CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2017 “CREDIBLE” Matthew 5:14-16 Rev. Dr. Kathryn G. Brown General Secretary, Christian Education Department 1 Dear Christian Educators, Sunday, September 17th is Christian Education Sunday in the life of our Zion. The theme for CED Sunday is “Credible.” The Christian Education Sunday worship experience is designed to highlight the ways in which the ministry of Christian Education fosters the development of credible Christian disciples. “Practices That Lead Toward Credibility” is the Christian Education Department’s emphasis from September 2017 through September 2018. For the next 12 months we will explore various practices that lead toward credibility. We will also review our personal and departmental practices and evaluate how these practices lead to credibility. This guide provides valuable information for Christian Education Sunday worship and 12 months of plans in conjunction with our theme. I am excited about this opportunity to grow in credibility. I hope that you are too! Expect the Great! Rev. Dr. Kathryn G. Brown General Secretary, Christian Education 2 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE • Videotape or obtain written testimonies of the impact of your local church’s district’s or conference’s Christian Education ministry. Display written testimonies with photos on bulletin boards. If possible, show videos during the worship experience or at a reception following the morning worship. • Select someone under 19 to write an essay, poem or spoken work on the topic, “Being A Credible Witness for Christ in the 21st Century.” Have them share what they write during the morning worship service. • Using Matthew 5: 14-16 as the foundation scripture, present an object lesson that teaches about being light in the world (see next page) • Prior to Christian Education Sunday, have students and teachers identify the top 10 ways Christian students and teachers can let their light shine during this school year. Select two students and two educators to share these top 10 ways (and include in the Sunday bulletin) followed by the prayer on page 9 and “book blessing.” Remind students of all ages to bring their books, tablets, etc. to church so that they can participate in the “book blessing.” • Include the Litany for CED Sunday in the appropriate place in the worship experience (see page 8). • Invite local educators to worship and include them in the special prayer and “book blessing.” • Promote Truthville 2017 (information is on page 12). 3 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE Object Lesson Based on Matthew 5:14-16 • Display several different kinds of light bulbs on a table (chandelier bulb, refrigerator bulb, regular light bulb). • Ask the children to explain the purpose of a light bulb. Ask them why the light bulbs look different. Ask if the different sizes and shapes impact the bulb’s purpose. • Have a few students hold up a light bulb and try to get it to shine. Encourage them to try different ways to make it shine by holding it higher, turning it upside down, shaking it, etc. (remind them to be careful not to break the bulb). Then ask why the light bulb is not doing what is was made to do? Make sure their answers point to the fact that the light bulb must have a source; it cannot shine on its own. • Have one of the children (previously prepared) to read Matthew 5:14-16. Ask them to explain this scripture in their own word. Ask for examples of how we let our light shine at home, school, church, with friends, in the grocery store, on the playground, etc. Point out that letting our light shine is the same as being a credible disciple. Remind them that the bulb cannot shine on its own. It has to be connected to a power source. Just like a light bulb is not able to shine light on its own even though it was created for that very purpose, we also cannot shine the Light of Jesus unless we are connected to the source – Him! • Screw the bulb into a lamp that is plugged into a power source so that they can see how the light bulb is able to shine when connected to the lamp. Remind them that although the bulbs are not all the same, they all will shine when connected to the right power source. Explain that JESUS is the right power source for all us , regardless of our size, race, gender, family background, skills, etc. Point out that we are only able to shine when we stay connected to Christ! Ask for examples of how we stay connected to God (praying regularly, reading the Bible, worshipping, serving, obeying God). Adapted from Creative Bible Study http://www.creativebiblestudy.com/objectlesson-light.html 4 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE Recommended Scriptures: • Genesis 39:1-10 • Exodus 1:1-21 • Matthew 5:14-16 • Ephesians 5:1-20 Recommended Music: Congregational: “More About Jesus” - #263* ”They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love” - #683* “More Love To Thee” - #256* ”Yield Not To Temptation” - #518 I Am Thine O Lord #644* “Trust and Obey” – #443* “O Jesus I Have Promised - #472* “Give Me A Clean Heart” - #461** “ “We Are Christian Educators” (see page 7) “Pass It On” – (see page 6) “You Are My Strength” – Miranda Curtis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G37B3XHPc8Q) ”Lord You Are Good” – Todd Galberth – (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-hs33zcLAU) Choir/Solo/Liturgical Dance ”Change Me” – Tamela Mann “His Blood Still Works” – VaShawn Mitchell “My Life, My Love, My All” – Kirk Franklin “Here I Am To Worship” – Israel Houghton and New Breed -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjpmoVPokt0 “Love Lifted Me” – Hezekiah Walker - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XPp9Gyga_Y “For the Rest of My Life” – Timothy Wright - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad2k3FEhcz0 “What If God Is Unhappy With Our Praise” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnalBmpgdBQ *A.M.E. Zion Bi-Centennial Hymnal **African-American Heritage Hymnal 5 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE “We Are Christian Educators” (to the tune of “We Are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder) (Written by Dr. Mary Love) We are Christian Educators. We are Christian Educators. We are Christian Educators. Answering to God’s call. We are teaching one another. We are teaching one another We are teaching one another About God’s love and grace. Red and blue are our colors. Red and blue are our colors. Red and blue are our colors Visually showing our call. We are following your Son, Jesus. We are following your Son, Jesus. We are following your Son, Jesus. Striving to be your Church. Optional verse (recommended by Rev. Kathryn G. Brown, General Secretary, Christian Education Department): Rise! Shine! Give God the glory! Rise! Shine! Give God the glory! Rise! Shine! Give God the glory! Soldier of the cross! 6 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE Pass It On (Y.A.C.M. Theme Song) It only takes a spark to get a fire going, And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing; That's how it is with God's Love, Once you've experienced it, Your spread the love to everyone You want to pass it on. What a wondrous time is spring, When all the tress are budding The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming; That's how it is with God's love, Once you've experienced it. You want to sing, it's fresh like spring, You want to pass it on. I wish for you my friend This happiness that I've found; You can depend on God It matters not where you're bound, I'll shout it from the mountain top - PRAISE GOD! I want the world to know The Lord of love has come to me I want to pass it on. I'll shout it from the mountain top - PRAISE GOD! I want the world to know The Lord of love has come to me I want to pass it on. 7 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE CED SUNDAY 2017 LITANY LEADER: I am called to be a credible, committed Christian disciple. RESPONSE: To be credible is to be believable. I desire to live my life so that others will believe that I believe in Jesus Christ, and as a result, they too will believe! LEADER: I am called to be a credible, committed Christian disciple. RESPONSE: To be committed is to be dedicated and loyal; to not give up even when when I am uncomfortable or life gets tough. LEADER: I am called to be a credible, committed Christian disciple. RESPONSE: A disciple attaches self to the teacher so that the teacher’s behavior becomes theirs. LEADER: As a credible, committed Christian disciple, I endeavor to love the Lord my God with all of my heart, and with all of my soul and with all of my mind. I endeavor to love my neighbor as myself. RESPONSE: I will serve Christ and Christ’s church. I will pray as Jesus prayed and endeavor to love as Jesus loves. LEADER: As a credible, committed Christian disciple, I desire to fulfill God’s purpose for my life. RESPONSE: GOD made me. I did not make myself! I am a sheep of God’s pasture; therefore, I belong to God! I want God to direct my path. LEADER:. Jesus is the light of the world. His light shines in me. ALL: I will let this light shine so that others will see my good works and glorify my Father in heaven. Written by Rev. Kathryn G. Brown, General Secretary of the Christian Education Department, A.M.E.