We are gearing up to launch a new liturgy in our parish. For now we are simply calling it, “The Family Liturgy.” Once it gets rolling, it will take on an identity all its own.

The new Family Liturgy will begin on March 4.

Think of something like a 7 year old's birthday party, a Christmas pageant, and a AYSO soccer game all rolled into one. Add real concrete help for parents raising children. A lot of music and color and movement. Laughter, (and the occasional tear). And the power of God.

The Family Liturgy will provide a worship environment that supports the needs of young families. It will engage children fully in the worship experience using language, arts and movement meaningful to children, while not neglecting the needs of adults.

In this new liturgy I suspect we will discover the deeper meaning of Psalm 98:4 “Make a joyful noise to the Lord.”

This Psalm includes a lesser known exhortation: “Let the sea roar, and all that fills it/The world and those who dwell therein.” It seems to me that nothing “roars like the sea” quite like a room full of excited, motivated and happy children.

Looking for silence and an opportunity for contemplative prayer? This may not be the liturgy for you.

But if you know anyone who

• cares about the life of children,
• wants to see their children grow up in a caring, supportive, loving community that really pays attention to how kids learn, grow, and experience faith,
• loves to worship in a high-energy, joyful environment that is full of surprises...

You might want to let them know that there is a new opportunity for worship in Ashburn, the likes of which you have never seen before.

We are looking for 50 families who are willing to commit to help us launch the new Family Liturgy. We need families willing to commit for eight weeks. Families who are willing to commit to just come and participate -- to experience the worship and give us feeback as we try to figure out what the heck we are doing.

Will it be a smooth, seemless, professional presentation? Unlikely.

Will be the best 45 minutes you can spend with your kids? Bet on it.

This new worship service is going to pump energy into this parish like we are never seen before. But more important by far is how God will use this service to touch the hearts of children, and through the hearts of children, transform the lives of their parents.

The new service begins March 4, at 9:15 AM. It is going to be a blast.