2009 Christian Home Month: Families Called to Love -- Worship Service Resources

The following helps are suggested for use in a worship service where families are lifted up. See also the United Methodist Book of Worship.

Call to Worship

Leader: We come together to praise God, who is the source of our life and our love.

People: We come to celebrate and support families who practice love in their homes and communities.

Leader: We come praying for families who feel no love for themselves or for others.

ALL: Let us worship, trusting in God's love and mercy. Praise be to God!

Hymns
Choose hymns that best fit your worship service:

• Happy the Home When God Is There, 445, United Methodist Hymnal
• O Lord, May Church and Home Combine, 695, United Methodist Hymnal
• The Gift of Love, 408, United Methodist Hymnal
• Sweet, Sweet Spirit, 334 United Methodist Hymnal
• When Love is Found, 643, United Methodist Hymnal
• I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry, 2051, The Faith We Sing
• Together we Serve, 2175, The Faith We Sing
• Sacred the Body, 2228, The Faith We Sing

Scripture Readings

Lectionary readings for the day may be used, or you may choose from the following:
Old Testament: Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Psalter; Psalm 85, 806, United Methodist Hymnal
Gospel: John 13:34-35
Epistle: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Prayer for Families

Gracious God, you created all of humankind and showed to us the importance of relationships with one another, we commend to your care all the families of this congregation, community, and world.
We pray that each home may be a home where love is felt.
We pray for homes where, instead of love, there are households of hurt and abuse and suffering.
We pray for children, youth, and adults, recognizing the importance of and the gift of every age as we grow.
We pray for parents, stepparents, and foster parents.
We pray for those who are single, and those who are married. We pray for those in loving relationships.
May your grace be present to all.
Grant us wisdonm to know where there is no love, courage to act out of love for others, and peace to rest in your mercy.
Help the commandments of love for you and love for others be our goal for life together. Amen.

A Litany for Families

Leader: Gracious God, you created us to dwell in community. We thank you for the witness of families in the Scripture who help us know we do not have to be perfect.

People: Help us remember the witness of the Scripture, O God.

Leader: You created us to follow your laws. We thank you for the commandments to love you and to love others.

Leader: You gave us Jesus to teach us ways to live in community with one another.

People: Help us follow the path that Jesus has shown, O God.

Leader: You created us to act in ways that help those around us know the true meaning of love.

People: Help us act upon your words of love, O God.

Leader: For all families, bless us in our struggle to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

People: Hear our prayer, O God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

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