Saturday, May 16, 2020

LEFC Guide to Worship at Home - May 17, 2020

LEFC Guide to Worship at Home
May 17, 2020

$          Introduction
$          Home Worship Guide
$          More Links to Helpful Resources
                       
Introduction                                                       

Dear Church Family,

I am thankful for Sundays. Even though during these strange times the days seems to run together the rest of the week, the rhythm of setting aside one day for worship (even if it has to be at home) and fellowship (even if it has to be online) and rest (even if it followed weirder work than usual) is comforting and strengthening to me. I’m glad that Sunday comes each week, and we can sanctify the day.

To help us all sanctify this Sunday, we have prepared another ten-step Guide to Worship at Home. With Paul in Philippians, we continue to emphasize the theme of rejoicing. This week in our readings and songs, we rejoice because of the blessings we enjoy through our union with Christ and fellowship with the Spirit.

This Sunday at 11am, Lord-willing, many of the families of our church will “meet” together on Zoom for a Family Fellowship time (I’ll be there by 10:45 to greet folks and help people get set up). Our special guests will be Jeff & Faith Aldridge, the new directors of the Clearfield NxtGen Center. We have been partnering with the NxtGen Center for more than 20 years (It used to be called “The Crossroad Youth Center)! Please consider joining us to get to know the Aldridges better and find out more about what the Lord is doing through that youth ministry.

Please also continue to ask the Lord for wisdom for our leaders to determine when and how to re-start in-person gatherings on our church campus. We are all eager to return, and we want to do it in the Lord’s way and the Lord’s time.

Speaking of time, when are you going to gather your household this weekend to worship the Lord Jesus Christ?

In His Grip,

- Pastor Matt

P.S. I hope you are singing. This week I discovered a hymn by John Newton (1779) I had never heard of before. I’m glad that believers through the ages have found ways to capture and articulate their experience of the faithful provision of our Lord. You might want to sing your way through this song this week:

"Though troubles assail us and dangers affright,
though friends should all fail us and foes all unite,
yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,
the promise assures us, 'The Lord will provide.'

The birds, without garner or storehouse, are fed;
from them let us learn to trust God for our bread.
His saints what is fitting shall ne'er be denied
so long as 'tis written, 'The Lord will provide.'

When Satan assails us to stop up our path,
and courage all fails us, we triumph by faith.
He cannot take from us, though oft he has tried,
this heart-cheering promise, 'The Lord will provide.'

No strength of our own and no goodness we claim;
yet, since we have known of the Savior's great name,
in this our strong tower for safety we hide:
the Lord is our power, 'The Lord will provide.'"



Home Worship Guide
                       
1. Call to Worship

Read Psalm 67 with joyful anticipation as your family gathers to worship.

**Option: Families with young children may want have the kids shout, “May the peoples praise You!” after each of the psalmist’s requests (v.2, v.3, v.4, v.5, and v.7).

Have someone pray and ask God to bless your time of worship at home.


2. Worship in Singing

As a household sing “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” by Elisha Hoffman (1894).

**Option. Families with younger children might want to repeat the song that has our Hide the Word verse in it: “Rejoice in the Lord Always.” Parents might plan to do this short song for several weeks because repetition helps us to learn something well. Don’t forget that it is also a canon your family can sing “in the round.”

                                   
3. Worship in Unity


“We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.”


4. Worship in Lament and Thanksgiving

As they prepared to face the challenge of entering the Promised Land, Moses told the people of Israel, “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27a).

We are “safe and secure from all alarms,” but those alarms are still very real. The Lord invites us to bring our trials before Him. Take time to pour your families’ troubles to the Lord while expressing your faith in the refuge of His everlasting arms. Have each family member share.


5. Worship in Bible Memorization

Recite Philippians 4:4 once more, and this time add in verse 5:
                                               
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”

**Option: Eventually we are going to memorize all of Philippians 4:4-9. Don’t wait until the verses get long and difficult to memorize. Have each family member close their eyes and say what they can remember out loud.

           
6. Worship in Prayer

Take prayer requests and pray for each other.

Read the prayer guide together and pray for the rest of the church family and the requests listed.


7. Worship in the Word

Watch or read Pastor Matt’s message: “Make My Joy Complete.
           
[The message will be available online by Sunday morning.]

Some families may want to watch/read the message on their own and then have a Bible study and discussion together during this time.

Application Questions for Personal Reflection and Family Discussion:

1. Do I enjoy the blessings of union with Christ? If not, will I repent and put my faith in Him?
2. Am I doing my part to walk and work in unity with the other Christians in my life? If not, what do I need to change?
3. In what ways am I humbling myself and serving other people? In what new ways do I need to begin?


8. Worship in Singing

Sing “They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love” by Peter Scholtes (1966).

**Option: Some families may want to again sing “Jesus, Strong and Kind” by CityAlight (2019) to cement it in their memories and reinforce its profound message.


9. Worship All Week

Have someone pray a prayer of commissioning for your family as you end this time of gathered worship and face a week of new opportunities and new challenges to serve the Lord, the church, and the world in His Name.

                                                           
10. Participate in LEFC Family Fellowship Meeting on Zoom.

- See one another’s faces and hear each other’s voices.
- Listen to announcements of church family news.
- Interact with the new directors of the Clearfield NxtGen Center, Jeff and Faith Aldridge.
- Pray for one another live and online.


More Links to Helpful Resources


                       




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