Sacred Space: A Resource for Small-group Ministry · 2020-07-17 · world. Making mandalas has been...

ORDINARY TIME, Proper 14; Scripture: Genesis 37:1–4, 12–28 NRSV

Sacred Space: A Resource for Small-group Ministry Year A Ordinary Time Proper 14 Genesis: 37:1–4, 12–28 NRSV Gathering Welcome

Ordinary Time runs 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.

Our most gracious Creator, we have met in the hope of peace. To this end we raise our hearts and voices in prayer.

As a cistern gathers drops of rain to form a pool of life-giving water, may we receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit for the evidence of peace that comes into our lives. Having received the promise of peace from above, may we hold it to be used in times of need.

We do wonder how peace can be pursued while there is so much injustice in the world. We pray we will not be the cause of hurt but instead offer healing to those who need such blessing. Thus, those who hurt truly may be healed.

We anguish because there are those with no help, no hope, nothing. Then we remember there is help, there is hope in the angels’ message of good tidings of great joy. We rejoice in the promise of Jesus, who said, “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11 NRSV). We pray for realizing peace in self, peace with others, and peace in the world.

In our best moments, we know love is the only foundation on which to build a peaceful life, and we believe such love will help us arrive at the likeness of the Prince of Peace.

To this end, we pray thy grace, in the name of he who is grace, even Jesus Christ. Amen. —Kenneth Stobaugh


Spiritual Practice Holding in the Light

Read the following to the group: Our Enduring Principle focus this week is on 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.

Share the following instructions: We will stand in a circle. I will light the candle I hold. The rest of you will hold your

hands in front of you as if you are helping me hold the light. Allow time for the group to get situated. Look at the candlelight and become aware of your own breathing. Begin to center

yourself with breath prayer. Breathe in the word love. Breathe out the word light. Repeat three times.

Call to mind names of loved ones, communities, or countries you wish to pray for as we hold the light. You may name them aloud or hold them silently in your heart.

Pause to allow people to share names aloud as they desire. Now imagine those whom you have named being surrounded by light as bright as the

candle. Continue breathing and meditating on the names of those you hold in the light in our circle.

After three minutes of silent meditation and holding in the light, share the following:

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, may it remind you to pause and prayerfully hold someone you love in the light. Amen.

Sharing Around the Table Genesis: 37:1-4, 12–28 NRSV

Jacob settled in the land where his father had lived as an alien, the land of Canaan. This is the story of the family of Jacob.

Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with sleeves. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him.

Now his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” He answered, “Here I am.” So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your


brothers and with the flock; and bring word back to me.” So he sent him from the valley of Hebron.

He came to Shechem, and a man found him wandering in the fields; the man asked him, “What are you seeking?” “I am seeking my brothers,” he said; “tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” The man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers, and found them at Dothan. They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they conspired to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; then we shall say that a wild animal has devoured him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams.” But when Reuben heard it, he delivered him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand and restore him to his father. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long robe with sleeves that he wore; and they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.

Then they sat down to eat; and looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels carrying gum, balm, and resin, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers agreed. When some Midianite traders passed by, they drew Joseph up, lifting him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.

Our text starts with “This is the story of the family of Jacob” and introduces Joseph as Jacob’s favorite son. Immediately, the text sets forth the disruption of the proper family order and status. Joseph is the son of Jacob and his favorite wife, Rachel. There is hatred and jealousy toward Joseph among the older brothers of Jacob’s other wives. These fractured relationships are not helped by Joseph’s behavior.

His brothers consider him a tattletale and braggart. They do not “speak peaceably” to Joseph. To make things worse, the gift of the long robe with sleeves plays a special role in the story by symbolizing the special relationship between Jacob and Joseph and conferring prestige or status to Joseph.

Joseph’s brothers plot to kill him but instead sell him to nomads. These very human emotions and actions give us a glimpse into how we all are susceptible to human frailty and often respond negatively in stressful situations. It is this human condition that reminds us of our need for God’s reconciling presence.

Questions

1. When have you been favored in a way that seemed unfair to others? How did you treat them?

2. When has your negative response to a person or event kept you from recognizing God’s presence amid the chaos?

3. What relationships in your life need God’s reconciling presence?


Sending Generosity Statement

Note: If you are using Thoughts for Children, make time now for the children to share their mandalas and any thoughts they had while participating in the spiritual practice of making mandalas.

Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:9

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:

God of our discipleship, As we navigate our world of debt and consumerism, help us to save wisely, spend responsibly, and give generously. In these ways 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 221, “Spirit of Christ, Remember Me”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on the Group

• Communion • Thoughts for Children


Prayer for Peace

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

Our most gracious Creator, we have met in the hope of peace. To this end we raise our hearts and voices in prayer.

As a cistern gathers drops of rain to form a pool of life-giving water, may we receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit for the evidence of peace that comes into our lives. Having received the promise of peace from above, may we hold it to be used in times of need.

We do wonder how peace can be pursued while there is so much injustice in the world. We pray we will not be the cause of hurt but instead offer healing to those who need such blessing. Thus, those who hurt truly may be healed.

We anguish because there are those with no help, no hope, nothing. Then we remember there is help, there is hope in the angels’ message of good tidings of great joy. We rejoice in the promise of Jesus, who said, “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11 NRSV). We pray for realizing peace in self, peace with others, and peace in the world.

In our best moments, we know love is the only foundation on which to build a peaceful life, and we believe such love will help us arrive at the likeness of the Prince of Peace.

To this end, we pray thy grace, in the name of he who is grace, even Jesus Christ. Amen. —Kenneth Stobaugh


Spiritual Practice Holding in the Light

Read the following to the group: Our Enduring Principle focus this week is on 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.

Share the following instructions: We will stand in a circle. I will light the candle I hold. The rest of you will hold your

hands in front of you as if you are helping me hold the light. Allow time for the group to get situated. Look at the candlelight and become aware of your own breathing. Begin to center

yourself with breath prayer. Breathe in the word love. Breathe out the word light. Repeat three times.

Call to mind names of loved ones, communities, or countries you wish to pray for as we hold the light. You may name them aloud or hold them silently in your heart.

Pause to allow people to share names aloud as they desire. Now imagine those whom you have named being surrounded by light as bright as the

candle. Continue breathing and meditating on the names of those you hold in the light in our circle.

After three minutes of silent meditation and holding in the light, share the following:

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, may it remind you to pause and prayerfully hold someone you love in the light. Amen.


Sharing Around the Table Genesis: 37:1-4, 12–28 NRSV

Jacob settled in the land where his father had lived as an alien, the land of Canaan. This is the story of the family of Jacob.

Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a helper to the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with sleeves. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him.

Now his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” He answered, “Here I am.” So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock; and bring word back to me.” So he sent him from the valley of Hebron.

He came to Shechem, and a man found him wandering in the fields; the man asked him, “What are you seeking?” “I am seeking my brothers,” he said; “tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” The man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers, and found them at Dothan. They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they conspired to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; then we shall say that a wild animal has devoured him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams.” But when Reuben heard it, he delivered him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand and restore him to his father. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long robe with sleeves that he wore; and they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.

Then they sat down to eat; and looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels carrying gum, balm, and resin, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and not lay our hands on him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers agreed. When some Midianite traders passed by, they drew Joseph up, lifting him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt.

Our text starts with “This is the story of the family of Jacob” and introduces Joseph as Jacob’s favorite son. Immediately, the text sets forth the disruption of the proper family order and status. Joseph is the son of Jacob and his favorite wife, Rachel. There is hatred and jealousy


toward Joseph among the older brothers of Jacob’s other wives. These fractured relationships are not helped by Joseph’s behavior.

His brothers consider him a tattletale and braggart. They do not “speak peaceably” to Joseph. To make things worse, the gift of the long robe with sleeves plays a special role in the story by symbolizing the special relationship between Jacob and Joseph and conferring prestige or status to Joseph.

Joseph’s brothers plot to kill him but instead sell him to nomads. These very human emotions and actions give us a glimpse into how we all are susceptible to human frailty and often respond negatively in stressful situations. It is this human condition that reminds us of our need for God’s reconciling presence.

Questions

1. When have you been favored in a way that seemed unfair to others? How did you treat them?

2. When has your negative response to a person or event kept you from recognizing God’s presence amid the chaos?

3. What relationships in your life need God’s reconciling presence?


Generosity Statement

Note: If you are using Thoughts for Children, make time now for the children to share their mandalas and any thoughts they had while participating in the spiritual practice of making mandalas.

Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:9

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:

God of our discipleship, As we navigate our world of debt and consumerism, help us to save wisely, spend responsibly, and give generously. In these ways may we prepare for the future and create a better tomorrow for our families, friends, the mission of Christ, and the world. Amen.


Communion Statement Choose one scripture to read from this selection: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Matthew

26:17–30; Mark 14:12–26; Luke 22:7–39. Invitation to Communion

All are welcome at Christ’s table. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a sacrament in which we remember the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ. In Community of Christ, we also experience Communion as an opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant and to be formed as disciples who live Christ’s mission. Others may have different or added understandings within their faith traditions. We invite all who participate in the Lord’s Supper to do so in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.

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”


Thoughts for Children Materials: mandalas (various samples provided from Adobe Stock Photos), coloring

utensils Say: Spiritual practices are tools to help us be more aware of how God works in the

world. Making mandalas has been a spiritual practice in many faith traditions for centuries. Some people make their mandalas with sand and blow their creation away when they are finished! Creating mandalas helps us be calm and focused, quieting our minds so we can hear God.

Each of you will get to pick a mandala you would like to color during our time together today. As you color your mandala try to focus on using this time as time with God. What is God wanting to tell you? What does God want you to know?

Note: Make time during A Disciple’s Generous Response for the children to share their mandalas and any thoughts they had while participating in the spiritual practice.

Sacred Space: A Resource for Small-group Ministry · 2020-07-17 · world. Making mandalas has been...

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