LEFC Guide to Worship at Home – April 26, 2020

April 26, 2020

• Introduction
• Home Worship Guide
• More Links to Helpful Resources

Introduction

Dear Church Family,
You’re going to notice a reoccurring theme in this worship guide – joy. As we dive more deeply
together into Paul’s letter to the Philippians in the weeks to come, we’re going to be repeatedly
reminded to rejoice in the Lord. So it’s time to get started now!

I hope your family is using these ten-step guides for worship at home and viewing the recorded
video messages that we’re posting on YouTube and Facebook. Please let us know how they are
helping you, and if you have any recommendations for improving them.

Our “Worship in Unity” this week is the most famous question from the Westminster Shorter
Catechism. The language is archaic, but its meaning is timeless. When it says “chief end,” it
means “greatest purpose or goal,” and by “man,” the framers of the WSC meant “humanity” or
“people.” What a succinct statement and powerful thought, that we exist to glorify and to find
our joy in the Lord!

We are planning another Family Fellowship Meeting on Zoom (Sunday at 11am), and you and
your family are invited. This week, we are going to be joined by Pastor Kerry Doyal and his wife
Robin. Kerry is our brand new Allegheny District Superintendent. The Doyals are excited to get
to know our church better.

As before, I will be there on Zoom at 10:45am to help anyone who needs a little practice to get
set up. This technology is new to most of us. I hope to see you on Zoom…Lord-willing!
What time are you going to gather your household this weekend to worship the Lord Jesus
Christ?

In His Grip,
– Pastor Matt

P.S. I agree with Keith Getty when he says, “During Quarantine, Become a Singing Family.”

Home Worship Guide

1. Call to Worship

Read Psalm 100 with glad thankfulness as your family gathers to worship the Lord.
Have someone pray and ask God to bless your time of worship at home.

2. Worship in Singing
As a household sing “Rejoice, the Lord is King” by Charles Wesley (1746).
**Option. Families with younger children might also or instead choose to sing “All My Ways Are
Known To You” by CityAlight (2016).

3. Worship in Unity
Recite together Question #1 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647-1649).

Q. What is the chief end of man?
A: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.

4. Worship in Lament and Thanksgiving
The Bible tells us in the same verse to “rejoice with those who rejoice” and to “mourn with
those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). Even as we focus on reasons for rejoicing today, it is always
appropriate to lament our losses. Have each family member share something they are
mourning and something for which they are rejoicing today.

**Option: During the family fellowship meeting on Zoom today, we are going to ask everyone,
especially the kids, to tell us something you are rejoicing in. Prepare a family spokesman to tell
us about your family’s current joys.

5. Worship in Bible Memorization
Over the next few months, we’ll be learning Philippians 4:4-9 together as a church family.
Today, recite the first of our new “Hide the Word” verses for this Spring:

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4, NIV84).

**Option: Don’t wait until the verses get long and difficult to memorize. Have each family
member close their eyes and say the verse out loud. Remind everybody to rehearse it each day
this week.

6. Worship in Prayer
Take prayer requests and pray for each other.
Read the prayer guide together and pray for the rest of the church family and the requests
listed. Rejoice in prayer with those who rejoice and mourn in prayer with those who mourn.

7. Worship in the Word
Watch or read Pastor Matt’s message: “Because Of This I Rejoice.”

Some families may want to watch/read the message on their own and then have a Bible study
and discussion together during this time.

Application Questions for Personal Reflection and Family Discussion:
1. Why did Paul rejoice? Would I do the same if I were in his shoes? Why or why not?
2. How might God be using my current situation in life to advance the gospel?
3. Who could and should I be sharing the gospel with courageously and fearlessly this week?

8. Worship in Singing
Sing “Rejoice in the Lord Always.”

**Option: This song can be sung as an up to four-part “canon” with singers starting at staggered
intervals. Have your family trying singing it “in the round.”

9. Worship All Week
Have someone pray a prayer of commissioning for your family as you end this time of gathered
worship and face a week of new opportunities and new challenges to serve the Lord, the
church, and the world in His Name.

10. Participate in LEFC Family Fellowship Meeting on Zoom.
– See one another’s faces and hear each other’s voices.
– Tell the group something your family is rejoicing in right now.

– Interact with our new Allegheny District Superintendent Pastor Kerry and his wife Robin.
– Pray for one another live and online.

 

More Links to Helpful Resources

Fear Is Not Sin by Ed Welch

7 Things the Coronavirus Hasn’t Changed by Stephen Witmer

Free Bible Study Videos for Quarantined Groups from LifeWay

5 Reasons You Need the Westminster Shorter Catechism

What Exactly is the Westminster Shorter Catechism and Why Memorise It?

The Westminster Shorter Catechism Songs, Volume 1 on Spotify

Coronavirus and Christ by John Piper (Entire Book for Free)