On Saturday, December 19th 2009 Zion’s
children lead us in worship with “Messengers for the Messiah”. The
Savior did not come to earth without a warning. Many messengers were
sent to predict, proclaim, point to and celebrate the Savior. The
children's' service highlights those many messengers as they lead our
worship to the manger ... and then beyond the manger. WE become
messengers for the Messiah, proclaiming and celebrating our Savior,
Jesus Christ.
O Lord, we gather together in worship,
praising you for the miracle of the birth of your Son. We thank
you for the gift of creation of all things and the gift of
salvation to all people. Bless those who share your message with
us today and open our hearts to receive your words and promises.
In your holy name. Amen.
You can click on the photos for larger
images.
The Children get ready for the Christmas
Service and assemble themselves in costume in the Lakeview Room.
Zechariah and Luke
Adam
Angels
Shepherds
Shepherds gather
Angels and
Shepherds
The Service Begins and the children narrate...
An important story is about to break. A new
discovery has been made. A miracle has happened. And the
news is spreading instantly. To family and friends. Across
the country. Around the world. How does this happen? By
telephone? Cell phone? Anywhere, anytime. And even
with pictures! Technology has changed communication.
How about e-mail? Instant messenger? You’ve got
mail! Sent anywhere in the world in a split second.
And there are still other ways to tell the news. Like the
newspaper. TV and radio. On-the-spot reporting. For
all the world to see and hear. But 2000 years ago there
were no TVs or radios. There were no newspapers. And certainly
no telephones or e-mail. So on a dark, still night 2000 years
ago … A miracle was about to happen. The greatest gift was
going to be given to all of humankind. And how was this
news going to be told? By something more impressive than any
modern invention. By ANGELS!
Scene One:
Locked Out.
Children: God, Job, Adam, Eve,
Satan, Angel #1
This was the first promise of a Savior. Jesus would come and pay
the price for our sins. The first paradise was lost to Adam and
Eve. An angel was placed at the entrance blocking the way back
to the Tree of Life.
But a better paradise awaits all those who believe in Jesus.
Scene Three:
Preparation
Children: Zechariah, Elizabeth, Gabriel
Zechariah was chosen for this honor and while he was in the
temple an angel appeared to him. When John was born,
Zechariah’s mouth was opened, and he was able to speak.
Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke words of
prophecy concerning his son. "And you, my child, will be
called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the
Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the
knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God."
Scene Five:
Fulfillment
Children: Micah, Isaiah, Luke
And it
came to pass in those days that there went out a decree from
Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And this
taxing was first made when Cyrenius was
governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one into his
own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city
of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called
Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to
be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, who was great with child
And there were in the same country shepherds
abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of
the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And
the angel said unto them, "Fear not—for, behold, I bring you
good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For
unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which
is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall
find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
Part Nine: Mission
Children: Everyone
The Christmas story
was complete. The celebration is complete. How do we respond as
we leave?
Like the angels. We can be messengers!
Like the prophets. We can be messengers!
Like the shepherds. We can be messengers!
Go now and be messengers for God!
Joyfully tell the Good News of salvation to all people.
Thanks be to God!
