1,000 thank you notes: A YOUTH-LED WORSHIP SERVICE

Group, Nov/Dec 2004 by Case, Steve

This service is just as it's billed-your kids will lead your congregation in writing 1,000 thank you notes to our good God. You can easily plan this service for the end of a Thanksgiving potluck supper or as a more formal gathering in your sanctuary.

THE SETTING

The environment should be celebratory, so turn up the lights. Decorate with streamers and balloons if you like. People should sense that joy is the theme when they walk in.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

* Cut up 1,000 slips of paper-no more and no less. Be exact. You'll also need many rolls of tape.

* Pens, pencils, crayons, and markers.

* Build a simple 8-foot cross made of 2×4s-you'll need a stand or some way to hold it up.

* Communion cups (small paper cups are just fine).

* A loaf of bread or communion wafers and grape juice or wine (depending on your church's tradition).

MUSIC SUGGESTIONS

Opener:

* A classic Thanksgiving hymn such as "We Gather Together."

Midservice:

* "Fruit We Bear" by Lost and Found, from the Something album.

* "You Are So Good to Me" by The Worship Room, from The Worship Room album.

* "One Sweet World" by Dave Matthews, from the Live at Luther College album.

* "Come Thou Fount" by the David Crowder Band, from the All I Can Say album.

Closer:

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

THE SERVICE

Start by having everyone sing together a classic Thanksgiving hymn such as "We Gather Together" or another favorite-you can sing it unaccompanied if you need to.

OPENING PRAYER

Say: Let us pray. Giving God, sometimes we stand up to our knees in a cold stream and ask you to make it rain because we are thirsty. Sometimes we sit in the dark with the shades drawn at noon and wonder why you don't give us enough light. Forgive us for forgetting you, God. We really are smarter than we let on sometimes. You've given us so much. Open our eyes, ears, and minds so we can experience the mountains of blessings that you've placed before us. In Jesus' name, amen.

RESPONSIVE READING

Have one of your kids lead the congregation in this reading. That person should read this so it sounds like it's the first time the congregation has heard it. Halfway through the reading he or she should have an "aha" moment, like a light just clicked on.

Say: Please repeat after me.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. (Repeat)

Praise God from whom all blessing flow. (Repeat)

Praise him all creatures here below. (Repeat)

Praise him above all ye heavenly hosts. (Repeat)

Praise the Father. (Repeat)

Praise the Son. (Repeat)

Praise the Holy Ghost. (Repeat)

Amen. (Repeat)

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS

Have one of your student leaders read the following paraphrase of Psalm 16, or use a Scripture version you like:

When my life goes into the hopper...! will turn to God.

I will say to God, "You are my shelter-without you nothing I do matters."

I will follow those who have chosen to follow God.

Those who choose to follow a small-"g" god...can walk by themselves.

God is my food.

God is my drink.

God speaks to me in my dreams.

God speaks to me in my heart.

God is all around me.

In God my heart is glad.

My soul will do a celebration dance.

My body will take a break.

If I follow God I will find joy along the way and satisfaction at the end of the road. Amen.

COMMUNION

Have one of your student leaders invite the congregation to share in the rite of communion. Have kids pass out cups and bread or wafers to everyone. The student leader should ask the congregation to wait until everyone has been served. He or she should hold the cup and the bread in his or her hands.

Instead of repeating the traditional communion reading, have the student leader say something like: The communion is the greatest meal ever. It's the plate that overflows. It's the banquet. Symbolically, this bit of bread and this drop of juice are more filling than an unlimited gift certificate at [favorite local ice cream place], but we never think of it that way. Think of this communion as a soul-meal. Let us say grace. Repeat after me (the leader might get a few giggles when he or she starts-make sure he or she stays serious throughout and the message will become clear by the end of the prayer):

God is great. (Repeat)

God is good. (Repeat)

God is great and God is good. (Repeat)

(The leader should hold up the bread and the cup.) Let us thank him for this food. (Repeat)

By his hands... (Repeat)

We all are fed. (Repeat)

We all are fed. (Repeat)

Thank you. (Repeat)

Thank you. (Repeat)

Thank you. (Repeat)

Thank you for this daily bread. (Repeat)

Amen. (Repeat)

(At this point the leader should eat the bread and drink the juice and invite the congregation to do the same.)

Amen. (Repeat)

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF PSALMS

Have one of your student leaders read the following paraphrase of Psalm 105, or use a Scripture version you like:

Thank God.

Do it loud with music and dancing.

Tell the world the reason for the songs.

Look for the face of God.

Look backward from this moment, and...

Just try to comprehend all that God has done...

Between the moment of creation and this moment.