"The Chapters of Life"
(A Six-Week Series of Worship Services)
The following is offered as an example of the way in which intergenerational worship services can be provided. Here the worship life for a six week period is intentionally planned to include all ages (chapters) on the journey of life. This series of service originally took place at the Hillcrest Christian Reformed Church in Hudsonville, MI.
The aims of these services were as follows:
- to show the congregation that each stage in life's journey is valuable and deserves attention;
- to illustrate that each stage in life's journey has its own unique challenges and needs;
- and to aid all worshipers to become more sensitive to and understanding of others who are in a different chapter than they currently are.
The Theme song for this series of services was "O God, Your Constant Care and Love" by H. Glen Lanier. We included this song in each service because it spoke about the timelessness of God's care for us.
You will notice that most of these services were preceded by a deliberate attempt to listen to those in each chapter. These were either small group discussions or private conversations with key people.
Service 1
Subject and Service Theme:
The years of childhood contain reasons for joy and anticipation.
Sermon Title: "The Joy of Being a Child"
Scripture Readings: Psalm 139:13-18 and Mark 10:13-16
Sermon Digest:
The early years of life contain opportunities and joys unique to this early chapter of life, yet are easily overlooked. The joys of being created, of growing, of discovering, of being loved, and serving as a model of many things for adults fills this chapter with deep meaning. A healthy and vital church welcomes children, blesses them, protects them, and celebrates their presence.
Scripture Readings were done by Grade School Children.
An anthem was a vocal ensemble of children.
The songs of the service were carefully chosen to be child-focused and child-friendly.
The Prayer of Intercession focused particularly on the needs and joys of children
Service 2
Subject and Service Theme:
The Chapter of Adolescence is a life-shaping time.
Sermon Title: "Getting Wisdom and Understanding"
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 4:1-27
Sermon Digest:
All ages in the church must work together to understand the ups and downs of adolescence. This is a time of rapid growth, increased responsibilities and intense spiritual competition. Solomon calls his sons to "run after wisdom" - remaining teachable by reliable others, settling our relationship with God, welcoming discipline, and learning to make hard choices.
Preparation for this service included a Focus Group with Teens for Breakfast to listen to the concerns and needs of adolescents. The sermon included a report from the Focus Group on what teens consider to be their biggest issues in life.
All the readings of Scripture, ministry of music, and prayers were led by adolescents of the congregation.
Service 3
Subject and Service Theme:
The Years of Parenthood call us to pour ourselves into the shaping of another life and generation.
Sermon Title: "Shaping A Generation"
Scripture Readings: Psalm 78:1-8 and Ephesians 6:1-4
Sermon Digest:
Taking on the task of parenthood calls us to the passion of pouring ourselves into other lives so they may be formed for full responsible adulthood. A parent's task is to tell their children eternal truth, to warn them of destructive dangers, and to shape them for mature living. The Christian community welcomes and encourages those who serve in this role.
Preparation for this service include another Focus Group discussion with young parents for the purpose of listening to their concerns, joys and questions.
The Intercessory prayer of the service was structured in three parts:
-a grandmother prayed for the children of the congregation.
-a teenager prayed for the parents.
-a parent prayed for families who are carrying some special pain.
For the Ministry of Music the children of the Church School sang some of their favorite songs.
Service 4
Subject and Service Theme:
Adult Singleness is a valid and meaningful lifestyle.
Sermon Title: "Singleness and Finding it Good - When We're Unmarried.
Scripture Readings: Mark 3:31-35 and John 12:1-3
Sermon Digest:
The view of singleness in the Bible is sometimes at odds with many in our society. Whereas some in the church may consider it incomplete and inferior, the Bible speaks of the validity and integrity of singleness. A healthy church recognizes diversity, welcomes singles, encourages quality commitments whether married or single, always values one another, and shapes its ministries for a diverse group.
Another Focus Group was scheduled with Adult Singles in preparation for this service. We felt it was very important to listen well to the needs of this often overlooked but large group before the service was planned.
The Pastor led the Prayers of the People in giving thanks and interceding for Adult Singles.
Several singles participated as readers.
(Note: It was particularly important for this service that we were sensitive to the broad range of "Singles" and the very different needs each encounters - those never married, those once married but now divorced, and those once married but now a widow or widower.)
Service 5
Subject and Service Theme:
When the children are grown and gone, parents reassess their life purposes.
Sermon Title: The Time of Reassessment
Scripture Readings: Job 42:10-17, Psalm 92:12-15, Isaiah 46:3-4, Matthew 6:25-33, I Corinthians 10:31
Sermon Digest:
When the full responsibilities of parenthood come to a conclusion, parents face a very significant adjustment which should be accompanied by an intentional reassessment of priorities and focus. The empty nest creates a sense of loss, but also gives opportunity for time, energies, and resources once focused on the family to now be directed to other pursuits. The wise adult will be conscious of the collision between "self" and "service".
A Focus Group with Empty-nesters was called together in preparation.
All lay leaders in worship for readings and prayers were from this age-group.
Service 6
Subject and Service Theme:
The Closing Years of life provide a final opportunity to live our faith.
Sermon Title: Dying Well
Scripture Readings: Genesis 25:7-11 and Genesis 49:29-33
Sermon Digest:
We must be free to talk about dying, and about dying well. Biblical and personal examples of a "good death" include acceptance of it, gratitude for the years, preparation to do closure, a freedom to express grieving, and a vital faith that trusts God's care and anticipates his final gift of eternal glory.
The greatest preparation for the service came from careful listening through conversations in the course of pastoral work.
Three men from the congregation had been critically ill in recent years in which their life was seriously threatened. The pastor met with each of the three to talk about how they faced their mortality and death and asked each of them to give their personal testimony during this service.
Two were able to give the testimony personally; the third was unable but allowed the pastor to read his written testimony.
The Intercessory Prayers focused on the needs of those shut-in, aged, and those dealing with the illnesses associated with advanced age.
Howard Vanderwell
(reprinted by permission from The Church of All Ages: Generations Worshiping Together, Howard Vanderwell, ed., Herndon, VA: The Alban Institute, 2008.)
