This week in worship. Our church is in a worship series called The Good Life. Your group works great on its own, and you are always welcome Sunday at 8:30 or 10:15 AM. Worship is also online at mcphersonfirst.org.
A Grace Group is six to eight people who meet about an hour each week to grow in faith and care for one another. There is no homework and nothing to prepare. We talk honestly, ask a few questions, and pray. You only need to show up and be honest, and everyone is welcome.
A Methodist Way of Making Disciples
Grace Groups recover one of the oldest Methodist practices. Almost three hundred years ago, John Wesley gathered Methodists into small weekly groups that asked one another, “How is it with your soul?” and watched over one another in love. A Grace Group is that same way of making disciples, brought back for today.
The Five Promises
Our five membership promises are also a simple way to talk about our faith journey:
Prayers: connecting with God through prayer, scripture, and listening
Presence: showing up for worship and the life of the church
Gifts: giving to support the church’s mission
Service: finding where you are called to serve
Witness: sharing your faith in word and action
This Week’s Practice, 14 of 25, Gifts: Everyday Generosity. Everyday generosity is small, direct giving that happens outside the offering plate. It’s the cash you hand someone who asks. It’s picking up the tab. It’s the gift card to a struggling neighbor. Ways to try it. Carry a few small bills earmarked only for giving. Decide in advance to say yes when you are asked. Bring it to Soul Tending. Share a person you helped this month, not for credit but to keep your own heart honest.
Your Hour Together
Everything for your hour together. The times are a guide, not a rule.
Our Covenant (0 min)
Each time we meet, we say yes to these together.
Show up. The group is more whole when you are in it.
Be honest. Tell the truth as best you can. That is enough.
Keep it private. What is said here is held here. That keeps us safe.
Give everyone space. Watch the quiet ones in. Make room for every voice.
We Begin (2 min)
We’ll begin with a moment of quiet, and then we’ll pray together.
God of every season, you are constant while our weeks are not. Steady us, and give us honesty and kindness in this hour. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Getting to Know One Another (5 min)
We’ll go around the circle. Share your name, then pick one of these to answer.
What is a small thing that made you smile this week?
If tonight’s dinner could be anything, what would you pick?
The Three Questions
These three questions are the heart of our time. We’ll move through them in order, and everyone gets a turn. The smaller questions underneath are just to help, and there are no wrong answers.
Soul Tending. How is your faith journey going? (10 min)
What is God asking you to pay attention to?
Where have you been going through the motions?
Now we’ll notice where God has been showing up.
God Sightings. Where do you see God at work in your life? (25 min)
Where has God used something difficult for good?
Who in your life is growing right now?
Now we’ll name what we want to hand to God.
Growing in Grace. What challenge are you giving to God? (40 min)
What is heavy that you would rather not name?
What is one step you could take before we meet again?
Connect Back (optional, only if time allows): anyone may briefly name something they heard today that stayed with them. Keep it short, for connection, not advice.
We Close (55 min)
We’ll keep a few moments of quiet now, space to allow what you shared and heard, and how God has been speaking, to settle in your soul, so you can carry it into the days ahead.
. . . a few moments of silence . . .
Loving God, thank you for this group and for the trust between us. Keep tending what has begun here. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
McPherson First United Methodist Church · mcphersonfirst.org/gracegroups