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GOD’S LOVE IS FOR EVERYBODY

Mennonite Church Canada

God’s love is for everybody: New children’s songs for the missional church

Part of the Missional Church Travel Bag Music and lyrics by: Bryan Moyer Suderman

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Copyright © 2001 by Bryan Moyer Suderman. Published by the Ministries Commission of Mennonite Church Canada, 600 Shaftesbury Blvd., Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3P 0M4, 204- 888-6781. This material may be reproduced for use in Mennonite Church Canada congregations. All others please obtain permission from Bryan Moyer Suderman [email protected]

Introduction This is a collection of songs written especially for children. They are inspired by the vision of the church as a “missional church.” We offer them here, hoping that congregations may find them useful as together we keep learning about what God is up to, and take up the invitation to be a part of it. We’ve been singing these songs a lot around our house (our 4 year old provides the percussion), and have “tried them out” at different times like Sunday morning worship and our church’s spring “Children’s Festival.” One evening in June 2001 we spent an evening singing these songs with a wonderful group of men and women with many years of experience working with children, and they offered ideas of creative and fun ways to use the songs with children. (Thank you Kathy Giesbrecht, Elsie Rempel, Doug Pankratz, Celia Enns, Judy Blatz, Erna Peters, Karin Kasdorf, Walter Kampen, Julie Moyer Suderman). This resource is intended for use in a variety of settings: for children’s features or in other ways during Sunday morning worship, in Sunday School classes or singing times, at home, or at any other time and place that’s good for singing. The CD includes very simple recordings of the songs - just guitar and voice, as a teaching aid. This booklet contains song lyrics and guitar chords and a page of suggestions and ideas for how each song can be used with children. Permission is granted to photocopy any of these pages and to use the songs within congregations of Mennonite Church Canada. We’d love to hear from you, to receive feedback on the songs themselves, to hear how you have used them, and to hear of other ideas/songs/ resources that you are finding useful. “As you go out from here, may the Lord go with you, the face of God shine on you every day. We are sent by God wherever we are living, salt and light as people of the Way.” Bryan Moyer Suderman Member of the Missional Transition Education Team Winnipeg, MB

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God’s Love is For Everybody This song invites us to see ourselves as a part of the ongoing biblical story of what God is up to in the world. There’s no end to the number of biblical stories that could be included to illustrate God’s mission, and no end to the contemporary verses that could be written to show how we’re involved in God’s mission today. So jump in and have fun!

To sing the song:

• this song works well with a leader (or small group) singing the verses, and inviting the whole group or congregation to join in for the chorus • create actions for the chorus, or use sign language • have children act out the verses, or create skits showing what it means that “God’s Love is for Everybody” Activity ideas:

• for verse 1, brainstorm ways that your family can be a blessing for other families in your neighbourhood • for verse 2, talk about what it means to “share Jesus’ job” (as described in Luke 4:16-19). How can we share Jesus’ job with him? • for verse 3, write letters or send greetings to others around the world, just like Aquilla and Priscilla did. Point out the people who are partners with your congregation in mission (on church bulletin boards, etc.) • for verse 4, follow the suggestions to plug in the names of people that your congregation is in partnership with, locally or around the world. Send the children to investigate your “missions” or other bulletin boards to find names and places of people, and then create your own verse. • make up your own verse for the Bible focus of a particular lesson or worship service (eg: Noah, Ruth, Daniel...) • make up your own “contemporary” verse to show how a current activity or involvement of your congregation fits into the “big picture” of God’s mission.


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God’s Love Is For Everybody

Chorus: D G A God’s love is for everybody, D G A Everyone around the world, D G A Me and you and all God’s children G D A D From across the street to around the world G D A D Across the street to around the world. D Em 1. Abe & Sarah listened closely, A D this is what God said: D G “Go where I send you, A D keep walking straight ahead. D G I am going to bless you A D beyond your wildest dreams D G And I’ll make of you a blessing A D for all earth’s families.” (Gen. 12:1-3; also Gen. 15; 18:1-15) (Chorus) 2. Jesus went to Nazareth and from the scroll he read: “The Spirit is upon me to bring good news,” he said. “Freedom to the captives, to help the blind to see. I think I’ll call disciples to share this job with me!” (‘Cause) (Luke 4:16-19 ; 9:1-2 ; 10:1-2 -

then 24:46-47, Acts 1:8) (Chorus) 3. Paul the apostle wrote some letters to his friends. He said: “Do not be frightened, be faithful to the end. You are God’s own temple and God’s Spirit lives in you. Oh - and Aquilla and Priscilla said to say “Hello!” to you!” (Phil. 1:28; 1 Cor. 3:16-17; 1 Cor. 16:19)

(Chorus) 4. Lydia* my neighbour lives just down the street from me, Settla** in Botswana Lives across the great big sea, Santi*** in Colombia, Keisuke^ in Japan, We are partners all together in God’s great big wonderful plan! … (Chorus) *Substitute name of someone from your congregation ** substitute the name of one of your congregation’s overseas mission partners *** substitute the name of a mission partner in your regional conference ^ use the name of someone in Japan because then it still rhymes!

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A God Who Makes Friends This song is based on 2 Cor. 5:16-20, which reads: “...if anyone is in Christ there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation...” We used this Scripture text at our Jr. Youth retreat this winter, and when I asked if anyone knew what this “ministry of reconciliation” means, there were a lot of blank stares! What does this mean? God has reconciled us to Godself through Christ, and given us the ministry of reconciliation! This song is an attempt to describe what that means in words that a young child can understand: “Our God is a God who makes friends” and “God calls us to make friends.”

To sing the song:

• this song works well with a leader singing the verses, and inviting the whole group or congregation to join in for the chorus • hold hands and do a circle dance while singing the chorus • as the songleader sings the verses, have a couple of other people act out/mime what’s happening in the verse (eg: the first verse introduces two people, each with their own personalities and tasks, who could turn their backs to each other, and then, when Jesus calls, stand side by side and arm in arm and sing the chorus with the children) • have children create actions for the chorus Activity ideas:

• transfer the role plays from the biblical story-verses to the children’s lives: how does God call us to make friends? • make up a new “contemporary” verse describing how God helps us to make friends. • use as an introduction to talk about friendship: what makes a good friend? How do good friends treat each other? What are some obstacles to becoming someone’s friend? • create symbols for friendship • play cooperative games - games where we need each other, that stress inter-dependence • read “Let’s Plant a Garden” by Tamara Awad Lobe and talk about different people working together


A God Who Makes Friends (2 Cor 5:16-20) Chorus: D Our God A Our God D Our God D Our God

A is a God who makes friends D is a God who makes friends. G is a God who’s faithful to the end A D is a God who makes friends.

D G D Jesus met all kinds of folks D A D Who didn’t like each other very much D G D Levi was a tax collector D A D The kind of guy nobody wants to touch G D Simon was an angry fighter, A D Made Levi want to hide G D When Jesus said “Come, follow me” E A They both worked side by side. (Chorus) Jesus and his friends were walking On the highway back to Galilee They walked right through Samaria The kind of place nobody wants to see They met a woman at the well Jesus asked her for a drink His friends said “No - don’t talk to her What will the others think?… But… (Chorus) Paul went travelling here and there To visit all the churches he had known So much fun going everywhere To see just how much everyone had grown Some were having lots of problems Couldn’t pay their bills Paul asked others if they would help, And they said “Sure we will!” (Last Chorus): God calls us to make friends Our God calls us to make friends. You and me, yes, we’re the ones God sends Our God is a God who makes friends.

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On the Emmaus Road How is it that two sad and discouraged disciples walking down the road get totally turned around and excited and can’t wait to share the good news? (We adults might say they “got missional”!) They encountered Jesus on the road! This song tells that story (Luke 24:1335), and it lends itself to lots of conversation about different ways we can meet Jesus today. It also draws us into the story as disciples “walking, walking, walking, walking on the Emmaus road”.

To sing the song: - again, this song works well with a leader singing the verses, and inviting the whole group or congregation to join in for the chorus. - the chorus has the following actions: “We’re walking, walking, walking, walking on the Emmaus Road” vigorous marching! “We’re talking, talking talking, talking” while marching, hold up both hands and open and shut them, like a mouth talking “Sharing each other’s loads” sling a pretend back-pack over your shoulder “Someone came and walked with us” hand motions from the side to front, like you’re showing someone to their place in front of you “Now who do you suppose” shrug shoulders and raise hands - questioning “is walking, talking, walking with us on the Emmaus Road” vigorous marching and hand-talking again! - as the singer/storyteller sings the verses, have 3 volunteers act out the story. Invite people to join in the words and actions of the chorus.

Activity ideas:

• talk about the things that happened in the song (Jesus asked them about their lives, they explored the Scriptures together, they offered hospitality, ate together). We can meet Jesus when we do this too! • make footprints, talk about walking with Jesus and each other • “take a walk” activity • the disciples were so excited, they had to run and tell all their friends that Jesus is alive - what are things that we are excited to tell others about? How can we tell others about Jesus? • ask others in the congregation to tell the children stories of their walks with Jesus • show clip of “Emmaus Road” story from a Jesus video


On the Emmaus Road Chorus: D A We’re walking, walking, walking, walking, on the Emmaus road D We’re talking, talking, talking, talking, sharing each other’s loads. G Someone came and walked with us. Now who do you suppose? A D Is walking, talking, walking with us on the Emmaus Road. D A Jessica and Cleopas were on the road one day, D With all that had been going on they had a lot to say. G Their good friend Jesus had been killed a little while ago, A D And they were mad and scared and sad, and didn’t know where to go. As they were walking ‘round a bend, when much to their surprise, A stranger walked right up to them and looked into their eyes. “Hey there!” he said, “What’s new with you? It looks like something’s wrong.” And they said, “Man, where have you been?” and sang this little song. (Chorus) The stranger listened carefully, as Jessica told stories, About their good friend Jesus, and about their hopes for glory. When Cleopas told of the awful way that Jesus died, The stranger got a stranger little sparkle in his eyes. “Look here,” he said, “Now don’t you know, what’s written in the Scriptures?” He taught them all about God’s love, and his place in the picture. So when he said, “Look at the time! I have to catch my bus!” Then Jessica and Cleopas said, “No, please stay with us!” (Chorus) The stranger came inside with them, they thought they’d have some lunch, He broke the bread and blessed it and gave it for them to munch. Jessica and Cleopas said, “O boy…this is weird… It’s Jesus with us, in our house,” then he disappeared. Jessica and Cleopas were jumping with excitement, Hearts on fire, ants in their pants – they were no longer frightened! They ran back to Jerusalem, to tell all of their friends. That Jesus is alive and walking with us to the end. Last Chorus: We’re walking, walking, walking, walking, on the Emmaus road We’re talking, talking, talking talking, sharing each other’s loads. Someone came and walked with us. Now who do you suppose? It’s Jesus walking, talking with us on the Emmaus Road.

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When God’s in Charge One of the most important images in the Bible for understanding God and God’s mission in the world is “the kingdom of God.” While this language was immediately understandable for its original hearers, it’s hard for children (or even adults) to really plug into today (even though we do live in a “constitutional monarchy”...). This song tries to get at some of the New Testament teachings about the Kingdom by using the language of “when God’s in Charge,” and it challenges us to let God be in charge of us!

To sing the song: This song has a simple melody and repetitive structure, so the children/congregation can be taught the chorus and then encouraged to follow the leader in the repetitions during the verses, while listening for the “punch line” of each verse

Activity Ideas:

• activity to introduce the song: “What would you do if you were in charge of the world...?” (use poem by Judy Viorst) • extend to “if God was in charge of me...” • games like follow the leader, Simon says, and skits on being the boss • activities for each verse: Verse 1-2 “first-last” Do games where kids line up for something special (e.g. a treat), and then start with the last one in line • games like follow the leader • do regular games, but switch who wins (“actually, the one who found the fewest is the winner of this game...!”) • “chase the tail” game, where you join hands and make a line and the “first” one tries to tag the “last” one Verse 3 What does God want...when people are hungry? sad? made fun of? etc. Verse 4 Plant seeds and watch them grow. • make a “kindness tree” looking for signs of God at work among us • tell stories about the small things some people have done that have had a big impact (eg: Rosa Parks, etc.) • what might God do with even our small efforts? Verse 5 Sing! Read Scripture texts about all creation singing, trees of the field clapping hands, etc. • draw pictures of every living thing praising God


When God’s in Charge Chorus: C G Let me tell you what it’s like F G Let me tell you what it’s like F G When we put God in control F G Let me tell you what it’s like

C when God’s in charge, C when God’s in charge, C Em Am of what we do and who we are, C when God’s in charge.

(G)

1. When God’s in charge, the first shall be the last. When God’s in charge, the first shall be the last. If you want to be a leader, well then go and serve the rest. When God’s in charge, the first shall be the last. (Mark 10:42-45) 2. When God’s in charge, the last shall be the first. When God’s in charge, the last shall be the first. So remember, when you’re at the bottom, things keep getting worse, When God’s in charge, the last shall be the first. (Chorus) 3. When God’s in charge, the hungry are satisfied. When God’s in charge, the hungry are satisfied. Laughter sparkling in the eyes of everyone who’s cried, When God’s in charge, the hungry are satisfied. (Luke 6:21) 4. When God’s in charge, it’s like a little seed. When God’s in charge, it’s like a little seed. It starts out small, and grows into a great big giant tree! When God’s in charge, it’s like a little seed. (Luke 13:18-19) 5. When God’s in charge, then everyone will sing. When God’s in charge, then everyone will sing. Songs of praises bursting out of every living thing! When God’s in charge, then everyone will sing. (Rev. 5:6-14) (Last Chorus) Let me tell you what it’s like when God’s in charge, Let me tell you what it’s like when God’s in charge, When we put God in control of what we do and who we are, Let me tell you what it’s like when God’s in charge. Let me tell you what it’s like when God’s in charge. Let’s live in hope, ‘cause we know our God’s in charge.

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God Loves a Picnic This is a super-simple song that celebrates God’s care for God’s people, and invites us to party! After all, God loves a party, and part of our mission as a “missional people” is to party, right?!

To sing the song:

• divide the group in half, and have one half say “Our God loves a picnic” and the other half shout “Yes God does!” • see which group can say it the loudest! • have the song leader begin each phrase and invite the children to respond by singing/shouting “yes God does” (or “yes they did,” “yes we do” for the verses). • blue-grass party tune - get everyone stamping their feet, clapping their hands, banging on spoons, etc. • hold hands and do a circle dance together - skip to the chorus Activity Ideas:

• bring a picnic blanket and basket, set them out, talk about picnics, what you like to bring for a picnic, why you like to go on a picnic. Do you think God likes picnics? parties? • share some biblical stories of “picnics” or parties • can be used to explain why we as a church have special picnics (or parties, or potlucks...)


God Loves a Picnic (Chorus) G C G Our God loves a picnic, yes God does G D G God loves a picnic, yes God does G C G God loves a picnic, yes God does D G Let’s all go to the picnic! 1. The people fled from Egypt, yes they did The people fled from Egypt, yes they did They wandered in the desert, yes they did And God gave them a picnic. 2. The people followed Jesus, yes they did The people followed Jesus, yes they did Crowds and crowds of people, yes they did And Jesus gave them a picnic. 3. We follow Jesus, yes we do We follow Jesus, yes we do And tell all our friends to come on too And join us for God’s picnic!

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Sending Song I’m not sure this is really a “children’s song,” it’s just a simple melody, that we can sing together as a reminder that we are a “sent people,” wherever we are living.

Here are 2 examples of “Missional Church” Type Songs from the blue Hymnal to sing with Children (of course there are many more!).

In the Bulb There is a Flower (Hymnal Worship Book, #614)

Activity ideas:

• sign or mime words (sing slowly) • dramatize (using bright scarves - movements to reflect the

changes in the song) • use with books: The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Eric Carle, The Parable of the Lily - Liz Curtis • plant bulbs (transformation to the flower) • coffee filter with food coloring (how it spreads) • use invisible ink markers/paint with water pictures (hidden things becoming seen) • digging kits (digging in clay/dirt to uncover a hidden mystery) • animal balloons (anticipation of what may come to be)

You are Salt for the Earth (Hymnal Worship Book, #226)

Activity Ideas:

• compare salty vs. unsalty foods • make a banner for each verse • use shaker instruments


Sending Song C As you go out from here, F C May the Lord go with you C The face of God F G Shine on you every day. C We are sent by God F C Wherever we are living F C Salt and Light as G C People of the Way.

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Mennonite Church Canada 600 Shaftesbury Blvd Winnipeg MB R3P 0M4 T: 204-888-6781 F: 204-831-5675 E: [email protected] W: www.mennonitechurch.ca