Introduction To The Emmaus On-Line Video Series Sing It! Dance It - Children s Prayer

Transcription

1 Introduction To The Emmaus On-Line Video Series Sing It! Dance It - Children s This series of videos entitled, Sing It! Dance It Children s offers an engaging and meaningful prayer experience for children. Each video has a specific scripture theme which is broken open in quiet reflection and prayer and then sung and danced in songs that relate to the theme. The videos run on average for approximately 5 8 minutes. These videos are ideal for classroom prayer and support resources for Religious Education and any form of spiritual formation with children, such as Liturgy of the Word or Sacramental preparation. They are also ideal for family prayer with children. We have uploaded 5 videos to launch this Sing It! Dance It Children s series which we are planning to develop into on a library of over 30 videos. The format of the Sing It! Dance It Children s videos consists of two parts. Part A presents the scripture reflection and prayer. This runs for about 2 3 minutes and is supported by candle light image and reflective music. Part B presents the song and dance which relates to the scripture theme. Part A: Scripture Proclamation: A brief scripture text is shown on the video screen with the intention of having a child in the class read it on behalf of the class. This is followed by a photographic image of the scripture theme. Breaking Open The Scripture: Simple, clear instructional text is shown on the video screen inviting the children to pause and reflect on the scripture text, giving them a specific question and focus which relates the scripture to the children s life experience. This text is intended for the teacher to read to the class but it may be read by a student if so desired. This brief period of reflection is supported by candle light image and instrumental music. Concluding : A prayer relevant to the scripture theme and brief reflection is shown on the screen for the whole class to read and pray together. Having done so, the children are then invited to sing and dance a song which relates to the scripture theme. Part B: A song relevant to the theme is presented in dance with a group of children. The dance is not intended to be a performance, and as such, have not been filmed by dancers but by children who love to dance. This has been a deliberate choice in the hope of engaging the viewers to participate in the dance rather than observe it, so that by their own participation they can bring the scripture theme and prayer into their own experience. It is recommended that teachers view these videos before using them with children so that they can assess the readiness of their children for the video experience, particularly in regards to the children s life experience and circumstances.

2 When the video concludes it is also recommended that teachers allow a few minutes for the children to respond to the video experience simply by inviting them to name in a word or phrase how they feel after their experience of the video. By way of assisting with the preparation for the viewing of these videos, the scripture text, instructional text and concluding prayer are included below, as well as the song lyrics for the songs and dances. For more information on our Emmaus online video library or on any of our resources for children and adult faith formation, please contact us at Emmaus Productions at emmausaustralia@emmausproductions.com or visit our website at

3 Respect You & I We Grow Jesus said, Treat others as you would want to be treated yourself (Matthew 7:12) Let us be aware of someone whom we need to treat with more respect and care...pause Let us pray together now that God will help us to grow to be more loving and respectful to each other. PAUSE Jesus, you taught us how to love one another. Help us, as we grow, To be kind and respectful to all people, Especially those who are different to us, So that we may give to one another, The same love you give to us. Song Lyrics - You & I We Grow 1. You and I we know that a seed can't grow just on its own It needs the deep warm earth to hug itself around. And with a little rain, a little sun, you see it grow. But you and I we grow with a warm touch and a warm smile, Warm words and warm deeds. You and I we grow - wo, wo, wo, wo! YES! With a little bit of warm love. 2. You and I we know how a cruel harsh word can hurt us so. At times a mean old frown is enough to drag our spirits down. In a cruel cold world where love is lost it's hard to grow Monica Brown & Emmaus Productions

4 The Gift Of Life Listen Imagine! Jesus said, Listen! Imagine! A farmer went out to plant his seed. Some seed fell into rich soil and grew to produce a wonderful harvest. (Mark 4: 4 9) Let us think about the gift of our lives and how we are growing and changing...pause Let us pray that God will help us grow more fully into the gift of God s life in us PAUSE Loving God, Thank you for creating us, And giving us the gift of your own life. Help us to grow to be good and loving, Like Jesus Your Son. Song Lyrics - Listen Imagine Listen imagine the seed that is growing the seed of life, Ah, yes, it s growing the seed of life is growing in you 1. From your toes to your head you re growing Life full and flowing is happening in you 2. Who you are is a mystery, you re growing Imagine the beauty that s happening in you. 3. All that s good and wonderful is growing, Deep in your being, God s own life in you 1989 Monica Brown & Emmaus Productions

5 The Greatest Gift! Just Little Ole Me Jesus friends were fighting about which of them was the greatest. Jesus showed them a little child and said to them, Anyone who is like this child is the greatest in God s eyes. (Luke 9: 46 48) In the quiet of your heart, think about what God sees as great and special in you...pause Let us pray now that we will grow to be the best little people we can be PAUSE God who loves us and sees us as great, Help us to grow to be happy, loving children Who give to all the best of who we are. Song Lyrics - Just Little Ole Me 1. If I were a mountain, I'd stand very tall for you. If I were a rainbow, I'd spread my colour over you. But I'm just me, and the best thing I can do for you is be me; Just little ole me. Well there ain't no magic in being me; I can't fly the moon and I can't stop the sea. But I can love, oh, me, oh, my 2. If I were the sea, I'd bring you my best shells. If I were the moon, I'd bring you the brightest night. But I'm just me, and the best thing I can do for you is be me; Just little ole me Monica Brown & Emmaus Productions

6 Wonder & Mystery My God Lets It Be I will remind you of God s creation. By God s Word, God s creation comes into being. All creation is full of God s glory. (Ecc 42:15,16) In the quiet of your heart, be aware of something beautiful that you have seen of God s creation...pause Let us thank God now for the wonder and mystery of God s creation PAUSE Creator God, You do wonderful amazing things, Which give joy and blessing to our lives. Thank you for the gifts of all your creation, And for the mystery and beauty of each one of us. Help us to always be grateful for your gifts. Song Lyrics - My God Lets It Be 1. I wonder, just wonder what makes the caterpillar crawl? And I wonder often wonder just how the butterfly is born? When I have such little wonderings I put my finger on my chin And smile away because my God lets it be. God lets it be, yes he lets it be, He lets the clouds float in the sky But he never lets the sky come down. 2. I wonder, just wonder what makes the tiny seed grow? And I wonder often wonder what makes the trees stand tall? When I have such little wonderings I put my finger on my chin And smile away because my God lets it be. God lets it be, yes he lets it be God lets the big sun rise and set But he never lets it burn away. 3. I wonder, just wonder does my name really mean me? And I wonder often wonder just how I think such things? When I have such little wonderings I put my finger on my chin And smile away because my God lets it be. God lets it be, yes he lets it be, He lets me think and feel and be And he always keeps me wondering Monica Brown & Emmaus Productions

7 God Delights In You God s Word To Us Jesus said, Let the children come to me, do not stop them; for it is to those like children that the Kingdom of God belongs. He then put his arms round the children and blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16) In the quiet of your heart, think about why Jesus delights in you and wants to be with you? PAUSE Let us thank Jesus now for the special love He has for each of you. PAUSE Jesus, Thank you for wanting to be with us And blessing us with your love. May we grow to delight in ourselves and each other As you delight in us. Song Lyrics God Delights In You 1. You can sing and dance, you can celebrate Cos God delights in you You can smile away, you can laugh and play Cos God delights in you You can lift your head, you can raise it high Cos God delights in you You can be just as you are right now. God delights in you God s face shines upon you And that may be the wond rous gift of life That it s who you are, And the special way you love That makes your God dance with joy about you. 2. It s not just what you know, but how you grow That God delights in you It s not just what you do, but who you are That God delights in you It s not just what you have, but how you share That God delights in you Who you are is the greatest gift you have Monica Brown & Emmaus Production