A YOUTH-LED WORSHIP SERVICE

Group, Sep/Oct 2004 by Case, Steve

a holy all-hallows eve

This service is about grief. It's about loss. It's about healing.

You could follow this service with a churchwide potluck supper, with this stipulation: Everybody brings the favorite food of a friend or loved one who recently passed away. In your invitation, explain that it doesn't matter if you wind up with a table full of desserts. The meal is not the point. The point is to get people thinking and talking and remembering.

This service is designed to be held outside-a nearby cemetery is the best place (of course, get permission first). Or go to a place where you can have a bonfire.

MUSIC SUGGESTIONS

Openers: The first music people hear is crucial in setting the mood. I've listed some great mood-setters below, but you can use one of your own if you like. Or if you have kids who can play and sing, have them do something.

* "Mad World" by Michael Andrews, from the Donny Darko soundtrack.

* "Gravedigger" by Dave Matthews, from the Some Devil album (use the acoustic version).

* "Hymn" by Jars of clay, from the Much Afraid album.

Midservice: You'll need a few pieces of music while people are coming forward during the "Fire" part of the service.

* "When All Is Said and Done" by Geoff Moore and the Distance from the Evolution album.

* "He's Always Been Faithful" by Sara Groves, from the Conversations album.

* "All I Can Say" by the David Crowder Band, from the album of the same name.

* "Thank You For Hearing Me" by the David Crowder Band, from the Can You Hear Us? album.

Closers: The service should end with a sense of home and healing. Again, choose one of my suggestions, use one of your own, or have your musically inclined kids do something.

* "Your Memory" by Lost and Found, from the Something Different album.

* "Keep Me In Your Heart" by Warren Zevon, from The Wind.

PSALMS

There are three psalm readings in this service that are designed to be done responsively. Print the versions I've included here on 3x5 cards or paper, then have kids lead them.

PRAYER

St. Patrick's Breastplate is a centuries old prayer and a tremendous way to close out the service. Find a teenager who can give this a dramatic read (but not hammy).

THE SERVICE

As people are arriving at the cemetery, have your teenage greeters pass out slips of paper and the printed versions of the responsive readings. Invite the congregation to begin in prayer.

Have a teenager pray something like: God, this night is different-it just feels different on our skin. At this time and at this place, we're not used to worshiping you. God, you hear us when we pray in church, when we talk to you as we drive, and when we stand in the rain and scream. Hear us now, God. Send your Holy Spirit to be present here now. Hear our prayers. Heal our hearts. Fill our souls. Amen.

RESPONSIVE READING

Have one or more of your kids lead a responsive reading of Psalm 13 using the following paraphrase. Invite the congregation to respond to each statement with, "How much longer, God?"

God, are you there? (How much longer, God?)

Am I alone? (How much longer, God?)

Are you ignoring me? (How much longer, God?)

How much longer will I be confused? (How much longer, God?)

How much longer will I have to deal with people who enjoy tormenting me? (How much longer, God?)

How much longer will I feel like I fell in a hole? (How much longer, God?)

God, get me out of this hole. Put a light back in my eyes. If I stay down, here the ones who put me here will say, "Yes, we won!" God, you rescued me once. I will trust you again. I will pray to you. I will celebrate you. Amen.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Have three teenagers read aloud the following passages successively: Job 4:12-21; Ezekiel 37:1-14; and Psalm 30.

RESPONSIVE READING

Have a teenager lead the responsive reading below. Invite the congregation to respond to each statement with, "Joy comes in the morning."

I will call out to you. God, for you have taken me and lifted me up. (Joy comes in the morning.)

You did not let my foes win out over me. (Joy comes in the morning.)

God's anger is momentary. God's blessings will last a lifetime. (Joy comes in the morning.)

The night may be filled with tears. (Joy comes in the morning.)

You have turned my grief into dancing. (Joy comes in the morning.)

You have taken off my sick clothes and clothed me in joy. (Joy comes in the morning.)

I will not keep silent. (Joy comes in the morning.)

My soul will praise you. (Joy comes in the morning.)

Joy comes in the morning. (Leader repeats four times.)

THE FIRE

Set up a large metal bucket on an altar (the bucket should have a tiny bit of lighter fluid in it). Ask everyone to take out the slip of paper they were handed when they arrived. Have kids pass out pencils. Ask people to each write on their slip the name of a friend or relative who most recently passed away.

Then, as you play music (from the list of midservice music suggestions), invite people to come forward and place their slip in the bucket. Then carefully light the papers in the bucket. (A giant "poof" would kill the mood, so I emphasize that you need only a tiny bit of lighter fluid in the bucket.) Don't rush this part of the service-it should be quiet and meditative.