Worship on the Go Even if you aren t able to worship at St. Mark s every Sunday, there are opportunities to easily connect faith moments with your family when you're out and about this summer (or any time of year!). Each activity uses common household items and includes a set of instructions to engage your family in faith conversations. Pick and choose the activities that work for your family (age, personalities, etc.) or come up with your own ideas inspired by these. FAITH 5 Gather with your family at the end of the day and go through the following 5 steps together. This will take between 5-15 minutes depending on conversation. SHARE: Think about your day. What were the high points & low points of the day? READ: TALK: PRAY: BLESS: Open the Bible and read together the scripture passages of the week. How might what you read relate to your highs and lows? Pray aloud or silently for one another s highs and lows Take turns making the sign of the cross on each other s forehead to remind us that we are beloved children of God. Summer Scripture Readings June 10: Psalm 130 & Mark 3:20-35 June 17: Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15 & Mark 4:26-34 June 24: Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32 & Mark 4:35-41 July 1: Psalm 30 & Mark 5:21-43 July 8: Psalm 123 & Mark 6:1-13 July 15: Psalm 85:8-13 & Mark 6:14-29 July 22: Psalm 23 & Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 July 29: Psalm 145:10-18 & John 6:1-21 August 5: Psalm 78:23-29 & John 6:24-35 August 12: Psalm 34:1-8 & John 6:35, 41-51 August 19: Psalm 34:9-14 & John 6:51-58 August 26: Psalm 34:15-22 & John 6:56-69 1 of 6
Baptism Bubbles (Supplies: Bubble soap, bubble wands) Through the waters of Baptism we are claimed as God s children and through the power of the cross, Jesus grants us forgiveness. In baptism, we give thanks for Christ s forgiveness and seek to live as people who are washed clean of our sin. As you blow bubbles together talk about baptism as both a kind of washing and welcoming. When the bubbles pop, think about how our sins (the little or big things that we do that might hurt others or ourselves, things that God doesn t want us to do) are forgiven by God and can be forgiven by others. Sometimes bubbles leave residue on what they hit, much like our sins have consequences which we have to be responsible for. No matter what we do, nothing can ever separate us from God s love. Romans 8:31-39 (The Message) So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us who was raised to life for us! is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I m absolutely convinced that nothing nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable absolutely nothing can get between us and God s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. Beach Ball Memories (Supplies: inflated beach ball, sharpie markers) Inflate your beach ball on occasion throughout the summer when you are on vacation, as you enjoy family activities, after a hard day of work and write things for which you are thankful on it. Make this a habit every 2 or 3 days. If you meet up with friends or family, invite them to add to the ball and sign it. When you travel, deflate the ball after the ink is dry and pack it with you. At the end of the summer, review all the things you did, pray together as a family, and keep the ball as a tangible reminder of all your thanksgivings throughout the summer. 2 of 6
Skittles Prayer (Supplies: Bag of Original flavor Skittles; Skittles Prayer guide) Take turns choosing a Skittle from the package/bowl. Use the Skittles Prayer Guide (below) to offer a prayer together based on the color of the chosen Skittle. SKITTLES Prayer Guide ORANGE Pray a prayer of thanks to God for everything He has given you: your family, your friends, your church, food, clothes, shelter, toys and anything else you are thankful for. YELLOW Pray for someone you are thankful for by name. Pray specifically for that person that God would bless them. GREEN Pray and ask God to show you how you can give to others. Pray that God would show you someone you can help out by spending time with them or giving them something they need. PURPLE Pray for those who are sick, lonely, may not have food or family or the things they need to live. Pray that God would heal them, comfort them, and provide them with food and with people in their lives to show them love. RED Pray that all people would know Jesus and make Him the center of their lives. Help us to tell others about Jesus and share His love with them. 3 of 6
Coloring Sheets & Family Devotion (Supplies: PDF download of coloring sheets and devotions; crayons, colored pencils or markers; Bible) Set aside a time for your family at least once a week to spend some time sharing in Family Devotions together. Put away the phones, shut off the TV, and gather in a quiet place with as few distractions as possible. As you color the picture together, use the Devotion Guide to focus your conversations and time together. Post the completed picture on a wall or on the refrigerator to remind you of your time together with your family and with God. Each lesson is dated to match the scripture readings that will be a part of worship at church, but can be used in any order you d like. The devotional guide includes an introduction, scripture reading, discussion questions, wrap-up activities, and prayer. Download the complete set of coloring pages and devotions (listed under this document on www.stmarks-nsp.org on the resources tab). 4 of 6
Conversation Jar Print the following squares on both sides. Cut them out, fold them, and place them in a jar to pick from throughout the summer! Ask the question on the color side, and follow up with the activity/ prayer on the back. (Front Side) Would you rather go to the beach or to the snow? What is the best thing about being part of a family? If you were only allowed to keep your two most favorite toys, what would you choose? Tell us something that makes you happy. What is your favorite game to play with a family member? Tell us something nice that you did for someone else today. What is something that you would like to learn? What do you like most about the person sitting next to you (on your left)? If you could have a super power, what would it be? If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why? Describe your perfect day. Tell about the last time you said I m sorry. Was it hard or east to say? 5 of 6
(Back Side) Thank you God for creating different environments for us to play in! Amen. Make a hopscotch. Instead of # s, place a word on each square. We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19 Give an offering to the charity of your choice today. Reflect on Psalm 34:8 while enjoying a snack. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Happy are those who take refuge in him. Play the game and give God thanks for every giggle. Just as you did to the least of these, you did it to me. Matthew 25:40 You blessed Jesus by caring for someone. Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth. Psalm 86:11 What would be something God could teach you? Look at them and share how you see God in them. God made us in his image. Then God said, let us make humankind in our image. Genesis 1:26 Pick a song about one of God s super powers and sing it together. (ie. Jesus Loves Me, is about his super power of love) Find a rock and contemplate how it got here; how its appearance may have changed. How has God been present with you and shaped you on your journey? Thank you Jesus for being with us on the perfect days and not so perfect days! Amen. Write the word sin in the sand. As you pray, wipe it clean. Thank you God for forgiving me when I ve messed up. Amen. 6 of 6