Get ready!
Psalm 105:1-6*

1 - Today is a day of rest.
2 - It’s also a Labor Day for God’s people.
1 - Today is the first day of the week,
2 - A time to praise God.
1 - Worship is the labor of God’s people.
2 - There are no lounge chairs in this sanctuary.
1 - Today is the beginning of a new Sunday School year.
2 - Becoming disciples is hard work.
1 - It’s also exciting!
2 - Are you ready?
1 - Please stand now and listen to the call to worship.
2 - God’s Word is the best place to begin.
                  ------(pause)------
1 - Praise the LORD and pray in his name!
2 - Tell everyone what he has done.
1 - Sing praises to the LORD!
2 - Tell about his miracles.
1 - Celebrate and worship his holy name with all your heart.
2 - Trust the LORD and his mighty power.
1 - Remember his miracles and all his wonders
2 - and his fair decisions.
1 - You belong to the family of Abraham, his servant;
2 - you are his chosen ones, the descendants of Jacob.

*Contemporary English Version
©1995, American Bible Society

Get set!
(opening prayer)

         Awesome God, creator of heaven and earth - you manage the big "stuff," yet you care about the small "stuff," too! Over the years you paid attention to an insignificant desert tribe, through them promising to bless the entire earth. Even when these children of Abraham went their own foolish ways, you remained faithful, continually reaching out. You still are faithful and true, which is why we are gathered this day to worship you.
         May your Holy Spirit empower us to praise and love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help us to remember what we should never forget. Guide us as we leave the easy chairs behind and labor on toward where you are leading, trusting you every step of the way. Forgive us for when our feet wander from your ways. They tend to do that, Lord. Thank you for sending your Son to save us, and to show us the way.
         Lead on, Lord Jesus! Energize us, Holy Spirit! You are our God, and we are your people. We’re ready, we’re set. Let’s go! In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Sweet Words

         Synopsis:  Using Alphabet-shaped cereal, wonder with the children over how the words we use might taste if we were able to eat them (mean words? kind words?). Relate to Jeremiah 15:16 and Romans 12:21.

For the complete lesson, see Saving the Ants, p. 100,
© 2001 Ruth Gilmore. All rights reserved. 

Responding with our Tithes and Offerings

         In the Psalms, King David prayed: "Examine me, God, from head to foot, order your battery of tests. Make sure I’m fit inside and out so I never lose sight of your love, but keep in step with you, never missing a beat." (Psalm 26:2-3 - The Message)
         Anyone in school knows that there are going to be exams, texts, even pop quizes. They tell us that’s how we learn. In "Jesus’ school of learning," the same holds true. As the offering plates are passed, ask yourself, "am I willing to be tested by God?" If so, consecrate your offering with a prayer, perhaps using the words of King David from Psalm 26.