PrePare Ye

From the Open Files of: NW Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center (715) 833-1153 Contributed by: Gail Weber, Bethany Lutheran Church, Rice Lake, WI

At Bethany Lutheran church we have an event called PrePare Ye (a night to decorate the church and prepare our hearts for the advent season) that is held the Wednesday night before the first Sunday in advent. We start the night off with a supper for the congregation prepared by one of our 6th, 7th, or 8th grade classes and their parents. This year, immediately afterwards we explained to everyone that we were going to be making prayer partner stars. Everyone was given a star. They were to glue their pictures onto it. We had cut up a church directory prior to this event and had them in the entryway, so as people came they were given their pictures. We had asked all kids from 3rd grade and up to bring one of their school pictures. We had poloroid camera available if someone forgot their picture. On the tables we had buckets filled with stickers, glitter pens and stamper markers. They were to decorate the stars anyway they wished. After decorating, they were to put their names on the back of the star. We also put a magnet on the back of the star as well as a list of suggestions on how to connect with their prayer partners over the season. Then we all went up to the narthex, where we decorated the church for Christmas. We also had a family project prepared where they could make an advent wreath.   When the decorating was finished we sang songs and read the Christmas story. Then we had all the kids exit one direction where they were each given an adult prayer partner star. The adults exited another direction and were each given a prayer partner star with a child's picture on it. Each group was directed to go to our fellowship hall and find their prayer partner. Everyone found their partners except for one little boy who said nobody came to say he was their prayer partner. For the event we had arranged to have a school bus pick up anyone who did not want to drive to the event and had about twenty riders. Two escorts went to their doors to greet them and help them to the bus, and they were served eggnog. This particular little boy came out to the bus and asked if he could get on and see if someone would recognize him as their prayer partner. Sure enough, one lady said she was his prayer partner. He just beamed. They had a short conversation and he got off the bus feeling very happy and very content!

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