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Worship Suggestions
At the end of each of the seven studies is "View You." The instructions in the
books are for individual reflection and response. However, they easily lend
themselves to creating a special worship time, providing closure to the
specific study for the whole group. Here are some suggestions of ways to turn
the "View You" portion of each study into a memorable time of worship.
Song suggestions can be found in a number of hymnals and songbooks. These came
specifically from
The Faith We Sing,
Songs of Zion,
The United Methodist Hymnal,and
Worship Feast Taize´ Songbook (all from Abingdon Press).
Please feel free to adapt these ideas and add ones of your own to make this time
especially meaningful for your particular group. For additional ideas, check
out Worship Feast Ideas: 100 Awesome Ideas for Postmodern Youth
and Worship Feast Services: 50 Complete Multisensory Services for Youth.
Freed to Be God’s People
1. Phenomenal Women (Exodus 1:14-22; 2:10), page 13
Songs: "A Mother Lined a Basket," "We Shall Overcome," "O God, Our Help in Ages
Past, " "Be Still My Soul," "God Will Take Care of You", "I Will Call Upon the
Lord," "God Weeps," "You Are My Hiding Place", "His Eye Is on the Sparrow""How
Long, O Lord," "Faith Is Patience in the Night"
Visual: Project images of children, including children with obvious needs for
clothing, nutritious food, and decent homes; include also photos that show
adults caring for children
Altar Visual: A basket with a covering
Sounds: Sound effects of children crying, children laughing
Recording: “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” (Sister Act 2)
2. Excuses, Excuses, Excuses (Exodus 3:7-15), page 24
Songs: “Walk With Me,” “Here I Am, Lord,” “Lead Me, Guide Me,” “Go Down, Moses,”
“Freedom Is Coming,” “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying,” “In the Lord I’ll
Be Ever Thankful,” “O Lord, Hear My Prayer”
Altar Visual: A “burning” bush, a pair of sandals
Invite students to name their excuses for not answering God’s call or for not
following the teachings of Jesus. Have them write their excuses on a slip of
paper or index card. Sing “Walk With Me” (or have a soloist sing the verses and
the group the chorus) while the youth come individually to the cross and turn
their excuses over to God. Close with “Here I Am, Lord.”
3. Let My People Go (Exodus 11:4-10; 12:29-32), page 38
Songs: “Here I Am, Lord,” “Go Down, Moses,” “Freedom Is Coming,” “Lord, Listen
to Your Children Praying,” “In the Lord I’ll Be Ever Thankful,” “O Lord, Hear
My Prayer,“ ”Goodness Is Stronger Than Evil, “Wait for the Lord”
Visuals: Video footage or photos from the American Civil Rights Movement;
illustrations from days of American slavery; check the Internet for information
and possibly photos related to slavery today (freetheslaves.net is one source)
Altar Visual: Chains draped down from the cross
Include prayers for persons enslaved today.
4. How Do You Get Water From a Rock? (Exodus 17:1-7), page 50
Songs: “Let My People Seek Their Freedom,” “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” “Here I
Am, Lord,” “God will Take Care of You”
Altar Visual: Large rock
Sounds: Fountain with running water
Guided Meditation: See Worship Feast Ideas #40 “God Provides.”
5. Freedom Has a Price (Exodus 20:1-20), page 63
Songs: “Holy Ground,” “Lead On, O Cloud of Presence,” “Lord, We Come to Ask Your
Blessing,” “Lead Me, Guide Me,” “Cry of My Heart,” “Bless the Lord,” “Awesome
God”
Visual: Project the words of the Ten Commandments and the Great Commandments on
a rolling PowerPoint.
Altar Visual: “Stone” tablets
6. Give Me a Break (Exodus 31:12-17), page 76
Songs: “Bless the Lord,” “Come and Fill,” “In God Alone,” “Wait for the Lord,”
“Let Your Servant Now Go in Peace”
Worship in the style of the Taize´ community. Use multiple candles on the altar;
sing the songs from Taize´ multiple times (that allows the words to become
“heart prayers.”) Clear the floor, and invite youth to kneel, sit, or go prone
as they rest in God’s peace. Observe a time of silence (10 minutes is good.)
Altar Visual: Multiple candles, various items or icons that invite reflection
See Worship Feast Taize' and Worship Feast Taize' songbook
7. A Stiff-Necked People (Exodus 32:7-14), page 90
Songs: “Wait for the Lord,” “It’s Me, It’s Me, O Lord,” “Forgive Us, Lord,” Give
Me a Clean Heart,” “O Lord, Hear My Prayer,” “Come Out the Wilderness”
Movement: Set up or visit a labyrinth. Point out to the youth that the years of
wandering in the wilderness helped to fashion the “stiff-necked people” into
God’s people. Invite them to walk the labyrinth in prayer, dealing with the
questions in View U (page 90), praying to become more and more a part of God’s
people, or bringing before God their own needs and intercessions.
See Worship Feast Ideas #84 “Use a Labyrinth.”
Invite the youth to the Table of the Lord.
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