Theme: Prayer for Our Community
First Word: Romans 12:4-7 For as in one body we
have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who
are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of
another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us:
prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in
teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader,
in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness.
High Noon: Ephesians 4:1-6 I therefore, the
prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you
have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with
one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in
the bond of peace. There is one body,
one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope of your calling, one Lord, one
faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all
and in all.
Last Word: Luke 10:27 You shall love the Lord
your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your
strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.
Questions:
In Scripture, it is
clear that community is the heartbeat of the gospel. To be in unity with one
another, be in unity together for the sake of His kingdom, and to love one
another.
Within the body of
Christ and at Resurrection we all have different gifts, and they are
valued. What gifts do you have that God
is asking you to use within the congregation or in your family or your
community?
How is God calling you
to live a life worthy of the calling?
How can we become more unified in our church family?
How can practice Luke
10:27? How can we love the Lord with
every ounce of our being, and to love our neighbor, our community, or church?
Reflections: Community is something we cannot fit in a
box. Community is a beautiful mess. Community involves real people, real
feelings, and real stories. When real
people are involved people will get hurt, and people will feel loved and
unified. We cannot force community, or force people to like each other. Though our hearts have to be open and willing to step into community. When we
do those things, we will experience the real gift that community has to
offer!
In the three scriptures
above, it is clear that Jesus cared about community as it is mentioned or
referenced over 84 times in the Bible.
When we approach community with humility, gentleness, patience, bearing
with one another in love, and making every effort to maintain the unity of the
Spirit, we are able to fully experience the joy of community.
Lets rejoice together,
mourn together, worship together, serve together, gather around a table
together, and experience the power of Community at Resurrection!
Prayer
Starters:
Lord Jesus, we thank you
for the gift of community. May we
experience the vibrant life of Christ at Resurrection together, and may we live
into the calling of unity with one another.
Amen.
Heavenly Father, as
family and members of Resurrection, may we approach each other with humility
and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, and making
every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace. Amen.
Let
God Lead in Prayer - Lord
Jesus, thank you for your steadfast love for our family and our
congregation. We ask that you would clearly lead Resurrection Lutheran
Church into the future you want us to have. Guide us to be your church
for people far into the future. You grace us and call us to a vibrant life of
faith in Christ, a life we are asked to share with others. Take away our
fear and give us courage and strength to trust that you go with us.
Holy Spirit, give us ears to hear your voice, give us eyes to see your path,
and give us faith to follow you. (Pause for silence and listening.) In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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