South Mecklenburg Presbyterian Church

Mecklenburg Hall Time Leader

The purpose of Mecklenburg Hall Time is to provide a short worship experience for elementary-age children each Sunday morning.

Before Sunday school each Sunday, the elementary children (1st through 5th grade) gather in Mecklenburg Hall for a short (9:30 – 9:45, 9:50ish) worship time together. The Mecklenburg Hall time leader opens with an overview of that month’s rotation, a storybook that coordinates with that rotation’s theme, a song (led by the music leader), and a closing prayer. This format can and usually does change, depending on the leader. Sometimes a leader wants to use a scripture story, a short activity from the rotation curricula, a piece of liturgy, etc. What follows is an example:

(Say, “Please stand and join me in our Call to Worship.”)
Call to Worship
One: People of South Mecklenburg, Who are you?
Many: I am a child of God.
One: What does it mean to be a child of God?
Many: That I belong to God, who loves me.
One: What makes you a child of God?
Many: Grace—God’s free gift of love that I do not deserve and cannot earn.

(Say, “You may be seated.”)
(If you are reading scripture say, “Today’s New Testament reading comes from the book of John, reading from the 2nd chapter, beginning at verse 2 and reading through to verse 8, listen for the word of God.” After you finish reading your Bible passage, say, “This is the word of the Lord.” Have the children respond with, “Thanks be to God.”)

(To introduce a story, you might want to say, “Today’s story is about a girl who learns that she cannot earn her mother’s love.”)
Story

Koala Lou by Mem Fox (read the story)

(“Please turn to hymn #302, stand and join me in singing I’ve Got Peace Like a River.”)
Hymn

I’ve Got Peace Like a River

(“You may be seated. Let us pray together. Repeat after me.”)
Prayer
           I go forth today
           in the might of heaven,
           in the brightness of the sun,
           in the whiteness of the snow,
           in the splendor of fire,
           in the speed of lightning
           in the swiftness of wind
           in the firmness of rock.
           I go forth today
           in the hand of God.

(“Let us present to God our offerings.”)
Offering
(You could play some music during this time.)

(“Please stand and let us affirm what it is we believe using the words of the Apostle’s Creed.”)
Affirmation of Faith
           I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of
           Heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only
           Son our Lord;

(“And now may Peace…”)
Benediction
           Peace of the running waves to you,
           Peace of the flowing air to you,
           Peace of the quiet earth to you,
           Peace of the bright sun to you,
           Peace of the shadow clouds to you,
           Peace of Christ, the Son of Peace, to you.

At the end, the Meck Hall Leader will dismiss the children to their workshops by grade.

Before Meck Hall time starts the Leader should:

• Move the Rotation Schedule sign from the back of the storage closet door in Mustard Seed Productions to the Meck Hall door
• Update the Rotation Schedule sign to the current week's rotation
• Move the 1st - 5th grade name tags, attendance sheets and two offering baskets from Mustard Seed Productions to the tables at the back of Meck Hall

After Meck Hall time is over

• Move the Rotation Schedule sign to the flip side of the Meck Hall door so parents can see where to find their children
• Return the collection baskets to the cabinet in Mustard Seed Productions

CLICK HERE to be directed to the signup sheet and enter cnparrish@bellsouth.net in the search box for the list of rotations.

Questions or need help?  Please email kim@smpchome.org