Capstone

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the Liturgy module is to teach the children the importance of liturgical traditions. In Kindergarten, we will go over the how and when to pray. The children will also learn prayers, psalms, and hymns that are used in the Divine Liturgy and in our Orthodox prayers. Week 5 is the capstone week to review and pray together.

INSTRUCTIONS/IDEAS

  • Game Show: Split the class into 2 or more teams. Bring in bells or buzzers and have them compete to answer review questions.
  • Have a Saturday field trip starting with Divine Liturgy and ending with Vespers.
  • Speak to your priest beforehand to have the Liturgy directed towards the children, ask if it's possible if he can stop frequently to explain what is happening.
  • Have all the kindergarteners sit in the first row during the Liturgy with servants and volunteer parents interspersed among them to keep everyone quiet and focused. Model using books to follow or having the screen up.
  • After Liturgy, share a picnic meal, take a walk at the beach, play at a park, any fun activity the kids would enjoy.
  • Have a hymns lesson and discuss the beauty of singing ageless lyrics of praise to our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Finally, attend Vespers together, again sitting altogether in the front row, encouraging the kindergarteners to stay focused and participate in the prayers.
  • Have parents pick up their children at the end of Vespers with a list of questions they should ask their kindergarteners about the day and a copy of the hymn they learned to practice at home. Example questions below.
    • Did you learn anything new about the Divine Liturgy or Vespers?
    • Did the priest talk to you during church? What did he say?
    • How was your activity with the servants? Did you have fun?
    • Did you learn a new hymn? Can we sing it together?

MATERIAL REVIEW

WHAT IS LITURGY? REVIEW

  • What is the table of the Lord?
    • The altar
  • What does it mean to "eat His blood?" and "drink His blood"?
    • The Holy Communion
  • What are the 7 sacraments of the church?
    • Baptism, Chrismation (Myron), Confession, Communion, Marriage, Priesthood, Unction of the Sick

Memory Verse

"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, "Take, eat; this is My Body."

Mark 14:22

HYMNS REVIEW

  • Where do Hymns come from?
    • Moses and the children of Israel sang their hymn after they were released from Pharaoh's captivity
  • Why do we use hymns?
    • Because when we sing hymns we are praising God. It gives us the feeling of having Heaven here on Earth.
  • Do the hymns change according to the season?
    • Yes

Memory Verse

"I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously."

Exodus 15:1

CHURCH ETIQUETTE REVIEW

  • (TRUE OR FALSE) When we go to church, we wear our play clothes
    • False
  • (TRUE OR FALSE) Girls wear head scarfs the whole time they are in church
    • True
  • (TRUE OR FALSE) When we pass by an icon we do a prayer ONLY then go find our place in church
    • False (we kiss the icon as well)

Memory Verse

"In fear of you, I will worship toward You holy temple"

Psalm 5:8

VESPERS REVIEW

  • When during the day do we have vesper prayers?
    • Evening
  • How many parts of the Vesper prayers are there?
    • Four
  • What does the priest do while we pray vespers?
    • He raises the incense
  • What is the name of the prayer that Abouna says during the time he raises the incense?
    • The Three Litanies

Memory Verse

"I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go into the house of the Lord.'"

Psalm 121:1