This week’s reflection continues our journey through Exodus, it’s the story of the first Passover. Be aware that this is not a great story for children, so perhaps, rather than reading it together this week you might concentrate on finding space to reflect on how God has worked in your life (or lives). You could also spend time reflecting on the important meals or celebrations in your household and why they’re important/special.
What follows are some songs, readings, stories and ideas for you to use in your home as you explore your faith with your household this week.
Psalm 119:33-40
God, teach me lessons for living
Message Translation
so I can stay the course.
Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—
my whole life one long, obedient response.
Guide me down the road of your commandments;
I love traveling this freeway!
Give me a bent for your words of wisdom,
and not for piling up loot.
Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,
invigorate me on the pilgrim way.
Affirm your promises to me—
promises made to all who fear you.
Deflect the harsh words of my critics—
but what you say is always so good.
See how hungry I am for your counsel;
preserve my life through your righteous ways!
Readings:
Sing!
Here are a few songs that would be fun to sing together this week.
All-Age Prayer
This would be a great prayer to say at the end of each day as you gather for a meal together
God, you are a mystery to us.
You show yourself in the bible.
You speak to us through history,
and creation, and each other.
You speak to us in bread and wine.Lord, we are glad to have an earth
that produces food of
every shape and colour,
from potatoes and rice
to cucumber and broccoli
from pasta and pizza
to curry and kebabs.We are glad to be able
to enjoy such a variety
of meals each day.Forgive us when
we forget to say thank you
for the wonderful selection
of food we enjoy each day.Forgive us when
We are fussy or greedy,
wasting food when we
know there are so many
who do not have what we do.May we make our mealtimes
news times and catch-up times
special times with family and friends.May we remember that every meal is special,
that each one is a gift from you.
And may we be reminded
that we are blessed with so much
when many have little or nothing.Help us to enjoy our meals
and to find ways to
help others enjoy them to.So be it.
Source: Spill The Beans Issue 20
Amen
Reflection
Story – Let’s Eat by Anna Zamorano
This Week at home
Every day make sure you eat one meal together at a table.
When you do ask each other these questions.
- What are you grateful for today?
- How do you want to give thanks to God today?
- How can we remember all that God has given us today?
- Can you journal?
- Can you draw or paint?
- Can you mould with play dough or clay?
- Can you sing?
Go Deeper
This week, as you eat together share stories from your own life of times that you have felt God working in your life / in your world.
Prayer for Others
Our loving God
So much of our concerns these days surround the Coronavirus. It seems to pervade our lives and rightly so as these generations have never experienced this before. And so we continue in prayer as we have all year to ask that you walk with us and may we know that you are here by our side.
You have never promised us lives without trial and we ask today that we are aware and thankful that we know you as a God of the hard times, the God of the journey to a better place.
Of course our prayers are with those who suffer from this virus and all those both directly and indirectly who help us through this vale of tears.
Be with those who make vital decisions about our wellbeing. Be with them in the dark sleepless nights, in times of public scrutiny and times where we look to them for guidance and condolence.
As this virus dominates our thoughts let us not forget that life goes on. Some are hungry, some are homeless, some are victims of violence, others have health issues other than the coronavirus.
It has been and will continue to be a year of trial but as you have so often promised you will be there with us. May we nurture the faith that affirms that.
Chris Dodd, September 2020
Amen.
Celebration Cards
Another activity exploring celebrations and festivals inspired by Spill The Beans Issue 20
Gather together (or design some of your own together) a variety of cards celebrating different occasions (birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, Christmas, Easter) and lay them out.
Choose one card each and then talk together about the cards, as you do think of each occasion and what is often done to celebrate or remember that special day. What is your favourite celebration and why?
Do you have any favourite meals on any of these celebrations? What is it and why is it a special meal? How does the meal help you celebrate the occasion?
Perhaps this week you might be able to prepare a couple of your family’s favourite meals together.
Use as a way into the story of the Passover.
Memory Meals
If you’re anything like me there’ll be certain foods or meals that bring back memories of camps, of friends, of family, of rites of passage, of experiences that might have been forgotten.
Talk with each other about meals that trigger memories for you, perhaps fish and chips remind you of family holidays by the beach, the smell of curry that reminds you of a winter meal with friends…
What meals trigger your memory? Why not make one of them together this week and remember?
As you do imagine how celebrations like the passover, or communion or other meals might inspire people to remember God’s work in their life.