World Communion Sunday

World Communion Sunday

Tomorrow morning our church and thousands of churches around the globe will be celebrating World Communion Sunday.  It is a Sunday to celebrate something we do each Sunday, but often forget, that the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is for all of God's people in our community and communities around the world.  Preparing your child(ren) for World Communion can come in two parts:  sharing about Communion and sharing about God's vast kingdom throughout the world.

I've looked through some of my favorite children's books on Communion and found some resources that may help as your prepare your family for worship tomorrow: (also check out some of my earlier blogs)

"We see symbols inside our church-a loaf of bread and a cup.  Jesus left them to help us remember that he was here.  On Passover night Jesus had a special meal with the friends he loved most.  They gathered to eat and to pray.

Jesus said, "Every time you eat bread together and drink from the cup, please remember me."  The loaf of bread and the cup remind us of what happened that night.  When we see these symbols, Christians remember how much Jesus loved us."
-Symbols of God's Love:  Codes and Passwords, Jeanne S. Fogle

"Holy Communion, or the Lord's Supper, is a joyous event celebrated by Christians everywhere.  Through the Lord's Supper, we

-Give thanks to God
-Remember Jesus
-Celebrate Jesus giving his life for us
-Celebrate our togetherness

The pastor tells us about Jesus and the last meal he shared with his disciples.

What is special to you about the Lord's Supper?"

-A Children's Guide to Worship, Ruth L. Boling, Lauren J. Muzzy, Laurie A. Vance

Use these excerpts to spark discussion, coloring, improv acting, or whatever way your child expresses themselves best.  For some children you may have many mini conversations and activities.  Our 5 year old will draw a picture one minute, then a few hours later want to crawl in our lap with some questions, and then later we will see her setting up communion in her play kitchen. 

In looking through your resource for discussing God's vast kingdom, take a walk through your house!  Do you have pictures of travel?  Is there a map or a globe?  Is there maybe a piece of art or clothing that is from another country?  Gather 2-5 items and use these to discuss other people around the world.  If you have a computer, look up these countries and discover what other children in those countries do that is similar and different.  Maybe sing "He's God the Whole World In His Hands" or "Jesus Loves the Little Children" with your family.  The impact of helping your child realize that there are other children around the world will help them grasp the incredible love God shares outside of their home.  Sometimes this is hard for even grown-ups to understand!  Take your time and have fun watching your child's world grow before you eyes!

Finally, tie the pieces together.  Go through some of the aspects of worship with your children.  Maybe there will be some difference tomorrow than on other Sundays.  Can they look out for them with you and let you know?  Remind them that there will be children and adult all over the world praying, singing, praising, and giving thanks to God.  There will be churches of all different sizes and shapes participating in the Lord's Supper just like them.  Again, be prepared for them to take their time absorbing and processing.  It may be a lot of little spurts of questions.

Engaging your children prior to worship is part of preparing them for worship (you too).  It helps them to get in the mindset of worship (you too).  It helps them to process questions, concerns, and joys (you too).  Just think of all the preparation and homework you do on a school night.  Why do you plan that into your day?  So your child will be able to excel right?  Same with worship.  The amount of time we are able to share and learn together, the stronger you child will feel in their faith journey...You too.

Have an incredible evening with your family and wonderful World Communion Sunday!
Lissa

*I'm working on some information on Christians and Holidays.  I would love to know your thoughts and questions.

You want to skip and they want to go.

So, you just want to sleep in. Linger over a cup of coffee.  Take the day. Get some things done. Maybe go to the park or beach early in the morning and commune with the Lord via nature verses sanctuary. Sounds almost blissful in your mind and you have your heart set on this day of treasures. Then, you let your child(ren) know about the plan. They on the other hand are not so excited, but quite angry and upset that they won't be going to church this morning. What do you do?

Well, the norm of reaction would try to use your rational with your children. This usually doesn't work and most often backfires because you have opened the box of "fun things to do" and your list will become the last on the list.

Next, you try to bribe them. We can go into this, but you know this isn't the best approach in your heart.

Then, you realize that your kids are right. Going to church, hearing the lesson and celebrating the risen Lord indeed is the best choice for the morning. Now you are 30-45 minutes behind schedule and just have to wing-it. GO YOU!!!! The peace and joy that fills your heart after you drop the tot in the nursery, hand over yet another pencil to your child in the pew, and the first prayer is said simmers those tensions. God is good!

Breathe in and out. Take the time for the Sabbath that you were thinking about earlier this morning. Meditate on how God has used your kids to support you and encourage you on your faith journey. The Spirit is never without some clever ways to move us nor love up on us.

Lissa

Preparing for Communion Sunday

In the Presbyterian church children are invited to participate in communion when they are being taught about communion.  This happens in different ways in different churches.  Some churches will have a workshop or class for the kids.  Some churches will hand out a booklet.  Some churches incorporate the information into worship.  Either and all of these are excellent ways to prepare your child for communion!  But what if none of those are available?

Our five year old is now sitting in "big church" and not yet old enough for the worship workshop.  So, we have three years between what she is ready to learn and what is offered at this time.  This is not a problem for the church, but an opportunity for us as parents!  A pretty cool opportunity.

Here is what we have done.  Feel free to add/amend per your faith tradition and experiences!
-Prayed for our time together as a family and for her faith development.
-Read the scriptures
   *Matthew 26:26-29
   *Luke 22:14-20
   *1 Corinthians 11:23-26
-Talk about the scriptures with your child.  What are some things they notice?  What are some question they have questions about?
-Talk through the communion aspect of worship...a play-by-play of what will happen.  Keep this simple and maybe even let your children role play.
-If possible, arrive to church early and let your child walk up to the table and see the elements.  Let them ask questions.
-Be open to questions and comments during worship.  They will be more apt to ask the really big stuff if you give them permission. 
-Take coloring/drawing materials into worship with you.  Invite your child to draw the elements as they see them.  Older children may be able to create a story board of the bible story or the process from the morning.
-Mark on your family calendars when communion will be served.

Another element we have added to Macie's experience is helping to prepare the elements for worship.  My husband and Macie go to the church together to set-up the communion trays and the table.  This has been an awesome experience for both of them.

This is an exciting time in your child's life!  Being part of communion is being an active part of worship.  There is a lot of responsibility on our part as the parents, but think about the confidence the experience builds in our kids.  They are welcome to the table of their Lord and Savior.  They are an important member of the church family.  This is the Gospel in action!

Proverbs 22:6 reads, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."  It speaks to our responsibility as parents and as the church.  Yes, it is great when the church offers the classes and workshops, but we as the parents don't want to miss out on the fun and moment.  Be confident in yourself as your show your child the sacrament of the Lord's Supper.  As you model your faith, they will watch and learn.  You can do this.

So, my prayers this week are for all of the parents reading this blog and preparing themselves to prepare their children.  My prayer is that as we "train our children in the way they should go" we find ourselves being joy-filled by the opportunity.

"WE ARE GOING TO CHURCH" grrrrr.....

Even my family who seems to equate going to church with Disney has had these moments.  You want to go, you are excited to go, and more importantly you feel the need to go.  Then there it is world war three in your kitchen about all the reasons they don't or won't.  Your joy is squished and then you become the growling leader of your family.  Don't feel bad.  This is normal.  It doesn't have to be the norm however.  Isn't that the Good News! 

Here's the deal, if we allow ourselves and our families to get into the rhythm of growling at each other on Sunday mornings, then we will begin to loath instead of celebrate the Lord's Day.  Besides, we aren't going to get our check mark for attendance, but going to praise God for last week and get on bended knee for the coming week.  It is our celebration, our praise, our thankfulness, our prayer list a mile long that continue to call us to worship on Sunday.

Changing the tides can be difficult, but perhaps if treated like a spiritual discipline not so bad.  Below are a couple of tips for moving that growling group into a "I can't believe it's Sunday!" kinda group:

• Pray on it-you, your family, ask your neighbor to share the prayer
• Talk about what the schedule will be on Sunday with your family the day/couple of days before, "On Sunday we'll get up and go to church.  This Sunday we'll be able to thank God for _____" or whatever works for your family.
• Share your enthusiasm for worship with your family.  Why do you think everyone wants to go to Disney...it sounds fun!
• Look at the church website with your family.  Give them some time to have some ownership of their church.  Depending on their age, they can even receive the email updates on their own address.
• Make a family plan to make Sunday's special from the rest.  Maybe this means making Sunday "pancake day" or planning to out for lunch after church.  Routine and uniqueness from the rest of the week will help Sunday be something to anticipate.
• Read a passage from the Bible (better yet, get the readings for Sunday ahead of time and read those together).
• Invite a friend that you'll pick-up along the way and take with you to church.
• Pick out your clothes and have them ready.  Since this is the #1 fight in our house, I make it be the fight on Saturday instead of Sunday.  Why wait right?

These are some ideas that my family has used and ideas my family used with me as a child.  If you have other ideas please post for the sharing!

This is the last week of Summer vacation for our area.  Prayers continue for those first days of school and for the work that goes into getting kiddos into the classroom.

Peace and God's Blessings,
Lissa

Embarrassing or Just Right?

The odd part about my life is that I am able to see things from the front of the church that the rest of the congregation doesn't see.  Well, me the other worship leader and the choir.  We get to see out into the congregation and with our church, through the glass doors.  I really enjoy this gift and up until today had not processed how much I love the view.  Here is what I see...

• Children leaning on their parent's shoulders or drifting off to sleep in the lap of a loved one.
• Teens passing notes and giggling, but somehow paying attention as well.
• Little ones climbing up and over their parents as if the Sanctuary is part jungle gym.
• Young people drawing on the free space in the bulletin or working the puzzle from the children's bulletin.
• Groups of kids sitting on the edge of their seats waiting to be called forward for the Time with Children.
• Kids giving "high-5's" to their parents on the way out of church.
• The Children's Church crowd lining back up to come into worship, finding their place.

And today when the children came into worship looking for their parent(s) I lamented that I wasn't sitting in the pew.  I wouldn't get that hug from Macie with a grin and a whisper of what she had just learned.  Sitting where I do I realize the sacrifices made receiving and answering God's call at times.  God's grace and love is in abundance as always this morning and Macie walked straight down the aisle after not seeing her Dad...to me.  She walked up the steps and gave me the hug, smile and whisper and then seeing my husband waved as she found her seat in the pew. 

Embarrassed?  Never.  All of these acts of the young people in the church are just right.  They are the Body of Christ today.  We may have a teen passing notes or a toddler crawling on us as if we are the monkey bars, but they are in the right place at the right time.  Our God is indeed and awesome God.

Me? Teach Sunday School?

If you aren't on the committee, but maybe hear your ears burning it might be your name has been put on a "list" for possible teachers/leaders for Sunday School.  In all honesty the most popular reaction to this comment is "Me?"  The second reaction is "I just couldn't...." and then fill in the blank with a varied list.  I have been in your shoes friends and I've also been on the other side.  I mean who really wants to make those phone calls knowing what is happening on the other end?  Today a group of us was joking that people would start screening their phone calls this week knowing we had met!  The truth hurts.  So why not flip it around (not the truth) but the approach? 

Knowing that the call may come or even hoping the call may come, approach the invitation with "Here I am, send me".  Think of all the biblical greats...Abraham, Moses, Samuel, the Prophets, the Disciples, and even Paul were called in one way or another to do God's FORWARD moving work.  Being a Sunday School teacher is nothing like having to part the Red Sea, tell your best mentor his life is a mess, or getting swallowed up by a big fish.  We are talking what 50 minutes a week or even once a month if you teach with a team?  Big Fish...50 minutes on the first Sunday of the month.  Hard to say no huh?  Here's the other gem, Moses didn't get a curriculum.  Moses got told to take off his shoes and believe in a burning/non-burning bush.  For the most part curriculum these days is pretty much step-by-step.  You may have to collect 20 toilet paper rolls, but that is doable right?  Now you are getting pretty excited...I can feel it!

My prayers for all of us is that as we approach the fall and all that comes with the new school year we don't forget that we ARE equipped.  Sometimes being the teacher doesn't mean knowing everything, but willing to learn alongside.  Sometimes being the teacher means walking hand-in-hand with the class exploring and growing together.  It is also pretty fun.

So, don't wait for the call.  Call the church and offer up your heart and equipped self for the challenge.  Ask for help if you need it and don't hesitate to email me with questions.  If I can share my passion for teaching then you have just made my day!

Lissa

PS-Here's an idea I'm floating around...a Sunday School class for teachers and their spouses so when they aren't teaching, they have a class to "refresh and renew" with along the way.  Spouses invited, because attending a class with your spouse is great conversation makers and growing together as a couple.  Thoughts?

Surviving VBS and the first four letter word...

Last week was incredible!  We celebrated as a church Operation Overboard (as did most of the country this summer).  The kids did great learning to CLAIM JESUS and DEEPEN THEIR FAITH.  I know you are jumping up and down yelling "DIVE IN!"  My great role was to be the puppet Ocho the Octopus.  It was a great role for me because I could look out through my little puppet hole and see all the faces of the kids.  Mine was a hoot.  She rocked it and then made sure her new friends rocked it with her.  Which gets me to my favorite part of VBS...meeting new friends and having some quality time.

Due to our move to Palmetto for my part-time gig, Macie and Sumner's comfort level has been a focus for us.  They LOVED First Scots and we didn't want them to see the move as leaving as much as sharing church families.  With VBS, Macie had four nights in a row to eat a meal with new kids, have activities with new kids, play with new kids, and pray with new kids.  By the end of the week she was naming off her new friend's names and asking for play dates.  She verbalizes missing First Scots, but celebrates her "new" church.

Palmetto is also a New Church Development.  They are only a few years old as a congregation and getting to know themselves as well.  This is exciting stuff my friends!  While history is always in the making, this group of Presbyterians is charting what it means for them.  They have their first set of high schoolers!  Their first elementary kids are now in middle school.  The church is growing in many different ways and they are building relationships as a community called together by God.  As we join this community as a family it means we too are called to find our place.  We are called to step in, ask questions, and not be afraid to jump in.  The church is welcoming and loving up on us so much, but we as a family (together and individually) are finding ways we welcome and love back.  I bet that this is a similar feeling for all new members of churches whether the church is 5 years old or 205 years old.

We also had our first four letter word by our 5 year old this week.  What to do?  I wish I could claim that my husband and I are those perfect folks who don't let a word fly every so often, but I would be lying.  We aim not to not use "bad" words and believe that there are so many other words to use why not be creative?  This creativity has not been seen by our 5 year old though.  She has paid attention to the weaknesses.

So how have you handled your first word?  How do we handle it as Christian parents?  Yes, we can highlight the Commandments "Thou shall not use my name in vain", but if the word isn't in that category, just a society "bad" word what do you say to the 5 year old?  How do you make it a teachable moment?

Here's what we did...good/bad...we had a little family meeting where we spoke about glorifying God with our words.  We used some examples of better ways to express our frustrations.  Emotions are real and okay, but "what might be a better way to express anger"?  Then we all apologized to each other for using poor choices for words.  I think the next level (if we run into this again) will be time out for anyone (kids and adults) who uses a poor choice of a word to express themselves.

The conversation was guided and grace-filled.  We shall see! My prayer Proverb is below:

"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." -Proverbs 22:6

Looking ahead, this week brings an exciting new element to life-Ministry, Family and being On-Call for work...now that is a tap dance of a weekend.  Should be big fun!

Love to all!
Lissa

Lifting up prayers for stay-at-home parents.  While I'm a working mom, I celebrate the call of parents who stay-at-home and manage all that they do.

Teachable Moments

Worship is a great time to share and listen to your child(ren).  Just like is the rest of life there is no telling what our kiddos will do, but what we do with the moment that matters.  Let's take today which seemed for our family to be FILLED with these kinds of nuggets!

First, we try to encourage Macie (5 1/2) to be quiet in the sanctuary in preparation for worship.  She colors, looks around, etc. as she sets herself "ready".  Sometimes this works great, sometimes not-so-much.  Sometimes she has questions, concerns and ah-ha moments.  These tend to be less quiet and require great patience with a lot of whispering.

Today Macie first noticed the Acolyte who brought in the Light for worship.  She thought this was especially cool because the kid got to wear a special robe and carry fire.  I see her point.  While she pointed her finger and aimed for a better seat, I whispered into her ear "I am the light of the world..." and she whispered back, "whosoever believes in me shall have eternal life".  Not sure who learned more in that moment.  Then she reminded me that to live in heaven we have to remember that Jesus is the way.  Ready for a really cool conversation I was cut-off by a worship coloring sheet.

Then it was time for a Baptism.  There was a mom, a dad, a brother, a sister and the baby.  Macie watched the brother with great intent.  He was about 4 years old and not so focused on the Baptism, but on the baskets with bread in them.  Today was not only a day for celebrating Baptism, but Communion Sunday.  Now, if you were 4 and all the attention was on your little brother what would you do?  This is what Macie saw...snack time.  She leaned over and with some amount of horror stated, "MOM!  That's for Communion!".  This was great!  While my husband was only slightly embarrassed by the gusto to which Macie made this announcement, it opened up the door for a whispering dialogue about Communion and all being welcomed to the table.  Macie stated the little boy was just curious and a bit early.  I went and thanked the mom of the little boy for the moment.  Without it Macie and I wouldn't have had that teachable opportunity.

Life with kids is never perfect and I'm sorry to say if someone says it is, I would remember the advice from my high school English teacher to watch life's absolutes.  It's rolling with life and realizing that if we swallow our own embarrassment, take the time to listen and then respond we may have hit the mark that day. 

Have a blessed week my friends!  This is our week for VBS so between work, camp, life and VBS I'm sure I'll miss the mark some...I often do.  I pray though that I pause enough to have those little teachable moments like today.

Peace and God's Blessings,
Lissa

Reflections...

We had a great Sunday with Palmetto Presbyterian today!  Everyone got out the door and on the road on time dressed in our patriotic colors.  The learning curve for the Long family was two fold:

-I couldn't find my husband and daughter in the Sanctuary because they were sitting on the right front and we have typically sat in the back left.
-Thought going to lunch after church would be a neat tradition to start.  Not-so-much today.  Perhaps we just need to re-think that one for a couple weeks.

Here are some things that did work and I thought others may want to try!

• Packed a lunch cooler with snacks for car, between Sunday School, and while we waited for lunch to arrive (part of the problem...lunch took forever).  I packed some dry cereal, a gogurt, raisens, and milk for Sumner.  My kids are hungry hippos so the regular Sunday School snack wouldn't get them through.
• Talked with Macie for a little bit the last few days about the schedule and what would be happening.  She had time to ask questions and by today she was ready to rock.
• Prayed as a family for the celebrations of joining PPC and looking forward to seeing old and new friends.
• I let it go...all the control stuff of letting your toddler in the nursery.  This helped by having a few other folks check on her for me so she wouldn't see me and I wouldn't make things worse.

Again, it was a great day and we are charged for the week!  Peace to all of you!

Lissa

Back!

                       (Sumner, Macie, Me, and Grahame at Macie's Baptism Anniversary Dinner)

It has been a little over a year since my last post...this is greatly in part to several things:

• Taking 4 classes
• Working full time
• Having 2 kiddos and a hubby
• Completing an internship

Needless to say I needed to let some things go.  Since family, church, work and school couldn't be put on hold, the blog got in the "later" pile.  These days I am happy to announce that I have completed my Masters of Divinity, continue to work for Odyssey Hospice as a chaplain, and have 2 wonderful kiddos (a bit older now) and a fabulous hubby.  I'm also beginning work with Palmetto Presbyterian as their Director for Congregational Ministries which excites me to no end!  I will be able to serve the Lord in the parish ministry as well as with my hospice patients and families.  It also means my family will get to join me in the adventure.  Love it when ministry and family coordinate themselves!

This blog will continue to do what it did in the beginning.  It will be a resource, outlet, support for parents who are working together to celebrate and encourage their children's faith development.  I look forward to the journey with all who join.  Please feel free to send questions, concerns, and JOYS!  If you find something that works, please share.  I know I don't have all the answers, but have a heart to seek them.

It is great to be back and I look forward to the dialogue in the future!

Lissa

Prayer request this week:  Parent(s) who had their children in a Christian preschool and now wrestle with sending their little ones to secular school.