Hymn story
by Phyllis Vos Wezeman, Director of Christian Nurture at First Presbyterian Church, South Bend, IN, and president of Active Learning Associates, Inc. (ALA), Michawaka, IN, a partnership of Christian educators who write, publish, and lead workshops for churches and other not-for-profit groups; and Anna Liechty, Plymouth, IN, a National Board Certified
Teacher in Adolescence and Young Adulthood English/Language Arts, and vice president of ALA.
T
his is the seventh in a series that offers an opportunity to use the music of worship to help children, youth, and adults learn about worship and components of a worship service. The basis for each article is a design for a
children’s message using an object lesson related to a familiar or a new hymn text, to be used as a learning activity in a church school class, children’s church, family activity, and/or mid-week programs.
Prayer: “Near to the Heart of God”
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Composer: Cleland Boyd McAfee (1866-1944) Year of publication: 1903 Tune: MCAFEE
Scripture reference: Psalm 94:19 THEME
In worship, prayer creates the opportunity for us to receive what we need – a place of comfort, peace, and joy near to the heart of God.
TEACHING TOOL
Heart-shaped fleece pillow MATERIALS
Chalk or disappearing ink pen Fiberfil® Fleece Marker, permanent Ruler
Scissors METHOD
Cut two identical heart shapes from fleece. To allow for a four-inch fringe, be sure to cut the hearts eight inches larger than the size of the finished pillow. For example, cutting the fleece twenty-six inches across and twenty-two inches long will make an eighteen-inch by fourteen- inch pillow.
On one fleece heart, use a ruler and chalk or a disappearing-ink pen to draw a heart four inches in from the edge of the fabric. Measure and draw fringe that’s about one inch wide and four inches long.
26 Begin at the bottom point of the heart and tie
Stack the hearts with the chalk lines on top. Cut the fringe, through both layers of fleece, stopping at the center heart.
the top piece of fringe to the bottom piece by double-knotting them. Continue up the side of the pillow. At the dip at the top, knot together the top four fringes, two pairs, into one double knot to cinch the opening more tightly. Then go back to knotting just two fringes until only four pairs are untied. Stuff the heart with Fiberfil®
Cut four small heart shapes and write one of these phrases on each of them: quiet rest, comfort sweet, full release, joy and peace.
SUGGESTIONS FOR DIALOGUE/DISCUSSION I’d guess that everyone recognizes what I
am making.
[Hold up the nearly completed fleece
pillow. Pause to allow the participants to acknowledge that this is a heart-shaped pillow.]
Yes, this is a pillow made from fleece and it is shaped like a heart. I thought it would make a nice gift for someone – maybe someone who needs consoling. Do you know what consoling means?
[Welcome any suggestions.]
To console someone means to help the person feel less sad, to offer him or her comfort. Do you ever need consoling? We all do at times, don’t we? A soft, heart-shaped pillow might say, “I care about you and want you to find rest, comfort, release, joy and peace.”
[Hold up the prepared hearts with the
words written on them and distribute to several listeners.]
The hymn we are learning about today was written to console a family who were
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2010 • WORSHIP ARTS
. Tie the remaining
fringes. Brush off any chalk that still shows. Ink lines should disappear according to the package directions.
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