LEFC Guide to Worship at Home
April 26, 2020
$ Introduction
$ Home Worship Guide
$ More
Links to Helpful Resources
Introduction
Dear
Church Family,
You’re
going to notice a reoccurring theme in this worship guide–joy. As we dive more
deeply together into Paul’s letter to the Philippians in the weeks to come,
we’re going to be repeatedly reminded to rejoice in the Lord. So it’s time to
get started now!
I hope
your family is using these ten step guides for worship at home and viewing the
recorded video messages that we’re posting on YouTube and Facebook. Please let
us know how they are helping you, and if you have any recommendations for
improving them.
Our
“Worship in Unity” this week is the most famous question from the Westminster
Shorter Catechism. The language is archaic, but its meaning is timeless. When
it says “chief end,” it means “greatest purpose or goal,” and by “man,” the
framers of the WSC meant “humanity” or “people.” What a succinct statement and
powerful thought, that we exist to glorify and to find our joy in the Lord!
We are
planning another Family Fellowship Meeting on Zoom (Sunday at 11am), and you
and your family are invited. This week, we are going to be joined by Pastor
Kerry Doyal and his wife Robin. Kerry is our brand new Allegheny District Superintendent.The
Doyals are excited to get to know our church better.
As before,
I will be there on Zoom at 10:45am to help anyone who needs a little practice
to get set up. This technology is new to most of us. I hope to see you on
Zoom...Lord-willing!
What
time are you going to gather your household this weekend to worship the Lord
Jesus Christ?
In His
Grip,
-
Pastor Matt
P.S. I
agree with Keith Getty when he says, “During Quarantine, Become a Singing Family.”
Home Worship Guide
1. Call to Worship
Read
Psalm 100 with glad thankfulness as your family gathers to worship the Lord.
Have
someone pray and ask God to bless your time of worship at home.
2. Worship in Singing
As a
household sing “Rejoice, the Lord is King” by Charles Wesley
(1746).
**Option.
Families with younger children might also or instead choose to sing “All My Ways Are Known To You” by CityAlight
(2016).
3. Worship in Unity
Recite
together Question #1 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647-1649).
Q. What is the chief end of man?
A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to
enjoy Him forever.
4. Worship in Lament and Thanksgiving
The
Bible tells us in the same verse to “rejoice with those who rejoice” and to
“mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). Even as we focus on reasons for
rejoicing today, it is always appropriate to lament our losses. Have each
family member share something they are mourning and something for which they
are rejoicing today.
**Option:
During the family fellowship meeting on Zoom today, we are going to ask
everyone, especially the kids, to tell us something you are rejoicing in.
Prepare a family spokesman to tell us about your family’s current joys.
5. Worship in Bible Memorization
Over
the next few months, we’ll be learning Philippians 4:4-9 together as a church
family. Today, recite the first of our new “Hide the Word” verses for this
Spring:
“Rejoice
in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4, NIV84).
**Option:
Don’t wait until the verses get long and difficult to memorize. Have each
family member close their eyes and say the verse out loud. Remind everybody to
rehearse it each day this week.
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. Rejoice in prayer with those who rejoice and mourn in prayer
with those who mourn.
7. Worship in the Word
Watch
or read Pastor Matt’s message: “Because Of This I Rejoice.”
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. Why
did Paul rejoice? Would I do the same if I were in his shoes? Why or why not?
2. How
might God be using my current situation in life to advance the gospel?
3. Who
could and should I be sharing the gospel with courageously and fearlessly this
week?
8. Worship in Singing
Sing “Rejoice in the Lord Always.”
**Option:
This song can be sung as an up to four part “canon” with singers starting at
staggered intervals. Have your family trying singing it “in the round.”
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.
- Tell
the group something your family is rejoicing in right now.
-
Interact with our new Allegheny District Superintendent Pastor Kerry and his
wife Robin.
- Pray
for one another live and online.
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