at-home family worship
"Regular family worship shows the children that their parents believe that Jesus Christ is central to all of life. This practice leaves a legacy that will benefit thousands in generations to come. ... Family worship plays a key role in promoting and sustaining spiritual renewal in the church, because healthy families make healthy churches." - James W. Alexander
Why Do We Have At-Home Family Worship?
The impetus for family worship comes from Scripture itself. As Paul wrote, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Or, consider Psalm 78:4: “We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders he has done.” - Daniel Stegeman (DMin, Gordon Conwell Seminary)
How To Practice At-Home Family Worship? (*Find out more in the guide below.)
1) Have a fixed time. Pick a time when everyone is most likely to join.
2) Let everyone be engaged in worship in scripture reading, offering prayers, and singing songs.
3) Worship joyfully.
"Snuff out mere duty or drudgery in family worship. God’s Word is sweeter than honey and more precious than gold." - Jordan Stone (Senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in McKinney, Texas)
family DEDICATION worship SERVICE
Q. What Is Family Dedication Worship Service & Why Do We Have It?
A. It is a worship service that encourages active participation from your family to create and facilitate the service. Working with a pastor, your family will select and lead hymns, scriptures, prayers, testimonies, and anything that has a special meaning to your family. Our goal is to make this experience:
- Memorable to your family.
- Your church family will get to know you better.
- Make it honorable to God.
In Leviticus, God gives instructions on the proper worship (offer sacrifices). Many would think that the priest was responsible for the sacrifice from A to Z. That's not true. Laypeople had a huge portion in the service. First of all, they should bring unblemished animals (very costly) and/or grains – depending on their capacity – to the worship site. Then, with their own hands, they slay, skin, cut, and wash the animals they brought in. Once the offering was ready in such a way, there came a priest's moment. The priests arranged the offering on the altar and fired them up to offer the smoke as a pleasing aroma to God. The Bible affirms your active involvement in the worship service, and it will be truly amazing if you do it as a family.
Worship is drama. We (including a pastor) are the actors and actresses, using various gifts to present a play. God is both the audience and the playwright who calls us to "Come out and Play!" So, we encourage you to "Come out and Play" as a family to sign up for the next Family Dedication worship service, if the Lord willing!
Q. What If I Don't Have Other Family Members Attending Our Church?
A. We are your family! You can pair up with other Smith Chapel family members to sign up. Or, you can ask your family members who live near and far to dedicate one Sunday together. Ask Pastor Ho if you have any further questions.
NEXT FAMILY FAMILY DEDICATION WORSHIP SERVICE:
10 AM Sunday, TBD
