Today is Sunday and I am going to church. Church is where I give thanks to God and remember that God loves me. This is what the church looks like.

When I come into church I sit in a pew. Other people, other children, and other families come to church too. Some people may be praying. Praying is talking to God. I am quiet and sit still while others pray. I pray too, and tell God what I’m thankful for, or for what I need help with.

The service starts when the priest stands up and welcomes all of us. The priest invites us to sing a song.

I stand and sing a song with everyone else.

After the song the priest says a prayer.

Then I sit down. I sit quietly so that I can hear the readings.

Someone stands up, goes to the front of the church, and reads a lesson from the Bible. The Bible is a special book that God has given us, and I listen to what it says.

Then the priest stands up and reads another lesson from the Bible about Jesus. Jesus is God’s Son who came to earth a long time ago to show and tell everyone how much God loves us. I listen to the story. (picture of me reading)

The priest then talks for a while about God. This is called a “sermon.” I listen quietly to what the priest says.

Someone else stands up, goes to the front, and says prayers to God. We pray for ourselves, our country, the world, the poor, and the sick. After each prayer, I say, “Hear us, Lord.”

The priest says “The Peace of the Lord be always with you.” I say, “And also with you.” Then I shake hands with my family, my friends, and other people who are in church that day.

The priest then gets the Altar ready for Eucharist. The priest puts out bread, some wine, and then mixes a little water into the wine.

The priest says “The Lord be with you.” I say “And also with you.” The priest says “Lift up your hearts.” I say “We lift them up to the Lord.” The priest says “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. I say “It is right to give God thanks and praise.”

The priest prays a prayer thanking God for creating the world, making us, and for giving us Jesus. The priest asks God to make the bread and wine holy, or special. At the end of the prayer, I say “Amen.”

Then I go to the front of the church and the priest gives me a piece of bread. Then I dip it into the cup of wine. Then I eat it. When I eat it I remember how much God loves me. Then I go back to my seat.

After everyone has received Eucharist the priest prays a prayer, and invites us to stand a sing a song. I stand and sing the song.

Then, after a blessing, we all go home.

Questions, comments, or suggestions about this Social Story, or the service? Please contact

Fr. Rick Morley Rector, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

140 South Finley Ave. Basking Ridge, NJ 07920

(908) 766-0510 rmcmorley@me.com

www.stmarksbr.org