Object: A 3-foot x 5-foot (i.e., large) world map and a passport.

Lesson: Community; relationships; God's presence; love.

As the children seat themselves on the chancel steps, I spread out a map of the world on the floor in front of them.

"Oooooooooooooooh!" comes their response as the map's features are revealed.

"It's pretty!" Mary exclaims.

"Yes, it is pretty, Mary," I answer. "There are lots of different colors to help us see where all the different countries are. Can any of you show us where we live?"

Immediately some of the eight- and nine-year-olds spring from their seats and descend on the map like bees on a field of clover. Almost with one motion, five little index fingers land in the center of the United States.

"Right HERE!" Thomas announces. I am duly impressed by the ch…