National Lutheran Schools Week 18 – 24 May 2008 Lutheran schools around Australia join together to celebrate learning and growing, living and being – through life grounded in God’s grace

…engage…connect…build…sustain… As the community gathers for worship, invite each person to take a slip of paper, on which a bible verse has been written, and a pebble which they will use later Call to worship LGod, you are love, and you created us to be like you. We gather today to think about what this means for us at (insert school name) and in our community of Lutheran schools across Australia as we celebrate National Lutheran Schools Week Song Psalm 95 (adapted) LCome let us praise God! Let us sing for joy to God who protects us. CCome let us praise God!

…engage…connect…build…sustain… LLet us give thanks to God Who made the universe and everything in it. CCome let us praise God! LLet us give praise to our God Who cares for us like a shepherd cares for lost sheep. CCome let us praise God! LGod has made us a family Let us give thanks to God. CCome let us praise God! A Prayer LWe need to talk to you, God, about what you want us to do to help make the world a better place. Sometimes the problems of the world seem so complicated that we wonder if there really is anything we can do. And besides, we seem to have enough trouble just dealing with our own problems. CHelp us to know what is possible for us, God, and give us the courage and energy to take a first step, no matter how small. Amen.

…engage…connect…build…sustain… Song Scripture Reading Matthew 25:31-46, paraphrased – (see notes) RThis is the Word of the Lord CThanks be to God Reflection and Symbolic Act LStill your mind and your body. Study each word or phrase in the scripture verse you selected as you entered the worship area today. Think about the words: their meaning in their context, and their meaning in your life. (soft music may be played during the contemplation) LIn stillness we think of all those whose lives are linked to ours and who are

…engage…connect…build…sustain… affected by our actions or our lack of concern… CThe circle of our family and friends, the circle of our school community, the circle of communities of Lutheran schools in Australia, and the circle of Lutheran schools around the world. We pray that all our actions may lead to ripples of peace and joy and love which spread out into the world. Amen (As soft music continues to be played, you are invited to place your pebble in the pool of water, and as you watch the ripples being made, think about the words you studied in your scripture verse and the effect you can have in community) Song

…engage…connect…build…sustain… Prayer LLoving God, help us to listen to your word and your teachings with openness and with love, so that we may be hearers of your truth and bearers of the good news of your gospel to our world CLord hear our prayer LWe pray for our parents and school staff. May they always show us the way to goodness and truth CLord hear our prayer LWe pray for our whole school community, that we may be strengthened in our efforts to become a thoughtful and caring community. CLord hear our prayer LWe pray for the communities of Lutheran schools and regional offices throughout Australia, may we all be people of integrity, people whose word can be trusted, people who honour justice, love and truth in all that we do LGod of love and grace, hear and answer our prayers. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord CAmen

…engage…connect…build…sustain… The Lord’s Prayer LWe pray together the prayer that spans the world and binds us together as one COur Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen

…engage…connect…build…sustain… Blessing LMay the God of Community walk with us and beside us, sharing our journeys, listening to our stories, embracing our pain, rejoicing in our triumphs. May God continue to bless our efforts to grow into a strong and vibrant community – one marked by concern, openness and trust. And may God, the Source of All Being, Jesus the eternal Word And the Holy Spirit who is the life-force bless us now and forever AmenSong