Sacred Space: A Resource for Small-group Ministry Year B Focus: Trinity Sunday; First Sunday of Ordinary Time Scripture: John 3:1 17 NRSV Gathering Welcome Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly. Light the peace candle. O God, We are ready. We are here waiting for your direction, your love to flow through us and show us the way of peace. May you work through us to pursue peace in our world. We hold the world s poor, the world s hungry in our hearts. We hold all those who yearn to know peace in our prayers. At this moment, we reach out to them, hoping to spread your love a little further. I pray, O Lord, that your love spreads like wildfire in the hearts of those around the world who also are ready, that they may be instruments of your peace. God, we know the struggle and hard work that peace will take, and we are ready. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. May you bless my every step. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen. Spiritual Practice Prayer of Examen The Prayer of Examen was developed by Ignatius of Loyola (1491 1556). It is often a prayer for the end of the day, but it may be used any time as a way of reviewing the day with God. The prayer helps us recognize where we need forgiveness and healing, reconciliation and recommitment. The following is an adapted Prayer of Examen: Lead the group through the prayer, line by line. Take your time, inviting people to pray and meditate with each statement. Thank you God for the gifts of life and this day. Allow us to see the day as we have lived it and in light of your will. Let us reflect on the events, interactions, and emotions of the day. Give us insight into the ways our responses were good, life-giving, or healing. Give us insight into the ways our responses may have been insensitive, unloving, or damaging to others, creation, or self.
May we find in your grace and mercy, forgiveness, healing, reconciliation, and release. God, we give our tomorrow to you. May you be present in our thoughts, actions, and relationships as we move on to live a new day in the presence of Christ. Amen. Invite people to share the thoughts and feelings experienced during the Prayer of Examen. Sharing Around the Table John 3:1 17 NRSV Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God. Jesus answered him, Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above. Nicodemus said to him, How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother s womb and be born? Jesus answered, Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, You must be born from above. The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus said to him, How can these things be? Jesus answered him, Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. On Trinity Sunday, we give thanks for what God the Creator, Jesus Christ the Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit, or the Sustainer, have done on behalf of all creation. When we speak of the Trinity we refer to the idea that God is a community of three persons and one eternal being (Of Water and Spirit, p. 11). The scripture text today is the story of Nicodemus. He recognizes God s presence in Jesus and seeks him out. In this encounter Nicodemus becomes confused with Jesus statement about being born again. He can relate this only to the physical way of being born. Jesus challenges Nicodemus to be born again into a spiritual way of life that shows God s deep and enduring love for him and for the world.
Being born again of water and Spirit is to open oneself to the generosity of God expressed in the life of Jesus Christ. In Jesus, God s loving nature is revealed. God s love has no boundary and is for all the world. When we open ourselves to receiving this boundless love, we open ourselves to receive eternal life. Like Nicodemus we recognize God s presence in the ministry and message of Jesus. We seek to more fully understand and model what it means to follow Jesus as loving, generous disciples. As we journey in discipleship we are grateful for the Spirit s continued presence. Questions 1. How have you experienced God the Creator? Jesus the Redeemer? Holy Spirit the Sustainer? 2. How is your journey on the path of the disciple similar to that of Nicodemus? 3. How have you been open to the generosity of God? 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. Pray with me: Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, Three who are One, may we offer our resources to you that they may be used to share loving community with those seeking respite, connection, purpose, and love. May our generosity bring blessing and further the mission of Christ. Amen. Invitation to Next Meeting Closing Hymn CCS 53, Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow Closing Prayer Optional Additions Depending on Group Sacrament of the Lord s Supper Thoughts for Children
Prayer for Peace Ring a bell or chime three times slowly. Light the peace candle. O God, We are ready. We are here waiting for your direction, your love to flow through us and show us the way of peace. May you work through us to pursue peace in our world. We hold the world s poor, the world s hungry in our hearts. We hold all those who yearn to know peace in our prayers. At this moment, we reach out to them, hoping to spread your love a little further. I pray, O Lord, that your love spreads like wildfire in the hearts of those around the world who also are ready, that they may be instruments of your peace. God, we know the struggle and hard work that peace will take, and we are ready. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. May you bless my every step. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.
Spiritual Practice Prayer of Examen The Prayer of Examen was developed by Ignatius of Loyola (1491 1556). It is often a prayer for the end of the day, but it may be used any time as a way of reviewing the day with God. The prayer helps us recognize where we need forgiveness and healing, reconciliation and recommitment. The following is an adapted Prayer of Examen: Lead the group through the prayer, line by line. Take your time, inviting people to pray and meditate with each statement. Thank you God for the gifts of life and this day. Allow us to see the day as we have lived it and in light of your will. Let us reflect on the events, interactions, and emotions of the day. Give us insight into the ways our responses were good, life-giving, or healing. Give us insight into the ways our responses may have been insensitive, unloving, or damaging to others, creation, or self. May we find in your grace and mercy, forgiveness, healing, reconciliation, and release. God, we give our tomorrow to you. May you be present in our thoughts, actions, and relationships as we move on to live a new day in the presence of Christ. Amen. Invite people to share the thoughts and feelings experienced during the Prayer of Examen.
Sharing Around the Table John 3:1 17 NRSV Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God. Jesus answered him, Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above. Nicodemus said to him, How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother s womb and be born? Jesus answered, Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, You must be born from above. The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus said to him, How can these things be? Jesus answered him, Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. On Trinity Sunday, we give thanks for what God the Creator, Jesus Christ the Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit, or the Sustainer, have done on behalf of all creation. When we speak of the Trinity we refer to the idea that God is a community of three persons and one eternal being (Of Water and Spirit, p. 11). The scripture text today is the story of Nicodemus. He recognizes God s presence in Jesus and seeks him out. In this encounter Nicodemus becomes confused with Jesus statement about being born again. He can relate this only to the physical way of being born. Jesus challenges Nicodemus to be born again into a spiritual way of life that shows God s deep and enduring love for him and for the world. Being born again of water and Spirit is to open oneself to the generosity of God expressed in the life of Jesus Christ. In Jesus, God s loving nature is revealed. God s love has no boundary and is for all the world. When we open ourselves to receiving this boundless love, we open ourselves to receive eternal life. Like Nicodemus we recognize God s presence in the ministry and message of Jesus. We seek to more fully understand and model what it means to follow Jesus as loving, generous disciples. As we journey in discipleship we are grateful for the Spirit s continued presence.
Questions 1. How have you experienced God the Creator? Jesus the Redeemer? Holy Spirit the Sustainer? 2. How is your journey on the path of the disciple similar to that of Nicodemus? 3. How have you been open to the generosity of God?
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. Pray with me: Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, Three who are One, may we offer our resources to you that they may be used to share loving community with those seeking respite, connection, purpose, and love. May our generosity bring blessing and further the mission of Christ. Amen.
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. The Spirit is present with us as we share in Communion as an expression of blessing, healing, peace, and community. In preparation let s sing Community of Christ Sings 524, For Bread before Us Broken.
Thoughts for Children Today is Trinity Sunday. Trinity means three united, or three-in-one. The three united in the Trinity are God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. God created the world, Jesus loves the world, and the Holy Spirit comforts the world. Ask three children (or adults if there are not enough children) to help you. Have them stand in a row, a foot apart. Say: You are three separate persons (say their names aloud). But you also can be one united group or community. Have the children stand and link arms. Say: Now you are three persons but one community. This is similar to how we understand the Trinity. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are separate but also one community. Thank the children for helping and ask them to return to their seats.