July 13, 2020

Published July 13, 2020 by St Matthews Lutheran Church in Daily Message

The power of presence

Faith & family: Growing together (July 2020)
            Living Lutheran

When we invest in friendships, whether virtually or in person, we acknowledge the gift of community and remind our children that God’s presence can be found precisely amid showing up. 

Practices

How might you show up for your friends and model faith-centered friendship to your children? Maybe you could send a text and invite family friends to the park for a physically distanced picnic. Try a virtual game night and use a video chat with family friends. When you gather, be present and bear witness to others. Afterward, discuss with your children how you saw God showing up in your fellowship with friends.

Prayers

We pray for the diversity of families—single parents, grandparents raising grandchildren, and blended families—that they may know and share God’s love. 
We pray for opportunities to listen deeply and learn from others. 
We pray for parents of newborns and of newly adopted children. 
We give thanks for playdates at the park, hikes in the woods and picnics with friends. 
We give thanks for church communities that become family. 
We give thanks for laughter among friends. 

                                    By Kimberly Knowle-Zeller