RESOURCES for PLANNINGs... · RESOURCES for PLANNING CHILDREN ... • Women play an important role...
Transcript of RESOURCES for PLANNINGs... · RESOURCES for PLANNING CHILDREN ... • Women play an important role...
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RESOURCES for
PLANNING
CHILDREN’S
LITURGY
The YEAR of LUKE
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A Bit of Theology!
As you begin to do some forward planning for the new liturgical year it is good to get a clear overall
picture of Luke’s insight into the person and mission of Christ. This is essential if you are going to
communicate God’s word well.
So here is the kind of Jesus you will meet. In the Gospel of Luke Jesus is:
For All
People On the side of
the poor and
the outcast
Son of Mary
Someone
who
celebrates
meals
One who calls
the disciple to
totally follow
Proclaiming
an urgent
message
On the move,
always
travelling
One whose
time is short
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More about Luke’s Theology!
• Luke’s gospel begins with birth stories, these are more reflective than Matthew’s
• Women play an important role in plan of God: focus on Mary
• Mary is full of grace, hears and conceives the Word of God, proclaims the greatness of
God
• The Good News Jesus announces is to the poor
• Jesus reaches out to
• Public sinners
• The sick
• Those who society rejects
• Foreigners
• Ministry to women and their ministry to him, Luke stresses:
• The faith of Elizabeth and Anna
• The love of the forgiven woman
• The accompaniment and support of women, e.g. Mary Magdala
• The strength of women at the cross
• Special parables:
• The good Samaritan
• The Prodigal Son
• The Rich Man and Lazarus
• The encounter with Zacchaeus
• The Son of Man has come to seek and save the lost….
• In death Jesus reaches out with healing and forgiveness
• The stories of resurrection show the transforming healing power of the presence of the
Risen Lord:
• The disciples hearts burned within them
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The Structure of Luke’s Gospel
The Gospel begins and ends in JERUSALEM
His version of the Good News is framed around a JOURNEY from Galilee to Jerusalem
The JOURNEY is completed by the journey of the Church from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth
in the Acts of the Apostles
For Luke the journey to Jerusalem is the way to glorification and suffering, but Jesus is not alone.
His disciples accompany him on the journey and are bound through him into a community.
What Luke’s Gospel demands of us is that we make the same journey with Jesus in the course of
this year.
CHAPTERS 1 - 2: THE INFANCY GOSPEL
This focuses on the origins and destiny of Jesus, even at the beginning of the Gospel Luke is keen
to help us realize that Jesus is for all people.
There are announcements and visitations, births and manifestations.
For children this portion of the Gospel is very accessible as Luke makes the various characters
come alive.
CHAPTERS 3 - 9: GALILEAN MINISTRY
In this portion Jesus emerges as a man with a mission, he is baptized to proclaim Good News.
Central to his mission is calling others to join him, he then forms those he calls by teaching them
the be-attitudes. This portion of the Gospel ends with Peter’s declaration of faith in Jesus, his
words are the words that should be on the lips of all disciples: You are the Christ the Son of the
Living God!
CHAPTERS 9 – 19: JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM
As the journey to Jerusalem begins Jesus teaches his followers about the qualities they should
have as his disciples, they should be poor, humble, peacemakers and vigilant. The parables which
teach these qualities mirror the teaching of the be-attitudes and emphasise the cost of
discipleship.
This leads to a high point in Jesus’ teaching where he teaches parables about God’s mercy. This is
followed by a series of parables which emphasise the obstacles facing those who follow Jesus.
CHAPTERS 20 – 24: MINISTRY IN JERUSALEM
All of the above is preparing the disciples of Jesus for his entrance into Jerusalem where he will
suffer, die and rise to new life.
The journey of understanding what it all means continues for the disciples as they walk on the
road to Emmaus. When they recognize the Lord Jesus they journey back to Jerusalem to confirm
each other and spread the message that Jesus is Risen.
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LUKE in ADVENT
THE MEANING of ADVENT
When reflecting on God’s word with children during advent we need to keep in mind that it is a
season in itself. It is a season that not only prepares us for the solemnity of Christmas where we
recall the first coming of the Son of God, but it also helps us to reflect about the second coming
of Christ.
Advent is not like a mini Lent! It is characterized more by the feeling of waiting for something to
happen. The colour purple and the use of the advent wreath helps children to get a feel for this.
There are two clear stages in the Advent journey from the first Sunday of Advent to December
16th we focus on the second coming of Christ. We shift gear from the 17th – 24th December where
we begin to directly prepare for the birth of Christ, each day the Church sings an ‘O antiphon’
which tells us more about the Christ who is to come. Making an ‘O antiphon’ prayer tree can help
the children get involved in the big build up.
As you prepare for Advent children’s liturgy you should keep in mind the overall picture of the
whole season. The chart below maps out the journey and also suggests liturgical music links and
prayer links for sessions.
GOSPEL Gospel Focus Liturgical Music Link Prayer Link
Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 Stay Awake Pray Constantly
Come Lord Jesus Come
Ways of praying all the time
Luke 3: 1-6 Prepare a Way for the Lord All People will know God’s saving love
Prepare ye the way of the Lord…..
How can we prepare our hearts?
Luke 3:10 - 18 What must we do? John proclaims the Good News about Jesus
Promised Lord and Christ is he
How do you share the Good News about Jesus
Luke 1: 39 - 44 Mary visits Mary waits Mary believes
The Angel Gabriel Holy Virgin by God’s decree
Explore the Hail Mary
At the end of your session you should use a response for the children’s bidding prayers which fits
the season .e.g., Come Lord Jesus come again………
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ORDINARY TIME
In the Lectionary Luke’s Gospel is presented in bite sized portions for each Sunday, some of these
portions can easily be blocked into larger themes. When preparing for Children’s Liturgy these larger
portions should be kept in mind. The following provides you with a focus for each week as well as a
larger informing theme.
WEEK’S 1 & 2: Our Journey with Jesus begins
Week of Ordinary Time
LARGE THEME Gospel Gospel Focus Music Link Prayer Link
Week 1C Baptism of the Lord
Jesus the Messiah
Luke 3: 15-16, 21-22
Jesus is God’s beloved Son
Love, love Jesus is love B. Farrell
God loves you very much
Week 2C Jesus the Messiah
John 2: 1 -12 Jesus changes everything
Love, love Jesus is love
God invites us to be with him
The beginning of Ordinary Time in Year C seems a bit strange as we use Luke’s Gospel for the 1st Sunday
and then jump to John’s! However on both Sunday’s the emphasis is on the fact that the crowds
recognize who Jesus is, this is what you need to help the children to focus on.
JESUS the MESSIAH
Messiah is a big word for children. What does it mean? It means ‘God’s Anointed One’. In the first week
you could take time to anoint every child with oil, ask them how it feels to be anointed and tell them
that this happened to everyone at baptism. The priest anointed each one of us to live like God’s beloved
Son Jesus. Ask them ‘How do you want to live like God’s beloved Son Jesus?’
SONGS
The suggested song is from Bernadette Farrell’s resource called ‘Share the Light’, this has many good
pieces of liturgical music which are very prayerful and can be used with accompanying actions, as you
begin the new liturgical year it would be well worth investing in her CD and songbook. You will use it
throughout the year.
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WEEK’S 3 & 4: We visit Nazareth with Jesus
Week of Ordinary Time
Larger Theme Gospel Gospel Focus Music Link Prayer Link
Week 3C Jesus is sent Luke 1:1-4, 4:4-21
Jesus is sent to bring us Good News
God’s spirit is in my heart Or Share the Light B. Farrell
Lord help us to be Good News for others
Week 4C Jesus is sent Luke 4: 21-30 Jesus is sent to bring the message to all people
God’s spirit is in my heart Or Share the Light B. Farrell
Help us to include everyone
SENT by THE SPIRIT
In this two week block you should help the children to explore the idea that God sent Jesus with a
message. This message is Good News for everyone.
In Week 3 you might want to explore what the message of Good News is and who it is for. As God’s
spirit is in our hearts, Jesus calls us to not only spread the message of his Good News but to actually be
Good News. You can explore with the children ways that we ourselves can be Good News.
In Week 4 it is important to help the children see that the Good News Jesus brings is not only for his
own village, or cousins or friends but for everyone in the world. This means that the Good News we are
all called to spread is not just for our friends and family but includes the whole world. We can do this by
‘sharing the light of Jesus’. Bernadette Farrell’s song ‘Share the Light’ is easily learned and could enable
the children to think big about how they can be Good News.
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Week’s 5 – 12: We go to Galilee with Jesus
Week of Ordinary Time
Larger Theme Gospel Gospel Focus Music Link Prayer Link
Week 5C Jesus’ Ministry in Galilee
Luke 5: 1-11 Jesus calls his friends
You have called us by our name B. Farrell
Lord help us to follow you by…..
Week 6C Jesus’ Ministry in Galilee
Luke 6: 17, 20-26
Jesus teaches about real happiness
You have called us by our name
Pray for those described in the Gospel, e.g. poor, hungry, etc.
Week 7C Jesus’ Ministry in Galilee
Luke 6:27 – 38 Jesus teaches about kindness
God of mercy B. Farrell
Ask for God’s forgiveness for the times we were unkind
Week 8C Jesus’ Ministry in Galilee
Luke 6: 39 – 45 Jesus teaches about good- heartedness
You have called us by our name
Heart prayer: Get children to place hand on heart
Week 9C Jesus’ Ministry in Galilee
Luke 7: 1 - 10 Jesus finds a man with faith
You have called us by our name
Lord help us to show we trust you by
Week 10C Jesus’ Ministry in Galilee
Luke 7: 11 – 17 Jesus finds a woman with faith
You have called us by our name
Thanking and praising God for what he does for us
Week 11C Jesus’ Ministry in Galilee
Luke 7: 36 – 8:3
Jesus meets a woman who loves
God of mercy B. Farrell
Heart Prayer: Thanking God for his love
Week 12C Jesus’ Ministry in Galilee
Luke 9: 18 -24 Peter puts his faith and trust in Jesus
You have called us by our name
Lord help us to show we believe in you by
The portion where Jesus ministers in Galilee is large but the connections are strong between the
characters in the stories, all of whom demonstrate great faith in Jesus. This leads to Peter publicly telling
everyone about his faith in Jesus. You should help the children to explore why, how and when they trust
Jesus, and how they show their faith in Jesus in their actions.
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Week’s 13 – 23: The Qualities of those who follow Jesus
Week of Ordinary Time
Larger Theme Gospel Gospel Focus Music Link Prayer Link
Week 13C Following Jesus Luke 9:51-62 Follow Jesus straight away
There is Someone B. Farrell
Lord help me to follow you by…..
Week 14C Following Jesus Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
Be happy to work for Jesus
There is Someone
Lord I want to work for you by…..
Week 15C Following Jesus Luke 10: 25-37 Help everyone who is in need
There is Someone
Sorry prayer
Week 16C Following Jesus Luke 10: 38-42 Friends of Jesus not only serve him but spend time with him
There is Someone
Heart prayer
Week 17C Following Jesus Luke 11: 1-13 Friends of Jesus pray often
There is Someone
Our Father
Week 18C Following Jesus Luke 12: 13-21 Friends of Jesus are not greedy
The Peace of God B. Farrell
Sorry prayer
Week 19C Following Jesus Luke 12: 32-48 Friends of Jesus are ready to serve
The Peace of God
Lord help me to serve by….
Week 20C Following Jesus Luke 12: 49-53 Friends of Jesus bring light to the world
The Peace of God
Candle Prayer
Week 21C Following Jesus Luke 13: 22-30 Jesus invites everyone into his Kingdom
Though we are many B. Farrell
Praying for the world
Week 22C Following Jesus Luke 14: 1, 7-14
Friends of Jesus are humble
Though we are many
Heart Prayer
Week 23C Following Jesus Luke 14: 25-33 Friends of Jesus love God and others more than themselves
Though we are many
Lord help us to love you by….
The emphasis in all of the above is about Jesus teaching his disciples how they should be in the world.
He is also teaching the children how they should live. This should be a strong focus for exploration with
the children helping them to grow in discipleship.
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Week 24: The Big Message about God’s kindness and mercy
Week of Ordinary Time
Larger Theme Gospel Gospel Focus Music Link Prayer Link
Week 24C The Key to the Whole Gospel
Luke 15: 1- 32 God’s amazing kindness and forgiveness
God of mercy B. Farrell
Sorry Prayer
This parable of God’s forgiveness is often used as the text for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, you could
check out if it will be used for Children’s reconciliation in the parish and link up with the celebration.
You could purchase a poster of Rembrandt’s painting and use it in your focal point.
The focus of any sharing should be more about God’s goodness, kindness and mercy than on the
negative aspects of how we feel when we have done something wrong.
Emphasizing that God is always waiting for us with open arms is very important.
You should also keep in mind that this portion of the Gospel contains 2 other stories. All 3 stories focus on
how people who feel ‘lost’ can be found again by God. You could also explore with the children what it
feels like to be lost and how they felt when they were found again, there will be plenty of these stories,
e.g, getting lost in the supermarket!
The reason why this portion of the Gospel is so important is because Luke is teaching his reader’s about
new ways of approaching and thinking about God. If you have any negative image of God that you are
aware of, make sure that you don’t impose them on the children!
A very good way into exploring this Gospel is by using images.
Rembrandt’s image of the prodigal son is very helpful as it
enables the children to explore:
how the father felt,
how the returning son felt,
how the servant’s felt
and how the elder son felt.
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Week’s 25- 31: The Problems Jesus’ Friends encounter on the way
Week of Ordinary Time
Larger Theme Gospel Gospel Focus Music Link Prayer Link
Week 25C Problems in Following Jesus
Luke 16: 1-13 You cannot serve both God and money!
The Peace of God
Lord help us to follow you by
Week 26C Problems in Following Jesus
Luke 16: 19-31 God gives good things to the poor
The Peace of God
For the poor of our world
Week 27C Problems in Following Jesus
Luke 17:5-10 You’ve got to have faith
Share the Light of Jesus B. Farrell
Heart Prayer
Week 28C Problems in Following Jesus
Luke 17: 11-19 A person of faith always thanks God
Share the Light of Jesus
Thanking Prayer
Week 29C Problems in Following Jesus
Luke 18:1-8 God answers our prayers in his time
The Wonders I See B. Farrell
Help us to remember you are with us
Week 30C Problems in Following Jesus
Luke 18: 9-14 God listens to the humble person
The Wonders I See
Sorry Prayer
Week 31C Problems in Following Jesus
Luke 19: 1-10 God’s love is for everyone
The Wonders I See
Signing the Song
Here Luke enables us to enter into the growing journey of the disciples with Jesus, where they are taught
that there are lots of obstacles to following him. Some of the concepts in this portion of the Gospel are
very sophisticated for children. The problems faced range from Jesus’ expectation that disciples are
single-hearted in their following of him, and also teaching the disciples that the Good News is for
everyone.
In this section there can be a strong focus on justice and peace, where the children are enabled over the
course of the weeks to become more aware of the needs of the poor and the injustice in our world. There
are good resources for this in the Junior SCIAF section of the SCIAF website.
You should, however, remember that children’s liturgy is not about teaching the children a lesson, but
about breaking open the word of God for them so that it is accessible and alive!
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Week’s 32 – 33: Jesus teaches in Jerusalem
Week in Ordinary Time
Larger Theme Gospel Gospel Focus Music Link Prayer Link
Week 32C He’s the God of the Living
Luke 20:27 -38 Everyone is alive
Love, love Jesus is love
Remembering those who are alive in God
Week 33C He’s the God of the Living
Luke 21: 5 -19 Those who are faithful and good will live forever
Love, love Jesus is love
Thanking God for those who lived good lives
As we come to the end of the liturgical year we focus more clearly on ‘end times’ where the big theme
of life after death emerges. This is a difficult concept for children, but Luke’s message is hopeful. As far
as God is concerned everyone is alive. It will be helpful for children to focus on remembering those they
have known who are now with God and to take time to name them, asking God to look after them for
us. In the following week you can emphasise the prayer of thanking, where the children are given the
opportunity to thank God for all the good people they have known in their lives. It is important in this
prayer that you enable the children to actually name the good things that people have done, also keep
in mind that there may be children in the group who have been recently bereaved.
Week 34: Jesus forgives everyone, He’s the Servant King
Week in Ordinary Time
Larger Theme Gospel Gospel Focus Music Link Prayer Link
Week 34C God is a Forgiving God
Luke 23: 35-43 Jesus shows us God’s forgiveness
The Servant King Or Jesus Remember Me
Symbolic Prayer around the cross
Much of Luke’s Gospel emphasises the kindness of God and how he comes back to us again and again
with his forgiveness. In this Gospel of the final week of the liturgical year we see how God’s forgiveness
becomes flesh in Jesus. Even as Jesus is being crucified he is reaching out in forgiveness to those around
him. The characters in the Gospel do not understand what kind of King Jesus is. We realize as we listen
to the story that he is not a King with a crown, but a King who serves even to the point of giving his life.
The kind of kingdom he wants us to build is summed up in the eucharistic prayer which talks about a
kingdom of truth and life, holiness and grace, justice, love and peace!
It might be helpful to have a huge cross on the floor with the children gathered around it as the focal
point for this final week in the year. You could shape a time prayer around the phrase ‘Jesus remember
me when…….’ Or place tea lights around the cross and help the children shape prayers around how they
will serve Jesus.
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LENT in the LECTIONARY
The season of Lent is a time of spiritual preparation where we journey together towards Easter. It might
be helpful to draw a picture of a road and introduce the children to the characters they will meet on the
journey. In week one of Lent we look at the notion of temptation, week two focuses on the
transfiguration, the following weeks emphasise repentance. Then on Passion Sunday you might consider
reading the simplified Gospel in parts for the Passion. Make sure that the children have an opportunity
to be a major part of the opening procession, you could then set up a focal point with a cross where the
children lay down their palms in homage.
WEEK of LENT
Larger Theme
Gospel Gospel Focus
Characters we meet
Music Link Prayer Link
1 Journey towards Easter
Luke 4: 1- 13 The Spirit helps Jesus when he is tempted
The devil and Jesus
Share the Light of Jesus
Prayers to help us during Lent
2 Journey towards Easter
Luke 9: 28-36
When Jesus prayed his face shone like the sun
Jesus with Moses, Ellijah, Peter, James and John
Share the Light of Jesus
Candle Prayer
3 Journey towards Easter
Luke 13: 1-9 God gives us lots of chances to change
A patient gardener with a fig tree
God of mercy
Sorry Prayer
4 Journey towards Easter
Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32
God’s amazing kindness and forgiveness
A father, two sons and servants
God of Mercy
Sorry Prayer
5 Journey towards Easter
John 8: 1 -11 God doesn’t punish, he forgives us when we are sorry
A crowd of Pharisees, a woman and Jesus
God of Mercy
Sorry Prayer
6 Journey towards Easter
Luke 22: 14- 23, 56
Jesus shows us God’s love
Jesus, two criminals and the women
Love, love Jesus is love
Prayer around the cross
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EASTER in the LECTIONARY
The fifty days from Easter to Pentecost should be celebrated as one big feast, this is sometimes called
the Great Sunday! As the whole Church rejoices, children should have as many opportunities to sing
alleluia. You could sing a longer version of the alleluia before the Gospel with verses. The readings in the
lectionary are from John’s Gospel, they help us to dwell at length on the great mysteries we celebrated
during the Easter Triduum.
WEEK of EASTER
Larger Theme
Gospel Gospel Focus
Characters we meet
Music Link Prayer Link
Easter Sunday
Jesus is Risen and with us
John 20: 1-9 Seeing and believing
Mary Peter Other disciples Risen Jesus
Alleluia, Listen to Jesus B. Farrell
2 Jesus is Risen and with us
John 20: 19-31
Not-seeing and believing
Thomas Apostles Risen Jesus
Alleluia, Listen to Jesus
3 Jesus is Risen and with us
John 21: 1-19
Believing is about loving
Peter Nathanael James & John The disciple Jesus Loved Risen Jesus
Alleluia, Listen to Jesus
4 Jesus is Risen and with us
John 10: 27 -30
Those who believe listen to Jesus
The Father and Jesus Some sheep
Alleluia, Listen to Jesus
5 Jesus is Risen and with us
John 13: 31-35
Those who believe in Jesus love one another
Son of Man Little Children
Love, love Jesus is love
6 Jesus is Risen and with us
John 14: 23-39
The gift of peace helps us to believe
The Father The Holy Spirit
The Peace of God
7 Jesus is Risen and with us
John 17: 20 - 26
Jesus prays for us who believe
The Father The Peace of God
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TYPES of PRAYER After the Gospel is read and there has been a brief time of sharing the children should be invited to
respond to the word in prayer. This prayer can take many forms, although in Mass it is in the form of
General Intercessions. Below are examples of the kinds of simple prayer you can engage in with the
children.
Thanking This is simply saying out loud what you want to thank God for, the catechists begins by encouraging the
children to begin the prayer by saying ‘Thank you God for…….’
Help We call this the prayer of petition, when we ask God for something.
Sorry We use this format at the beginning of Mass when we ask for God’s mercy and say sorry for our sins
Heart This is a good way of introducing silent prayer, where the children are invited for a very short period of
time to place their hand on their heart, close their eyes and listen to the silence or are invited to listen
to a phrase, e.g. Come Lord Jesus (in advent)
Candles These are good for prayer as children like to look at the light. Lights in a room can be switched off so
that everyone can focus on a candle in the middle of a circle. Another way of praying with a candle is by
passing it round, make sure any candle you use I big enough and safe enough for children to hold.
Silent Actions The gestures that we use at Mass are prayer gestures, these can be used at Children’s Liturgy so that
children connect more strongly with their meaning at Mass. So think about the use of standing, raising
hands, kneeling and bowing.
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FOCAL POINTS The directory for Children’s Liturgy makes it clear that what children are invited to do is GATHER
AROUND THE WORD, so it is important that focal points are planned in such a way that all the children
participating can see it.
The focal point should be at a eye level, so if children are sitting on the floor with their legs in a basket
they should be organised in such a way that no one’s view is blocked
Not an altar – a place to honour God’s word For the Liturgy of the Word in Church the focus is on listening to God’s word and reverencing it. The
same should happen when children gather around the word. So the focal point should not look like a
altar, but more like a place where the word can rest and be viewed.
Liturgical Colours The children learn very quickly what the liturgical season is through colour. If you use cloth make sure it
is the right colour for the season:
GREEN for Ordinary Time
PURPLE for ADVENT and LENT
GOLD or WHITE for EASTER
RED for PASSION SUNDAY
Icons/Images Children’s spirituality is very linked to their senses, this means that things they smell, touch and taste
help.
Icons and good images are helpful as children can imagine these in prayer. Statues can be used
particularly is they are passed around for the children to touch and engage with.
RESOURCES:
The Liturgy of the Word with Children, Katie Thompson, Kevin Mayhew
Publishers, (CD included)
Music/CD’s
Share the Light, Bernadette Farrell, Decani Music
No pianist No Problem, a set of CD’s with backing tracks, Kevin Mayhew
Publisher
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Children’s Liturgy Planning Sheet
Gospel Text:
Leaders:
Setting up of Room:
Focal Point:
Music Link:
Prayer Link:
CD Player:
Photocopying:
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JESUS SPEAKS TO US TODAY
1) What words of Jesus do you remember?
2) What is Jesus asking you to do this week?
3) What prayer would you like to say?
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NOTES: