At-Home Family Worship for the Twentieth 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, maybe light a candle. Then, invite one person to lead the opening prayer.
2. Opening Prayer
Prayer leader: The Lord be with You
All: And also with you.
Prayer leader: Let us pray.
Gracious God,
Come live with us at our home.
Bless us and guide us in your ways.
Widen our hearts to welcome others.
Bind our hearts together so that Christ’s presence
is revealed by our love. Amen.
(adapted from Common Prayer for Children and Families, page 91)
3. Reading
Read Exodus 33:12-23 as a family, or watch this video of the reading by Director of Children’s Formation, Brooke Parker.
4. Reflection
Watch this short reflection on the reading from the wonderful Daniela Lee, Postulant for Holy Orders in our Diocese.
5. Music
In our Old Testament reading we hear Moses asking God to walk with him and the Israelites as they continue on their journey. Take a minute to listen to and perhaps even learn this old American Spiritual “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me.” Below are a few different version of the song for you to choose from. The first is a recording from Blues singer Eric Bibb. The second is a recording from the Saint Ignatius Loyola Children’s Choir. Lyrics below the videos.
I want Jesus to walk with me
I want Jesus to walk with me
All along my pilgrim journey
I want Jesus to walk with me
In my sorrow, Lord walk with me
In my sorrows, Lord walk with me
When my heart is almost breaking.
I want Jesus to walk with me
In my troubles, Lord walk with me
In my troubles, Lord walk with me
When my life becomes a burden,
Lord, I want Jesus to walk with me
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.