Children's Call to Worship

Here is the Call to Worship I've written for Children's Church at the Moravian Church where I work. The bolded words are words the children repeat with hand motions.

Call to Worship

Our Lord who loves us. We come together today to thank you for your love (thank you, hands with palms facing you, one next to mouth, one further, move from face toward other), to praise you for who you are (hallelujah, hands raised high), and to ask that you help us love you (cross arms over chest then point up), each other (point at several others in the room), and ourselves (point two thumbs at yourself) better and better! Amen.

Poem for Parenting

As a Director of Christian Education in the Moravian Church, I work with children and there parents a great deal. Here is a poem I've written for the children and parents I work with as well as the Board of Christian Education of the Southern Province.

The Problem in Parenting

By Steven Fuller

The Problem in Parenting is that the life that you have given is now not yours to live,

While the one who will live it knows not yet the gift it is.

Your child,

In whom so much of you is

Your heart, soul, strength, mind, and DNA

Is not yours.

It is a risky feeling. It is a tender thought.

You know the pain he will feel. You know the danger she knows not.

Yet despite yourself,

Despite your need to govern danger, manage risk, and police their loss,

You believe that life is so worth living and gifts are so worth giving

That God would give Godself, God’s son, on a cross.

It is a risky feeling. It is a tender thought.

Although life is freely lived, it is most costly bought.

May you give in hope of living, a risk you take with God

The source of all good giving, the hope of all that’s bought!

Poem for My Brother

A Poem upon the Birth of My Nephew, Elgin Thomas

By Steven Thomas

Upon becoming father, brother mine,

Who came to me before I came to know

That life from love and love from life could grow.

Upon becoming mother, sister mine,

Now holding hope and risk in eyes blue-gray,

Though grafted on, you blossom life anew,

From different branches two, one bud it grew!

“Alas,” some say, “does night not end each day?”

And death end life; in death, life lost the game

Returned to dust, to that from which it came.

But Shepherd at death, shaking, did he weep,

Then turn and to Death cry, “My sheep I’ve lost!

I saw her as I stretched upon the cross.

But when she’s found, and in my arms does sleep,

Your knees will bend to Love in life and keep!”

Sweet Elgin Thomas, born of human kind,

Your life does whisper hope that shepherds find.

Upon becoming life, love sown does reap

And God of Love whose passion hides not hurt,

Will love outpour as heaven comes to earth.