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 7:1 8, 12 15, NRSV Gathering Welcome Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly. Light the peace candle. Both readers: Gracious and loving God, as we gather to worship you today, Reader 1: We remember your wish to bless all of your creation. Reader 2: So, we pray for the power of your peace to be freed in the world. Reader 1: Remembering that you came to us as a defenseless baby keeps us centered in the peace you bring. Reader 2: In our prayer for peace today we seek your clarity and courage; Reader 1: Clarity to recognize injustice against the most helpless in our society, Reader 2: And courage to act on their behalf. Reader 1: Help us to challenge the systems within our influence Reader 2: That value the wealth of some over the health and safety of the most vulnerable. Both readers: God, you showed us your love. Reader 1: In Christ s life, ministry, and death, we begin to take in the depths of your compassion, Reader 2: And we know you understand the pain and hope each one here feels. Reader 1: We pray for those nearby and far away whose home is the street and whose constant companions are need and fear. Reader 2: We pray for those whose innocence has been compromised by greed or neglect. Reader 1: We pray for those whose conscience has been crippled by racism, hate, or wealth; Reader 2: For those whose eyes have been blinded and hearts hardened by excess, by harm, or by ego. Both readers: We ask your Spirit s nearness when we fail or stumble as we try to uphold each one as a child of yours.

2 Reader 1: Reader 2: Reader 1: Reader 2: We need your presence so we will not be discouraged in our efforts Or lose sight of the ways your love connects us to one another. We believe your kingdom is a place where each person can know worth to you and to the world as a whole. Guide us individually and as a body as we strive to create a space for your kingdom among us. Both readers: We offer this prayer to you, that Christ s way might more fully become our way. Charmaine Chvala-Smith, adapted 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. On your paper, list those things that are abundant in your life (friends, family, laughter, belongings, ideas, tasks). Wait a few moments for people to write. Next to each listing note how you feel about having this abundance in your life. Wait a few moments for people to write. In silent prayer, express gratitude to God for each thing you have identified. Wait a few moments for people to offer silent prayer. Close with Amen. Sharing Around the Table Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, NRSV Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands? He said to them, Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines. You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.

3 Then he called the crowd again and said to them, Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile. For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person. When the scribes and Pharisees accused the disciples of eating with unwashed hands Jesus countered by asking them to examine the state of their hearts. The things that come out (actions, words, choices) are what defile, not what goes into a person. Jesus, as an observant Jew himself, would have known and followed these customs of ritual washings He was not criticizing the importance of traditions, but he was concerned about the spirit in which traditions were enforced, missing the greater point of reverence in relationship to God. There is also a more nuanced conversation happening in today s text about inclusion and exclusion. Unclean also refers to Gentiles, who were excluded from the Jewish community because they did not follow Jewish customs. Similarly, it was often the poor who could not follow tradition strictly because of a lack of proper resources. Jesus stands on the side of the oppressed and marginalized when he criticizes tradition for the sake of tradition, which misses the point and excludes others with whom God wants to be in relationship. Tradition is not inherently bad, but when it hinders one s ability to be in right relationship with others, strict adherence deserves a serious evaluation. This leaves us, as Christians, with a similar question. Do we judge others because of what we think they should be doing when we lack sincerity within ourselves? Jesus continues to show in this text an ability to cut to the heart of ideas, and he challenge us with what matters most. The depth and quality of what is going on within, in the state of our spiritual lives, makes a difference as we live our faith in a complex world. Questions 1. How has ritual or tradition been important to you? 2. Have you ever experienced a ritual or tradition that excluded you or someone else? 3. Have you ever caught yourself being hypocritical? Perhaps judging someone else and ignoring your own flaws? 4. How is God inviting you to go deeper and give honor with all your actions, choices, traditions, and your heart? 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

4 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 289, Friend of the Streetwalker 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. Both readers: Gracious and loving God, as we gather to worship you today, Reader 1: We remember your wish to bless all of your creation. Reader 2: So, we pray for the power of your peace to be freed in the world. Reader 1: Remembering that you came to us as a defenseless baby keeps us centered in the peace you bring. Reader 2: In our prayer for peace today we seek your clarity and courage; Reader 1: Clarity to recognize injustice against the most helpless in our society, Reader 2: And courage to act on their behalf. Reader 1: Help us to challenge the systems within our influence Reader 2: That value the wealth of some over the health and safety of the most vulnerable. Both readers: God, you showed us your love. Reader 1: In Christ s life, ministry, and death, we begin to take in the depths of your compassion, Reader 2: And we know you understand the pain and hope each one here feels. Reader 1: We pray for those nearby and far away whose home is the street and whose constant companions are need and fear. Reader 2: We pray for those whose innocence has been compromised by greed or neglect. Reader 1: We pray for those whose conscience has been crippled by racism, hate, or wealth; Reader 2: For those whose eyes have been blinded and hearts hardened by excess, by harm, or by ego. Both readers: We ask your Spirit s nearness when we fail or stumble as we try to uphold each one as a child of yours. Reader 1: We need your presence so we will not be discouraged in our efforts Reader 2: Or lose sight of the ways your love connects us to one another. Reader 1: We believe your kingdom is a place where each person can know worth to you and to the world as a whole. Reader 2: Guide us individually and as a body as we strive to create a space for your kingdom among us. Both readers: We offer this prayer to you, that Christ s way might more fully become our way. Charmaine Chvala-Smith, adapted

6 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. On your paper, list those things that are abundant in your life (friends, family, laughter, belongings, ideas, tasks). Wait a few moments for people to write. Next to each listing note how you feel about having this abundance in your life. Wait a few moments for people to write. In silent prayer, express gratitude to God for each thing you have identified. Wait a few moments for people to offer silent prayer. Close with Amen.

7 Sharing Around the Table Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, NRSV Now when the Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem gathered around him, they noticed that some of his disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. (For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they thoroughly wash their hands, thus observing the tradition of the elders; and they do not eat anything from the market unless they wash it; and there are also many other traditions that they observe, the washing of cups, pots, and bronze kettles.) So the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands? He said to them, Isaiah prophesied rightly about you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines. You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition. Then he called the crowd again and said to them, Listen to me, all of you, and understand: there is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile. For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person. When the scribes and Pharisees accused the disciples of eating with unwashed hands Jesus countered by asking them to examine the state of their hearts. The things that come out (actions, words, choices) are what defile, not what goes into a person. Jesus, as an observant Jew himself, would have known and followed these customs of ritual washings He was not criticizing the importance of traditions, but he was concerned about the spirit in which traditions were enforced, missing the greater point of reverence in relationship to God. There is also a more nuanced conversation happening in today s text about inclusion and exclusion. Unclean also refers to Gentiles, who were excluded from the Jewish community because they did not follow Jewish customs. Similarly, it was often the poor who could not follow tradition strictly because of a lack of proper resources. Jesus stands on the side of the oppressed and marginalized when he criticizes tradition for the sake of tradition, which misses the point and excludes others with whom God wants to be in relationship. Tradition is not inherently bad, but when it hinders one s ability to be in right relationship with others, strict adherence deserves a serious evaluation. This leaves us, as Christians, with a similar question. Do we judge others because of what we think they should be doing when we lack sincerity within ourselves? Jesus continues to show in this text an ability to cut to the heart of ideas, and he challenge us with what matters most. The depth and quality of what is going on within, in the state of our spiritual lives, makes a difference as we live our faith in a complex world.

8 Questions 1. How has ritual or tradition been important to you? 2. Have you ever experienced a ritual or tradition that excluded you or someone else? 3. Have you ever caught yourself being hypocritical? Perhaps judging someone else and ignoring your own flaws? 4. How is God inviting you to go deeper and give honor with all your actions, choices, traditions, and your heart?

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: compass Show the compass to the children. Explain the four directions: north, south, east, and west. Many people of the world have a tradition of offering prayers in the four directions: north, south, east, west. We will pray in the four directions as a way to include the whole creation in our prayer. As I pray, we will stand and face in each direction. Facing North Lord we pray that the traditions of our faith would not become more important to us that your presence. Facing West Lord, Remind us to not judge others but to act in ways of kindness and compassion. Facing South Lord, May our actions, words, and choices reflect your love in the world. Facing East Lord, We thank you each day for the generous gift of your grace. Amen.