Action for Children Sunday Service Booklet 2017 1
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. Dear friends, Every year we look forward to Action for Children Sunday. It reminds us that we are part of something meaningful that is making a huge difference to thousands of children and young people s lives across the UK. This special Sunday gives us a chance to share a moment of reflection and thanksgiving with our church supporters who help us do what s right, do what s needed and do what works for children. This year, Action for Children Sunday is on 9 July 2017, focusing on peace and mental well-being. I would be grateful if your church or fellowship group could hold a service for us on that day or another Sunday that is convenient. This booklet contains information to help you plan a service. I would like to thank Revd Sue Pegg of the Methodist York and Hull District for developing the worship outline with us. Thank you for so much for your support and generosity. May the Lord bless your liberality with abundance in Jesus name. Amen. 3 John 2 New Revised Standard Version Karis Kolawole karis.kolawole@actionforchildren.org.uk Head of Faith Partnerships, Action for Children 3
The essentials Order of service This booklet gives you an outline to help you plan a service, including two stories of families we have helped. Your local fundraiser can send you additional resources such as envelopes, bookmarks, posters, leaflets and DVDs. You can get their contact details from the enclosed contact sheet or on our website here: actionforchildren.org.uk/ methodistfundraising. We would be happy to provide an Action for Children speaker to talk about our work at your service or event; if you haven t done so already, call or email your local community fundraiser and they will arrange one for you. Our YouTube channel also has a selection of videos about our work that you could use during your service. All the information and downloadable materials for Action for Children Sunday are available here: actionforchildren.org.uk/ methodistfundraising. Welcome On the sixth day, God created human beings making them to be like Himself. The whole universe was completed, and God was pleased with what he saw (Genesis chapter 1). How Great Thou Art S/Faith 82 or Morning has broken H/Psalms 635 Bible reading Ephesians 1:3-6 God blesses His created children Blessed Assurance S/Faith 548 or H/Psalms 668 Bible reading I John 1:3 Christian well-being Let us pray Creator God, we thank you for your blessings, for the good things around us and for life itself. We thank you that you are a God who cares for all you have created, and who calls us into well-being and faithfulness as we travel the path of life, showing us the way through your Son Jesus. We thank you for being an understanding God who laughs with us when we laugh, who gently guides us when we go astray, and who cries with us when we cry. As we draw near to you in this time of worship, quieten our minds and help us to understand what it is that you want us to do in your name. Amen. 4 5
We remember that we are all members of God s family. We now pray together the prayer that Jesus Himself taught us, the Lord s Prayer. Our Father, who art in heaven All Praise to our Redeeming Lord who joins us by his grace S/Faith 608 or H/Psalms 753 Bible reading Mark 4:35-41 Jesus calms the storm Give talk or read explanation of the reading. Explanation of the reading In Mark 4:35-41, we read that Jesus calmed the storm on the lake when his friends thought they were going to drown. Imagine how they felt! They must have felt scared and maybe even helpless. Hopefully, we will never have that scary experience. But, most of us will have experienced some storms in life, times when everything is going wrong and not the way we d planned or hoped for. As we heard in our bible reading, Jesus can calm storms. He is a safe place or safe person to run to when we are facing storms. However, He counts on us to support Him in what He s doing to calm the storms in the lives of those around us. Here are a couple of real life stories about young people and their families who have been going through stormy times in their lives but are being helped back to well-being by the charity, Action for Children. Refer to stories on pages 10 to 13. Remain seated to sing next hymn As your family Lord see us here S/Faith 571 or Kum Ba Ya my Lord H/Psalms 525 All-age activities Activity 1 Guess the type of storm Show simple pictures to illustrate the following, and ask them to guess the associated word. Thunder storm Storm clouds Storm in a tea cup Snow storm Activity 2 What does it feel like? Ask how they feel when they are standing in a storm. They might give some of the following answers: scared, safe, aware, confused, etc. Ask everyone to show how they react in a storm it might be something like: the expression on their faces covering their ears to shut out the noise running to a safe place or person who can keep them safe. Sand storm 6 7
Offering and prayers for the work of Action for Children Offering prayer Loving God, we thank you for constantly being with us in our daily lives and for your love and your care. It s with generous hearts and in response to your love that we present now these offerings of money for the work of Action for Children. Enable the gifts of money to bring practical care, compassion and support to disadvantaged children and young people that in partnership with Action for Children, we may bring hope to those suffering the storms of life. In Jesus name we pray, Amen. Bible reading John 14:27 Jesus gives us peace Remain seated to sing next hymn Peace perfect peace S/Faith 710 or Make me a channel of your peace H/Psalms 776 Let s pray Loving God, we thank you for the story of Jesus calming the stormy seas. Thank you that you understand that there are times when our well-being or that of others is in jeopardy because of the storms of life. As we thank you for being in those storms with us, we thank you for all who help and give encouragement to others, particularly children, young people and their families in difficult times. Today, we think of the wonderful supportive work of Action for Children. We pray for all who listen and give children and parents a new and positive outlook on life, who offer them a coping strategy. We pray for the counsellors, and pray you give them patience, understanding and a holy wisdom in their work. We pray for the children and young people themselves that they will gain a positive identity, develop better communication skills and have self-worth as they begin to believe in themselves. We pray for families who look after disabled children for courage, joy and strength. We pray for an inner peace for all who suffer. Generous and compassionate God, we thank you for the work and ministry of all involved with Action for Children. We pray your blessing on them and ask that you continue to inspire their work as they share your love and peace in the world, in Jesus name we pray. Amen. You shall go out with joy and be led forth in peace S/Faith 487 or Give me joy in my heart H/ Psalms 492. Blessing As we continue on our journey of life may God turn our tears of sadness into tears of joy, and for every storm may we find a rainbow as we place ourselves into God s loving hands of peace. Amen. 8 9
Derek Age 24, Sperrin & Lakeland Floating Support Service, Omagh Derek lived in a children s home from the age of 13 after a breakdown in his family. When the time came at age 18 to leave care he was terrified of living on his own. Derek has Aspergers Syndrome and has difficulties interacting with people. Coming in contact with Action for Children was probably the best thing that happened to me. It really brought me out of myself. It was fantastic and I loved the whole experience. Derek Staff at the children s home put Derek in touch with Action for Children s Sperrin and Lakeland Floating Support Service for young people in Omagh, Northern Ireland. This helped him to make the transition from care to independent living. I was given practical help to live independently. I was shown how to cook a meal and how to manage my tenancy. Derek also took part in a residential course for young people to help build their confidence and learn how to engage with others through workshops. My support worker at the time suggested I do an Articulation course, which was probably the best thing that happened to me. It really brought me out of myself. Since then Derek has volunteered at Articulation events and conferences around the UK to help other young people. I ve done a lot of volunteering I ve met MPs and even got to meet The Queen when she visited Northern Ireland for the 10- year anniversary of Action for Children in Northern Ireland. I ve always been an advocate of encouraging young people to continue education. It s the most important thing in my life. Derek graduated from University this year with a first class honours degree in Sociology and Psychology and is currently doing a masters in Autism Spectrum Disorders. He wants to do one more masters in Children s Rights after completing this course. Derek also wants to find a job and mentor young people in university who have Asperger s and help them with issues at university. Coming in contact with Action for Children was probably the best thing that happened to me. It really brought me out of myself. It was fantastic and I loved the whole experience. 10 11
Action for Children saved me and I will always be eternally grateful for all of the support, above and beyond, that I ve received. Karen Karen Age 37, Caerphilly Family Intervention Scheme Karen was struggling to cope and was suffering from depression after being the victim of domestic violence. Her three children witnessed the abuse by their father, which affected them badly. He had moved out of the family home but was still threatening Karen and the family unit. The behaviour of the children aged eight, 10 and 14 had become challenging at home and at school, and the eldest child lost his hair due to stress, which affected his self-esteem and mental health. Here Karen tells us in her own words what her life was like before Action for Children helped her. I was frightened and crippled with anxiety, panic attacks and depression. I was trying to be a good mum, wife, daughter and sister, but was held back by fear. I lived my life in fear. I had a past story to tell which I held onto tightly. I didn t know how to escape its ugly grasp and change who I had become. I was controlled by my past and my anxieties were slowly killing me inside. For a number of years I had been caught in the system ; diagnosed with this, taking tablets for that, but deep down, I had the feeling that this wasn t the answer and that painful ache still remained in the pit of my stomach. Some days I d crawl into bed, heavily medicated and just pray for that pain to stop, just for a second. Then one day, a special group of people answered my prayers and desperate cries. They supported my whole family, but most importantly they offered me the help I so needed. Slowly, I began to talk to a psychotherapist. Through building a trusting relationship, I began to unravel and began to understand. I started to feel my self-worth. Action for Children saved me and I will always be eternally grateful for all of the support, above and beyond, that I ve received. Caerphilly Family Intervention Scheme worked with the family by offering individual support to the children, one-to-one psychotherapy for Karen and family therapy. As a result, the 12 13
children s behaviour and school performance improved and they had raised self-esteem. The 14-year-old boy s hair even began to grow back. Change your life for a while Karen thrived in the therapy and well-being group and she did some voluntary work at the mindfulness service where she had attended a course. Since then, she s completed a degree in counselling and is currently looking for work. The family are no longer hounded by the father. The family relationships have improved and family life is much more positive. Change his forever Fostering a child can be one of the most rewarding things you ll ever do. All you need is the space in your life and home to help a child rebuild their life, today. Talk to our local fostering team on 0845 200 5162 or visit actionforchildren.org.uk/ fosterwithus 14
By doing what s right. By doing what s needed. By doing what works. Supporter Care Team Action for Children 3 The Boulevard Watford, Herts WD18 8AG 0300 123 2112 actionforchildren.org.uk actnforchildren actionforchildren actionforchildrenuk Registered charity nos. 1097940/SC038092 Company no. 4764232. Produced by Action for Children 16/17 0452.