A series of litanies that we are using this year at Kensington – led by children of the congregation during Lent. Based on texts from Exodus… Good to have the kids’ voices sharing and leading in worship. Two of them were also done in French (those translations are at the bottom of this post.)

Litany 1 (Burning Bush)

Moses was out in the rocky places taking care
of his sheep, just minding his own business.
     God said: “Now’s a good time to meet Moses!”
Moses went looking for one of his sheep that
had run off somewhere – just out doing his job.
     God said: “This little bush will show my glory.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Moses saw something
different – a light, a fire, a bush in flame.
     God said: “Take off your shoes, take them off
     right now – you are standing on holy ground.”
Moses was amazed – a bush on fire, but not burned up.
God talking to him. He took off his shoes.
     God said: “Moses, I want you to do something for
     me – I want you to help my suffering people.”

God comes close to us and speaks to us, too.
He asks us to help people who are suffering.
     God says: “Live like Jesus, he’s my holy Son.”
In the time of Lent, we discover God is with us
in all our experiences, good and bad. He helps us
live as his family every day.
     God says: “Jesus is with you, all the time.”

Litany 2 (Red Sea)

God’s people are on the run – God has helped
them escape from deep trouble and slavery.
     But look: the enemy army is in hot pursuit.
The people of God are afraid – they got away, but
now the enemy might catch them and drag them back.
     A sea blocks their way. Nowhere to go. Trapped.
Can God deal with a problem this big, a big problem
here in the wilderness, in the middle of nowhere?
     I guess we will find out! God says to Moses: See
     that stick in your hand – raise it over the sea.
Can God deal with a problem this big? The answer is yes.
With the stick raised high, the water is pushed back.
     God’s people walk through the sea on dry land.
     the chasing army will not catch them. Safe!

God comes close to us to help and protect us, too.
And not just us, but others who live around us.
     When we’re afraid, with no place to go,
we can ask God to help us and lead us and provide
us with a way through the trouble in our lives.
     God says: “Jesus my son is with you, all the time.”

Litany 3 (Ten Commandments)

God’s people are kind of lost – they are not
sure what to so or how they should live.
     God calls Moses up onto the mountain.
How are God’s people to know what is good
or bad – what is right and what is wrong?
     God gives Moses 10 commands for the people.
Sometimes God’s people need rules – clear
rules that say tell us what is good and what is bad.
     God says: Worship me only, not idols.
God says: Don’t lie or cheat or steal or hurt
other people – remember the holy way.
     Moses brings the rules to God’s people

Jesus is a teacher who reminds us of the
way that God wants us to live.
     Jesus reminds us that the first rule is: Love!
Jesus is a savior, who forgives us and brings
us close to our heavenly Father, even if we
have broken the rules and done wrong.
   Jesus himself obeys the first rule: Love!

Litany 4 (Jordan River)

God’s people are on the way into a new land,
a new home that is beautiful and rich and lovely.
     But there’s a last hurdle to cross: the Jordan River.
God leads them through. The priests go first, and
stop in the middle. Everyone else is safely through.
     God provided a way into the new homeland.
God told the people: “Set up 12 stones to remember
how I helped. Twelve stones for twelve tribes.”
     The people set up heavy stones, a reminder.
Now when the children and grandchildren and great-
grandchildren see those stones they ask about them.
     And the story is told again: How God helped
     the people through, into a new beginning.

God has done amazing things for us. We have symbols
of bread and wine and water to remember Jesus.
     Along the way, reminders of God’s love.
In our own lives, God has done things to help us, and
we can remember those things too, and celebrate.
     Let us remember, always, God’s love in Jesus.

Litany 5 (Palm Sunday)

It is a day of celebration and joy.
     Jesus is on his way into Jerusalem.
It is a day to wave palm branches with happiness.
     Jesus is a humble king – one we celebrate.
It is a day to shout out words of praise.
     Jesus is coming, and he will bring new life.
Can I hear “Hallelujah”?
     Yes, we will say it: Hallelujah!
Can I hear “Praise God?”
     Yes, we will say it: Praise God!
If we don’t sing and shout our joy for Jesus,
     then the rocks and rivers will shout praise.

Are we only celebrating something that
happened a very long time ago, in history?
     No! Jesus is here! We praise him now!
Today we are his disciples. Today we are the children
of God. Today he brings us hope and joy.
     Hosanna! Praise to God in the highest.

Litany 3, en français

Le peuple de Dieu est perdu en quelque sorte – ils ne
sont pas certains de la façon ils doivent agir ou vivre.
     Dieu appelle Moïse en haut de la montagne
Comment le peuple de Dieu saura-t-il ce qui est bien
ou mal – ce qui est juste et ce qui est mauvais?
     Dieu donne à Moïse dix commandements
     pour son peuple.
Parfois, le peuple de Dieu a besoin de règles – des règles claires
qui nous indiquent ce qui est bien et ce qui est mal.
     Dieu dit: Tu n’adoreras pas d’autres dieux que moi.
Dieu dit: Ne mens pas, ne trompe pas, ne vole pas
ou ne blesse pas les autres – rappelle-toi de la voie sainte.
     Moïse apporte les règles au peuple de Dieu.

Jésus est le guide qui nous rappelle la façon que Dieu
voudrait que nous vivions.
     Jésus nous rappelle la première règle: Aime!
Jésus est le sauveur qui nous pardonne, et qui nous emmène
près de notre Père celeste, même si nous avons transgressé les
règles et commis le mal.
    Jésus nous rappelle la première règle: Aime!

Litany 5, en français

C’est un jour de célébration et de joie.
     Jésus est en marche vers Jérusalem
C’est un jour pour brandir des branches de palmier avec bonheur.
     Jésus est un roi humble – que nous célébrons
C’est un jour pour crier nos mots de louanges.
     Jésus s’en vient, et il va apporter une vie nouvelle.
Puis-je entendre « Hallelujah » ?
     Oui, nous le dirons : Hallelujah!
Est-ce que je peux entendre « Louez Dieu »?
     Oui, nous allons le dire : louez Dieu!
Si nous ne chantons pas et ne crions pas notre joie pour Jésus,
     Alors les rochers et les rivières vont crier les louanges.

Est-ce que nous célébrons seulement quelque chose
qui est survenu Il y a longtemps, dans l’histoire?
     Non! Jésus est ici! Nous le louons maintenant!
Aujourd’hui nous sommes ses disciples. Aujourd’hui nous
sommes les enfants de Dieu. Aujourd’hui il nous apporte
espoir et joie.
     Hosanna! Louanges à Dieu au plus haut.