Decorations: Make a crude cross of wood and place it on a stand so that it will stand freely in the center of the stage. Keep the cross hidden off to the side until the prayer of dedication is given. Then while all heads are bowed, move the cross to the center of the stage. Make a large crown from cardboard or plywood and cover it with gold metallic paper. You may wish to add jewels by gluing sequins or different colors of metallic paper to the crown. You may wish to place the letters of the theme on the crown. Provide photocopies of a program that has a large crown and a cross on the front. You may also cut small crowns from gold metallic paper and place one inside each program. When the invitation is given, members of the audience may wish to cast their crowns at the foot of the cross following the example of the girls. When you practice the program, you may tell the girls that during the invitation they may remove their crowns, go to the cross, kneel, and place their crowns at the foot of the cross.

Whether you are a GMA member, parent, church member, pastor, or visitor, our desire is that you will receive a blessing from being at this service. The purpose of the coronation is to award the girls, while encouraging them to continue to work on their Forward Steps. It also impresses upon other girls the value of the Girl's Missionary Auxiliary. Our prayer is that this program will bring honor and glory to God for all He has done in each of our lives.

The title of the program tonight is "The Day He Wore My Crown." The Scripture text is : "When they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!" from Matthew 27:29.

Much hard work and dedication go into completing GMA Forward Steps. The girls learn numerous scriptures, study many lessons, attend church meetings faithfully, and learn about mission work. If these girls have learned these things with their hearts and have not just said them with their lips, they will be prepared to take an active role in on e of our missionary Baptist Churches.

Song: The Day He Wore My Crown

Tonight we are going to reflect back to a city called Jerusalem. Arriving there for the Passover week, Jesus made a triumphant entry into the city on Sunday. The people were grateful for His teachings and healing; many believed and became His followers. As He passed, they cheered and covered His path with palm branches.

During the next few days Jesus spent part of His time teaching. Then one evening, He attended the last supper or the Passover meal with His disciples. During the supper Jesus told His disciples that one of them would betray Him that night. Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray. As He prayed in agony, His sweat became as great drops of blood. But, in total submission to God's plan, He prayed, "Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt," (Mark 14:36).

A band of armed men came to the garden to arrest Jesus as He prayed. Judas Iscariot kissed the Lord and betrayed Him for thirty pieces of silver. A mock trial took place. The Roman soldiers dressed Jesus in a royal robe, put a crown of thorns on His head, and placed a reed in His hand. They beat and spat upon Him. Then the soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross outside the city on a hill called Golgotha, or Calvary. An inscription was written in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew-"Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." Jesus was punished for a crime He did not commit and wore a crown that did not give Him the recognition He truly deserved as the King of kings.

Jesus spoke seven times while on the cross. After three hours He died. Buried in a borrowed tomb, He arose three days later, victorious over death and the grave. Satan was once again defeated.

Who are we? We are either saved or lost, going to heaven or to hell. There is no in-between with the Lord. Each of us is very special to Jesus. "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance," (II Peter 3:9). If we have been saved by the grace of God, we belong to Him.

What about dedication and service? Paul reminds us, "I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service," (Romans 12:1). Jesus said, "I know they works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth," (Revelation 3:15-17). Jesus knows our hearts.

We know that a person cannot be lost again once he has accepted Jesus as his Savior, but he can lose the joy of his salvation. He can lose his influence, his happiness, and the souls he might win for the Lord. If Christians are rooted and grounded in the Word of God, then when the storms of life come their way, they will have the blessed assurance that Jesus is in control.

Jesus won the victory for us when He died on the cross and arose from the grave the third day. He did it because He loved us. "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life," (John 3:16).

When Jesus went to the cross He wore a crown that He did not deserve. The definition of a crown is a circular ornament worn on or around the head as a symbol of authority, merit, or distinction. It is usually made of fine jewels. The crown Jesus wore did not have fine jewels to sparkle and shine for all the world to see; it was made of thorns. As those thorns pierced Jesus' precious brow, the blood of the Savior flowed freely down His face. In GMA, girls receive awards that are only temporal and will pass away. However, what they accomplish in the name of Jesus will last for eternity.

The greatest crown a person can receive is the crown of life. "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him," (James 1:12). "When the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away," (I Peter 5:4). Anyone can receive this crown if he confesses that he is a sinner and believes that Jesus died on the cross and arose the third day victorious over death.

The following girls have satisfactorily completed the following steps and are eligible to receive their awards. I now present to you….

(Present the girls who are to receive their awards, from lowest step to highest step. Each girl should be announced by her present step. The step she is receiving the award for should also be stated. Allow time for each girl to walk to the front. After she recites her assigned requirement, have an appointed person present her award. The girl should then take her designated place.)

We naturally harbor an element of pride within ourselves. We like to hear our names called or be complimented on our appearance or performance. Some people take pride in their bodies, some in their wealth, some in their knowledge, and some even in their religion. The apostle Paul admonished, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world," (Galatians 6:14). Something wonderful and life changing happened because Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead. The victory gained through the cross gives the Christian reason to rejoice. May we realize that none of us has done anything to be glorified for, but it is through the shedding of Jesus' innocent blood that we have hope eternal. We are saved to serve God and glorify Him only. "By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, least any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them," (Ephesians 2: 8-10).

As Christians we are His workmanship. We are new creatures whose purpose is to live a life of service. We are all unworthy of what Jesus did at Calvary but because of His love, we are made worthy.

May God help us to live so that people will say, "She has succeeded not because of her personality or ability or learning, but because Jesus wore the crown of thorns and died on the cross He did not deserve. She has been to Calvary and has had the touch of Jesus."

Song of Invitation: "Unworthy"

During the invitation those who wish may cast their crowns at the foot of the cross.