June 21, 2020
Questions? Contact Pastor Steven ([email protected] or 865.323.4439)
Sunday Worship @ Home Small Gathering Guide for Families
*This guide is designed for families with children ages 2-12 in mind, though all families & individuals in the church are welcome to use it.
June 21, 2020 Father’s Day
June 21, 2020
Questions? Contact Pastor Steven ([email protected] or 865.323.4439)
Watching worship online with your family (or by yourself) is different than when in a small group setting with others. At HFFBC, we believe true worship of the Living God is much more than simply watching something, but rather is truly participating in something profound. One of the major challenges this COVID-19 pandemic has brought on the church is the loss of community, and for such an extended period of time. A natural by-product of not being able to gather together is the tendency for many of us to naturally drift into a worship which is devoid of participation. It is our desire to come alongside you all, especially families with young children, to encourage you towards a participatory worship, one in which young and old alike have an opportunity to encounter, learn about, sing to, and worship God in loving community.
As this pandemic season of COVID-19 continues on and large gatherings are limited, we are encouraging families (and individuals certainly as well) to gather in small gatherings to participate in Sunday Worship together on the Sabbath day.
What follows in this guide is a suggested way (new each week) for you all to participate in worship together, to encourage one another, and to invite others to experience the transformative grace of Jesus found in the Gospel. We simply ask, for the ongoing safety and out of love for our communities, that you limit your gatherings to no more than 25 when meeting outside, and no more than 10 when meeting inside.
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another,
and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25
Humbly in Christ,
HFFBC Pastors Ken, Grant, and Steven
Why Are We Providing This?
June 21, 2020
Questions? Contact Pastor Steven ([email protected] or 865.323.4439)
Arranging a Small Gathering for Sunday Worship
How to find a group to gather together:
• If you’re already part of a previous Small Group or Geographic Cluster Group, we encourage you to consider meeting with that group.
• If not, consider starting by reaching out to families or individuals who: 1. Live in close proximity to you (your neighborhood or town), 2. You have a natural affinity with (same age, children go to school together,
etc.), or 3. You simply want to spend more time with
• Lastly, if there are people around you who you know are not currently connected or who have particular needs during this season of isolation, we encourage you to reach out to them.
• Need peoples’ contact info? Ask us for a Church Directory - [email protected]
After finding a group to gather together:
• Decide who has the ability and space to host with your group’s needs in mind. Things to consider include - amount of outdoor space, Wi-Fi ability, parking, etc.
• Things to think through in advance: 1. Will you have a rotation of who hosts from week to week? 2. What do people need to bring with them? What will host provide? What
do I need to bring for my kids? 3. Technology - How will the worship service streamed? 4. What are the safety measures each host will wish to enforce? see below
• HFFBC recommended health safety measures for gatherings: • Inside - groups no larger than 10; 6-feet of social distance; face masks &
hand sanitizing recommended • Outside - groups no larger than 25; 6-feet of social distance; hand sanitizing
recommended; face masks optional
June 21, 2020
Questions? Contact Pastor Steven ([email protected] or 865.323.4439)
Preparing your Small Gathering
Consider your group (ages, personalities, size, limitations), and meet together in a way that embraces those realities. We do believe, however, that there are essentials to worship of the Living God when gathered together. The 5 essentials we encourage you to do together when you gather are:
(1) singing, (2) prayer, (3) reading the Word, (4) learning the Word, & (5) responding to the Word.
You are free to add things to that if you wish of course (see our Online Worship page for more resources), but we simply encourage you to include a form of these 5 when you gather.
1. Find a good space 2. Eliminate distractions, but informal is okay!
3. Every group will be different (& that’s okay too!), but there are some essentials
4. Embrace Flexibility, but Have a PlanBelow are 2 general models you can use for your small gathering. But please feel free to adjust this to your group’s dynamic and desires. 1. Watch Online Worship service, but together - You are welcome of course to simply engage with
the online worship service normally by watching it straight through together. 2. Next Page - this is what we suggest for families gathering together with young children. Children
and adults are encouraged to participate in all the below together, with some alt. options for #4. Note, within each of the 5 essentials we will provide update each week going forward, so stay tuned!
Before or after, maybe enjoy a meal together as well!
Gathering in a “church at home” small group setting is different than when in a church building in so many ways. Below are some encouragements for you: • Make the sure the hour is “open” - no planned
visitors, appointments, etc. • Put away all things in advance that will distract from
this spiritual space of worship. Be proactive! • Embrace the informality of home - wearing what
you wish, bathroom breaks, changing up the order on the fly, etc.
Pretty obvious starting point here - after you’ve found a group to meet with, talk together and find the space at one of the homes that works best for your group. Just make sure: • You find an outside space that large
enough • That you have enough chairs, or have
blankets to lay out • That it’s a quiet enough space to engage in
worship without major distraction • You’re respectful of your neighbors
How do I get this started after finding a group to meet with? What are some things to think through?
June 21, 2020
Questions? Contact Pastor Steven ([email protected] or 865.323.4439)
Family Worship Gathering
3. Read the Word
2. Pray1. Sing
5. Respond to the Word in Community
4. Learn the Word*
Family Discussion Questions:
• What do you think is the hardest part about being a father?
• What do you think is the greatest joy a father can have?
This week, in response to the Word, we encourage you to:
• Find a way to care for “orphans and widows” (James 1:27) as a family: - Write letters, give money, pray, etc. - Learn about “La Casa de la Esperanza”
and “Bethany Christian Services”
Either sing along with the Online Worship video, or click the links, or play it on your own!
• ALL - “Death Was Arrested”
• CHILDREN - “This is My Father’s World” - “Fear Not”
• HIGH ENERGY SONGS (with motions!) - “Good, Good Father” - “This is Amazing Grace”
*Find more songs at our Online Worship page. *Parents - find lyrics on the last pages of this guide.
June 21, 2020
Pray the Lord’s Prayer together aloud as a family: • Dwell on “Our Father…”
Pray for the fathers, brothers, uncles, grandfathers, etc… in your family:
• Pray that God would give them courage and strength to lead and love well (Eph. 5:25-30)
Pray for those you know who don’t have a father or who have a poor father figure in
their life. • Pray that they would know and sense the love
of the Heavenly Father today.
• Have one person read 1 Timothy 3:4-5 aloud for the group. Or use the “Dwell Bible Reading” app.
• Read 1 John 3:1-10 by dividing it up between a few adults (mix in older kids as readers too!)
3 options for how to do this together: 1. All watch sermon together live.
• *Children 3-10, then can do sermon “Kid Bible Listener” for this week’s sermon.
2. Only adults and children 10+ watch sermon together. • *Children 3-10, then can do the “Kid Bible Learning”
option given on next page. 3. Adults watch the sermon in advance. Then use this time
as a group with all kids to discuss what you learned, were convicted of, were reminded, &/or will do as a result.
June 21, 2020
Questions? Contact Pastor Steven ([email protected] or 865.323.4439)
*4. Learn the Word (For Children Ages 3-10)
2.”Kid Bible Learning” Option In place of listening to the sermon alongside adults,
children can engage with the following age-appropriate resources for those ~30 minutes.
The Jesus’ Storybook Bible - (“How to Pray” pg. 222-227) 1. Have an adult read this story to the kids LIVE…. or 2. Click on this link and have the kids watch it.
Coloring Pages & Activities See below & the pages that follow to find age-specific activities for during or after the Bible lesson.
• Ages 2-4 - Two coloring sheets • Ages 5-7 - Coloring sheet & “Lord’s Prayer” word search • Ages 8-10 - Coloring sheet & "Prayer Journal”
1. “Kid Bible Listener” Option While listening to the sermon alongside adults, children can do this for the ~30 minute sermon.
Listen up for these words during the sermon! Tally below:
Parents, ask: How are a child & a Father supposed to treat each other? How does our Heavenly Father treat us?
FatherChild/Children
June 21, 2020
Questions? Contact Pastor Steven ([email protected] or 865.323.4439)
The Lord’s PrayerTraditional
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Contemporary
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin
against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
June 21, 2020
Questions? Contact Pastor Steven ([email protected] or 865.323.4439)
Song Lyrics
Alone in my sorrow and dead in my sin
Lost without hope with no place to begin
Your love Made a way to let mercy come in
When death was arrested and my life began
Ash was redeemed only beauty remains
My orphan heart was given a name
My mourning grew quiet my feet rose to dance
When death was arrested and my life began
Oh your grace so free
Washes over me
You have made me new
Now life begins with you
Released from my chains I'm a prisoner no more
My shame was a ransom he faithfully bore
He cancelled my debt and he called me his friend
When death was arrested and my life began
Our savior displayed on a criminal's cross
Darkness rejoiced as though heaven had lost
But then Jesus arose with our freedom in hand
That's when death was arrested and my life began
Oh your grace so free
Washes over me
You have made me new
Now life begins with you
It's your endless love
Pouring down on us
You have made us new
Now life begins with you
Oh we're free free
Forever we're free
Come join the song
Of all the redeemed
Yes we're free free
Forever amen
When death was arrested
And my life began
“Death Was Arrested”
June 21, 2020
Questions? Contact Pastor Steven ([email protected] or 865.323.4439)
Kids LyricsThis is my Father's world And to my listening ears All nature sings and round me rings The music of the spheres
This is my Father's world I rest me in the thought Of rocks and trees Of skies and seas His hands the wonders rod
This is my Father's world The birds their carols raise The morning light the lily white Declare their Maker's praise
This is my Father's world He shines in all that's fare In rustling grass I hear him pass He speaks to me everywhere
This is my Father's world And to my listening ears All nature sings and round me rings The music of the sphere
Chorus: Fear not, for I have redeemed you I've called you by name, you are mine
If you're scared of the dark, I'll be your guiding light If the flood waters come, they won't wash you aside If you're caught in a storm, I'm safe place to hide Don't be afraid, I am with you
And if you need a friend, oh, I won't let you down If you feel the earth shaking, I'm your solid ground
If you're feeling alone, and like no one is around Don't be afraid, I am with you
Don't you forget that I made you Don't believe that you're not enough I'll never leave or forsake you Try to remember my love
“This is My Father’s World”
“Fear Not”
June 21, 2020
Questions? Contact Pastor Steven ([email protected] or 865.323.4439)
God bless you and your family this week! We are praying for you!
Pastor Steven & HFFBC Staff
