Reading Changes Lives
Intergenerational Worship 
for Christian Education (Faith Formation) Sunday
Pentecost 14   September 7, 2014

National Literacy Day Recommended Scriptures: John 1:1-5 and  Luke 2: 41-52  
Revised Common Lectionary Scriptures: Exodus 12: 1-14, Psalm 149, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20

National Literacy Day, September 8, 2014 : 
http://www.reading.org/international-literacy-day-2014

Reading Changes Lives Initiative: http://www.uccfiles.com/literacy/
Facts: There are 80 million people worldwide who cannot read. In the United States, 1 in 5 (more than 30 million) adults cannot read above a fourth grade reading level. Sadly, 70% of adult inmates and 85% of juvenile offenders are considered functionally illiterate and worse, 20% of high school graduates are considered functionally illiterate.  The UCC all-Church Initiative, Reading Changes Lives, seeks to involve members and congregations in addressing this deep inequity.

UCC “One Read”  Kick Off Sunday, September 7, 2014: 
http://www.ucc.org/news/one-read-07152014.html

Gathering Psalm 149:1-5 (Easy to Read Version, adapted)

During the Gathering,  you may want to take a cue from Psalm 149 and invite children and adults to dance across the chancel or down the aisles, to beat out a lively rhythm with percussion instruments, and to play guitar or other stringed instruments as rhythm under the spoken words, then as a bolder accompaniment during the Gathering Song.

You might want to adapt the Gathering (see *) by using the phrase well-recognized by children and youth “Happiness is the Truth” from Pharrell Williams’ "Happy" (from Despicable Me 2).  Dancers and percussionists could move into a phrase of the tune and rhythm of the song for the rest of the Gathering; you may run one of the many You Tube videos available with the song softly playing or, better yet, make you own congregation’s video to go with the song!

One:  	Praise God! Sing a new song to God this day!
All:   	Let us sing God’s praise as we gather to worship!
Let all God’s people be happy with their Maker!
Let us express our great happiness with our God!
By dancing ; with percussion and stringed instruments!
God feels our happiness because 
*happiness is of God (or “Happiness is the Truth”)
God does wonderful things for God’s humble people.
God’s love heals us and makes us whole!
Let us celebrate and rejoice in this Good News!!
Let us sing for joy, 
for no matter who we are or where we are on life’s journey, 
God loves us!  Let us rejoice that all are welcome here! 
Gathering Song 		Halleluja                                                             TNCH 236

Affirmation of God’s Presence 
in Word and Light                                                            John 1:1-5 (The Message, adapted)

The Word was first, 
the Word present to God, 
God present to the Word.
The Word was God, 
in readiness for God from day one.
Everything was created through the Word; 
nothing - not one thing—
came into being without the Word.
What came into existence was Life, 
and the Life was Light to live by. 
The Life-Light blazed out of the night; 
night couldn’t put it out.
That same Life-Light shone brightly in Jesus. 
It shines on us and in us today. 
So too, God’s creative Word goes forth 
from our Stillspeaking God, 
changing lives. 
God help us to
learn and love, speak and live your Word 
each and every day, 
but especially today. 
Be in us and with us as we 
speak and listen and write and read your Word, 
and as we seek access to your Word 
for young and old, rich and poor, alike!

Song of Affirmation  	             This New Day                                        (posted in separate file)

Invitation to Confession

Let us lift up to God in prayer 
those things which we have done that we shouldn’t have 
and those things which we should have done that we didn’t do.

Confession

Holy One, today we worship You in the comfort of a caring community  
with wise teachers and leaders, 
who help us to soak ourselves in your Word. 
We rejoice to know You through words we can read:
Reading Changes Lives through Joy.

But we humbly confess that many of your children are not as lucky as we. 
All around us there are men, women and children 
who struggle to survive without adequate education, 
without guidance or resources enough to learn to read any words, much less your Word: 
Reading Changes Lives through Access.

Help us to hear your Stillspeaking call to reach out to those in our communities 
who,  because of poverty, inadequate public schooling or unmet special needs,
have been unable to come to experience the Hope of your Word: 
Reading Changes Lives through Justice.

Forgive us when we take this gift of Literacy  for granted 
and do not do all that we can to share it.
Help us to understand that literacy is essential to eradicate poverty.
Help us to bring justice to persons marginalized by race, economic and educational status.
Help us to heal this tear in the fabric of our society.

Words of Forgiveness

Hear and believe the Good News of the Gospel: 
By the grace of God we have the power to respond lovingly 
to the needs of others.
Your Spirit empowers us to use our gifts and knowledge 
to help make your Word and wisdom accessible to all God’s children.

Response  		Won’t You Let Me Be Your Servant?		                  TNCH 539              
   
The Story             A Story about Jesus as a Boy           Luke 2:41-52  (Easy to Read Version) 

Ideally, this scripture is best conveyed through storytelling with visuals such as a felt board or small wooden figures (rather than simple reading of the scripture), with children and youth nearby so that they can participate in the “Children Worship and Wonder” style reflections/wonderings For more information on Children, Worship and Wonder see:  https://www.discipleshomemissions.org/dhm/dhm-ministries/family-and-childrens-ministries/children-worship-wonder/.

Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. 
When Jesus was twelve years old, they went to the festival as usual. 
When the festival was over, they went home, but Jesus stayed in Jerusalem. 
His parents did not know about it. 
They traveled for a whole day thinking that Jesus was with them in the group. 
They began looking for him among their family and close friends, but they did not find him. So they went back to Jerusalem to look for him there.
After three days they found him. 
Jesus was sitting in the Temple area with the religious teachers, 
listening and asking them questions. 
Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and wise answers. 
When his parents saw him, they wondered how this was possible. 
And his mother said, 
“Son, why did you do this to us? Your father and I were very worried about you. 
We have been looking for you.”
Jesus said to them, “Why did you have to look for me? 
You should have known that I must be where my Father’s work is.” 
But they did not understand the meaning of what he said to them.
Jesus went with them to Nazareth and obeyed them. 
His mother was still thinking about all these things. 
As Jesus grew taller, he continued to grow in wisdom. 
God was pleased with him and so were the people who knew him. 

Wondering About the Story (Interactive Reflections)
Some wondering questions about Jesus as a boy in the temple to be raised by the storyteller might be:
*I wonder how the teachers in the temple knew so much? 
*I wonder if they had things to read?
*I wonder if they read books like ours?  If not, what were they like?
*I wonder how Jesus knew so much? Did he know how to read? If he did, 
*I wonder what his favorite story was in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)?
or
Rather than addressing the scripture directly, 
talk about the fact that when Jesus was grown up he became a teacher 
like the ones in the Temple from whom he learned as a boy. 
But he was not an ordinary teacher, 
because he told a lot of stories to teach his disciples, 
to help people learn about the realm of God. 
His stories about God’s great love for everyone were passed on and on 
from person to person for a long time, 
but then some people decided they needed to be written down.  
These stories and others became what we know now as the Bible.  
For years and years the bible was translated into different languages
…slowly it grew to be read all over the world.  
Now it is written in many languages around the world. 

Did you know, though, that even though they might want to read the Bible, 
there are still many boys and girls, and even adults who cannot read? 
 In this context some wondering questions might be:
*I wonder what it would be like to not be able to read at all? 
(let both readers and non-readers answer)
*I wonder what their favorite story might be if they learned to read the Bible?
*I wonder if there were different ways that people could learn 
about the stories in the Bible if they couldn’t read?  (you might talk about stained glass windows and symbols such has the cross, and the bread and the cup, the fish, etc.)
*I wonder what your favorite story is?
*I wonder what you would miss the most if you couldn't read 
or have someone read to you?
*I wonder what someone would miss if they couldn't read a menu, 
find the right bus to take or follow street signs? 
Concluding remarks might include: 
It is a great gift to be able to read, 
to read to others and to help others to be able to read words, 
especially stories in the Bible. 
We are celebrating that gift today as we honor Christian educators 
and faith formation leaders in our church, teachers and students in our communities. 
Today we are also remembering that tomorrow is International Literacy Day 
which celebrates the power of literacy around the world. 
However, we also need to wonder about what we can do at our church 
to help more children and adults learn to read, because reading changes lives. 
We can buy books for local schools, libraries and day care centers. 
We can celebrate our own reading achievements here in worship.  
We can volunteer to tutor or teach people to read.  
We can promise to read to someone (young or old!) every day.  
What else can we do?  The website: http://www.uccfiles.com/literacy/
suggests other ways we can help. Will you explore them with me? 
(Close with a “promise prayer” addressing the topic following whatever conversation ensues. 
Literacy promoting volunteer opportunity cards may be filled out by persons in the pews to be turned in during the Offering.)

Song		Called as Partners in Christ’s Service		                   TNCH 495   

Sharing the Peace

Sharing Our Gifts (Offering)

Prayer of Dedication and Our Savior’s Prayer

Setting the Table: Communion
Invitation 
Prayer 
Gracious Giver of wisdom and knowledge, 
we remember your Word of justice and love which 
was spoken boldly in the lives of so many men and women 
who have gone before us in our faith, 
and we pray that we may be like them in service and witness.
So too, we remember this day your Word made flesh in the man called Jesus 
who showed us the inclusive sweep of your love 
through radical acts of self-giving love 
and stories which even today we love to tell and read.
As we eat this bread and drink this cup may we be strengthened 
to follow in the path of Jesus 
and carry your Good News of hope and justice 
to those around us who lack life’s basics 
like shelter, food, and education.
May this holy meal strengthen our compassion and resolve 
to teach and advocate for all. 

Song  	Holy, Holy, Holy (Santo, Santo, Santo)                                          TNCH 793                   
Words to Remember the Meal in the Upper Room

Prayer of Thanksgiving After Communion
Holy One, by this meal we are given what we need 
to continue to serve the great love you showed us in Jesus 
and to witness to your holy Word. 
We are grateful that we go forth from here 
believing that we have all we need to be your Stillspeaking people, 
seeking wisdom and justice for all through the work of our church, 
and in our daily lives. 
We rejoice and give thanks that, 
through your grace and our efforts to address the literacy crisis in our nation, 
that your Word will go forth, 
be heard and read, and lives will be changed!

Benediction
May the Word of our Stillspeaking God live in our hearts and minds, 
empowering us to inspire others to its pursuit 
through seeking literacy, compassion and justice for all God’s children. Amen.

Reading Changes Lives: Intergenerational Worship for Christian Education (Faith Formation) Sunday, was written by the Reverend Katherine Epperly, Minister for Family and Children’s Ministries, Faith Formation Team, UCC.

Copyright 2014 Local Church Ministries, Faith Formation Ministry Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.