24 September 2026
Kids and youth together for 45 minutes this Sunday: Jesus is the light, and we carry his light out. Lanterns borrow the Mid-Autumn image — family gathered under one light — and the procession outside is the sending.
Texts: John 8:12 (Jesus is the light) and Matthew 5:14–16 (we shine his light)
Big idea: Jesus is the light of the world; we reflect his light to the people around us
Who: COG Kids and COG Youth together; youth paired with younger kids throughout
Anchor: one candle lit at the front for the whole session
| Time | Segment | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 0:00–0:05 | Welcome and blackout | Lights off, one candle lit at the front. Ask: what changed when the light came? Read John 8:12. |
| 0:05–0:20 | Lantern making | Youth paired with younger kids. Decorate paper lanterns with an LED tea light inside. Each pair writes a name on their lantern: someone they will shine for next term. |
| 0:20–0:28 | Talk | The moon and the lantern both borrow their light. Jesus is the light; we reflect it. Read Matthew 5:14–16. |
| 0:28–0:38 | Lighting and sending procession | Each lantern switched on from the front candle, one by one. Walk out to the courtyard (or round the room if wet): the light doesn't stay in the building. |
| 0:38–0:45 | Close | Circle up holding lanterns. Each person says the name on their lantern (or just holds it up). Pray for those names. Mooncakes; lanterns go home. |
Jesus is the light. Point to the candle. In John 8:12 Jesus says whoever follows him will never walk in darkness. He is the one real source of light.
We borrow light. At Mid-Autumn everyone looks at the bright moon. But the moon has no light of its own — it shines because it faces the sun. Our lanterns only glow because they were lit from the candle.
We shine it out. Matthew 5:14–16: you are the light of the world, a lamp isn't hidden under a bowl. Lit lanterns aren't kept in a cupboard. That's our church's mission — taking Jesus' light to the people we know.
Your name. Look at the name on your lantern. That's who you'll shine for next term.
For the youth (one harder line): The moon doesn't try harder to shine; it turns to face the sun. Reflecting Jesus starts with facing him, not performing for others.
One large candle and lighter (front table, kept under leader supervision)
Paper lantern kits or pre-cut templates — one per child plus spares
Battery LED tea lights — one per lantern, tested beforehand
Markers, glue sticks, stickers, tape
Bibles or printed cards: John 8:12 and Matthew 5:14–16
Mooncakes, cut into small pieces (check nut allergies)
Room that can be darkened; courtyard checked for the procession
Wet-weather call made Sunday morning: courtyard or indoor loop
Pairings of youth with younger kids decided before the session
Real flame stays at the front. Lanterns use LED lights only; "lighting from the candle" means switching on beside it.
Names are private if needed. Younger kids can write a first name or "my friend"; no one has to read theirs aloud.
Youth as leaders. Brief the youth beforehand that helping their partner is their part in the mission today.
Bilingual families. Mid-Autumn language is familiar to many of our Mandarin-speaking families — invite parents to join the procession.
End of term. Thank leaders publicly in the close; mention the date the next term starts.