A YOUTH-LED WORSHIP SERVICE: sittin' on top of the world

Group, May/Jun 2004 by Case, Steve

THIS SERVICE IS A GREAT KICK-OFF FOR YOUR KIDS' SUMMER VACATION. YOU CAN HELP THEM EMBRACE AND CELEBRATE THEIR HARD WORK OVER THE PAST SCHOOL YEAR.

It's important that you encourage (or even force) your young people to lead this service. They must own it. Assign the Prayer, Reader, and Leader roles, then step back and let them go.

MUSIC SUGGESTIONS

Use these suggestions for music throughout the service.

* "Least Complicated" by the Indigo Girls, from the album Swamp Ophelia.

* "Hammer and Nail" by the Indigo Girls, from the album Nomads Indians Saints.

* "Everybody" by Lost and Found, from the album Speedwood III.

* "Hard Times" by Eastmountainsouth, from the album Eastmountainsouth.

* For a closing song, use a classic summer Beach Boys tune such as "Surfin' Safari," "Surfin' USA," or "Fun, Fun, Fun." All can be found on the Sounds of Summer-The Very Best of the Beach Boys album.

SCRIPTURE PASSAGES

* Exodus 15:22-27

* Psalm 25

* Psalm 30

* Psalm 144

* 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:10

THE SERVICE

Begin by handing out two 18-inch lengths of string to each young person. Then have kids each tie themselves to two different people, following these restrictions: Kids should tie to each other's wrists, and only one piece of string may connect any two teenagers. Continue until your whole group is tied together as one. They'll stay this way until the end of the service.

Photocopy the following order of worship or rework it to suit your needs. Give a copy to every young person. Assign Prayer, Reader, and Leader roles to kids you choose.

ORDER OF WORSHIP

* Opening Prayer-Creator God, you made the seasons to be enjoyed. You made this planet as a playground, but we've done something horrible to it. We live by a bunch of rules that you never gave us. We've made our careful plans. We live in a mindset that says if we study hard, save our money, go to college, get a good job, get married, and have children, then we might have time to do something fun after we retire but before we die. Forgive us for this, God. Forgive us for not understanding that we're allowed to play. We're allowed to celebrate. We're allowed to feel the sunshine on our faces and be glad. Amen.

* Music-Choose one of the song suggestions or use one of your own.

* Scripture Reading-This reading is based on Exodus 15:22-27 and Psalm 25. This should not be read too fast-it should have the pacing of a poem.

Here it is, God.

Here is my soul. I'm giving it to you.

It's all I have.

The finger-pointers are after me again, God.

You'll show them, won't you?

You don't let down those who give you all that they have.

Teach me, God.

Give me detailed directions and I will sing your songs while I drive.

I got lost before.

Okay, I wasn't lost. I went off your map.

I knew what you said, but I tried a shortcut anyway.

Bad move. But you knew that.

Don't hold it against me, please. I learned my lesson.

(Pause)

God has a destination in mind for all of us.

But not everybody travels the same road.

If we listen we get directions. We get hints.

We get cool tunes on the radio to sing along with.

There are road-raging people on this highway too.

God will protect me from them because I listen.

God, I know I'm not the only traveler.

Be with the others, too.

So we can all meet up in the end.

* Responsive Reading-After every Leader statement, the group should respond, "We deserve a break."

Leader:

School's out for the summer.

No more calculators.

No more lockers, locks, or passwords.

No more book bags that weigh as much as we do.

We have studied.

We have worked.

We have stressed out to the point of illness.

We get a break from judgment now.

Anyone who says we need to grow up is already too old.

Anyone who says they remember what it's like to be a teenager doesn't have a clue.

We are young and alive.

Thank God for summer.

Amen.

* Music-Use one of the suggestions from above or one of your own choosing.

* Scripture Reading-This reading is based on 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:10and Psalm 30. Again, this reading should be delivered like poetry-measured and not too fast.

I am going to shout your name from the highest place I can climb.

You inspired my soul.

You saw me when I was down and picked me up.

You didn't let them win.

I was sure you would. I thought you were angry with me.

You only stay angry for a moment.

Your love will last me all through my life.

I may cry at night. Bury my face in my pillow and sob.

But joy comes in the morning.

Joy comes in the morning.

Joy comes in the morning.

I was a heap on the floor and now I'm dancing.

You have taken off my sick-clothes and have dressed me in joy.

I will sing your name with my soul.

Silence? Never.

Amen.

* Responsive Reading-After every Leader statement, the group should respond, "We are becoming."

Leader:

We are not yet adults.

We are no longer children.

God has a plan.

We are shaped and molded like clay on a potter's wheel.

We have been slammed, smashed, rolled, and cut.

We will eventually go through the fire.

But God will be with us.

Sometimes it just hurts.

Whatever doesn't kill us will make us stronger.

Whatever holds us down will be broken when we stand up and dance.