While tucking three little munchkins into bed this past weekend (babysitting yet again), I began to sing a couple of Sunday School songs from when I was a child.
My favorite was always "The Countdown Song." At least I think that's what it was called. I liked it so much because there was a "loud voice" part at the very end. And I liked to exercise my voice.
It starts off with a countdown, naturally: "10 … 9 … 8 … 7 … 6 … 5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1 … BLAST OFF!"
And then it continues:
Somewhere in outer-space
God has prepared a place
For those who trust him and obey
Jesus will come again
And though we don't know when
The countdown's getting lower every day.
10 and 9, 8 and 7, 6 and 5 and 4
Call upon the Saviour while you may
3 and 2 coming through the clouds in bright array
The countdown's getting lower every day
[very softly]
The countdown's getting lower every day
[IN A LOUD VOICE]
The countdown's getting lower every day!
[spoken word]
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:3
Now, when I was singing this song for the children, they loved it and wanted me to sing it again. I asked them if they had ever heard of it, and I'll I got were blank stares. And crickets chirping. Okay, maybe not that last part.
So, I moved on to "Stop and Let Me Tell You." Remember that one? Complete with a handy-dandy stop sign to hold up while singing (there was also a green go sign for the second part of the song – and interestingly enough, I found the "Go" part in Child Evangelism Fellowship's online music store ... but where's the Stop?).
Again, I got the stares. And the silence.
I must say I was saddened. Since I'm usually involved in the music ministry at my church, I haven't been in children's Sunday School in years to volunteer or to observe. So I'm not sure what's going on in there. The only thing I do know is that they're not singing some of my favorite S.S. songs from days gone by. Guess I'll have to carry on the tradition of these retro childhood favorites, one babysitting job at a time.
In the meantime, here's another link to CEF's site that has another one of my favorite S.S. songs, "G-O-S-P-E-L Means Good News."