SermonStudio

(Have the children assist you in leading the congregation in the first three parts of the Kyrie. Take time to remind them quietly of the words before each line they are to say/sing with you. Ask one of them to hold up the symbol used for each phrase and then have them place it on the altar after the congregation 's reponse, as a helpful reminder of what came before. Objects needed: a church directory, "Help Wanted" sign, bag of scrap material, picture of Jesus, helmet or tube of toothpaste.)

There are two things we pray for in this next part. What is the first thing? (LTA) Right, "this holy house." Since we said that the church is not just a building, but a fellowship of believers, what do you think "this holy house" is? (LTA) It is this building we worship in. Why do we call it holy? (LTA) Yes, we believe God is present here, but also it is holy because we have set this building apart from others in town for a special purpose. Do we have dances here? (LTA) Do we play basketball in this part of the building? (LTA) Do we have boxing and wrestling matches here? (LTA) No, we don't do any of those things here. What do we set this house apart for? (LTA) That's right, for prayer, praise and thanksgiving to God - we call that worship. We have Sunday worship and midweek worship and weddings and funerals and Sunday school programs and even religious concerts here. So, in this part of the Kyrie we ask for God's blessing on this place of worship.

We also ask God to bless "all who offer here their worship and praise." I brought along our church directory as a symbol of this part of the Kyrie. I don't think we'd have room on the altar for all of these people. Do you? (LTA) Are you in the directory? (LTA - Find a few of the worshipers' pictures.) What is the name we gave to those who gather together in Jesus' name? (LTA) That's right! The church. All of these
people are a part of the church. Would someone like to place this directory on the altar? (Let someone do it.) Let's lead the congregation in this part of the Kyrie: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord. R/ Lord have mercy.

The last part of the Kyrie is short but has four words that sum up our requests of God. What are they? (LTA) Right! "Help, save, comfort and defend ..." Can everyone read this sign? (Show them a large "Help Wanted" sign and LTA.) Let's place this by the altar to remind us that we come to God asking for his help. (Let someone do it.) The next word is "save." For this symbol I brought a bag of scrap material. Do any of you save things like this - string, matchbooks, baseball cards? (LTA) In this prayer we ask God to save us and not throw us out, even though we might not be the same color or size or shape as some of the others. Would someone place this bag by the altar? (Let someone do it.)

The third word is "comfort." What do you think of when you think of comfort? (LTA) Yes, it could be a comfortable chair or bed. It could be comfortable clothes. But this word comfort is the kind of comfort we feel when we are feeling bad about something. Mom or Dad or Grandpa or Grandma holds us and helps us know it will be all right. We are asking God for that kind of comfort. This picture of Jesus reminded me of it. Would someone place this by the altar? (Let someone do it.)

There's one last word that's very important. What is it? (LTA) Yes, "defend." In the Middle Ages long ago people who could afford to do so built large castles and hired men in shining armor to defend them. Commercials on television tell us that we need to defend our teeth against cavities. What do they use? (LTA) Fluoride. In our prayer we are asking God to defend us from all evil. We don't have to be rich or own a castle to ask God to defend us. Let's place this shield (helmet, toothpaste ...) on the altar as our symbol. (Let someone do it.)

Let's lead the congregation in this part of the Kyrie, shall we? (Remind them of the words quietly.)

Help, save, comfort and defend us, gracious Lord.

R/ Amen.

What does "Amen" mean? (LTA) The congregation is saying, "Yes, Lord, let it be so."

Thank you for helping me lead the congregation in praying the Kyrie. (If time is not a problem, you could ask them to start at the beginning and do the whole Kyrie, holding up the symbols as they refer to them.)