SCRIPTURE READING
(Choose someone in your community to read today's Scripture)
Welcome, please stand in honor of the reading of God's Word...

Ask someone to open in prayer....

Together we state the Apostle's Creed...

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Christian church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.

Amen!!!

Let's Celebrate together where we have seen God at work in our lives using the 4 G's...

Now let us spend time together (by Community) lifting up the concerns of the Body...

State your prayer in a word or short phrase followed by
"Lord in Your Mercy"

The rest of your Community will respond with
"Hear our prayers."

Remember to pray for
-the Body of Christ:
Globally & Locally
in our cities: Orange, Irvine, Costa Mesa, etc.
and also the Body of Christ worldwide.
- our children
- this pandemic to be stopped
- our tithes and offerings

Now your lead your group through the Lectio Divina study of Psalm 1...

(You may read them in any version that is comfortable for you. I have included several different versions)

Lectio Divina

Introduction - Lectio Divina is a traditional Benedictine practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer intended to help us listen to God and to practice opening our hearts to Christ and each other. In this way, the discipline of Lectio Divina can help us grow in our discipleship to Jesus Christ.

Lectio Divina, may be new for some of us and, therefore uncomfortable. However, the practice is grounded in the Christian tradition from about the 5th century, as well as in the Reformed tradition beginning with Calvin.

I will guide you through this time of praying through the scriptures. I encourage you to relax (forgetting about time, the need to know - we’re not here to study the Word but to listen —, being in control) and trust me to facilitate the practice. The Holy Spirit is our guide. We will read our Scripture passage 4 times. I will read the passage the first and second times; we need two readers, one for the third time and one for the fourth time.

Preparation/Centering - I invite you to make yourself comfortable in your seat and relax. If it helps you can close your eyes to help block out distractions.

I invite you now to notice your breathing. Are you breathing fast? Are you breathing slowly? Are you holding your breath? Simply notice without judging.

Now take a deep breath...filling your lungs... letting your diaphragm expand... take a deep breath and hold it... then exhale through your throat and out your nostrils. Take some time to continue breathing deeply your own rhythm.

As you breathe in let the Spirit of God fill you. God’s Spirit is as intimate as our breathing. As you breathe out, offer to God all that claims your attention, trusting God will give back to you what is necessary.

Pray -Father, thank you for the gift of this day. Thank you for the gift of faith and the grace you’ve given us to respond to you. Thank you for revealing yourself in Sacred Scripture. Thank you for revealing yourself in your Son. Help us to stay focused during this time of prayer. Please grant us the grace to hear your voice and respond.

Lectio Exercise (Note: make sure you allow time to reflect in between each reading – don’t rush!)

1. Lectio – This first movement consists of reading the scriptural passage slowly and attentively. As I read identify words or phrases in the passage that grab your attention and make note of them.
(Read the entire passage once)

2. Meditatio – Next, spend some time contemplating the passage and the words or phrases that stood out upon first reading. As I read consider what reasons do you feel drawn to this image or phrase?
What does it remind you of?
What meaning does it hold for you?
What might God be telling you through the passage?
It might be helpful to try ‘praying the passage’, opening your mind to God’s understanding of this passage.
(Read the passage again)

3. Oratio – During this third reading consider if there is an invitation here for you? As you listen shift from conversing with yourself about the text and converse with God. I encourage you to tell God what the passage evokes in you and then spend some time listening and responding to what God has to say. When you all are ready we will come back together and share with one another.
(Read the passage and then have an extended time of sharing – see below)

Discussion Questions:
A. What words or phrases from this passage stood out to you? Why?


B. How does this text speak to you in your current situation and environment?



C. What obedience is the text calling you this week? (How do I need to live in light of this scripture?)



[Optional – Feel free to share prayer requests or things to pray for in light of the passage before the final reading. And then after the final reading, you can go straight to time of prayer.]

4. Contemplatio - Close by reading the passage a final time, try to ‘savor’ the words and thoughts shared earlier.
(Read the passage one last time)

Someone should send your group out with a blessing!