At-Home Family Worship for the Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Every other week we are offering a simple family service for children and families to follow together at home. We hope this can act as another spiritual formation resource for families during this time we cannot meet in-person for worship.

1. Gather Together

Gather all of your household participants in one place. Find somewhere in your home that feels comfortable and inviting! You can sit in a circle, perhaps around the dinner table or in the living room. You could even get pillows and sit on the floor! Wherever you are, take a moment to pause and breathe together.

Invite one person to lead the opening prayer.

2. Opening Prayer

This prayer can read line by line with the household repeating back each line.

Prayer leader: Repeat after me.

Dear God,
Thank you SO much
For bringing us to this time and place.
Please be with us
As we listen, pray, and learn.
And help us remember that,
No matter what,
You will always love us.
Amen.

3. Reading

Read Matthew 20:1–16 as a family, or watch this video of the reading by special guest Cal Burke.

4. Reflection

Watch this short reflection on the reading from the wonderful Shannon Burke.

5. Music

The St. Mark’s children’s choir has been learning the song Peace Like a River. Here are two fun renditions that you can listen to and practice along with at home!

The first is a recording from Smithsonian Folkways by Elizabeth Mitchell, sung in the lovely simple style of a children’s folk song:

The second is a beautiful new take on the classic by Page CXVI with a whimsical music video to accompany it. Enjoy!:

6. Closing Prayers

Invite another member of the household to be the prayer leader to lead these or similar prayers:

Prayer leader: Let us pray together, either silently or aloud, saying thank you to God for the good things in our lives. What would you like to say thank you for? (Give time for others to share out loud or silently.)  For all these things, let’s say together: Thank you so much, Lord!

All: Thank you so much, Lord!

Prayer leader: Now, let’s pray for the people or animals who are sick or need help. We also pray for the things that worry us. Are there specific people, animals, or worries you’d like to pray for? (Give time for others to share out loud or silently.) Let us say: Please God, help us!

All: Please God, help us!

Prayer Leader: Repeat after me.

Dear God,
Thank you for this time together
Stay with us
This week and always. 
Help us to be like Jesus. 
Amen.

These family services are inspired by and adapted from the Family Worship: Home Edition services at Trinity Wall Street in New York City.