Gathering of the family in their home

Call to Worship
We are gathered here to recall the purpose for which God created the human being, to confess our failure as a human race to fulfill God’s purpose and to pray for hope that God’s purpose may be restored. Hear then the word of the Lord:

Genesis 2:7-8.

Because God’s good creation has become infected by sin, we have fulfilled the purpose for which God created us. The love we were meant to have for God’s creation has degenerated into rebellion against God. The love we were meant to have for one another has degenerated into blaming, even those whom we love most. In our despair we cry out to God:

Psalm 88 or another lament psalm appropriate for the occasion.

Hope and healing begin when we honestly confess to God all that we have done or left undone that has destroyed the good life God has given us, and turn to God in prayer.

Read responsively Psalm 51:1-12 or Psalm 32:1-5.

Our Lord is merciful, and in his great love, God forgives us all our sins. As forgiven children of God we are a new creation. We live in the hope that God’s purpose for creation may be restored and God’s will may be done on earth, now, and in the kingdom of heaven forever. Hear the Word of the Lord:

Read the Parable of the Sower; Mark 4:3-9.

Lord God, in your great love you made us your children and sent us out into the garden to till it and keep it according to your purpose. We have failed in your purpose, Lord God. We have failed because of forces beyond our control; we have failed because of our short-sightedness; we have failed because of decisions we have made that cannot be undone.

Restore to us your love, O Lord. Restore us in hope. Restore to us the dignity that was there at the beginning of creation when you made us tillers of the earth. Give us courage now to go on with our lives; give us faith to believe you are with us in all that we do; help us trust that you are calling us and guiding us in new ways, and no matter where we are or what we do, your seed will bear fruit according to your will. Amen.

Hymn "Lord of all Hopefulness"

Meditation

Story sharing time by the family

Prayers
(Invitation to family members to pray out loud or silently.)

Almighty God, words cannot express all we feel today. We feel loss, anxiety and pain. Help us as we look to the future. Help us to hold on to the hope that you give us as we look ahead. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The Lord's Supper

Hymn "Praise and Thanksgiving"

Benediction
Go out into the world in peace; have courage; hold on to what is good; return no person evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the suffering; honor all people; love and serve the Lord rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Walk about the farmstead and the home
Gracious God, you have given us many friends and neighbors and family to help us through the bad times. We pray for understanding in this time of difficulty and we look to you for a sense of peace as we struggle in our livelihood. Be within us to refresh us; be around us to protect us; be before us to guide us; be above us to bless us and beneath us to hold us up for you are the one true God who reigns above all. Amen.