Home Centered Church
April 12, 2020
These past couple weeks have been a staircase of increasing anxiety about the Coronavirus. At first it seemed like the whole thing was being blown out of proportion by news/social media. I mean, people were stockpiling toilet paper of all things. But as the weeks wore on, and the government and scientific reactions be more severe, it began to feel more real to me. Nothing perhaps had a bigger impact on me then the church's announcements of change. I figure that at the point that the church closes temples, I need to be taking this thing at least as seriously as the prophet.
So, for the past 4 or 5 weeks we have been having church at home. We set up the chairs in the living room, put a stool in the front as our pulpit, and we sing and pray and have a brief "church" meeting.
Most weeks we have the kids each prepare and give a talk. Calvin once dictated a talk to me, which I wrote down for him. Then, during church, when it was his turn I whispered it into his ear. Gwen drew some pictures and told us about them. On fast Sunday we all bore our testimonies of the Savior and His restored gospel.
And then there has been the Sacrament. Preparing, blessing, and serving the Sacrament in our home has been precious to me beyond words. Over and over again I have felt the Spirit whisper to me the importance of what we are doing as we meet together each Sunday. Especially during the Sacrament.
Maybe because today is Easter it meant more to me. We had spent the morning watching the "Living Scriptures" about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. (These seem to be the best way to connect kids with the stories sometimes.) So with that contemplation of Jesus' sacrifice fresh on my mind, and in the already special sacred spirit of home-church, I blessed the sacrament for my family.
In my heart I felt the deep love of my Lord. I felt that He lives. That He suffered and died for me.
These past couple weeks have been a staircase of increasing anxiety about the Coronavirus. At first it seemed like the whole thing was being blown out of proportion by news/social media. I mean, people were stockpiling toilet paper of all things. But as the weeks wore on, and the government and scientific reactions be more severe, it began to feel more real to me. Nothing perhaps had a bigger impact on me then the church's announcements of change. I figure that at the point that the church closes temples, I need to be taking this thing at least as seriously as the prophet.
So, for the past 4 or 5 weeks we have been having church at home. We set up the chairs in the living room, put a stool in the front as our pulpit, and we sing and pray and have a brief "church" meeting.
Most weeks we have the kids each prepare and give a talk. Calvin once dictated a talk to me, which I wrote down for him. Then, during church, when it was his turn I whispered it into his ear. Gwen drew some pictures and told us about them. On fast Sunday we all bore our testimonies of the Savior and His restored gospel.
And then there has been the Sacrament. Preparing, blessing, and serving the Sacrament in our home has been precious to me beyond words. Over and over again I have felt the Spirit whisper to me the importance of what we are doing as we meet together each Sunday. Especially during the Sacrament.
Maybe because today is Easter it meant more to me. We had spent the morning watching the "Living Scriptures" about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. (These seem to be the best way to connect kids with the stories sometimes.) So with that contemplation of Jesus' sacrifice fresh on my mind, and in the already special sacred spirit of home-church, I blessed the sacrament for my family.
In my heart I felt the deep love of my Lord. I felt that He lives. That He suffered and died for me.
I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
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