During the two COVID shutdowns in our province, when we couldn’t gather in our church building for worship, my family live-streamed a worship service from our living room. Last year we did it live on Facebook and this year we’ve been going live on YouTube. We’ve been calling it “Homemade Worship.” We play songs, say prayers, read Scripture, and share a message of biblical truth to teach and encourage those who watch.
One of the blessings of “Homemade Worship” is having everyone in our family play an instrument. My wife usually plays piano or ukulele. Our boys often play various percussion instruments, like the cajon, boom-whackers, and egg shakers. One of our sons sometimes plays a little bit of violin. Our daughter will alternate between boom-whackers and ukulele. I play guitar (more or less). Dogs occasionally bark.
Tomorrow (Sunday, June 20) may well be the last time we have “Homemade Worship.” The COVID guidelines have changed and we will be returning to our building as a congregation the following week. When we do, we will take a little bit of “Homemade Worship” with us since we will bring a bunch of our instruments to the church with us.
And, honestly, it’s been our times of lockdown that got us playing together more as a family at home and at church. I’ve really enjoyed it. Practices aren’t always smooth. There are occasional creative differences. Not everyone brings the needed enthusiasm each time. In the end it more or less comes together. While never perfect, being able to do this as a family has been music to my ears.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
Published by Derek Melanson
Greetings!
The most important thing about me is not first and foremost about me. It’s about the person of Jesus. I receive my identity, my purpose, and my very breath and life from Jesus. Colossians 1:16 says it well. Speaking of Jesus, there the apostle Paul writes, “All things have been made through him and for him.” Who I am, I am because of who he is. And because through him I have been reconciled to God, I now live to orient my life around him. I don’t always do this very well. So I’m grateful for the good news of God’s forgiveness.
Since August 2002 I have been married to a beautiful, wonderful Christian woman. Because of her, my life has been much more of an adventure than it would otherwise have been. She’s loving, smart, funny, determined, and real. Being her husband is a privilege and a joy.
And our joy has multiplied. We have three children. One girl and twin boys. They’re fun, silly, energetic, smart, and exhausting. All unique individuals, they keep us on our toes. Thanks to them, our home is filled with a lot of laughter.
We also have two dogs: a 10-year old mixed poodle-terrier named Sneaker and a 1-year old yorkie named Izzy.
On top of all this, God has also called me to be a pastor. Our church is a small, rural church filled with loving, faithful people. Working with them to live out the good news of God is a great gift.
What else? Well, I happen to like the following things (in no particular order of favourites): playing guitar, writing (obviously!), reading (theology, classic fiction), a variety of movies and TV shows but especially those in the sci-fi/adventure/fantasy/super-hero genres, Dairy Queen Chocolate Extreme Blizzards, buffalo wings, salsa, Doc Martens, Grip6 belts, and Birkenstock sandals. I love my children’s laughter and my wife’s smile. And I love that God — in his abundant grace — allows me to enjoy any of these things.
There. Now you really know me.
I hope you enjoy and get something out of reading my blog. I’d love it if you made some comments on a post or two. Normally, I usually post several times a week. Though occasionally I can go as long as a week or more without doing so. Fear not! I will post again!
Peace,
Pastor Derek
View all posts by Derek Melanson
grace notes 
“Homemade Worship” sounds like it has been a lot of fun! And it’s nice to hear a “Romans 8:28” story about the pandemic. But I am happy to hear that you will be able to return to in person worship. There’s nothing quite like it!
Definitely. My hope and prayer is that we won’t have to have another lockdown. Things are certainly looking up where we are.
Glad to hear our Worship Services will soon be starting up again. Amen