Song: I Will Build You Up

This is a song to help children learn to build others up and resolve differences in a loving way.

Lyrics:
As I build up another,
I'm also building me,
because we're all a part
of a great big family tree.

If I tear someone down,
I tear part of me down too.
I want to be a builder in all I say and do.

Chorus:
I will build, build, build, build you up.
It will lift, lift, lift, lift us up,
Because what I do to you
becomes part of my life too.
As I build you up, I'm also building me.

If I am feeling hurt,
or afraid, or really mad,
there are things that I can do
that will help things feel less bad.
I'll stop and think and breathe.
I'll ask God to help me see,
When I show love to you,
I am showing love to me.

[Chorus]

God sent me here to see,
He has love for big and small.
His love for you and me
is no different at all.
I'll try to see the good,
and the good will grow in me.
When I remember love for you,
a builder's what I'll be.

[Chorus]

Verse: Green Grass Grows All Around

Each line is sung by one person and then the group echoes.

There was a tree

(There once was a tree)

In a hole in the ground

(In a hole in the ground)

The prettiest little tree

(The prettiest little tree)

That you ever did see

(That you ever did see)

Oh, the tree in a hole

And the hole in the ground

And the green grass grew all around, all around

And the green grass grew all around

Now on the tree 

(Now on this tree)

There was a branch 

(There was a branch)

The prettiest little branch 

(The prettiest little branch)

That you ever did see

(That you ever did see)

Oh, the branch on the tree, 

And the tree in a hole

And the hole in the ground

And the green grass grew all around, all around

And the green grass grew all around

Now on this branch 

(Now on this branch)

There was a nest 

(There was a nest)

The prettiest little nest 

(The prettiest little nest)

That you ever did see

(That you ever did see)

Oh, the nest on the branch, 

And the branch on the tree, 

and the tree in a hole

And the hole in the ground

And the green grass grew all around, all around

And the green grass grew all around

Now in this nest 

(Now in this nest)

There was an egg 

(There was an egg)

The prettiest little egg 

(The prettiest little egg)

That you ever did see

(That you ever did see)

Oh, the egg in the nest, 

And the nest on the branch, 

And the branch on the tree, 

and the tree in a hole

And the hole in the ground

And the green grass grew all around, all around

And the green grass grew all around

Now in this egg 

(Now in this egg)

There was a bird 

(There was a bird)

The prettiest little bird 

(The prettiest little bird)

That you ever did see

(That you ever did see)

Oh, the bird in the egg, 

And the egg in the nest, 

And the nest on the branch, 

And the branch on the tree, 

and the tree in a hole

And the hole in the ground

And the green grass grew all around, all around

And the green grass grew all around

Now on this bird 

(Now in this bird)

There was a feather 

(There was a feather)

The prettiest little feather 

(The prettiest little feather)

That you ever did see

(That you ever did see)

Oh, the feather on the bird, 

And the bird in the nest, 

And the nest on the leaf, 

And the leaf on the twig, 

And the twig on the bough, 

And the bough on the branch, 

And the branch on the limb,

And the limb on the tree, 

and the tree in a hole

And the hole in the ground

And the green grass grew all around, all around

And the green grass grew all around

(Repeat last sentence)

And the green grass grew all around, all around

And the green grass grew all around

....fly away little birdy!

---

**We like singing this and pretending we are a tree, the arm our branch and using our hands to show the nest, egg and bird. Then the bird hands fly away at the end. But it is a good visual connection for the kids to help them remember the order of the song. And you can adapt for any season by changing colors or not having the bird, etc.

Song: Welcome Gathering

Lyrics:
It's time for us to gather together,
Come gather.
Let's join our hands together.
We love to learn and grow.