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 4:35 41 NRSV Gathering Welcome Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly. Light the peace candle. We pray this day for peace in lands distant from our own, as well as our homeland. We know our hopes and dreams are not unlike the hopes and dreams of people living far from us. God of all, we pray for peace in every nation. We see the brokenness in our world. We acknowledge the choosing of sides. We witness the ugliness across the Earth. Grant us the impatience to do something about it. Encourage us to pursue peace. May we be so aware of our brothers and sisters that prejudices and suspicions of humanity will never slip past us. May we be peacemakers and a blessing to all. 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 that God is always present. On your paper, list things that are abundant in your life (friends, family, laughter, belongings, ideas, tasks). o Wait a few moments for people to write. Next to each listing note how you feel about having this abundance in your life. o Wait a few moments for people to write. In silent prayer, express gratitude to God for each thing you have identified. o Wait a few moments for people to offer silent prayer. o Close with Amen.

2 Sharing Around the Table Mark 4:35 41 NRSV On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, Let us go across to the other side. And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace! Be still! Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith? And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? After a long day of teaching Jesus left the multitude to cross the Sea of Galilee to Gentile territory with his disciples. A severe storm arose quickly, as storms do in that area. Even as waves crashed into the boat, Jesus remained asleep in the stern. In fear for their lives, the disciples awakened Jesus. While they were respectful of him as Teacher, they were annoyed that he was not more concerned for their safety. The contrast between Jesus resting in trust and the disciples struggling with fear and confusion speaks to us about nature of faith. The storms of violence and chaos may crash around us, but even then, God is in control. Jesus rebukes the wind and commands the sea to be silent and calm. His words are translated as Peace! Be still! A strong and powerful, command! Jesus then turns and rebukes the disciples for their fear and lack of trust. Ironically, Jesus power over the storm does not dispel their fear. The scene ends with the disciples still fearful or full of awe as they try to understand fully who Jesus is. Questions 1. When have you felt like God didn t know or care about your problems? What did you do to try to wake God up? 2. Who is Jesus to you? Has your perception of Jesus changed over your lifetime? 3. The disciples who walked with Jesus showed fear and doubt. When have you experienced fear and doubt in your faith journey? 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.

3 Invitation to Next Meeting Closing Hymn CCS 158, Calm to the Waves 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. We pray this day for peace in lands distant from our own, as well as our homeland. We know our hopes and dreams are not unlike the hopes and dreams of people living far from us. God of all, we pray for peace in every nation. We see the brokenness in our world. We acknowledge the choosing of sides. We witness the ugliness across the Earth. Grant us the impatience to do something about it. Encourage us to pursue peace. May we be so aware of our brothers and sisters that prejudices and suspicions of humanity will never slip past us. May we be peacemakers and a blessing to all. 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 that God is always present. On your paper, list things that are abundant in your life (friends, family, laughter, belongings, ideas, tasks). o Wait a few moments for people to write. Next to each listing note how you feel about having this abundance in your life. o Wait a few moments for people to write. In silent prayer, express gratitude to God for each thing you have identified. o Wait a few moments for people to offer silent prayer. o Close with Amen.

6 Sharing Around the Table Mark 4:35 41 NRSV On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, Let us go across to the other side. And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace! Be still! Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith? And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? After a long day of teaching Jesus left the multitude to cross the Sea of Galilee to Gentile territory with his disciples. A severe storm arose quickly, as storms do in that area. Even as waves crashed into the boat, Jesus remained asleep in the stern. In fear for their lives, the disciples awakened Jesus. While they were respectful of him as Teacher, they were annoyed that he was not more concerned for their safety. The contrast between Jesus resting in trust and the disciples struggling with fear and confusion speaks to us about nature of faith. The storms of violence and chaos may crash around us, but even then, God is in control. Jesus rebukes the wind and commands the sea to be silent and calm. His words are translated as Peace! Be still! A strong and powerful, command! Jesus then turns and rebukes the disciples for their fear and lack of trust. Ironically, Jesus power over the storm does not dispel their fear. The scene ends with the disciples still fearful or full of awe as they try to understand fully who Jesus is. Questions 1. When have you felt like God didn t know or care about your problems? What did you do to try to wake God up? 2. Who is Jesus to you? Has your perception of Jesus changed over your lifetime? 3. The disciples who walked with Jesus showed fear and doubt. When have you experienced fear and doubt in your faith journey?

7 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.

8 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

9 Thoughts for Children Materials: Peace Pages (image attached), crayons Ask the children about storms: Have you ever been frightened in a storm? What was most frightening? What happened to make you feel better? Jesus was asleep in a boat. A storm came up, and his friends were afraid. They woke Jesus up, and he said to the storm, Peace! Be still! The storm was calmed. Many things in our lives feel like storms. Loneliness, when someone doesn t want to be your friend anymore. Disappointment, when you don t get to do something you want to do. Sadness, when a pet dies. Anger, when someone hurts your feelings or is mean to you. These emotions can cause storms inside of us. But if we remember that Jesus calms the storms of life, we can pray and ask him to calm the storms in us and give us peace. Give all the children a Peace Page and have them draw their face and add their name: My name is. With Jesus I am calm. I am peace.