This week in worship. Our church is in a worship series called Five Promises. 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, 3 of 25, Prayers: Breath Prayer. Breath prayer is a short, repeatable prayer paired with breathing. It’s especially useful when words feel like too much: in anxiety, grief, anger, or the middle of the night. Ways to try it. “Lord Jesus Christ” / “have mercy on me”. Pray it in the car before a hard conversation. Bring it to Soul Tending. Share the phrase you’ve been praying this week and where it has met you.
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. Keep coming, even when it is hard.
Be honest. Bring your real self. Honesty is welcome here.
Keep it private. What is shared in the group stays in the group.
Give everyone space. Share, then make room. Listen as much as you talk.
We Begin (2 min)
We’ll begin with a moment of quiet, and then we’ll pray together.
Holy God, we do not have to arrive impressive to be welcome. Thank you. Settle us, and help us speak and listen well. 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 book, podcast, or show you would recommend?
What is something you are better at than you expected?
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)
How has your picture of God changed over the years?
Where are you being stretched?
Now we’ll notice where God has been showing up.
God Sightings. Where do you see God at work in your life? (25 min)
What did God give you this week that you did not ask for?
Where have you seen someone forgiven or forgiving?
Now we’ll name what we want to hand to God.
Growing in Grace. What challenge are you giving to God? (40 min)
What are you pretending is fine?
What would you do if you trusted God with the outcome?
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 . . .
Faithful God, you take what we hand over and you do not hand it back. Send us out trusting that. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
McPherson First United Methodist Church · mcphersonfirst.org/gracegroups