For three or four years, second- through fifth-graders in Kim Gunz' Wednesday Bible study have risen early on Mother's Day to get to church and make Mom's day start out right. The weekly class studies servanthood in the Bible, and the annual meal gives them a hands-on example.

"If you look at the life of Christ, his life was one of service," LaBay said. "That's not taught, it's caught — you catch it by example."

Breann Largent, 11, makes the connection between Christ the servant and her role as one of his followers.

"He helped lots and lots of people," she said. "And if we serve people, it shows that Jesus is the light of our hearts."

Her mother, Nicole Largent, cherishes the images her heart has kept from past Mother's Day breakfasts.

"You come in and see them serving and walking around, and making sure your drink is filled," the mom said. "And they are smiling. You just see how happy they are serving us."

Jacquetta Arbuckle said the annual breakfast gives her granddaughter, Cassidy Hodges, a chance to put her Wednesday night lessons into practice.

"It just tells me she knows why Kim is trying to teach her to be like a servant," Arbuckle said. "Because Jesus was a servant, and she wants to be like him."

Hodges, 13, and a breakfast veteran, sees the practical side to the meal.

"It's their day," she said. "And we want to give them a break from what they do all year."

Gunz, who also is a kindergarten teacher, said the students in her servant class take their role seriously.

"They plan it," she said. "They come up with the decorations. The moms love it. They just really enjoy it, because they get pampered. It's been a special event that everybody looks forward to and knows is coming."

The kids know enough to get to bed early tonight.

"The hardest part is having to get up early," Breann said.