Worship @ Home Guide
for May 3rd
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The Fellowship of the Believers
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
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Bring the Church Home
When we're gathered for worship as a church in one building during normal times, we may have a better sense of what it means to be a community of faith (or fellowship - koinonia in Greek). But we also might lose sight in those times of ease of the simplicity and participatory nature of the early church.
When we're sitting in our pew, we may feel as if we are mere spectators at an event. But as you all gather around your screens, alone or as a family, for worship, the service on your screen can be a starting place for fellowship and worship at your table at home.
Reflecting on our passage this week from Acts, our online worship provides teaching from Rev. Tina and prayer (through both words and music). Both of those elements of our service invite you to participate and respond. If you're going to have lunch at home after the service, take the time to connect worship with your meal, as the early church did through the breaking of bread. Pray your own prayers of thanksgiving or use one that's prewritten.
If you have children, you could teach them to sing the Johnny Appleseed Prayer:
Oh, the Lord is good to me,
And so I thank the Lord
For giving me the things I need
The sun, and the rain, and the apple seed.
The Lord is good to me.
But you can go further as well!
Why not spend some time unpacking and talking about the Scripture passage and sermon after the worship video is finished? (You could even pause the video at the end of the message!) Take the opportunity to explain elements of the service to children in your household, invite them to ask questions, and apply the message to some area of their life at their current stage of development.
This week, as we consider the lives of the first Christians and our own experience with COVID-19, talk about what it means to be "together and share everything in common" and "give to anyone who has need." What gifts can your and your children share with your neighbors in this time?
Church can happen anywhere when we listen to Scripture, eat, pray, and share.
Joel Peterson
Director of Outreach
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Prayer Concerns
The family of Neil Convery
The family of Bob McCutcheon
Patty Skidmore – (niece of Elva Jones) hospitalized for cancer
Don McGowan – Battling Cancer
Aaron Casciola – Recovering from tractor accident
Carol Cassella – Recovering at home from heel surgery
Ben Copenhaver – Recovering at home
Bea Jones – Recovering at home
Gary Baughman – Receiving post-stroke therapy at home
Cheryl Chek – Recovering from back surgery
Submit additional concerns through the attendance link above.
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The Christian Education Team has placed plans on hold for this year's Vacation Bible School, originally scheduled for June, in anticipation of a later date.
Details on new plans will be released as they are available.
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The Outreach Team has begun planning for contingencies related to our Summer Concert Series and Community Day. At this time our schedule has not changed, however we are exploring the possibility of holding some concerts online and altering the Community Day schedule. Information will be released as it is available through email and on our Facebook Events page.
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While we continue worshipping online in this season, we have an opportunity to involve everyone in worship in new ways. If you would like to be considered for reading Scripture, praying, or sharing a God-sighting in worship through a short video, contact Pastor Tina or Joel.
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A Psalm of David
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
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