Sacred Space: A Resource for Small-group Ministry

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1 Sacred Space: A Resource for Small-group Ministry Year B Focus: Ordinary Time Scripture: John 6:1 21 NRSV Gathering Welcome Prayer for Peace Two readers are needed for today s Prayer for Peace. Ring a bell or chime three times slowly. Light the peace candle. Gracious and loving God, as we gather to worship you today, we remember your wish to bless all of your creation. So, we pray for the power of your peace to be freed in the world. Remembering that you came to us as a defenseless baby, keeps us in the peace you bring. In our prayer for peace today we seek your clarity and your courage; clarity to recognize injustice against the most helpless in our society, and courage to act on their behalf. Help us to challenge the systems within our influence that value the wealth of some over the health and safety of the most vulnerable. God, you showed us your love. In Christ s life, ministry, and death, we begin to take in the depths of your compassion, and we know you understand the pain and hope each one here feels.

2 We pray for those nearby and far away whose home is the street and whose constant companions are need and fear. We pray for those whose innocence has been compromised by greed or neglect. We pray for those whose conscience has been crippled by racism, hate, or wealth; for those whose eyes have been blinded and hearts hardened by excess, harm, or ego. We ask your Spirit s nearness when we fail or stumble as we try to uphold each one as a child of yours. 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. We offer this prayer to you, that Christ s way might more fully become our way. Charmaine Chvala-Smith, adapted Spiritual Practice Breath Prayer Slowly read the following instructions: Sit with relaxed posture and close your eyes. We will spend 5 minutes in centering prayer. Breathe in a regular, natural rhythm. As you breathe in, name what you would like to receive. As you exhale, state what you would like to release (for example: breathe in peace, exhale fear). Breathe in and out, focusing on what you are breathing in and what you are exhaling. Watch the time for 5 minutes. Urge participants to continue the breath prayer for the full five minutes. When time is up, share these closing instructions: Offer a brief word of thanks to God, take a deep breath, and open your eyes when you are ready. Sharing Around the Table John 6:1 21 NRSV

3 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat? He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, Six months wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter s brother, said to him, There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people? Jesus said, Make the people sit down. Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost. So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world. When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself. When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, It is I; do not be afraid. Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going. As the crowd continued to grow, Jesus looked at the people and felt compassion. He understood they were hungry and needed food. Jesus asked his disciples how they could feed so many. The cost was astronomical. One disciple said he had found a boy who had meager supplies: five barley loaves and two dried fish. Jesus blessed this offering of food, and it was divided to feed all the people. When the disciples gathered the leftovers, far more than the original amount remained. We have opportunities to offer who we are or what we have to comfort or care for others. The Holy Spirit blesses our offerings, and the result is more than any of us can know or imagine. When Jesus walked on water and appeared to his disciples, who were in a boat, they were startled and afraid. He called to them, It is I; do not be afraid, and they took him onto the boat. In many ways this symbolizes the way we receive Jesus Christ into our innermost being as disciples. An important part of our discipleship is to generously share our witness, resources, ministries, and sacraments according to our true capacity (Sharing in Community of Christ, 3rd ed., p. 12). When we act with compassion and generosity, no matter how large or small, we open our lives to opportunities for God s blessing.

4 Questions 1. When have you looked at a group of people and felt overwhelmed because the need was so great? What was your response? 2. When have you seen meager offerings multiplied? 3. What does it mean to you to receive Jesus Christ? 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 month s 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 609, Take My Gifts and Let Me Love You Closing Prayer Optional Additions Depending on Group Sacrament of the Lord s Supper Thoughts for Children

5 Prayer for Peace Two readers are needed for today s Prayer for Peace. Ring a bell or chime three times slowly. Light the peace candle. Gracious and loving God, as we gather to worship you today, we remember your wish to bless all of your creation. So, we pray for the power of your peace to be freed in the world. Remembering that you came to us as a defenseless baby, keeps us in the peace you bring. In our prayer for peace today we seek your clarity and your courage; clarity to recognize injustice against the most helpless in our society, and courage to act on their behalf. Help us to challenge the systems within our influence that value the wealth of some over the health and safety of the most vulnerable. God, you showed us your love. In Christ s life, ministry, and death, we begin to take in the depths of your compassion, and we know you understand the pain and hope each one here feels. We pray for those nearby and far away whose home is the street and whose constant companions are need and fear. We pray for those whose innocence has been compromised by greed or neglect. We pray for those whose conscience has been crippled by racism, hate, or wealth; for those whose eyes have been blinded and hearts hardened by excess, harm, or ego. We ask your Spirit s nearness when we fail or stumble as we try to uphold each one as a child of yours. We need your presence so we will not be discouraged in our efforts

6 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. We offer this prayer to you, that Christ s way might more fully become our way. Charmaine Chvala-Smith, adapted

7 Spiritual Practice Breath Prayer Slowly read the following instructions: Sit with relaxed posture and close your eyes. We will spend 5 minutes in centering prayer. Breathe in a regular, natural rhythm. As you breathe in, name what you would like to receive. As you exhale, state what you would like to release (for example: breathe in peace, exhale fear). Breathe in and out, focusing on what you are breathing in and what you are exhaling. Watch the time for 5 minutes. Urge participants to continue the breath prayer for the full five minutes. When time is up, share these closing instructions: Offer a brief word of thanks to God, take a deep breath, and open your eyes when you are ready.

8 Sharing Around the Table John 6:1 21 NRSV After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat? He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, Six months wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter s brother, said to him, There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people? Jesus said, Make the people sit down. Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost. So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world. When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself. When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified. But he said to them, It is I; do not be afraid. Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going. As the crowd continued to grow, Jesus looked at the people and felt compassion. He understood they were hungry and needed food. Jesus asked his disciples how they could feed so many. The cost was astronomical. One disciple said he had found a boy who had meager supplies: five barley loaves and two dried fish. Jesus blessed this offering of food, and it was divided to feed all the people. When the disciples gathered the leftovers, far more than the original amount remained. We have opportunities to offer who we are or what we have to comfort or care for others. The Holy Spirit blesses our offerings, and the result is more than any of us can know or imagine. When Jesus walked on water and appeared to his disciples, who were in a boat, they were startled and afraid. He called to them, It is I; do not be afraid, and they took him onto the boat. In many ways this symbolizes the way we receive Jesus Christ into our innermost being as disciples. An important part of our discipleship is to generously share our witness, resources, ministries, and sacraments according to our true capacity (Sharing in Community of Christ, 3rd

9 ed., p. 12). When we act with compassion and generosity, no matter how large or small, we open our lives to opportunities for God s blessing. Questions 1. When have you looked at a group of people and felt overwhelmed because the need was so great? What was your response? 2. When have you seen meager offerings multiplied? 3. What does it mean to you to receive Jesus Christ?

10 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 month s 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.

11 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

12 Thoughts for Children Materials: paper bag of Goldfish crackers or gummy fish, paper bag of mini rice cakes, small lunch sack with five rice cakes and two fish (Goldfish crackers or gummy fish), paper cups, or napkins Imagine you have a packed lunch, as normal. You come in to work or school one day, and you re the only person with a lunch. What thoughts would go through your mind? What would you do? There were 5,000 people gathered around Jesus. It was late and everyone was hungry. Andrew said, There is a boy here who has five loaves of bread and two fish. Give the children the lunch sack and have them count what is inside: five rice cakes (bread) and two goldfish crackers/gummy fish (fish). Ask: Is this enough to feed 5,000 people? Jesus had all the people sit on the ground, and he thanked God for the loaves and fishes. Offer a brief prayer of thanks. Then Jesus started passing out bread and fish and guess what? There was enough for everyone! Hold up bags of rice cakes and fish. We tell this story to remind ourselves that even when we think we do not have enough strength, courage, love, or kindness in us, we can pray to God and thank God for what we do have. This story reminds us that even when we think we are not enough, Gods knows that in each us is enough kindness, courage, strength, and love to share. Pass out cups and fill them with loaves and fishes for each child.

Sacred Space: A Resource for Small-group Ministry

Sacred Space: A Resource for Small-group Ministry Year B Focus: Ordinary Time Scripture: Mark 7:1 8, 12 15, 21 23 NRSV Gathering Welcome Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly. Light