Sacred Space – Small Group Resources

Year A Letters

Ordinary Time, Proper 23

Philippians 4:1–9 NRSV

Gathering

Welcome

Ordinary Time is the Christian calendar period from Pentecost to Advent. This part of the Christian calendar is without major festivals or holy days. During Ordinary Time we focus on our discipleship as individuals and as a faith community.

Prayer for Peace

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly. Light the peace candle

Today’s Prayer for Peace is inspired by Community of Christ Sings 299, “We Call Out to You,” a Nepali song.

...a song of proclamation to end discrimination; each voice is heard, sung in chorus to you…

Spirit of mystery, we come with open hands, ready to receive your tools of peace. We come for discernment for our vision, strength for our feet, bravery for our hands, and compassion for our hearts. You grant gifts freely! Together, we have the power to end the violence, discrimination, and injustice on this beautiful planet. If only we would listen…if only we would sing in chorus.

Teach us to listen for your melody, to harmonize with peacemakers in our communities, and to follow the drum of justice until the song is complete.

In the name of Jesus Amen

Spiritual Practice

Holding in the Light

Our Enduring Principle focus this week is Blessings of Community. We are taught to create communities of peace in our families, neighborhoods, congregations, nations, tribes, and around the world. A spiritual practice that helps us feel connected to our communities is called Holding in the Light. It is a form of intercessory prayer/meditation adapted from the Quaker movement. We will stand, forming a circle. I will have a candle to light in my hand. Each of you will hold your hands in front of you as if also helping me hold the light.

Pause to let group get situated.

While looking at the light from the candle, center yourself and breathe in the word love; breathe out the word light. Repeat three times.

Say the names of the loved ones, communities, or countries you are holding light for. You can name them aloud to hold as a group or keep them in your heart.

Pause to let people offer names aloud or silently.

Now imagine these persons being surrounded by the light as bright as the candle. We will hold these loved ones in the light for three minutes.

Pause for three minutes.

Offer a moment of gratitude for your loved ones, your communities, and this experience of Holding in the Light.

Next time you see the light of a sunset or sunrise, you can remember to hold a loved one in the light.

Sharing Around the Table

Philippians 4:1–9 NRSV

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the book of life.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

We are smack in the midst of Ordinary Time for the liturgical year. There are no feasts or special celebrations now We recall the wind and fire of Pentecost, but that was six months ago, and Advent is two months in the future. We might get lulled into lethargy in our faith journey this time of year, but the text from Paul to the Philippians causes us to look at our faith as a daily expression of the extraordinary gift of grace through Christ Jesus. The text for today is quite appropriate for Ordinary Time. How does a person live? Paul says we should think of those things that are honorable, true, beautiful, and just. What would the world be like if all of Jesus’s followers approached each day as Paul suggests?

In his best-selling book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey shares that there are two creations: the creation of the mind an idea, theory, or attitude and the second creation of an idea or attitude being lived or implemented. It seemed revolutionary in the 1990s, but in reality, Paul was saying the same thing. Look for the good and beautiful and live in that world.

In the Northern Hemisphere, during the fall season we must do certain things to prepare for winter But in early October, we can choose fall festivals or activities with friends and family in parks, forests, or sports venues. In farming communities the crops are nearly finished, and a deep sense of accomplishment and satisfaction sets in.

Life is good, and now is a good time to begin a new practice it will be easy to look for the beautiful and good this time of year.

Paul suggests that in the ordinariness of life disciples can live extraordinarily by being gentle and kind to everyone they encounter in day-to-day living. “Do the things that you learned from me,” Paul says. The letter to the Philippians helps us to know what those things are.

Questions

1. Try to recall a time when you consciously chose to be kind and gentle to someone who seemed distant or even “prickly”? What transpired?

2. Share a time when receiving a compliment changed your attitude.

3. Share around the table how sharing a compliment with someone else changed the dynamic of the relationship.

4. Recall a time when you were surprised by a positive trait or position that you did not expect to be part of another person.

Sending Generosity Statement

Beloved Community of Christ, do not just speak and sing of Zion. Live, love, and share as Zion: those who strive to be visibly one in Christ, among whom there are no poor or oppressed.

Doctrine and Covenants 165:6a

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:

Discipling God, as we navigate our world of debt and consumerism, help us to save wisely, spend responsibly, and give generously. In this way may we 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 246, “I Know Not What the Future Hath”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper Thoughts for Children