Children: On this last Sunday before Lent, we give up the idea that we have no voice. We refuse to believe that we are powerless, that we cannot make a difference in our chu
rches, and neighborhoods, our country and our world. We give up the idea that our vision of a better tomorrow must wait until we’re older or richer or smarter or more holy. How will you help us?
Adults: We will hear your voices and look to your visions. We acknowledge that with God all things are possible and we will help you make a difference by giving you opportunities to serve in your church. We will support your efforts in the community and world. We will enter Lent with you.
All: For the kingdom of God is at hand.
We give up the idea that war will always be a part of our world. We will not listen to those who lie to us when they say we must go to war to be safe — in America or in other countries around the world. We refuse to believe that we must kill in order to bring democracy and freedom to others. We give up the idea that violence ever solves anything. How will you help us?
Adults: We will be honest with you. We will not glorify weapons or violence, or righteous indignation. We will teach you ways of peace and model for you ways of loving our enemies. We will seek out and vote for leaders who, like Christ, are willing to be mediators and peacemakers.
All: For the kingdom of God is at hand.
We give up the idea that we are not responsible for our environment,
that it has always been and will always be. We will stop taking our Earth for granted and begin to hear her voice. We give up the idea that worship only happens indoors and behind stained glass. We will remember that our daily bread comes from God through a living, healthy planet and that we must care for her as she cares for us. How will you help us?
Adults: We will delight in the moon and the stars, we will look for God in the oceans and hear the Spirit’s voice in the winds. We will walk gently, buy and eat locally, and reduce our consumption of all things non-renewable. We will worship among the trees and rocks more often and we will bring you with us. We will see all life as sacred and will join with you in preserving our Earth.
All: For the kingdom of God is at hand.
We give up the idea that even though we are healthy, sickness does not affect us. We give up the idea that we do not have a responsibility to act as healers through prayer and touch and action. We give up the fear of disease, especially the fear that causes us to look away. We let go of the idea that illnesses like AIDS and malaria and dysentery have to happen, or that they don’t matter because they don’t happen here. We refuse to believe that healthcare must be for only a few. How will you help us?
Adults: We will take on the role of healers, however we are best suited to do so. We will fund research to find cures and will support health education in impoverished nations. We will respond swiftly to natural disasters that threaten to bring new diseases to already battered people. And when sickness occurs in our midst we will not fear it. Through it we will pray and we will touch, and we will be present for each other.
All: For the kingdom of God is at hand.
We give up the idea that poverty is something normal for some people in some places. We will not tolerate poverty in our world, or the thought that the poor don’t matter. We will not believe that poverty is someone else’s problem and we give up the idea that people who don’t have enough stuff or the right stuff are any less worthy of hope. How will you help us?
Adults: We will work with you to end poverty. We will put our own wealth to work, bringing hope and change to those who need it most. We will ask that you watch us as we feed the hungry, clothe the homeless, and care for widows and orphans in all corners of the world. We will stop pretending that the poor are not among us and we will help you find ways to respond compassionately to this very real problem.
All: For the kingdom of God is at hand.
We give up the idea that hatred is ever ok, that people can be treated differently because they are a different color or speak a different language or live on the other side of a border. We will not allow unequal treatment of gay, lesbian and transgendered people, women, or anyone else. We dream of a world where all people, in all places, of all faiths can work together. We give up the idea that hatred, bigotry, and bullying should ever be associated with God. How will you help us?
Adults: We will fight against injustice for you and with you. We will elect leaders who will help you reach your dreams. We will not harbor hate in our own lives and we will speak out any time we hear intolerance, knowing that to remain silent is not an act of love. We will work with you to rid the world of all those very things that Jesus was willing to die for.
All: For the kingdom of God is at hand.