This is part of the worship series,
"August Adventures”
Series Introduction
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4
WEEK 3
FAMILY SUNDAY
Family Sunday offers a rich array of possibilities for creativity in outreach. We said to the congregation, tongue-in-cheek, “You may add Family Sunday to Christmas and Easter as a time you may use guilt to get your family to church!” It’s a way of using what the late Donald McGavran called “the bridges of God”—natural human relationships—to widen the circle of God’s love in Christ.
Most people have family members who are not committed to Christ and/or the church. Encourage families to have brunch before church or dinner afterwards. Allow reserved pews for one Sunday. We honored the family with the most persons present by giving each family member a potted mum. You’ll also want to be sensitive to single members and those who live far from their families. Perhaps you could encourage some creative “adoption” for this Sunday.
Prayer of Confession
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
—Psalm 51:1-2, 10 NIV
Assurance of Pardon
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.
—Psalm 51:17 NIV
Scripture
1 Samuel 25:39–44; Acts 16:25–34
Sermon Notes: “David and Abigail”
David was a role model in many ways. Family life was not one of them, at least for the most part. This text and sermon afford opportunities to highlight, as Scripture does, the human side of David. Much about the story of David and Abigail is troubling. A surly, mean, and wealthy drunkard is married to an intelligent, beautiful, and spiritual woman. Nabal’s sense of fairness and hospitality are nil; only his quick-thinking, quick-acting wife spares his life. This is the one time that David’s weakness for beautiful women was an asset, because he listened to Abigail. She did the right thing, sparing her husband’s life and stopping David from violent vengeance. There are important lessons for human relationships in this story, even if many of them are given by way of negative example.
Song Suggestions
“Rejoice, O Pure in Heart” Plumptre
“Though I May Speak” Hopson
“Now Thank We All Our God” Rinckart
“O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee” Gladden
“He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” Whole World
“Pues si vivimos/When We Are Living” Anon
“Faithful Family” Cooney
Benediction
Let those who take refuge in the Lord be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
May God spread his protection over you.
that all who love God’s name may rejoice.
Surely God blesses the righteous
and surrounds them with his favor.
—based on Psalm 5:11–12
Commitment Response
The bulletin insert for Family Sunday listed various family ministries in the church, and also offered other suggestions for families:
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Revised Common Lectionary
Year C: Easter—Seventh Sunday of Easter
