Sacred Space: A Resource for Small-group Ministry

Transcription

1 Sacred Space: A Resource for Small-group Ministry Year B Focus: Ordinary Time Scripture: John 6:51 58 NRSV Gathering Welcome Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly. Light the peace candle. Creator of all, We give thanks for your presence in our lives and in the world. May we recognize that we are called to carry your peace into all the corners of the world. May we light the candles of peace and venture forth as peace-bearers. May the darkness of violence be overcome with your light. May the storms of anger and hatred be quelled by your light. May the shadows of greed be dispelled by your light. May our lives be given in service to the light of your peace. Amen. Spiritual Practice Confession The practice of confession is to examine one s heart and to bring into the light those things that hide in the dark recesses of our being. In this way we can give them to God, ask forgiveness, and be made new in God s mercy and grace. Place your hands in your lap, palms facing up in a posture of openness.

2 I will read the adapted psalm and prayer in three sections, pausing after each reading. In the moments of silence reflect on those things you wish to bring into the light and give to God in an act of confession and repentance. I will close the last period of silence with an Amen. Today s scripture and prayer of confession is adapted from Psalm 111: Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. Full of honor and majesty is the Lord s work, and righteousness endures forever. The Lord has gained renown by wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful. Lord, have mercy on us when we do not extend grace to others. The Lord provides food for those in awe; and is ever mindful of the holy covenant. The people have seen the power of the Lord. The Lord has given them the heritage of the nations. The works of the Lord s hands are faithful and just; all the Lord s precepts are trustworthy. They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. Lord, forgive us in our complacency, when we ignore injustice and overlook the suffering of others. The Lord sent redemption to the people; and has commanded the Lord s covenant forever. Holy and awesome is the Lord s name. Awe of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever. Lord, we thank you for restoring us to wholeness through your compassion, wisdom, and grace. Amen.

3 Sharing Around the Table John 6:51 58 NRSV I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? So Jesus said to them, Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever. John s Gospel is written for insiders, Jewish disciples steeped in the rites and beliefs of the early Christian community. Because of their belief in Jesus Christ they were marginalized by the main Jewish community, their neighbors, and even families. John s Gospel is meant to deepen faith and tighten the community of disciples facing this crisis. This Gospel focuses on the rites of the church, especially the centrality of the Lord s Supper. From the first miracle of Jesus to the last moments on the cross, the Gospel is about the community being one at the table, eating a meal. The meal represents the physical ministry of Jesus in his body and the life of Jesus in his blood. Today s text can be repulsive to our sensibilities, just as it was to the first hearers of these words. However, the strong language and images the meal conjures cause one to dig deeply into the text to understand what John is trying to suggest. The commitment to eat the bread that came down from heaven in the sacramental form of Communion involves total engagement of chewing, drinking, digestion, and integrating the meal into our lives. The divine meal fuels our very living and breathing. Eating the bread and drinking the wine incarnates Jesus in us as individuals and as a community joined and bound by the Holy Spirit to serve the world. In that Spirit, we already are living eternally as part of the great cloud of witnesses that proclaims, He lives in us, and we live in him! Questions 1. How does the sacrament of the Lord s Supper strengthen the bonds of Christian community? 2. What can you do in your own preparation for Communion to uphold the Lord s Supper as the life-giving meal offered by Christ for the world? 3. How are you ingesting, living, and breathing the life of Christ?

4 Sending Generosity Statement Sharing for the common good is the spirit of Zion (Doctrine and Covenants 165:2f). We receive God s grace and generosity. The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing small-group ministries as part of your generous response. This offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple s Generous Response: Generous God, Be with each of us as we manage our time, treasure, talent, and witness. May we use all our resources in ways that express our desire to bring blessings of healing and peace into the world. May we focus our giving on your purposes, and may our hearts be aligned with your heart. Amen. Invitation to Next Meeting Closing Hymn CCS 579, Christ Be in Your Senses Closing Prayer Optional Additions Depending on Group Sacrament of the Lord s Supper Thoughts for Children

5 Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly. Light the peace candle. Creator of all, We give thanks for your presence in our lives and in the world. May we recognize that we are called to carry your peace into all the corners of the world. May we light the candles of peace and venture forth as peace-bearers. May the darkness of violence be overcome with your light. May the storms of anger and hatred be quelled by your light. May the shadows of greed be dispelled by your light. May our lives be given in service to the light of your peace. Amen.

6 Spiritual Practice Confession The practice of confession is to examine one s heart and to bring into the light those things that hide in the dark recesses of our being. In this way we can give them to God, ask forgiveness, and be made new in God s mercy and grace. Place your hands in your lap, palms facing up in a posture of openness. I will read the adapted psalm and prayer in three sections, pausing after each reading. In the moments of silence reflect on those things you wish to bring into the light and give to God in an act of confession and repentance. I will close the last period of silence with an Amen. Today s scripture and prayer of confession is adapted from Psalm 111: Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them. Full of honor and majesty is the Lord s work, and righteousness endures forever. The Lord has gained renown by wonderful deeds; the Lord is gracious and merciful. Lord, have mercy on us when we do not extend grace to others. The Lord provides food for those in awe; and is ever mindful of the holy covenant. The people have seen the power of the Lord. The Lord has given them the heritage of the nations. The works of the Lord s hands are faithful and just; all the Lord s precepts are trustworthy. They are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. Lord, forgive us in our complacency, when we ignore injustice and overlook the suffering of others. The Lord sent redemption to the people; and has commanded the Lord s covenant forever. Holy and awesome is the Lord s name. Awe of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.

7 Lord, we thank you for restoring us to wholeness through your compassion, wisdom, and grace. Amen.

8 Sharing Around the Table John 6:51 58 NRSV I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? So Jesus said to them, Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever. John s Gospel is written for insiders, Jewish disciples steeped in the rites and beliefs of the early Christian community. Because of their belief in Jesus Christ they were marginalized by the main Jewish community, their neighbors, and even families. John s Gospel is meant to deepen faith and tighten the community of disciples facing this crisis. This Gospel focuses on the rites of the church, especially the centrality of the Lord s Supper. From the first miracle of Jesus to the last moments on the cross, the Gospel is about the community being one at the table, eating a meal. The meal represents the physical ministry of Jesus in his body and the life of Jesus in his blood. Today s text can be repulsive to our sensibilities, just as it was to the first hearers of these words. However, the strong language and images the meal conjures cause one to dig deeply into the text to understand what John is trying to suggest. The commitment to eat the bread that came down from heaven in the sacramental form of Communion involves total engagement of chewing, drinking, digestion, and integrating the meal into our lives. The divine meal fuels our very living and breathing. Eating the bread and drinking the wine incarnates Jesus in us as individuals and as a community joined and bound by the Holy Spirit to serve the world. In that Spirit, we already are living eternally as part of the great cloud of witnesses that proclaims, He lives in us, and we live in him! Questions 1. How does the sacrament of the Lord s Supper strengthen the bonds of Christian community? 2. What can you do in your own preparation for Communion to uphold the Lord s Supper as the life-giving meal offered by Christ for the world? 3. How are you ingesting, living, and breathing the life of Christ?

9 Generosity Statement Sharing for the common good is the spirit of Zion (Doctrine and Covenants 165:2f). We receive God s grace and generosity. The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing small-group ministries as part of your generous response. This offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple s Generous Response: Generous God, Be with each of us as we manage our time, treasure, talent, and witness. May we use all our resources in ways that express our desire to bring blessings of healing and peace into the world. May we focus our giving on your purposes, and may our hearts be aligned with your heart. Amen.

10 Communion Statement We come together to share in the Lord s Supper as a visible witness of loving Christian fellowship and shared remembrance of Jesus Christ s death and resurrection (Doctrine and Covenants 164:4a). All committed followers of Christ are invited to partake, but no one should feel pressured to receive the emblems. We share in Communion as an expression of blessing, healing, peace, and community. In preparation let s sing from Community of Christ Sings (select one): 515, In These Moments We Remember 516, Coming Together for Wine and for Bread 521, Let Us Break Bread Together 525, Small Is the Table 528, Eat This Bread

11 Thoughts for Children Materials: crayons, paper Say: Today I brought a photo of myself with my family when I was a child. Looking at this photo brings me happy memories about the good times I have had with my family. Do: Show the photo to the children. Say: In Community of Christ we decide to be followers of Jesus and are baptized, usually when we are about 8 years old. All people who are older than 8 and have committed to follow Jesus are welcome to participate in Communion, what we call the Lord s Supper. When we take Communion and eat the bread and wine, we are sharing a memory of Jesus. It isn't a photo, but it is a way for disciples to remember what Jesus did for all the world. How can you remember Jesus? Do: Encourage children to take paper and crayons back to their seats and draw a picture (a memory) of how they can remember Jesus.