"We come to hear the Word of God. God is with us in His Word."
The leader asks the question: Why have we come together today? The children and leaders together respond and sign the following, and after that, begin with the opening prayer.
We will sign the following words. Click on the links above to see videos of the signs. The descriptions of what we will be signing are below.
Come starts with both your hands extended with index fingers pointing forward. Then bending your arms at the elbow, you pull your fingers in toward your body. The sign looks like you are gesturing a group of people to come over to you.
Hear: Point at your ear with your index finger. Alternatively, you can cup your hand to your ear as if you are straining to hear.
Word: We will sign Bible, which is a compound sign: "Jesus"+"book" Jesus – touch both palms with middle fingers, Book - Put your hands together, palm-to-palm. Then holding your pinkies together, open up your hands as if opening up a book.
God: To sign God swipe your dominant (flat) hand in front pulling downward, thumb toward face, from forehead to chest
With us: We will sign hug, to show the warmth we feel when God is with us. The hug sign is made by crossing your arms over one another with palms open and then shrugging your shoulders. This sign looks like you are giving yourself a big hug.