting others to do something alongside us. Have you talked to your grownups about ways you can help at home, at school, and at church with feeding people and including people and showing love and peace? What are some ideas you came up with?

We have had water represented in the sanctuary - next to our terrarium, but does water sitting next to something help it grow? How does water help something grow? Outside, rain falls on plants. Inside, the plants need us to help. We need to pour some of the water onto the dirt and rocks to help plants grow if they’re inside. (Do that now or after the prayer.)

Have you heard the term “climate change”? One of the things our church is talking about - and a lot of people around the world are talking about it - is how to help the world stay healthy so kids like you can grow up with a healthy Earth. Have you talked with your family or a class at school about ways you can help keep our Earth healthy? Maybe you can help with the actions our church is taking!

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for our Earth. Bless our hands and feet that we might take care of the Earth and everything in it, including all our neighbors, human and not-human. Amen.

Between the Sundays: Family Conversation Starters

We have added conversation starters to each children’s message series to help spark conversations within families during the week. We encourage families to use these questions to guide them through conversations and subject matter discussed during the worship service, including the children’s messages on Sundays. These conversations will reinforce learning and nurture faith formation for the entire family.

This series will offer picture book suggestions to go with each week’s topic. Adults in the lives of children might want to use the story time already scheduled in the week to spend a little extra time talking about faith. There is no need for your church to buy all or any of the recommended books. Most of these books should be available in public libraries. Certainly, not all the books need to be read by each family.

Suggested books about inclusion and action:

All Are Neighbors by Alexandra Penfold and Suzanne Kaufmann
A Planet Like Ours by Frank Murphy, Charnaie Gordon, and Kayla Harren
We Are the Builders! by Deepa Iyer and Romina Galotta
The World Is Ours to Cherish by Mary Annaïse Heglar and Vivian Mineker
You Will Always Belong by Matthew Paul Turner and Lauren Gallegos

I wonder who around me doesn’t feel included - and how I can include them.

I wonder what helps people feel like they belong in a group or place.

I wonder how I can love my neighbors, human and non-human.

I wonder how I can help my church show love to human and non-human neighbors.

For the littlest ones, again, these books come in hardback or board book form:

I Am One: A Book of Action by Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds
One Earth by Eileen Spinelli and Rogério Coelho
We Care: A First Conversation About Justice by Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli, and Sharee Miller

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