Christ in Our Home - Jan 17-24, 2016

A characteristic of a healthy congregation is that it feels like a family-people feel a sense of belonging, care about each other, and feel valued. The reverse is equally true – a characteristic of a healthy home is that it feels like a church.

I don't mean that your house needs a pipe organ or that the seating should be wooden pews. But your home does need a spiritual environment. Your family needs to connect with God each day, not just on Sundays. Your home can be a temple of worship, Bible study, prayer, and Christian songs. Paul writes, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God" (Colossians 3:16).

Here's another truth – it will never happen by itself. Our lives are hectic. Parenting is exhausting, and if you wait until you have extra time and feel peppy, that day will never come. Just as it is important for husbands and wives to make time for each other, your family's relationship with God will flourish if the mother and father decide to make God welcome in their home.

May the Lord bless you as you bring Christ into your home. 

Christ In Our Home Devotions

3rd Sunday after Epiphany

Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.

1. Make the sign of the cross over yourself and say:

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

2. Pray Luther’s Morning or Evening Prayer:

I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger. Keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please you. Into your hands I commend my body and soul and all things. Let your holy angel be with me, that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.

I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have graciously kept me this day. Forgive me all my sins, and graciously keep me this night. Into your hands I commend my body and soul and all things. Let your holy angel be with me, that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.

3. Pray the Lord’s Prayer:

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 forever. Amen.

4. Pray the Prayer of the Week

Almighty God, you sent your Son to proclaim your kingdom and to teach with authority.  Anoint us with the power of your Spirit that we, too, may bring good news to the afflicted, bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim liberty to the captive; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

5. Say the Apostles’ Creed:

     I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

     I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

     I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

6. Pray the Psalm of the Week: Psalm 19

Refrain: Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.

The heavens declare the glory of God;*

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Their voice goes out into all the earth,*

their words to the ends of the world.

Refrain

The law of the LORD is perfect,*

giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the LORD are radiant,*

giving light to the eyes.

They are more precious than gold;*

they are sweeter than honey.

By them is your servant taught;*

in keeping them there is great reward.

Refrain

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart*

be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Redeemer.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son*

and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,*

is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Refrain

7. Say the Verse of the Week:

Alleluia. Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching, preaching, and healing every disease.  Alleluia.  (Matthew 4:23)

8. Read a Devotion or the Following Suggested Scriptures

M: Luke 4:22-30; Isaiah 19:19-25

T: Ephesians 3:1-12; Acts 13:42-52

W: John 4:4-14; John 4:15-26

T: John 4:27-42; Jonah 1 and 2

F: Romans 15:14-21; Jonah 3 and 4

S: Acts 15:7-12; Romans 11:13-22

S: Worship in the House of the Lord

9. Prayer of JOY: Jesus; Others; and Yourself

10. Sing or Say the Hymn of the Week: 

CW 85— “O God from God, O Light from Light”

1  O God from God, O Light from Light, O Prince of Peace and King of kings,

To you in heaven’s glory bright The song of praise forever rings.

To him who sits upon the throne, The Lamb once slain but raised again,

Be all the glory he has won, All thanks and praise! Amen, Amen.

2  Deep in the prophets’ sacred page, Grand in the poets’ winged word,

Slowly, in type, from age to age The nations saw their coming Lord;

Till through the deep Judean night Rang out the song, “Good will to men!”

Sung by heav’n’s hosts in splendor bright, Re-echoed now, “Good will!” Amen.