Worshiping at Home on July 5

Worshiping at Home

July 5, 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’s our worship  is built around praising God.  We will hear an alphabet psalm of praise in which every line begins with succeeding letters of the Hebrew alphabet.  After savoring that psalm, we will create our own alphabet psalm of our praises of God.

Create a worship center  by spreading a pretty piece of fabric.  On it set a small collection of things that remind you of God, for example some flowers, a candle (either wick or battery), and an open Bible, etc. 

Prepare two members of the household to read Psalm 145.   One reads the Hebrew letters.  The other reads the psalm.  Print 2 copies of the script below and at least one copy of the Our Psalm of Praise worksheet. 

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 praising God 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 praising God include:

All Things Bright and Beautiful

I Sing the Mighty Power of God

This Is My Father’s World

There’s A Wideness in God’s Mercy

All Creatures of Our God and King

For the Beauty of the Earth

WORSHIPING GOD TOGETHER

CALLING YOURSELVES TO WORSHIP

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

SINGING SONGS OF PRAISE

Sing one or more songs praising God that you selected as you got ready to worship.

HEARING AND EXPLORING THE WORD

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              Psalm 145: 8-14

Het               You are merciful, Lord!

                     You are kind and patient

and always loving.

Tet                You are good to everyone,

                                 and you take care

of all your creation.

Yod               All creation will thank you,

                                 and your loyal people

will praise you.

Kaph             They will tell about

                                 your marvelous kingdom

and your power.

Lamed          Then everyone will know about

                                 the mighty things you do

and your glorious kingdom.

Mem             Your kingdom will never end,

and you will rule forever.

Nun              Our Lord, you keep your word

and do everything you say. 

Samek           When someone stumbles or falls,

you give a helping hand.

                                                       Psalm from CEV

                                                       Hebrew letters from NJB

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After the reading ponder the following questions together:

1.      What are some of the things for which the psalmist praises God?

2.      What are some things for which you praise God?  (They could be the same as the psalmist’s praises.)

Now using the format below create your own alphabet psalm of praise.  Include some of the praises you shared with the psalmist and some praises that come from each of you.  For example, this week my garden is in full bloom so I would praise God for all sorts of garden blessings.  Being concerned for people with the virus, I would praise God is always with us when we are sick.  Work together on your psalm.  When it is complete, read it aloud together.  If you have printed a copy, post it somewhere you can all see it during the coming week.  Maybe someone will even want to illustrate it. 

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Our Psalm of Praise

A           Alleluia!  _______________________________________________

                  We will praise you, O God._______________________________

B _______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

C _______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

D _______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

E _______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

F _______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

G           God you are the greatest!

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SING ANOTHER PRAISE SONG

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.