Family Chapel August 6, 2020 (Final Summer) | 5:30PM Via Zoom

St. Elisabeth's Family Chapel August 6, 2020 (final summer) | 5:30PM via Zoom

Opening Song - This is the Day This is the day, that the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Gathering Prayer After the opening song, a prayer is offered.

Context - Conversation

We make family. Family is made by us. I wonder if there are people you consider family who are not a part of your "blood" family.

In the Book of Ruth, you will meet a family of four from Bethlehem. Naomi is the mother. Elimelech is the father. They have 2 sons, Mahlon and Chilon. The family moves to find food. Naomi’s sons grow up and marry Ruth and Orpah. Life gets hard. It is full of loss. They are sad. Naomi and Ruth stick together and create a new family.

Naomi and Ruth

Namoi lived in the country of Moab with her two sons and their wives, Orpah and Ruth. One sad day, Naomi’s sons died. Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah didn’t know what to do! They didn’t have any food or money of their own. The three women decided to make the long journey back to Naomi’s home country of Judah.

But Naomi realized Judah would be a strange, faraway land to Orpah and Ruth. “Go back to your families,” she told them. “May God bless you with new husbands.” Orpah kissed Naomi and went back to her family.

But Ruth grabbed Namoi’s hand. “I won’t leave you!” she said to Naomi. No matter what Naomi said, Ruth would not leave.

Smiling, Ruth assured Naomi, “Where you go, I will go. Where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.”

Together, Ruth and Naomi traveled to Judah.

Video

Group Reflection How are Ruth and Naomi related? Naomi went back to Bethlehem to find her family when her husband and sons had died. Who went along with her? Why? God is not mentioned in this story. How is God present in our lives even when we don’t say God’s name? Ruth and Naomi loved and took care of each other. What do families do for each other? I wonder how you show love to your family.

Hymn Learn - Wherever you may go

Wherever you may go I will follow, and your people shall be my people too.

Wherever you may go I will follow, for I would be faithful, loyal and true.

Prayers The group offers up petitions and thanksgivings.

Prayer Song - O Lord, Hear My Prayer Come in your fullness. | We bring our longings. Life-giving God, hear our prayers. NAOMI AND RUTH

Naomi and Ruth’s lives changed when their family members died. In the space above, write some big changes that could happen.

Holy Moly Coloring Page. ©2014 sparkhouse. May be reproduced for local use only. Naomi and Ruth Ruth 1 Take a Look About the Video Here are some of the people and things in Ruth and Naomi had a strong bond. today’s story. What can your child tell you Unusual in Bible times, these two about them? women chose to stay together as family, even when their common relative died (Naomi’s son was Ruth’s husband). After Naomi lost her Ruth and Naomi continued the bonds of husband and two sons, family, even though they were not blood she was an Israelite relatives. widow living in a foreign • Why were Ruth, Naomi, and Orpah so country where her family sad? had moved to survive a • What do you think happened next to famine. Ruth and Naomi? • Who is a family member you admire a After Naomi’s sons and husband died, Ruth refused to leave lot? Why? Naomi decided to return to Judah, her her mother-in-law’s side. homeland. She told her two daughters- She vowed that Naomi’s Try This! in-law, Ruth and Orpah, to return to people would be her Think of a friend who is just like family. their own families. Orpah left, but Ruth people, and Naomi’s God, Reach out to him or her this week. Offer refused to leave Naomi. The two women her God (Ruth 1:16). a dinner invitation, buy a present, or traveled together to Judah to start a make a card. Celebrate your bond of new life together. friendship that’s just as important as family. Orpah was Ruth’s sister-in-law and Prayer chose to return to her Dear God, thank you for loving us people in Moab. always and for giving us families and friends to love. Amen!