> Four services are available: Saturday 5 p.m. (Contemporary), Sunday 9 a.m. (Traditional), Sunday 10:15 a.m. (Contemporary), and Sunday 4 p.m. (The Depot Church).
Getting Ready:
You will need:
internet access for song, and video links;
printer;
Spark Story Bible or Connect Bible.
Faith5 is a simple faith practice that can be done at bedtime, after a meal, or at a special time for quiet each day. Faith5 includes five simple steps:
Share your highs and lows
Read a Bible verse or story
Talk about how the Bible reading might relate to your highs and lows, or what you heard that feels important
Pray for one another’s highs and lows
Bless one another
Faith5 Lesson:
Gather everyone in a comfortable spot and get settled in.
Note: There isn’t a Spark Story Bible story that accompanies this week’s Gospel text. A story with a similar message is included in our Faith5 lesson. Older learners (completed 2nd grade and older) can read from the Connect Bible.
Invite each member of your family to share their highs and lows for the day. You can use the words blessings and bummers instead. Someone might choose to pass or not have anything to share, and that’s ok.
Read a Bible story that relates to the Gospel reading: Jesus’ Baptism (Spark Story Bible pg. 242), or read the Gospel text, Matthew 12:15-21, on page 1085 in the Connect Bible.
Talk about the Spark Bible story or Gospel text, taking turns offering what you heard that relates to high/lows or what felt important.
Pray for one another’s highs and lows. These words can help you get started - “Dear Jesus, We know that we can come to you with our troubles and the things that make our hearts sad. Thank you for loving me every day and forgiving me when I need to be forgiven. Thank you for (blessings). Today, please help me with (bummers). Please help us to be strong, wise and good friends to others. Amen."
Bless one another. Take turns making the sign of the cross on each other’s foreheads, saying simply, “God loves you and so do I.”
Song: "Won't Worry 'Bout A Thing"
Because God loves us and cares for us, we don’t need to worry.
Activities:
For Older Learners:
Read the Old Testament lesson:
Isaiah 42.1-4. Practice your Bible skills and look up this text for a mid-week Faith5 family devotion.
For Younger Learners:
Look at pictures from the baptism days of your family members. Who was there? How did you celebrate? Just as the prophet Isaiah said about the one God would send, “Here is my servant, whom I have chosen, my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased.” God loves his son, Jesus, with his whole heart. And God loves YOU with his whole heart, too! We are welcomed into the family of God at our baptism. What a happy day!
