We we were back on track today with our service (we have struggled through the last two weeks just barely getting service after sleepless nights). We finally got placed on the simple church directory on the House2House website. They have an interactive google map that you can use to locate a church in your area. We are the only house church listed in the area so we hope that others will find us and visit us soon:)
We have been reading through the lectionary during this lenten season. The kids are doing really well remembering what lent is all about and can quickly recall that it commemorates the 40 days Jesus fasted in the wilderness. We took turns reading through the following:
Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm 19
I Cor. 1:18-25
John 2:13-22
The Exodus reading was the Ten Commandments and we discussed why God would give a list of rules. Not to dominate the people but for their own protection. We talked about how God punishes us with natural consequences and his own punishment because he loves us and doesn't want to see his children harm themselves. The kids could remember that when the Israelites failed to follow God they ended up with a divided kingdom.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
new addition to our gathering
Sorry for the lax start to our postings but we have been a little preoccupied. This little guy came along on February 20th and we have been sleepless ever since! But have no fear we will resume posting our services next Monday...sleep or no sleep:)
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Our first post from our house church services!
Scripture Readings:
I Samuel 14:1-23
Psalm 11
Proverbs 8:12-26
I Timothy 1:1-11
After lunch we took turns reading the scriptures. The kids really got into the OT reading and begged me to keep going when I got to the end of the section ( I was mean and made them wait until next week even though I knew that they would be sneaky and read it on their own before then). It was the story of King Saul’s son, Jonathan and his battle against the Philistines. The armies of Israel were encamped opposite the Philistines and Jonathan and his armor bearer went to check out the enemy. Jonathan gets it into his head to attack the entire army by himself and asks the Lord for a sign which he receives. Just before this we learn that many Israelites had abandoned the army and some even joined the Philistines leaving Israel with only about 600 men to the thousands in the Philistine camp. But Jonathan, following the Lord’s sign, attacks the Philistine camp alone freaking out their army who begins fighting amongst themselves. An earthquake occurs at the same time adding to the confusion and the Israelites finally join in and defeat the lot of them.
We talked about how the Lord isn’t concerned with how outnumbered we are or how bad the odds are. If we follow Him we will always emerge victorious.
“I trust in the Lord for protection,
So why do you say to me,
Fly to the mountains for safety!
…the foundations of law and order have collapsed.
What can the righteous do?
But the Lord is in His holy Temple;
the Lord still rules from heaven…”
The “adults” discussed how this speaks to our collapsing economy, political structure, job market, etc.. And how we feel like running someplace safe like building a cabin in the mountains to escape all the chaos. It was the ‘child’ who spoke up and connected our reading this afternoon. 6-year-old Daniel said, “that’s just like what Jonathan did! He trusted in the Lord and even though he was all alone he was able to attack and destroy the Philistines all by himself because God was still in charge!” I am so glad we decided to allow the children to have equal voice, participation and responsibility during church (how much we missed pushing the kids out of the "big ppl's service"!).
We ended our time in prayer, praying especially for some friends and family members who are battling cancer, my son, as always requested prayer for Haiti. He never fails to pray for Haiti before bedtime and always mentions the nation during service time. Of course we prayed for mom and the new baby coming in less than two weeks!
Scripture Readings:
I Samuel 14:1-23
Psalm 11
Proverbs 8:12-26
I Timothy 1:1-11
After lunch we took turns reading the scriptures. The kids really got into the OT reading and begged me to keep going when I got to the end of the section ( I was mean and made them wait until next week even though I knew that they would be sneaky and read it on their own before then). It was the story of King Saul’s son, Jonathan and his battle against the Philistines. The armies of Israel were encamped opposite the Philistines and Jonathan and his armor bearer went to check out the enemy. Jonathan gets it into his head to attack the entire army by himself and asks the Lord for a sign which he receives. Just before this we learn that many Israelites had abandoned the army and some even joined the Philistines leaving Israel with only about 600 men to the thousands in the Philistine camp. But Jonathan, following the Lord’s sign, attacks the Philistine camp alone freaking out their army who begins fighting amongst themselves. An earthquake occurs at the same time adding to the confusion and the Israelites finally join in and defeat the lot of them.
We talked about how the Lord isn’t concerned with how outnumbered we are or how bad the odds are. If we follow Him we will always emerge victorious.
Psalm 11 was the icing on the cake!
“I trust in the Lord for protection,
So why do you say to me,
Fly to the mountains for safety!
…the foundations of law and order have collapsed.
What can the righteous do?
But the Lord is in His holy Temple;
the Lord still rules from heaven…”
The “adults” discussed how this speaks to our collapsing economy, political structure, job market, etc.. And how we feel like running someplace safe like building a cabin in the mountains to escape all the chaos. It was the ‘child’ who spoke up and connected our reading this afternoon. 6-year-old Daniel said, “that’s just like what Jonathan did! He trusted in the Lord and even though he was all alone he was able to attack and destroy the Philistines all by himself because God was still in charge!” I am so glad we decided to allow the children to have equal voice, participation and responsibility during church (how much we missed pushing the kids out of the "big ppl's service"!).
We ended our time in prayer, praying especially for some friends and family members who are battling cancer, my son, as always requested prayer for Haiti. He never fails to pray for Haiti before bedtime and always mentions the nation during service time. Of course we prayed for mom and the new baby coming in less than two weeks!
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