Family Worship: Home Edition #45
Each week, we’re offering a simple family-style service for you and your family to follow together at home. We hope these resources will help you find time to worship together at whatever time and in whatever way feels most comfortable and authentic for you.
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GATHER
Gather all the members of your household who plan to participate in one place. Get comfortable! Maybe sit on the floor or on cushions. Maybe sit in a circle. Take a moment to pause and breathe together.
Invite a member of the household to lead the gathering prayer. Read line by line, with the rest of the household repeating back to them.
Repeat after me.
Dear God,
Thank you SO much
For bringing us to this time and place.
Please be with us
As we listen, pray, and learn.
And help us remember that,
No matter what,
You will always love us.
Amen.
READING
John 3:14–21
Watch the reading by Ry Klein.
REFLECTION
Watch this reflection from Fr. Mark.
MUSIC
“One Foot/Lead with Love” by Melanie DeMore; performed by the Junior Choristers
Listen to this recording.
PRAYERS
Take a moment to pause. Invite a member of the household to be the prayer leader to lead these or similar prayers:
Let’s pray together silently or out loud. First, let’s say thank you to God for the good things in our lives. Are there specific things you’d like to say thank you for? (Give time for others to share out loud or silently.) For all these things, let’s say together: Thank you so much, Lord!
Thank you so much, Lord!
Now, let’s pray for the people or animals who are sick or need help. We also pray for the things that worry us. Are there specific people, animals, or worries you’d like to pray for? (Give time for others to share out loud or silently.) Let us say: Please God, help us!
Please God, help us!
Repeat after me:
Dear God,
Thank you for this time together
Stay with us
This week and always.
Help us to be like Jesus.
Amen.
ACTIVITY
Kathryn Carroll
God’s Time
The readings this Sunday remind us that sometimes we can only see how far we’ve come when we look behind us. Obviously, children have less time behind them than adults, but it doesn’t mean they haven’t “traveled” and learned.
Draw an analogue clock face with numbers 1–12. Draw lines dividing up the hours like a pie. In each slice, write or draw a picture of something significant that happened — good or bad — or that you did or learned that year. If you don’t remember, ask your parents or someone who might remember.
Sing through these verses of “Amazing Grace”:
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun.
Sing along to this “Amazing Grace” playlist.
Printable Activity Pages