Sacred Space: A Resource for Small-group Ministry

Transcription

1 Sacred Space: A Resource for Small-group Ministry Year B Focus: All Saints Day Scripture: John 11:32 44 NRSV Gathering Welcome Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly. Light the peace candle. Faithful Redeemer, you are the beginning and ending of all things. You promise to wipe away every tear, that death and mourning will be no more. You make your home among us, and abide with us as our God. Teach us to live as the saints you call us to be, that we truly may be your people, living and doing your will, working for peace and justice, in the name of Jesus, who is the Christ. Amen. Spiritual Practice Gratitude Materials: paper, pens, or pencils. The practice of gratitude transforms our outlook and attitude into one of thanksgiving and gratefulness. We begin to recognize God s abundant Spirit at work in our lives and the world. Even when things do not go well, we are grateful God is always present. Today is All Saints Day. All Saints Day is observed in the greater Christian community as a day to remember the contributions of friends, family, congregants, community members the community of saints to the community of faith. In this way we honor those who have gone before us and reaffirm our belief in eternal life. On your paper, list people who contributed to your discipleship. These could include family members or ancestors who modeled faithfulness, spirituality, or healthy relationships; people from the scriptures, Christian history, or the history of Community of Christ whose stories have contributed to your faith journey.

2 Wait a few moments for people to write. Next to each name note how you feel about recognizing this person in your life. Wait a few moments for people to write. In silent prayer, express gratitude to God for each person you have identified. Wait a few moments for people to offer silent prayer. Close with Amen. Sharing Around the Table John 11:32 44 NRSV When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, Where have you laid him? They said to him, Lord, come and see. Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, See how he loved him! But some of them said, Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying? Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days. Jesus said to her, Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God? So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me. When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come out! The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, Unbind him, and let him go. On the day in the Christian liturgical calendar designated to remember those faithful disciples who have gone before us (All Saints Day), the story of the resurrection of Lazarus brings a message of hope. We hear from Mary, who declares in faith, if you had been here, my brother would not have died (John 11:32 NRSV). The Jews in the crowd surrounding Jesus offer a more indirect belief statement: Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying? (John 11:37 NRSV). Jesus weeps and is greatly disturbed by Lazarus death. His feelings may be motivated by his friendship with Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. He also may be feeling frustration and anger at the unbelief of those around him. Martha already has moved beyond hope. She argues the stone should not be moved from the tomb because there is a stench because he has been dead four days (John 11:39 NRSV). Jesus counters with a reminder that those who believe will see the glory of God. As the stone is moved, Jesus is heard thanking God for hearing his request. He even explains his statement was made especially for the gathered crowd so that they may believe that you sent me (John 11:42 NRSV). As Lazarus leaves the tomb, we witness the glory of God as death is defeated by life. With foreshadowing of the Easter resurrection story, we see Jesus as the resurrection and the

3 life, the Word made flesh. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live (John 11:25 NRSV). Can we embrace this in our living? On this All Saints Day, we are confronted with the authenticity of our discipleship maintaining our faith in the face of the death of so many before us. Can we profess our belief in resurrection, knowing at some point we all will die? In Community of Christ Sings 331, For All the Saints, William How s hymn text says, For all the saints, who from their labors rest, all who their faith before the world confessed, your name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia! Those faithful disciples who blessed us on our journey continue to be present in our living and thoughts, though they have passed from this Earth. We stand on their shoulders and benefit from their example. Today, we join them in the chorus, Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:21 22 IV). Questions 1. What do you think about the story of Lazarus foreshadowing the coming Easter story? 2. What constitutes authentic belief in Jesus Christ? 3. Whom do you celebrate today for helping shape your discipleship? Can you think of examples of those who lived before your lifetime who have affected your belief? 4. How have you been blessed by a heritage of believers in Jesus Christ? Sending Generosity Statement NOTE: If using Thoughts for Children today, make time for the children to share their drawings with the group before reading the scripture below. 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: God, May we be a generous people in response to your boundless grace and unending love. Bless and magnify our gifts and our service to others. Let generosity become part of our nature, we pray. Amen. Invitation to Next Meeting Closing Hymn CCS 331, For All the Saints Closing Prayer Optional Additions Depending on Group Sacrament of the Lord s Supper Thoughts for Children

4 Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly. Light the peace candle. Faithful Redeemer, you are the beginning and ending of all things. You promise to wipe away every tear, that death and mourning will be no more. You make your home among us, and abide with us as our God. Teach us to live as the saints you call us to be, that we truly may be your people, living and doing your will, working for peace and justice, in the name of Jesus, who is the Christ. Amen.

5 Spiritual Practice Gratitude Materials: paper, pens, or pencils. The practice of gratitude transforms our outlook and attitude into one of thanksgiving and gratefulness. We begin to recognize God s abundant Spirit at work in our lives and the world. Even when things do not go well, we are grateful God is always present. Today is All Saints Day. All Saints Day is observed in the greater Christian community as a day to remember the contributions of friends, family, congregants, community members the community of saints to the community of faith. In this way we honor those who have gone before us and reaffirm our belief in eternal life. On your paper, list people who contributed to your discipleship. These could include family members or ancestors who modeled faithfulness, spirituality, or healthy relationships; people from the scriptures, Christian history, or the history of Community of Christ whose stories have contributed to your faith journey. Wait a few moments for people to write. Next to each name note how you feel about recognizing this person in your life. Wait a few moments for people to write. In silent prayer, express gratitude to God for each person you have identified. Wait a few moments for people to offer silent prayer. Close with Amen.

6 Sharing Around the Table John 11:32 44 NRSV When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, Where have you laid him? They said to him, Lord, come and see. Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, See how he loved him! But some of them said, Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying? Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, Take away the stone. Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead four days. Jesus said to her, Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God? So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upward and said, Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me. When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come out! The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, Unbind him, and let him go. On the day in the Christian liturgical calendar designated to remember those faithful disciples who have gone before us (All Saints Day), the story of the resurrection of Lazarus brings a message of hope. We hear from Mary, who declares in faith, if you had been here, my brother would not have died (John 11:32 NRSV). The Jews in the crowd surrounding Jesus offer a more indirect belief statement: Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying? (John 11:37 NRSV). Jesus weeps and is greatly disturbed by Lazarus death. His feelings may be motivated by his friendship with Lazarus, Mary, and Martha. He also may be feeling frustration and anger at the unbelief of those around him. Martha already has moved beyond hope. She argues the stone should not be moved from the tomb because there is a stench because he has been dead four days (John 11:39 NRSV). Jesus counters with a reminder that those who believe will see the glory of God. As the stone is moved, Jesus is heard thanking God for hearing his request. He even explains his statement was made especially for the gathered crowd so that they may believe that you sent me (John 11:42 NRSV). As Lazarus leaves the tomb, we witness the glory of God as death is defeated by life. With foreshadowing of the Easter resurrection story, we see Jesus as the resurrection and the life, the Word made flesh. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live (John 11:25 NRSV). Can we embrace this in our living? On this All Saints Day, we are confronted with the authenticity of our discipleship maintaining our faith in the face of the death of so many before us. Can we profess our belief in resurrection, knowing at some point we all will die? In Community of Christ Sings 331, For All the Saints, William How s hymn text says, For all the saints, who from their labors rest, all who their faith before the world confessed, your name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia!

7 Those faithful disciples who blessed us on our journey continue to be present in our living and thoughts, though they have passed from this Earth. We stand on their shoulders and benefit from their example. Today, we join them in the chorus, Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:21 22 IV). Questions 1. What do you think about the story of Lazarus foreshadowing the coming Easter story? 2. What constitutes authentic belief in Jesus Christ? 3. Whom do you celebrate today for helping shape your discipleship? Can you think of examples of those who lived before your lifetime who have affected your belief? 4. How have you been blessed by a heritage of believers in Jesus Christ?

8 Generosity Statement NOTE: If using Thoughts for Children today, make time for the children to share their drawings with the group before reading the scripture below. 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: God, May we be a generous people in response to your boundless grace and unending love. Bless and magnify our gifts and our service to others. Let generosity become part of our nature, we pray. Amen.

9 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

10 Thoughts for Children Materials: paper, colors, snacks. The story of Lazarus reminds us God is ever creating, renewing, bringing us to new life. Spring also reminds us of the renewing power of God s creation. Invite participants to imagine themselves as a young tree, and to stand with plenty of space around them. Share these instructions: Stretch out as a full tree. Your roots deep in the ground give you strength. Your branches and leaves reach to the sun. It was fall when your leaves turned from green to red, tan, or orange and then flew away in the blustery winds. It was winter when the storms came. Snow covered your branches, yet your strong trunk kept you from breaking. Your roots store nutrients to form next year s stem, leaves, and seeds. So now, when the spring comes, your roots move again, reaching deep into the earth. Your trunk grows strong, and your branches stretch to the sun, growing new twigs, flowers, fruit, and leaves. Gently sway in the summer breeze and feel how firmly you re rooted in the earth. You absorb energy from sunlight and water through your stretching roots. Life is good, and you bring shade, food, beauty, and nurture to all who see and depend on you. You are raised to new life! Play Tree Song by Ken Medema or Seed Wisdom by Dave Heinz, available on itunes, or sing The Trees of the Field, (CCS 645) while the children stretch and pretend to be trees. Ask the children to take a paper and colors to their seat and draw a picture of their favorite tree. We will share their drawings later. Distribute paper, colors, and snacks to the children and invite them to sit down. NOTE: Make time for children to share their drawings during the Disciples Generous Response.