At-Home Family Worship for the 24th 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 members 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.

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

Watch this video of director of Children’s Formation, Brooke Parker
reading 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

4. Reflection

Watch this short reflection on the reading from Children’s Formation leader, Shannon Burke.

5. Music

Our reading and reflection today focused on light. Here is a classic folk hymn all about letting our lights shine! This Little Light of Mine!

This is a fun recording by The Lower Lights, a Salt Lake City-based gospel-folk collective!

There are lots of different versions of the lyrics, so for your convenience in singing along, here is the version used in this video.

CHORUS: This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, shine, shine,
let it shine!

Everywhere I go, I'm gonna let it shine.
Everywhere I go, I'm gonna let it shine.
Everywhere I go, I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, shine, shine,
let it shine!

CHORUS

All up in my house, I'm gonna let it shine.
All up in my house, I'm gonna let it shine.
All up in my house, I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, shine, shine,
let it shine!

CHORUS

Out in the dark,
I'm gonna let it shine.
Out in the dark,
I'm gonna let it shine.
Out in the dark,
I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine, shine, shine,
let it shine!

CHORUS

Let it shine, shine, shine,
let it shine!

6. Closing Prayers

As a closing prayer, pray together the prayer of light that Shannon shared in her reflection.

All together:

You, O God, are our source of light
You give us the hope of salvation,
and you protect us by your love.
Give us grace to build up
and encourage one another,
as we seek your wisdom and abundant life
in the strength of your Word
and with the assurance of your Spirit. Amen.

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