Worship crosses all boundaries.
We promote exceptional worship experiences for children with intellectual disabilities!
Children of Autism, Fragile X, Down syndrome, Bi-Polar disorders, Asperger syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities thrive in their own comfortable worship service, uniquely designed for their physical needs, mental abilities and spiritual concerns!
Our mission is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to which special needs children can easily focus and comprehend.
Some good news was sent special delivery by HSPS to us this week! (Holy Spirit Postal System) A premier, innovative respite care facility in northern Virginia has expanded their Worship For All chapel services! We are now all the more blessed to lead children of Intellectual Disabilities in praising our Great God at 3 worship services on Saturday, 3 on Sunday and 1 on Tuesday!
As a quick note to first time Worship For All blog visitors, we bring a unique and effective ministry of worship to special needs children of Autism, Bi-polar disorders, Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Asperger syndrome and other severe disabilities.
Our full-impact worship services are 25 minutes long and have 4 components: Song, Prayer, Message and (hands-on) Blessing. The content is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The well-tested methodology is one of compassion, respect and comfort. Some of the techniques that we use have been developed over the course of 30 years. We see incredible impact. For the first time in their difficult lives, these children are being given the opportunity to worship! We know that the Spirit of the Living God is in our midst as we worship together. The amazing results are chronicled here!
This is the Worship For All blog. It has a heavenly ending.
My friend with Bipolar disorder visited the worship service again. I always look forward to his attendance and how he will interact with us.
Bipolar disorder is a condition in which people go back and forth between periods of moodiness and depression. The pre-depression mood can be either be a very good mood or one that is irritable. The "mood swings" between mania and depression can be very quick. The cause of this disorder is unknown.
If you recall from a prior blog post on Jan 30th, this teenage boy perfectly understood the Worship For All message about "casting your burdens on the Lord" (Psalm 55:22). He gladly and enthusiastically shook out his anger into Jesus' trash can.
I have recently learned that one weekend Child Care Specialist reminds him of that children's sermon when anger wells up in him. She says to him, "Do you remember our lesson from Jill's House chapel?" "You know, you can always throw your anger into Jesus' trash can." Wow, our lessons in God's Word can also be used as a tool to help our young friends reset their emotions.
At this week's worship service, my friend did not want to participate in any part of the worship service. As I announced the singing of the "Hello" song, my friend announced that he did not want to sing. When I invited all to pray with me, he said "I am not praying today". He placed his fingers in his ears and layed in a bean bag chair. During the same children's sermon as last time, I asked him to throw his anger, his worry or his sin away. He refused to participate.
When it was time for the hands-on blessings my friend said "I don't need a blessing". I asked him if he was "sure". He said he was sure. I stepped away and then stepped back. I said "If you change your mind, let me know." He said "I don't want a blessing".
Everyone else accepted the hands-on blessing, even the seven children who were attending for the first time. We sang the "Amen" song and I thanked everyone for attending our "Worship For All" service. Almost all of the children and caregivers had left the chapel room when my friend said, "On second thought . . . I do want a blessing! I do not want to go to Hell."
"Well, okay then!" I said at this unexpected turn of events. My spirit rejoiced to give him a hands-on blessing. I asked the Lord to take away his worry and his sin and for him to be assured that he would not go "anywhere near to Hell". The one child care specialist still in the room and I were amazed and very, very thankful!
Thank God for "second thoughts". My faith says that the Holy Spirit helps us arrive at "second thoughts" when our first thoughts were not the best for us. Sometimes, "second thoughts" may even be the difference between Heaven and Hell.
This is the "Worship for all" blog. It has a heavenly ending.
In Part 1 of "Why we all worship", it was posted that we exist to worship. In Part 2, it was stated that all people are designed for worship including children with Intellectual Disabilities. Today, my thought-to-share, is that our God calls all of us to worship, especially Special Needs children.
As Christians and worshippers of Jesus, we are the "ecclesia". This greek word is used in the New Testament 115 times or so. "Ecclesia" means the "called out" ones or the "summoned" ones. This word is almost always translated as "church" but it is not the best word. We tend to think of a church as a building. "Ecclesia" is not a building. We are often asked, "What church do you attend?" but "ecclesia" has nothing to do with real estate. "Ecclesia" is a "who". It is a people and a purpose! God has called His believers out to be His special people.
How have we been "called out"? Before Jesus was born, God called specific, historical men and women of great faith to speak for Him as patriarchs and matriarchs (Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob and others). Later, God used the leaders of Israel (Moses, David, Solomon and others) to guide the faithful . When leaders were weak in their faith, or worshipped other gods, the One True God sent prophets to their nation. Each prophet spoke to the people and restored their faithful worship. (Deborah, Elijah, Ruth, Daniel, Ezekiel, Joel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Esther, John the Baptist and others.)
When Jesus was born, He was, and always has been, the Truth and the Light. As God's Son, Jesus lived among us. For over three years, although few understood, Jesus revealed God's Truth to those around Him. When He died on the cross and rose again, He revealed all truth to His disciples for 40 days. The disciples would become the early leaders of the "ecclesia" (special people). When Jesus ascended back into heaven, God the Father, sent the Holy Spirit to be with all believers that we may continue to know His Truth. The Holy Spirit is with us until Jesus returns to take the "ecclesia" with Him to a new heaven and a new earth. (Rev. 21:1)
What have we been "called out" to do? I love to hear Bible stories about how people were "called out" by Jesus. He called Zacchaeus out of a tree to go visit Zacchaeus' home. Salvation came to Zacchaeus and his family. Jesus "called out" the woman at the well to be truthful. Salvation came to her and many from her town. Jesus, "called out" Lazarus from death and tomb. Salvation came to the family of Lazarus and to the many Jews in the crowd who witnessed this miracle.
We are all called out to meet Jesus and worship Him! My favorite "calling out" story is when Jesus calls for the disciples to bring small children to Him. Ironically, Jesus and the area religious leaders were in a serious discussion about marriage and divorce. The disciples were witnessig this as parents tried to bring their children to meet Jesus. As often is the case with adults, the disciples wanted the children to stay out of the way. Instead, Jesus called for the children to come to Him. Our Savior is still calling them today, isn't He?
"Then some little children were brought to him so that he might lay his hands on them and pray. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus, however, said, 'Let the little children come to me, and stop keeping them away, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like these.'" Matthew 19:13-14 (ISV)
(I have been waiting for weeks to ask this question:)
Leaders of the "ecclesia" (the special people),are you providing children of Intellectual Disabilities with a place to comfortably fellowship, worship and hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
There are many disabled children in your community. You may not see them, recognize them or even be looking for them. They, and their families, need all three of those provisions mentioned in the question. Won't you "call" them "out" of their homes to fellowship, worship and hear God's Word with you? Grow the number of "ecclesia" where you worship. Consider beginning this ministry today! Let's discuss this.
This is the "Worship for all" blog. It has a heavenly ending.
It almost goes without saying that we all have souls. We are all created with an "inner spirit". Some cultures call it an "atman" or a "ne'phesh". It is the "who" in "Who are you?".
Jeremiah 1:5 describes my history of consciousness best. God told teenager Jeremiah that "before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;" (NIV) Jeremiah went on to be a prophet. I went on to be the parent of a severely disabled child with Autism.
Children and adults with Intellectual Disabilities are challenged in their cognitive thought. They are challenged in their physical movement. They are challenged in their perception of their environment. In spite of these difficulties, it is an exciting revelation of faith that tells us that their souls are not disabled in any way. People of Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Asperger Syndrome, Bipolar Disorder and Fragile X Syndrome are spiritually whole! "Who they are" is untouched by their human frailty.
All people have been made to worship. The book of Revelation tells us that the redeemed will gather around the throne of God to worship forever. Our purpose is to worship Him. We are all built for this function. Revelation 5:13 "And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, 'To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever'." (NASB)
This is the "Worship For All" blog. It has a heavenly ending.
Why am I here? Why do I exist?
Why are you here? Why do you exist?
The answer may surprise you. We are here to worship God. That is it!
"Don't we exist to eat, grow and reproduce?"
No, you are thinking of an amoeba.
"Don't we exist to help the needy around the world?
No, you are thinking of Miss America.
Rene Descartes, seventeenth century blogger and philosopher, gave us this famous viewpoint on why we exist. "I think therefore I am" (cogito ergo sum). Descartes basically said "I know I exist now because I think."
As for me, a 2012 blogger and former college student on academic probation, "I think therefore I worship" (Cogito ergo adoremus). Basically, I am saying that I know I exist forever because I worship".
"Are you sure about that, Christian Bro? When I read the Bible I don't see any stories about Jesus worshipping."
(Pause for thought)
You are right. There are no stories of Jesus worshipping in the New Testament. Jesus doesn't exist to worship God. He exists to be worshipped. He is the one true God and fulfills the Heavenly Father's Redemptive plan for us. Go back to those Bible stories and use a wide angle lens. Do you see the crowds of people around Jesus? They are doing what we are meant to do. They are worshipping Jesus. They have just realized that He is the Messiah and they exist forever to worship Him.
The Heavenly Father has created us. Jesus, the Christ, has redeemed us. The Holy Spirit has awakened our souls. "I think therefore I worship God" (Cogito ergo adoremus Deum).
This is the "Worship For All" blog. It has a heavenly ending.
It is almost (St.) Valentine's Day! I am reminded that God has sent all of us the best of valentines; the Bible! In it, His Word tells us that He loves us! The object used for this month's 12 children's sermons is a heart necklace (girls) or a heart medalion (boys). All of the Bible can perhaps be summarized in these 4 words: God Says Be Mine. That is what is written on the necklace/medallion for everyone to wear at this month's worship services.
This sermon object successfully met all five of our requirements. Any chapel object for children of disabilities must be safe, simple, super low cost, small (to fit in to the Worship For All bible) and a summary of God's Word.
"They will be mine," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies. "On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child. Malachi 3:17 (adapted from the New Living Translation)
This is the daily "Worship For All" blog. It has a heavenly ending!
Michelangelo visioned the power of touch as he depicted the Heavenly Father about to give life to the first person, Adam. A few years ago, Dr. James Coan, a neuroscientist at the University of Virginia conducted a landmark study on the significant impact of touch. Sixteen happily married women, in the presence of their husbands, were subjected to an uncomfortable, but mild, electric shock. Dr. Coan noticed that there were physiological changes in the brains of the women when their husbands held their hands prior to the discomforting shock. The areas of the brain that had become active during periods of fear, danger and threat were found to quickly subside at the touch of a loved one's hand. This effect was also found to occur even at the touch of a stranger, although to a lesser degree. With the touch of a hand, the women became more calm and had less anxiety.
Children with significant disabilities know fear, danger and threat all too well. Young people of Autism, Asperger syndrome, Down syndrome, Fragile X, Cerebral Palsy, Bi-polar disorders and other disabilities are very often uncomfortable where ever they go. They experience much anxiety as familiar surroundings become unfamiliar. Loud sharp sounds are terrifying. An unexpected change in the day's routine can cause extreme worry to the point of trauma. Summer's heat is unbearable. Blinking lights can cause seizures. My son, Jesse, who has severe Autism, is always worrying that he is going to trip or stumble even in his own familiar home. For many of these children, the outside world is an intimidating and worrisome place.
For this reason, every Worship For All service includes a "hands-on" blessing. It is our version of integrative care. Jesus specifically asked the disciples to allow parents to bring their children to him so that he might lay his hands on them and pray for them. (Matthew 19:13-14) We, as well, want to provide comfort for all who join us to celebrate the Lord. By name, each child is touched on the shoulder, knee or even their shoe. Volunteers and the care giving professionals also receive a blessed touch! The blessing is announced ahead of time so that the children can know what to expect. Most blessings ask God to take away worry, fear or confusion. We ask the Lord to help the child to be calm, happy and to have "fun this week".
Our most memorable blessing occurred when one teenage boy with Cerebral Palsy asked if he could say the blessing for everyone. This was unplanned. It was not discussed ahead of time. We were excited to say "Yes" to him! After all, we do strive for participation at our Worship For All services. To our amazement, the boy in his walker, went around the room, placed his hand on each of us and prayed wonderful blessings on us all!
On March 19th, the Fox channel will air the new television sci-fi series "Touch". Kiefer Sutherland plays Martin Bohm, a loving father to a 10 year old boy with Autism. Martin's son, Jake, played by David Mazouz, has extraordinary command of numbers. He also has the power to connect random numbers to dramatic future events. Although mute, Jake is a conduit for how certain numbers are going to touch the lives of the characters in the show.
The first episode of "Touch" was enjoyable. I look forward to watching the fantasy series. The premise reminds us that we are all connected. However, we are not connected by fate-powered numbers. What connects us is that we have all been touched by God's love (as revealed by His son, Jesus) and all of us are built with the need to worship Him.
This is the daily Worship For All blog. It has a heavenly ending.
