The room has two big panels in it, close to front; one says “Joy” and the other says “Excuses.” There are markers/crayons. There are crafts and art stuff up front somewhere. Rick will bring some toys to hand out. Colors. Light. Celebration. And humility. 

Gathering Our Spirit with God's Spirit

• “Let It Be” by The Beatles plays 
• A Journeyer steps up to light the lamp and another rings the bell
• Rick (E) and Leslie (L) make announcements

Worshiping with Our Children

• Early worship: a Journeyer leads our children in talking about how Jesus wanted everyone to be like children so they would be open to God. 
• Late worship: kids come up; kids from VBS sing “Every Move I Make”
• Darden Smith leads all the kids in creating a song together

Welcome and Breathe

• Rick welcomes, has us breathe...
• Video of Mac Davis and the Muppets singing "Oh Lord, It's Hard to Be Humble" plays

God’s Spirit and Our Spirit

• Rick asks everyone what we used to do as children to feel joy
• A Journeyer leads Psalm 136 as a responsive reading

From the ancient Jewish prayerbook, Psalms. I will read the verses, and you will say the refrain: “God’s love endures forever.” 

Give thanks to the LORD, for God is good. God’s love endures forever. 
Give thanks to the God of gods. God’s love endures forever. 
to God who does unbelievable things, God’s love endures forever. 
who understood how to make the skies, God’s love endures forever. 
who spread out the earth upon the waters, God’s love endures forever. 
who made the stars and sun and planets— God’s love endures forever. 
the sun to govern the day, God’s love endures forever. 
the moon and stars to govern the night; God’s love endures forever. 
to the One who led God’s people through the desert, God’s love endures forever. 
to the One who remembered us in our humblest moments God’s love endures forever. 
and who gives food to every creature. God’s love endures forever. 
Give thanks to the God of heaven. God’s love endures forever.

• A Journeyer reads from the Jesus story called Matthew

One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples, in charge of Jesus’ itinerary, shooed the children and their parents away. 

But Jesus intervened: "Let the children alone, don't prevent them from coming to me.” The children gathered around Jesus. He said, “What God is doing is made up of people who are like these children." He blessed them and put his hands on their heads, and then went on to his next work. 

A group of Jesus’ followers came and asked him about who’d get to have what honors in the Kingdom God was going to create.

For an answer, Jesus called over one of the children who were among the people following his ministry. He put the child in the middle of the room, and said, "I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will understand and find meaning in what God is doing.”

Giving -- To Help God Do God's Work in This World  

• A Journeyer reads from a poem by 20th century American poet e e cummings

you shall above all things be glad and young
For if you're young, whatever life you wear 

it will become you; and if you are glad
whatever's living will yourself become. …

any mystery makes every man's
flesh put space on; and his mind take off time …

i'd rather learn from one bird how to sing
than teach ten thousand stars how not to dance 

• The same reader leads an offering prayer
• Renee/Darden sing as the ushers pass the baskets and take them to front

Telling The Story and Our Story

• Rick talks
• We do prayer exercise – write on walls, play, create, rest
• Renee leads us in singing

Go Out to Serve with Courage and Grace

• A Journeyer reads quotation from 20th century Australian-American counselor, social worker and author Jean Lush

If it's hard for you to daydream, hang around children and ask them to tell you stories. They are experts at using their imagination. Boys and girls freely use fantasy to cope with the pressures of life. Unfortunately, many of us take ourselves much too seriously and, in the name of maturity and responsibility, work too hard. Take time for make-believe. Abandon yourself in play. I think God gives us an imagination for a reason. Christ knows the pressures we endure. Perhaps this is one reason He encourages us to "become as little children."

• The same reader dismisses us 
• “Let It Be” by The Beatles plays again as folks depart