Welcome
Brief introduction to the theme: God loves beautiful, messy families. Children told they are staying for the whole service today — this is their service too.
As people arrive, children’s leaders hand each child a Family Tree activity sheet and a small set of crayons. Children can begin drawing their family quietly while adults settle — this gives children something purposeful from the first minute.
Hymn Lord you have my heart (Worship Group)
Icebreaker — “Pass the blessing”
Reading Psalm 128
A song of ascents.
1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
who walk in obedience to him.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labour;
blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
4 Yes, this will be the blessing
for the man who fears the Lord.
5 May the Lord bless you from Zion;
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
6 May you live to see your children’s children—
peace be on Israel. – India
Activity
Sermon Part 1 — “The dream”
Hymn Blessed be your name (Worship group)
Activity
Sermon Part 2 — “The mess”
Hymn I’m so blessed
Activity
Sermon Part 3 — “The solution”
Prayers of intercession
Three or four pre-briefed children come to the front, each holding their Family Tree activity sheet. A leader reads a short prayer prompt; the child holds up their sheet and says the blessing word they wrote. The congregation responds together: ‘Lord, bless our families. Hear our prayer.’ This is one of the most powerful moments of the service — children praying over adults.
Children
Prayer prompts (leader reads, child responds with their word from the sheet):
‘For families who are full of laughter this week…’
[child holds up sheet, says their word]
All: ‘Lord, bless our families — hear our prayer.’
‘For families who are finding things hard right now…’
All: ‘Lord, bless our families — hear our prayer.’
‘For people who feel lonely or far from family…’
All: ‘Lord, bless our families — hear our prayer.’
‘For every family in this room, whatever it looks like…’
All: ‘Lord, bless our families — hear our prayer.’
End with the Lord’s Prayer, said together. Invite children to say it with you.
Hymn The blessing
Grace – Gillian