Background Notes

Since Old Testament times, the Sabbath has been observed as a day of rest. "[The Sabbath] is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day God rested." [Exodus 31:17]

Today, Jews celebrate the Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Christians celebrate the Sabbath on Sunday. It was the Sabbath ritual of Kiddush, along with the blessing of bread and wine at meals, that some scholars believe led to the Last Supper ritual and the origin of the Eucharist. At each grade level, these liturgies celebrate the Sabbath as a special day.

It is time for us to reconnect with the concept of a restful Sunday. Pope John Paul II emphasized the sacredness of Sundays in his 1998 letter, The Day of the Lord. "Its religious sense certainly does not conflict with human values, which make Sunday a time of rest, of enjoyment of nature, and of more social relations." See Liturgical Calendar–Seasons–Ordinary Time for additional background information and prayer.


"Giving Thanks for Sunday" Prayer Celebration

Focus		Seeing Sunday as a special day of rest and prayer.
Materials		Prayer table with candle, Bible, and music. Click here for "The Sign of the Cross" activity
Reading		Genesis 1:31–2:4
Music		"Thanks and Praise," Blest Are We Music CD K ; "We Praise You," Blest Are We Music CD 1; "Bread to Share," Marty Haugen (GIA Publications)
Preparation		Children will not need copies of the liturgy. Print out "The Sign of the Cross" activity for practice. Write the response in advance on the chalkboard or say each response and have the children repeat it with you. Practice your role as leader. Practice the hand movements with the children.
Adaptation		In advance, have children bring in favorite stories they like to read with their families. Encourage them to take them home and read them with their families on Sunday.
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 Music CD 1 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36652-2 / 9780382366529 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). Purchase online at www.sbgreligion.com/catalog/ or call Silver Burdett Ginn Religion at 1-800-552-2259. ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36618-2 / 9780382366185