Today we all got dressed up for home church. As before, started 'church' as soon as we put our youngest down for a nap.
Opening Prayer
Announcements: were I explained what's going on
Song: To Think About Jesus (71)
Sacrament
Video: President Nelson Invitation
Family Prayer
Video: Diego (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKF_C75VFFs)
Testimony from Daddy
Video: Enos from adult lesson
Video: From primary lesson
Video: 'Enos prayed'
Colouring
Closing Prayer
Primary song: A Child Prayer (12-13)
Primary song: Easter Hosanna (68-69)
Other Bible Videos: Possibly easter videos
Reverence was a bit better this week.
The schedule evolved once we started the meeting. The video with president Nelson and family prayer was added after after we started.
We have spent some time making Sundays different to the other days of the week. We just need to make sure we continue to make some time for church related discussion throughout the week.
Saturday, March 28, 2020
March 23-29 : Enos-Words of Mormon
Not had much time to study this week. Been at home this week 'home schooling' the kids.
However, I have come across a few good points.
I noted that we ofter associate Enos having a result with God. This is not what the scriptures say.
Verse 2 says "I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God..." Before God. As in infant of Him. In his presence.
He didn't wrestle with God.
Also, Enos refers to his parents teaching. Kinda like how Nephi mentions his parents. These parents have taught their kids well. In the case of Enos. It seems he was taught well but did not necessarily have a testimony of his own. Eventually, the teaching of his parents started to mean something to him. And he prayed.
However, I have come across a few good points.
I noted that we ofter associate Enos having a result with God. This is not what the scriptures say.
Verse 2 says "I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God..." Before God. As in infant of Him. In his presence.
He didn't wrestle with God.
Also, Enos refers to his parents teaching. Kinda like how Nephi mentions his parents. These parents have taught their kids well. In the case of Enos. It seems he was taught well but did not necessarily have a testimony of his own. Eventually, the teaching of his parents started to mean something to him. And he prayed.
Friday, March 20, 2020
Church at Home (Week 2)
This week we will do things slightly differently. Mainly, make more of the primary aspect of our service.
So this week I will show the olive tree allegory video but then after we will discuss the similarities of this tree and Lehi's vision which my eldest by remembers.
https://youtu.be/fPstB_6jiAs
I think my eldest is still to young to understand any of the metaphors but we can give it a go. We can draw a tree on a chalkboard and talk about the roots, trunk, branches, fruit and the fact that it needs nurturing.
A thought I did just have is that because we are focusing on the Sunday worship aspect in our home, we have taken the focus off the rest of the week. That said, it has been a crazy week.
Opening Prayer
Announcements: were I explained what's going on
Song: I feel my Saviours Love
Sacrament
Video of Olive Tree Alegory from You Tube
Primary song: Wise Man & Foolish Man
Primary song: Dare to be Right
Primary song: A Child’s Prayer
Closing Prayer
A report of this weeks meeting.
As per last week. We held our meeting while our youngest was sleeping.
The kids were still irreverent at times.
We set the mood by playing church videos from you tube on TV.
The kids liked the latter day kids video.
We made things more interactive by drawing pictures of trees.
We are now binge watching latter day kids videos.
Isn’t technology marvellous.
We can read & listen to the primary songs.
We can watch church content on TV
We can access any of the scriptures right away. Including the sacrament prayers.
I can update this blog on the go.
So this week I will show the olive tree allegory video but then after we will discuss the similarities of this tree and Lehi's vision which my eldest by remembers.
https://youtu.be/fPstB_6jiAs
I think my eldest is still to young to understand any of the metaphors but we can give it a go. We can draw a tree on a chalkboard and talk about the roots, trunk, branches, fruit and the fact that it needs nurturing.
A thought I did just have is that because we are focusing on the Sunday worship aspect in our home, we have taken the focus off the rest of the week. That said, it has been a crazy week.
Opening Prayer
Announcements: were I explained what's going on
Song: I feel my Saviours Love
Sacrament
Video of Olive Tree Alegory from You Tube
Primary song: Wise Man & Foolish Man
Primary song: Dare to be Right
Primary song: A Child’s Prayer
Closing Prayer
A report of this weeks meeting.
As per last week. We held our meeting while our youngest was sleeping.
The kids were still irreverent at times.
We set the mood by playing church videos from you tube on TV.
The kids liked the latter day kids video.
We made things more interactive by drawing pictures of trees.
We are now binge watching latter day kids videos.
Isn’t technology marvellous.
We can read & listen to the primary songs.
We can watch church content on TV
We can access any of the scriptures right away. Including the sacrament prayers.
I can update this blog on the go.
Mar 16 - 22 : Jacob 5-7
Jacob 5-6 : The olive tree allegory
The allegory constantly refers to nurturing.
A kids video of the olive tree allegory.
https://youtu.be/fPstB_6jiAs
Jacob 7 : Sherem the antichrist
The allegory constantly refers to nurturing.
A kids video of the olive tree allegory.
https://youtu.be/fPstB_6jiAs
Jacob 7 : Sherem the antichrist
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Church at Home (Week 1)
Today following the announcement that church meetings are suspended until the covid-19 flu blows over, was our families 1st 'sacrament meeting' at home. As I type this the kids are drawing a picture of Jacob teaching at the temple, or al least their 4 & 2 year old version of such a scene.
I've been attending church every week my whole life. I miss the rare meeting usually when away on holiday. This week, the closest comparison I can make to how this feels is a general conference Sunday.
After learning that all services would be cancelled I immediately recognised the need to make an active decision to choose to do something in our home. While I did make this decision and even made a few suggestions on the ward what's app group, I was not until Saturday afternoon I spoke with my wife about planning something.
My family consists of myself, my wife, my eldest boy (4), daughter (2) and youngest son (0).
During breakfast I planned a little schedule for our home service. After obtaining permission from the bishop the night before I was able include the sacrament in our little service.
We set the mood by playing book of mormon stories videos from you tube on TV. I didn't feel right leading our service in PJ’s, so I got dressed into Sunday clothes. We got the kids dressed up too. I set up the sacrament and my eldest watched closely, where I gave him a commentary of what we were doing to set things up.
Here is our service.
Opening Prayer
Announcements: were I explained what's going on
Song: I am a child of God
Sacrament
Book of Mormon video from this weeks study. Jacob 2-3.
Primary song: Wise Man & Foolish Man
Primary song: Dare to be Right
Primary song: Popcorn Popping
Closing Prayer
Draw pictures of Jacob teaching at the temple.
Things that I have learned/enjoyed so far, in no particular order.
-With a young family, the pressure to get to church for 10am was lifted and we could start whenever was convenient for us. We still chose to hold our service part of the sabbath day in the morning. We started once we put our youngest down for a nap to keep disruption to a minimum.
-Planning a sacrament meeting in your home is a lot less stressful than a formal Sunday service. I've been in charge of leading Sunday services before and it is stressful. Always wondering if everyone who's been assigned is going to turn up etc. No pressure among your family. If kids get irreverent then you just pause the meeting and carry on once they have recomposed themselves. No worrying about what those on the pews next to you are thinking or how their behaviour is disrupting the service for others.
-My eldest was able to get a bit closer to the sacrament ordinance than ever. We never get to church early enough to see the sacrament being set up. So this was new to him. When I asked him to sit with the family while I administered the sacrament he was upset. He really wanted to get involved. So I invited him to hold my phone up so I could read the prayer. I then passed him the plate to pass to the rest of the family. Some might say that's a deacons responsibility and a 4 year old does not have the Aaronic priesthood, but many members on the pews at church are not ordained deacons. I know it is a fine line, but here we had a young boy who really wanted to help. I wasn't going to deny him that in our own home.
-No time scales. We didn't need to finish at 11. We could have a service as long or as short as needed.
-This weekend my wife & I have been suffering from sore throats and runny noses. Its not coronavirus, its gust a cold, but given the latest guidelines, had we attended church we may have been judged or criticised by some. Staying home and somewhat isolating was an option. This weeks announcement made it easier to make our stat at home more meaningful as had the announcement not been made we probably wouldn't have put so much effort into doing something at home.
-I'll ad more thoughts as I think of them.
I've been attending church every week my whole life. I miss the rare meeting usually when away on holiday. This week, the closest comparison I can make to how this feels is a general conference Sunday.
After learning that all services would be cancelled I immediately recognised the need to make an active decision to choose to do something in our home. While I did make this decision and even made a few suggestions on the ward what's app group, I was not until Saturday afternoon I spoke with my wife about planning something.
My family consists of myself, my wife, my eldest boy (4), daughter (2) and youngest son (0).
During breakfast I planned a little schedule for our home service. After obtaining permission from the bishop the night before I was able include the sacrament in our little service.
We set the mood by playing book of mormon stories videos from you tube on TV. I didn't feel right leading our service in PJ’s, so I got dressed into Sunday clothes. We got the kids dressed up too. I set up the sacrament and my eldest watched closely, where I gave him a commentary of what we were doing to set things up.
Here is our service.
Opening Prayer
Announcements: were I explained what's going on
Song: I am a child of God
Sacrament
Book of Mormon video from this weeks study. Jacob 2-3.
Primary song: Wise Man & Foolish Man
Primary song: Dare to be Right
Primary song: Popcorn Popping
Closing Prayer
Draw pictures of Jacob teaching at the temple.
Things that I have learned/enjoyed so far, in no particular order.
-With a young family, the pressure to get to church for 10am was lifted and we could start whenever was convenient for us. We still chose to hold our service part of the sabbath day in the morning. We started once we put our youngest down for a nap to keep disruption to a minimum.
-Planning a sacrament meeting in your home is a lot less stressful than a formal Sunday service. I've been in charge of leading Sunday services before and it is stressful. Always wondering if everyone who's been assigned is going to turn up etc. No pressure among your family. If kids get irreverent then you just pause the meeting and carry on once they have recomposed themselves. No worrying about what those on the pews next to you are thinking or how their behaviour is disrupting the service for others.
-My eldest was able to get a bit closer to the sacrament ordinance than ever. We never get to church early enough to see the sacrament being set up. So this was new to him. When I asked him to sit with the family while I administered the sacrament he was upset. He really wanted to get involved. So I invited him to hold my phone up so I could read the prayer. I then passed him the plate to pass to the rest of the family. Some might say that's a deacons responsibility and a 4 year old does not have the Aaronic priesthood, but many members on the pews at church are not ordained deacons. I know it is a fine line, but here we had a young boy who really wanted to help. I wasn't going to deny him that in our own home.
-No time scales. We didn't need to finish at 11. We could have a service as long or as short as needed.
-This weekend my wife & I have been suffering from sore throats and runny noses. Its not coronavirus, its gust a cold, but given the latest guidelines, had we attended church we may have been judged or criticised by some. Staying home and somewhat isolating was an option. This weeks announcement made it easier to make our stat at home more meaningful as had the announcement not been made we probably wouldn't have put so much effort into doing something at home.
-I'll ad more thoughts as I think of them.
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Mar 9 - 15 : Jacob 1-4
Jacob 1-4
Couple of ideas to start with.
Context. Who is Jacob?Brother of Nephi. Nephi seems to have entrusted him with the mantle of spiritual leader 1:18 and a phophet. He does say 'thus saith the lord'. 2:23, 25
2:18-19
Seek god before riches, then seek riches to do good
4:3-4
The idea that if we let our future generations know anything about us, we let them know we were righteous. How would that affect you if you knew your parents or grandparents were disciples of christ and played a part of building the kingdom of God? And the opposite, how would it affect you if you knew your parents or grandparents were unrighteous, and up to all sorts of no good behaviour.
Family proclamation to the world. 2:34
The Lamanites are more righteous than the Nephites after such a short period of time.
I think as individuals we go through the pride cycle frequently. As a population, I think it takes time. But it did make me sad to see this so soon in the Book of Mormon.
The word anxiety is used 3 times by Jacob. 1:5, 2:3, 4:18
Couple of ideas to start with.
Context. Who is Jacob?Brother of Nephi. Nephi seems to have entrusted him with the mantle of spiritual leader 1:18 and a phophet. He does say 'thus saith the lord'. 2:23, 25
2:18-19
Seek god before riches, then seek riches to do good
4:3-4
The idea that if we let our future generations know anything about us, we let them know we were righteous. How would that affect you if you knew your parents or grandparents were disciples of christ and played a part of building the kingdom of God? And the opposite, how would it affect you if you knew your parents or grandparents were unrighteous, and up to all sorts of no good behaviour.
Family proclamation to the world. 2:34
The Lamanites are more righteous than the Nephites after such a short period of time.
I think as individuals we go through the pride cycle frequently. As a population, I think it takes time. But it did make me sad to see this so soon in the Book of Mormon.
The word anxiety is used 3 times by Jacob. 1:5, 2:3, 4:18
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