Make Yourself at Home in My Love - Gathering Reflection

by: Chloe Axford

This worship idea is designed to be used near the beginning of a service, perhaps after the first song and afterwards leading into a longer worship set. It is all about encouraging people to feel 'at home' and truly welcome in church and to spend time 'at home' with God during the rest of the week.

Set up:

Place one of the "Make yourself at home" sheets and a teabag on every chair before the service.

Service/Worship leader script:

Welcome into the house of the Lord. Today's worship is based on John chapter 15 and is about making ourselves at home with God.
Think about what "making yourself at home with God" means to you.
Is it making a cup of tea and sitting down at the kitchen table to have a nice chat?
Is it kicking your shoes off and curling up on the sofa in front of the fire?
Is it going for a stroll in the garden or having a kick about on the lawn?
Is it opening a beer and settling down to watch the football?
It says in the bible, in John chapter 15, that Jesus WANTS us to feel at home with him - these verses are from the Message version:

"I am the vine, you are the branches ... if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon." (John 15:5,7)

He is waiting for us to spend time with him:
"Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you." ( John 15:4)

"I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love."
( John 15:9)

On your chair is a tea bag and an invitation, with these verses on, to make yourself at home in God's love. At some point during the week I'd encourage you to use the tea bag to make a cup of tea, take a break and sit down to spend some time with God.
In a moment we're going to continue worshipping God through song, but first I want you to close your eyes and imagine yourself 'at home' having a chat with God right now. Tell him about all the things that are on your mind right now - all the things that may be stopping you relaxing in his presence and concentrating on what he wants to say to you. [pause]

[prayer]
Lord I pray that you will release all of us right now from anything that is holding us back from making ourselves at home in your presence and praising you. Amen.
We're going to sing again, make yourself at home as you do , feel free to stand or sit, dance or kneel, sing or just spend some time talking to God.

Comments

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This activity got me thinking because the Message translations here are different to the NIV, with which I am more familiar. A quick bit of research showed that the word translated as 'rooms' in 14:2 and 'home'in 14:23 is the noun derived from the verb which the NIV translates as 'remain' 11 times in John 15:1-10. So thank you for pointing out something which I'd missed in John 15.

James - 2:27am - 20 Jul 2012

I am so excited about this webpage. I have just been nominated to the worship team and these are the kinds of new and creative ways that our team is wanting to do to begin our worship time with God before the sermon. Thank you all for your contributions and ideas.

Jill - 9:31am - 29 Dec 2012

A very fine introductory message to ponder on. Thank you Chloe

Ingeburg - 3:45am - 19 Apr 2019

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Tags

Themes: Love, Welcome

Function: Corporate Worship Idea, Gathering, Call To Worship

Bible Refs: John 15:4-9

Lectionary Week(s):
Fifth Sunday of Easter (Year B)
Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year B)

You Will Need

Enough teabags for every person present
(the type of tea you use is up to you though if you're feeling extravagant there
is a brand called "Love Tea", which seems apt!).

Enough print outs of the "Make yourself at home"
sheet for every member of the congregation.
A5 size works well for this.

Resources

Make Yourself At Home script PDF

Make Yourself At Home sheets PDF

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About the Author

Chloe Axford

Chloe Axford lives in Devon with her husband Nick and two kids. She is the Communications and Engagement Director for the Diocese of Exeter and a Licensed Lay Minister (LLM) in a multi-parish mission community on Dartmoor. She previously worked for ITN and the BBC as a broadcast journalist, as well as spending two years working in creative arts ministry at a church in London. Her passion is for creative, engaging and culturally-relevant worship. She has never written a book, but lives in hope of one day having time to write one, so she can be invited to speak at conferences for free!

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