Familial & Familiar - Support in a Certain Light (Focus 1 of 4)

What's the most unique family tradition you've ever heard of?

(Maybe, for example, you've heard of a family that refuses to eat any popcorn at the movie theater until the actual, feature presentation has begun...)

Now that you've answered the icebreaker question, here's another question to think about - this one about the word family and why we use it.

Hit play on the video below to get started.

See what this Spotlight—and series— is focused on.
Tap on the words "Focus 1" in the image below to read this Spotlight's summary.

With all that in mind, here's a prayer to close this Welcome section and get you rolling:

Lord,
You make people members of your family
with a love that we were meant to need and know.
Help us share this same love with one another
and with those who are desperate for it.
Amen.

Begin with this song about belonging. You can follow along with the lyrics using the arrows below the video.

Consider what it means for family when we say that "blood runs thicker than water." 

Feel free to submit a prayer request by filling out the below form.
(If you choose to make your request public, you'll see it display in the Current at the end of the Spotlight along with anyone else who did the same.)

Pray through your requests—together—as a group.
After submitting your requests in the above form, take some time to share with your group whatever requests the group might have for this week.

Meditate on this song of sad parting.

Blest Be the Tie That Binds is a hymn that’s often used when saying goodbye—but it’s really about wanting to stay together.

Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love.
The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.

Rev. John Fawcett wrote these words to be sung right after his farewell sermon from a quaint little church in northern England. Fawcett had accepted an opportunity to serve a larger, wealthier church in London—his family’s bags were packed and loaded—all that was left was the final church service with the old congregation.

But as the service ended, John Fawcett and his wife, Mary, couldn’t leave.

As the story goes:
Mary is quoted as saying, “I can’t stand it, John! I know not how to go.”
John responded, “Lord help me Mary, nor can I stand it! We will unload the wagon…
 [To the crowd], We’ve changed our minds! We are going to stay!”
- History of Hymns

Listen now to the words that Fawcett wrote to thank and praise God for making those kinds of feelings—feelings of love and commitment and a desire to be together—possible. (While you listen, navigate through the song's lyrics below the video player.)

Let's wrap things up by taking a look at what's Current at Illume.
Tap on the buttons in the frame below to see what’s currently happening at Illume—information on everything from current and upcoming online content to live events and opportunities to serve in the community can all be found here.