Skip to content

Category: Uncategorized

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: April 17th

Friday: Trust

Pray:  Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord God, you have promised that you’re always with us, even in the most difficult times.  With the courage of your Holy Spirit, help us to share this same promise with others that we meet, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Listen:  Listen carefully as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Luke 24:33-35 ESV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: Why did the men go all the way back to Jerusalem? Who did they go to tell about what had happened?

Child: How or when could I use this Bible story to help someone understand more about Jesus?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Thank you dear God, for the gifts you have given us that fill us and sustain us with your love. With your Spirit living in us, use our gifts for the sake of the world you love.  In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.

May the Lord be with you and inspire you to let your faith shine. Amen.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: April 16th

Thursday: Compassion

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Almighty Father, by your Word, open our eyes to the world around. Help us to see the place where our neighbors need our help. By your Holy Spirit, give us compassion to serve in those in need, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Listen:  Listen carefully as the Bible story is read in the form of a rhyme.

Two men were walking down the street,
when they were quite surprised to meet
A third man, who was walking, too.
Could he be someone that they knew?

This third man listened, spoke and taught,
and both men really learned a lot.
So when their trip came to an end,
they felt as if they’d made a friend.

The stranger blessed and broke some bread
And each man ate what he was fed.
Then suddenly, they both could see:
Christ was alive, and this was He!

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: If Christ came rose from the dead, does that mean he's alive even now?

Child: Who are some people in our live who might not know Jesus? What are some ways we might be able to tell them how much Jesus means to us?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Lord God we know that there are many in our world who are struggling with trials and uncertainty. Fill us with your Holy Spirit and use us to bring the good news of Jesus' resurrection life to our neighbors.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.

May the Lord be with you and help you to see the needs of others. Amen.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: April 15th

Wednesday: Mercy

Pray:  Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Holy Father, you know our needs. We thank you for the mercy and peace that you show us in your Word. Bless us now with your Holy Spirit, that we may trust in the promises you have given us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Listen:  Listen carefully as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, {Jesus} interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, 29 but they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (Luke 24:27-32 ESV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: Have you ever had a moment when God opened your eyes and you suddenly understood something you never did before?

Child: What does it mean to say their "hearts were warmed" by Jesus words? Does that happen to you?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Lord we trust that you are with us always even when we cannot see you or hear your voice. Give us the courage to trust that by your Holy Spirit we continue to learn more about you and know you more fully.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.

May the Lord enlighten you with his Word and give you peace. Amen.

Published on Leave a comment on Introducing the “Holy Family Time” Daily Devotional

In this center section of Holy Families website, you will find our daily Scripture and Prayer resource for families. The current day will always be at the top (see below). If you are new and would like a little help getting started with "Holy Family Time" -- download this free PDF: Holy Family Time "How To" Guide for more information.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time – Daily Scripture Resource

When the Holy Families website officially comes online the week after Easter 2017, this is the spot on the site -- front and center -- where you will find the daily Scripture and Prayer resource for use in the home by families, called "Holy Family Time." The resource can be accessed on computer, tablet, or phone.

Until then, as the Holy Families website continues to be developed, feel free to make use of the articles and links that are available below or accessed through the menus above. Please check back for more to come!

Published on Leave a comment on Ideas to Help Adults and Kids Connect at Church
How many of the adults in your congregation know the names of all or most of the children who are a part of the parish?

All too often there is a disconnect between adults and children in churches, unless the adult is actively involved in some aspect of youth ministry. It is vital for children's faith formation that adults besides their parents and grandparents get involved in their faith lives. Statistics show that of the youth who are actively involved in church in Middle and High School, 50% will walk away from the faith while in college. How can the Body of Christ nurture young people in the faith AND maintain an active relationship with youth when they go off to college, the military or even begin working in the community?

Here are some ideas to get congregations thinking about how to connect adults of all ages to the children in their midst:

  • Take a photo of each child and put the pictures on a bulletin board that is in a prominent place in the church where all can see. Label each picture with the child's name, age, and any other information you want to include. (How about, "What's your favorite color?" or "Who's your favorite Bible character?" or "Who were you named after?")
  • Connect an adult with a child and ask them to be "prayer partners" for a year. Make sure to create opportunities within the community for prayer partners to sit and talk together so they can foster a lasting relationship.
  • Have Sunday School kids gather together and go visit people from the congregation who are shut-ins or who are living in a nursing home. They can make cards and drawings to take along. While you're there, take a photo of the kids with the person they are visiting. Be sure to send a copy to that person - they will love it!
  • Start a "Secret Friend" exchange by putting names of adults and kids who want to participate in separate boxes. Make sure to ask a few questions on the sign up sheet so the secret friend knows what the other person likes. (Parents of children will have to get involved so the kids remember to keep the friendship going.) Ask questions on the sign up sheet such as: What's your favorite candy? What is your favorite food? When is your birthday? Create a space in the church where secret friends can drop off cards and gifts for each other during the year. At the end of the year, have a get together to reveal to one another who's secret friend each person is.
  • Invite older members of the congregation to visit catechism classes and to be mentors to confirmands.

Published on Leave a comment on The “Three-Motion Cross”

In the evening, before you go to bed, make the sign of the cross and say: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” (Luther's Small Catechism)

Built into the design of the Holy Families daily devotional resource, we will be using the sign of the cross and the name of the Triune God as the invocation for daily family prayer.  Broken down into three distinct motions, this sign will also serve as the structure for these family prayers, giving children a repeatable memory device for each day's devotions.

Motion 1: From God to Us
The first motion in the cross represents the vertical dimension of faith, from God to us. Our Lord is a God who takes the initiative by coming into our lives through his Word. Lutherans affirm that in faith and worship, the primary direction of action is from God to us. The down-stroke of the cross is where our prayers begin, as God opens our hearts and minds to his Word, as the Spirit himself intercedes for us in prayer (Romans 8:26-27).

Motion 2: From Death to Life
Between the vertical and horizontal dimensions of our faith is the center in Jesus Christ, and his death and resurrection for our sake. This is the "tentatio" that Luther often spoke of (Latin for "struggle"), where our sinful self is put to death and we are daily raised to new life. Notice that you cannot make the sign of the cross without the connecting "J" that holds the vertical and horizontal dimension together.  By centering our prayer in this motion from death to life, we live out calling of Jesus, that "repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name..." (Luke 24:47).

Motion 3: From Me to You
The horizontal dimension of the cross reminds us of how the fruit of our faith expresses itself in love for the neighbor. "What you have done for the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you have done it for me," Jesus says (Matthew 25:40). Crossing the center once again, we get to proclaim the grace and mercy of Christ to our own family members, as we commend them into the love and care of God.

As part of the Holy Families initiative Daily Encounter with the Word, this three-motion cross will serve as the structure for the daily prayer resources that will be provided on this page, helping families to make time in Scripture and Prayer a part of their daily routine.

Note: We are still some time away from the official introduction of the Holy Families devotional and study resources, to be released in the Spring of 2017. But we will continue to use this test site as a place to give you a peek into things to come!