Thanks so much to the commenters who answered my question in this post and gave us some ideas to write about this month. (By the way, we're still open to additional thoughts; let us hear from you!) This post will give you a picture of our Lord's Day activities.
Sundays are always special because we get to see our church family again, and we love it when it's our week to host the meeting at our home. However, it can be quite a busy Saturday evening and Sunday morning getting last minute things together: extra chairs arranged; hymns picked out; communion bread made and put in the oven; plates, utensils, and communion cups gathered; food prepared for the main meal; the home readied for guests (ironing board put away--oops, please ignore it in the picture); and the dog stashed away upstairs just before folks arrive.
As folks arrive, so do the coolers. Welcome everyone! Each family helps out by contributing to the meal each Sunday, and the food is always delicious!
We enjoy singing hymns a capella or along with midi piano files from the computer or occasionally with guitar on a couple of songs. We especially enjoy Anna playing piano when our fellowship meets at her family's home.
After prayer requests and a time of prayer, today's teaching was a continuation of Ephesians 6:18-20.
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds; that in this I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."
Communion follows the time of teaching (a previous post is here). And then we chow down! The food for today: Lasagna, both sausage and beef, (almost all gone when I remembered a picture!), Garden Salad, Roasted Garlic Bread, and Sarah's Cheesecake for dessert.
A time of fellowship at the nook table follows lunch, and there's play time for the children, too. Some Sundays we will gather outside and play lawn games.
And likewise...a time of guy talk in the dining room. We are very thankful for the Lord providing encouragement to us through interaction with the saints.
After all the families leave mid-afternoon or so, we settle in and relax a bit. And that's Sunday at our house!
~Deb
AWWW... Deb I wish so badly we could be there with you all! What a sweet time of fellowship! thanks for the post...so far so good getting one in everyday! :)
Posted by: Chris O'Dorisio | Sunday, June 07, 2009 at 07:55 PM
We always enjoy the teaching and the fellowship with our family--YOU ALL! We are truly blessed to be a part of SVHF.
BTW, what a great picture of Tom and Hannah!
Posted by: Leslie From VA | Sunday, June 07, 2009 at 08:01 PM
Thanks so much for posting this Deb. You all are so blessed to be part of such a good fellowship. Do you have communion every week? My husband strongly believes in that but we haven't been able to find a like-minded church that does.
Thanks again for sharing this very encouraging post.
Victoria
Posted by: Victoria | Sunday, June 07, 2009 at 09:42 PM
I enjoy seeing how you all do your home church. It's both inspiring and encouraging. I really enjoy checking in on you all. I know you all are quite busy with crafts, keeping home, preparing hope chests, and keeping up with family and friends...checking your blog regularly makes me 'feel' like I am part of your circle of aquaintances. We have e-mailed back and forth a little so you hopefully this makes sence. *smile* Any ways, the updates on your family and friends visits are most welcome, and the crafts and home making in their time as well. *smile* I just thank you for keeping up with your blog. I wish you all the best in your blog-o-thon this month. Remember when you did a color thing? That was pretty neat. *smile* Blessings.-me-(Mommy of two little blessings)
Posted by: Mommy of two little blessings | Monday, June 08, 2009 at 12:42 AM
I almost got tired after reading your post.Sounds exciting and special for everyone involved.
Posted by: Tammy | Monday, June 08, 2009 at 07:13 AM
Much love and Many Blessings to our sweet friends...we are doing well...just waiting for our sweet baby girl to arrive. She should be here in the next few weeks!! Send our love to everyone. We'll send you pictures when she comes!!
Posted by: Leigha Wood | Monday, June 08, 2009 at 01:02 PM
Hi Vicky, I'm just remembering that I was going to answer your question in the comment section in addition to the email I sent you in case other folks had the same question.
Yes, we do have communion each Sunday. The host family makes the one loaf each week for each dad to break off for his family and share. The host family also supplies the juice that we share.
Posted by: Deb | Sunday, June 14, 2009 at 09:58 PM