Sacred Space: A Resource for Small-group Ministry

Transcription

1 Sacred Space: A Resource for Small-group Ministry Year B Focus: Ordinary Time Scripture: Mark 6:1 13 NRSV Gathering Welcome Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly. Light the peace candle. Creator and Sustainer, We are so weary of war, terrorism, and contention. We long for peace in every part of our world in every aspect of our lives. We pray for your presence in our hearts, guiding us to efforts that will lead us to a more peaceful and a more perfect understanding. In the name of your Son, the Prince of Peace, we pray for the coming of his kingdom as peace fills the Earth. Amen. Spiritual Practice Unity Unity in Diversity is an Enduring Principle that expresses the diverse nature of the church and our commitment to live our common Christian discipleship as one community. We develop relationships that cross borders, cultures, traditions, and languages. As we read in Roman 12:15, we rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Think about the past year. When have you rejoiced? Who rejoiced with you? When did you weep? Who wept with you? Spend a moment in silent prayer, thanking God for those who rejoiced and wept with you. Again, think about the past year. With whom did you rejoice when they shared their joy with you? With whom did you weep when they shared their burden with you? Spend a moment in silent prayer, thanking God for the opportunity to experience joy and sorrow in unity with others. Invite any who wish to share reflections on the spiritual practice of unity.

2 Sharing Around the Table Mark 6:1 13 NRSV He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us? And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house. And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them. So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. The people in Jesus hometown took offense because they felt Jesus was presuming to be more than he ought to be by their standards. Their inability to see beyond societal expectations and into the depth of his message kept Jesus from performing deeds of power in his hometown. The struggle of discerning his mission within the context of his friends, family, society, and background reminds us that responding to God s call didn t come without a cost for Jesus. Yet he believed in his call and extended it to others. Jesus commissioned 12 followers to join him in proclaiming the coming of God s kingdom. They were to rely on the hospitality of others and serve as forerunners in his stead. They become partners in ministry and mission. This passage compares two responses to the mission of Jesus. First, his family, relatives, and lifelong friends are unbelieving and offended by Jesus actions. They close themselves off to the possibility of redemptive work among them. In contrast, the 12 disciples believe in the mission of Jesus. They depend on others to sustain them as they go out to offer the healing, reconciling ministry of Jesus. Questions 1. How have you felt Christ s call to serve? 2. How has God provided sustenance when you have responded to the call to walk with, care for, or share with others? 3. What aspect of healing, peace, or good news have you experienced that you share with others?

3 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: Covenant God, As we navigate our world of debt and consumerism, help us to save wisely. In this way may we better prepare for the future and create a better tomorrow for our families, friends, the mission of Christ, and the world. Amen. Invitation to Next Meeting Closing Hymn CCS 582, You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore 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. Creator and Sustainer, We are so weary of war, terrorism, and contention. We long for peace in every part of our world in every aspect of our lives. We pray for your presence in our hearts, guiding us to efforts that will lead us to a more peaceful and a more perfect understanding. In the name of your Son, the Prince of Peace, we pray for the coming of his kingdom as peace fills the Earth. Amen.

5 Spiritual Practice Unity Unity in Diversity is an Enduring Principle that expresses the diverse nature of the church and our commitment to live our common Christian discipleship as one community. We develop relationships that cross borders, cultures, traditions, and languages. As we read in Roman 12:15, we rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Think about the past year. When have you rejoiced? Who rejoiced with you? When did you weep? Who wept with you? Spend a moment in silent prayer, thanking God for those who rejoiced and wept with you. Again, think about the past year. With whom did you rejoice when they shared their joy with you? With whom did you weep when they shared their burden with you? Spend a moment in silent prayer, thanking God for the opportunity to experience joy and sorrow in unity with others. Invite any who wish to share reflections on the spiritual practice of unity.

6 Sharing Around the Table Mark 6:1 13 NRSV He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us? And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house. And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them. So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. The people in Jesus hometown took offense because they felt Jesus was presuming to be more than he ought to be by their standards. Their inability to see beyond societal expectations and into the depth of his message kept Jesus from performing deeds of power in his hometown. The struggle of discerning his mission within the context of his friends, family, society, and background reminds us that responding to God s call didn t come without a cost for Jesus. Yet he believed in his call and extended it to others. Jesus commissioned 12 followers to join him in proclaiming the coming of God s kingdom. They were to rely on the hospitality of others and serve as forerunners in his stead. They become partners in ministry and mission. This passage compares two responses to the mission of Jesus. First, his family, relatives, and lifelong friends are unbelieving and offended by Jesus actions. They close themselves off to the possibility of redemptive work among them. In contrast, the 12 disciples believe in the mission of Jesus. They depend on others to sustain them as they go out to offer the healing, reconciling ministry of Jesus. Questions 1. How have you felt Christ s call to serve? 2. How has God provided sustenance when you have responded to the call to walk with, care for, or share with others? 3. What aspect of healing, peace, or good news have you experienced that you share with others?

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8 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: Covenant God, As we navigate our world of debt and consumerism, help us to save wisely. In this way may we better prepare for the future and create a better tomorrow for our families, friends, the mission of Christ, and the world. 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, crayons, color pencils, washable markers Jesus sends us to share our stories of how we have encountered the joy, hope, love, and peace of Jesus in our lives. Provide paper and crayons. Encourage children to think about a time when they felt loved by a member of their family, someone in their congregation, or by a friend at school. Ask them to draw a picture of that person or experience. Encourage children to share their drawings with the group to remind everyone of the impact of sharing the joy, hope, love, and peace of Jesus. Thank the children and provide extra paper so they may continue drawing.