Worshiping at Home on June 14

Worshiping at Home

June 14, 2020

                                    GETTING READY TO WORSHIP TOGETHER AT HOME

When a family that includes children worships at home, it will look more free form than what happens in a sanctuary.  Especially HEARING THE WORD will be more active.  Children explore God’s word with eyes, voices, hands and even feet as well as their ears. 

This week   we will worship God who made Sarah laugh with a big surprise.  In her old age she would have a baby boy.  Since this story takes place outside, consider worshiping outside today. 

If you can worship outside today, spread a picnic blanket on the ground or a table.  If you are inside, gather around the table where you usually eat.  Prepare a sandwiches to eat together after reading the story of Abraham and Sarah feeding the three travelers.  (I’m thinking quartered PBJs, but whatever feels like a satisfying “feast.”  This could be a snack or a meal.)  Add a Bible or the Bible storybook, and a candle.

Choose how to read today’s scripture Genesis 18:1-15, 2:1-7.  There is a script below for four readers.  Or one person can read from the Bible or a Bible story book

It is possible to worship together without singing at all.  But if your family sings together, decide before worship what you will sing.  Sing whatever songs about God’s world that your family knows.  If you have instrumentalists, decide early enough that they can practice.  Or, Google the titles of songs to find YouTube videos for singing along.  Some songs about God’s creation include:

I’ve Got a Joy, Joy, Joy Down in my Heart

     …the peace that passes understanding,  the love of Jesus, etc.

I’ve God Peace like a river…, joy like a fountain…, love like an ocean…

Come Christians, Join to Sing (the alleluias are like holly laughter)

     See the word sheet at the end of this post

WORSHIPING GOD TOGETHER

CALLING YOURSELVES TO WORSHIP

Worship leader gathers the family lighting or turning on the candle and saying:   “Come, let us worship God together.”

SINGING ABOUT GOD’S CREATION

Sing one or more songs about joy that you selected as you got ready to worship.

HEARING AND EXPLORING THE WORD

Before eating your feast, read the story of the Biblical feast.  If you have four fairly good readers, read today’s story in parts.  Define the actors by giving Sarah a head scarf, Abraham a man’s hat, and a gym bag for the traveler.  Or, have one reader read from the Bible or a Bible story book.

Genesis 18: 1-15, 21:1-7

NARRATOR: The LORD appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day.  He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground.

ABRAHAM:  "My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant.  Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.  Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on--since you have come to your servant."

NARRATOR:  So the travelers said, "Do as you have said."   And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said,

ABRAHAM:  Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes."

NARRATOR:  Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it.  Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

TRAVELER:  They said to him, "Where is your wife Sarah?"

ABRAHAM:  "There, in the tent."

TRAVELER:  "I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son."

NARRATOR:  And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him.   Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age. 

SARAH:  So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, "After I have grown old, and my husband is old, will we have a baby.”

TRAVELER:  "Why did Sarah laugh, and say, 'Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?'  Is anything too wonderful for the LORD?  At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son."

SARAH:   But Sarah denied, saying, "I did not laugh"; for she was afraid. The traveler said,

TRAVELER:  "Oh yes, you did laugh."

NARRATOR:  The LORD dealt with Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah as he had promised.  Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him.  Abraham gave the name Isaac to his son whom Sarah bore him.

SARAH:   Now Sarah said, "God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me."  And she said, "Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."

Questions to ponder together while you eat your feast:

I wonder why God chose old people like Abraham and Sarah to be Isaac’s parents?

I wonder why God came as three travelers instead of sending one angel?

Imagine how Sarah laughed.  Was it a happy surprised laugh or a no-way laugh or something else.

Why do you think Sarah denied that she laughed?

Has God ever surprised you?

If your family is familiar with the “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” books, read this version of today’s story in that style

When three travelers walked by Abraham knew they would be hot and thirsty, so he gave invited to sit in the shade with him and gave them water to drink.  The water was wonderful and cool, but it reminded them that they have not had anything to eat all day.  So Abraham called to Sarah.  Sarah baked them a fine loaf of bread with her best flour.  But what is bread without meat?  So, Sarah had her servants roast a fat lamb.  It was a perfect meal.  The travelers sat back in the shade with their full tummies and sighed.  Then they said to Abraham, “You and Sarah are wonderful hosts.  By this time next year you will have a baby boy who will keep you as busy as we have.”  Because she and Abraham were so very old, Sarah laughed and Abraham laughed and the travelers laughed.  In a year when Sarah gave birth to a baby boy, she named him Isaac which means Laughter.  And Abraham laughed.  And Sarah laughed and the travelers in some far away land walked down the road and laughed too.

Sing another Joy song.

PRAYING FOR GOD’S WORLD

Together create a “happy” prayer.  Challenge each worshiper to think of one prayer thanking or praising God for something that makes them happy (and yes video games qualify).  Go around the circle with each person adding their happy prayer.  Conclude praying the Lord’s Prayer together. 

SING ANOTHER SONG if you wish. 

BENEDICTION

Each member of the family says to at least one other person, “Go in peace.  God loves you and I love you.”  This may be done by going around the circle or with each member of the family saying it to every other member of the family.

 

This word sheet can be printed for non-commercial use.