Holy People

Throughout history there have always been people who model Jesus through their works and words. These are justice seekers and peacemakers. Jesus taught us the importance of loving others as we love ourselves; therefore, issues of justice are central for Christians. Working for justice includes respecting the rights of others, excluding no one, and learning to resolve disagreements in ways that honor and respect the needs of all. This prayer celebration focuses on the needs of others to which justice demands response.



"Celebrating Peace" Prayer Celebration Notes

Focus		Celebrating ways to become peacemakers.
Materials		Prayer table, Bible, candle, liturgy, drawing paper, crayons or markers, tape, music.
Reading		Colossians 3:12-15
Music		"I Have Friends Both Far and Near," Blest Are We Music CD K; "Children of God," Christopher Walker (OCP Publications)
Preparation		Children do not need copies of the liturgy. Write the response, "Help us to choose peace." on the chalkboard or say the response and have the children repeat it. Before the prayer celebration, you may wish to share questions such as: "What are ways to make peace with others?" "How is sharing with others a peaceful action?" Distribute paper and crayons or markers to the children. Describe a quilt to them and, if possible, show them a picture of one. Then invite each child to draw a picture representing peace or peaceful actions that will become one square of the peace quilt. Collect the pictures and tape them together. Place the peace quilt near the prayer table.
Adaptation		You might choose to use a large piece of muslin and fabric crayons or markers to make the peace quilt. Another possibility would be to send squares of muslin home with the children along with suggestions on how families might create squares of the peace quilt for the children to bring back to the group and assemble later together.
Additional Materials		For a full year of liturgies, from which this one was adapted, see: Prayer Celebrations, Primary Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-30567-1 / 9780382305672 Blest Are We Music CD K Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36568-2 / 9780382365683 Blest Are We Song Book for Grades 1-8 Words and melody for children; contains music for grades 1-8. Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36617-4 / 9780382366178 Blest Are We Accompaniment Book for Grades 1-8 Contains accompaniment music for grades 1-8 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36618-2 / 9780382366185