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Month: July 2023

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: July 31st

Monday: Understanding

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, we thank you for giving us time to pray and read your Word. By your Holy Spirit, open our hearts that we may learn from the Scriptures, and come to trust you more deeply each day, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Listen: Listen carefully as the Bible story for the week is read aloud.

Acts 16:9-15
During the night, Paul had a vision of someone from Macedonia who was standing there and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” After Paul had seen the vision, we began looking for a way to go to Macedonia. We were sure that God had called us to preach the good news there. We sailed straight from Troas to Samothrace, and the next day we arrived in Neapolis. From there we went to Philippi, which is a Roman colony in the first district of Macedonia.

We spent several days in Philippi. Then on the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to a place by the river, where we thought there would be a Jewish meeting place for prayer. We sat down and talked with the women who came. One of them was Lydia, who was from the city of Thyatira and sold expensive purple cloth. She was a worshiper of the Lord God, and he made her willing to accept what Paul was saying. Then after she and her family were baptized, she kept on begging us, “If you think I really do have faith in the Lord, come stay in my home.” Finally, we accepted her invitation. (CEV)

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

Child: Why were Paul and his friends travelling from city to city? What were they doing?

Child: Do you like to visit new place? What are things you enjoy about traveling? What things worry you?

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

Lord God, we know that you walk with us wherever we go. Help us to trust in you. Guide our steps and lead us to be faithful in doing your work in the world. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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

May you always feel the Lord’s presence in your life. Amen.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: July 30th

Sunday: Worship

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.

Gracious God, you give us the gift of your Holy Spirit in the reading and hearing of your Word. Open our ears to hear your will for us, that Christ would be revealed to us this day and our faith would be strengthened, in the name of Christ. Amen.

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

Psalm 31:14-16
I trust you, Lord, and I claim you as my God. 15 My life is in your hands.  Save me from enemies who hunt me down. 16 Smile on me, your servant. Have pity and rescue me. (CEV)

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

Child: What does it mean to say that our life is “in God’s hands”?

Child: What does it mean to “trust” in God?  Why does God want us to trust in him?

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

Holy Lord, you are great and mighty. We trust our lives to your care and keeping. Take from us our worries and fears, and lead us to lives of hope and purpose. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

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

May you worship the Lord with joy and gladness. Amen.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: July 29th

Saturday: Generosity

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.

Loving Father, you have given us all we need. You protect us from danger and watch over us with a shepherd’s care. Give us hearts to care for others in the same way, that we would work to keep others safe and be the friends they need. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Listen: Listen carefully to this reminder from Luther’s Small Catechism.

We pray in this petition, as in a summary, that our heavenly Father would deliver us from every type of evil — whether it affects our bodies or souls, property or reputation — and at last, when our hour of death comes, would grant us a blessed end to our earthly lives and graciously take us from this world of sorrow to himself in heaven.  (Luther's Small Catechism)

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

Child: What are some things that make you feel afraid?  How does God help you face those fears?

Child: What can we do to help keep each other safe and take care of each other?

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

Holy God, you work through us to bring help and hope to others. Make us into people who work to do good for others, that all people would experience your love and care, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

May God be with you, and let you know that you are never alone. Amen.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: July 28th

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.

Holy God, make us aware of the struggles that others are going through. Just as you have provided for our needs, help us to provide for the needs of others. Show us how we can serve you in the everyday moments of our lives, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

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

A man who couldn’t use his feet
was sitting there along the street
When Paul spoke up to him and said,
“Stand up and walk. Lift up your head.”

The man stood up and grinned a grin;
a miracle had come to him!
And all who saw what had occurred
assumed that Paul, himself, was Lord!

But Paul said, “You must understand;
I’m not a god! I’m just a man.
I did not make the earth and sea,
It’s God we praise — not you or me.”

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

Child: Why do you think Paul didn’t just walk past the crippled man? Why did he stop?

Child:  What is an example of something we could do to help someone in need?

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

Holy God, we thank you for coming into our lives. Help us to be like your servant Paul, and help those who are in need, by showing the love of Jesus to those we meet. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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

May the Lord pour out his love upon you. Amen.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: July 28th

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.

In you, O Lord, we take refuge; in you alone is where we put our trust. Be close to us this day and speak to us your Word, that in each moment of our day our thoughts would be filled with your grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

Acts 12:12-16
12 Then Peter went to the house of Mary the mother of John whose other name was Mark. Many of the Lord’s followers had come together there and were praying. 13 Peter knocked on the gate, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she heard Peter’s voice, she was too excited to open the gate. She ran back into the house and said that Peter was standing there. 15 “You are crazy!” everyone told her. But she kept saying that it was Peter. Then they said, “It must be his angel.” 16 But Peter kept on knocking, until finally they opened the gate. They saw him and were completely amazed. (CEV)

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

Child: Why do you think Rhoda was so excited to see her friend Peter? Did she expect to see him at the door?

Child: Has God ever surprised you with something good that you did not expect?

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

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your grace and mercy. Because you have claimed us and made us your own, we have nothing to fear, because we know that you will never let us go. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

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

May the hope of God our Father grant you peace and joy all your days. Amen.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: July 27th

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.

Holy God, open our eyes and heart to be moved to protect and care for those in need this day. May the words of our mouths and actions of our life reveal your loving compassion and give glory to you alone, in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Amen.

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

In a prison cell one night,
Peter saw a wondrous sight.
For an angel suddenly
Did appear to set him free!

Standing on the prison floor,
Peter followed to the door.
Chains released, the gate flung wide,
Peter grinned and stepped outside!

Still in shock, he went to find
Friends he knew who would be kind.
Seeing him, they were amazed
And the Lord their God they praised!

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

Child: Was there ever a time when you saw someone was stuck, and you helped them get going again?

Child: What does it mean to say that God has the power to set us free from all the things that bind us?

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

Holy God, we thank you that by your mercy and forgiveness you make us clean. Help us not to look down on others because of who they are or where they come from, but help us to reach out with love and compassion, especially for those in need. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

May the Holy Spirit give you the compassion to serve in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: July 26th

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.

Lord God, when we are weak, you are strong. When we feel helpless, you are our helper. By your Holy Spirit, give us confidence to know that you are at work in our lives every day, and remind us that even in the darkest time, we have nothing to fear, because you are with us. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

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

Acts 12:9-12
9 Peter left with the angel, but he thought everything was only a dream. 10 They went past the two groups of soldiers, and when they came to the iron gate to the city, it opened by itself. They went out and were going along the street, when all at once the angel disappeared. 11 Peter now realized what had happened, and he said, “I am certain that the Lord sent his angel to rescue me from Herod and from everything the Jewish leaders planned to do to me.” 12 Then Peter went to the house of Mary the mother of John whose other name was Mark. Many of the Lord’s followers had come together there and were praying. (CEV)

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

Child: Why is it important to remember that God is the source of the good things that happen to us?

Child: What is something that God has done for you recently, for which you are thankful?

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

Almighty God, we thank you for all the good things you do for us everyday. Like Peter, help us to give you the credit for what you have done, that we may be reminded every day of your goodness. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

The Lord promises that you belong to him. He will never forsake you. Amen.