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Weekly text: Ephesians 4:1-16
Faith focus: Live in the unity of the Spirit.
Other text: Colossians 3:12-17
Visuals: white (and/or blue) worship cloth; open Bible; symbols: heart, road sign, story figure, kazoo or party horn, footprint shape, feather, adhesive bandage, olive branch, puzzle piece
Call to worship: HWB 670
Opening prayer: HWB 677
Song suggestions:
"What Is This Place," HWB 1
"All People That on Earth Do Dwell," HWB 42
"How Good a Thing It Is," HWB 310
"There Are Many Gifts," HWB 304
"In Christ There is No East or West," HWB 306
Children’s time: Ahead of time, draw the outline of your church on poster board. Then cut it into about 12 puzzle pieces.
Say, "Today we are talking about the church, God's family, or the body of Christ. The church is like a big puzzle. Each piece is different but very important (show some puzzle pieces). All of the pieces are needed for the puzzle to be complete. We are all an important part of our church no matter how young or old we are. We need lots of different kinds of people in our church with many different abilities or gifts. Let's think about some of those gifts (print each idea on a puzzle piece): drama, music, art, dance, organizing, building, praying, visiting, helping, teaching, preaching, giving, and other ideas." Then invite the children to help put the puzzle together to make a church.
Sing the chorus to the song "We Are the Church" (words and music by Richard Avery and Donald Marsh, from Sing and Be Glad).
Find the worship symbol for today (puzzle piece). It reminds us that each of us has a place in God's family.
Say, "I wonder what gifts God has given you." Identify a gift you see in each child if you know them well enough.
Pray together: "Generous God, you have given each of us different things we do well. Help us discover our gifts and share them with others. Thank you for this church-your church, our church. Amen."
Scripture reading: Ephesians 4:1–16
Sermon seeds: This letter speaks to a church with both diversity (Jews and Gentiles) and unity (one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God). The first half of the letter is a celebration of the way God has formed the body of Christ. The second half is filled with advice. How do you build unity in the midst of diversity? What walls in your church need to be torn down? How do you speak the truth in love? How do you encourage others to discover and use their gifts for ministry?
Song: "Heart with Loving Heart United," HWB 420
Benediction: May you live in the unity of God's spirit with humility, gentleness, and patience. Go in peace and love. Amen.
