Due to ANOTHER winter storm, worship at the church building is canceled tomorrow, February 15, 2015. However, again we can all still worship from home! Below you can find an entire worship guide for you and your family, written by Pastor Gwyneth, and we hope this is a meaningful time for you.
Guide for Worship from Home in the Blizzard
Merrimacport United Methodist Church
February 15, 2015
Light of Christ Light a candle for your worship space, or if possible use multiple candles. If you have a cross, or cross necklace, etc. place next to the candles to make a simple altar.
Opening Song Sing along with the YouTube link, and get up and DANCE! (Or sit with gusto!) Enter His Gates
Birthdays and Anniversaries Sometime today, please email or call / text them to Pastor Gwyneth to communicate out to the church family
Joys and Concerns Write down or share your joys and your concerns among family members. Sometime today, please email or call / text them to Pastor Gwyneth to communicate out to the church family
Offering – The Lord loves a cheerful giver! Every gift makes a difference.
Offertory: Blessed Assurance Click on the link to listen to the words as you worship.
Pray about / discuss how God wants you to grow in your stewardship as his disciple. What resources and gifts does God want you to share? If you already give to the church regularly, write out your check to mail or pay through your online banking.
Offering Prayer: O Lord, I open my heart to the absolute wonder of your gifts. May this offering help those in my church, community and world know the amazing gift of your love. Through Christ I pray, amen.
Meditative Song, a Style of Music from Taize As you listen or sing along, do so meditatively. Attempt to focus all of your heart, mind, soul and strength on the Lord. Open yourself fully to God. Song: Bless the Lord My Soul
Experiencing the Scripture: Luke 6:20-26 Rather than a discussion and study of Scripture as we did last week, this week you are invited to meditate on the Scripture using Lectio Divina which means “Divine Reading”
- Read the Scripture to yourself out loud (or select one family member to read out loud): Read with a listening ear. Was there a word or phrase that stood out to you? Discuss briefly or write down your thoughts.
- Mediate on the Scripture: Read the Scripture again to yourself, slowly (or have a family member read aloud again, this time more slowly). Meditate for a few minutes trying to hear what God wants you to hear from this Scripture. Discuss briefly or write down your thoughts.
- Respond to the Scripture: Read the Scripture again to yourself, slowly (or have a family member read aloud again). Meditate for a few minutes trying to hear how God wants you to respond. What words of challenge stand out to you? Discuss briefly or write down your thoughts.
- Contemplate the Scripture: Read the Scripture again to yourself, very slowly (or have a family member read aloud again, this time even more slowly). Simply listen for God’s still, small voice. Rest in God’s love.
Closing Song Click on the link to listen to the words as you worship Shout to the Lord
Benediction Share the blessings of Christ’s love, joy and peace with all you meet. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good!
Sent Out Into Mission — Pick one or more of these activities
- Call some people from church to check in on them
- Help a neighbor with shoveling
- Write a note / draw a picture to mail to someone who could use some encouragement
- Bake some cookies, etc. and bring over to a neighbor
- Go through a closet and select some clothes, coats, shoes, etc. to give away
- Make up your own!