Practicing the Presence of God Together

Opening Prayer‍

(say aloud if alone, say aloud together in community) 

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Our Father,

Who art in heaven,

Hallowed be Thy Name. 

Thy Kingdom come, 

Thy Will be done,

On earth as it is in Heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us. 

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Affirmation of Faith‍

(say aloud if alone, say aloud together in community) 

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I believe in God the Father Almighty;

Maker of Heaven and Earth;

and in Jesus Christ His only (begotten) Son our Lord;

who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,

born of the Virgin Mary; 

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, dead, and buried;

He descended into hell; 

the third day He rose from the dead; 

He ascended into heaven;

and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; 

from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; 

the holy *Catholic Church; 

the communion of saints; 

the forgiveness of sins; 

the resurrection of the body; 

and the life everlasting. 

Amen

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*”Catholic Church” refers to the universal global church that transcends time, space, and culture

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Text

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John 15:1-5

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“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.  Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

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2 Timothy 4:13

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“When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments”

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Podcast

listen to the sermon here

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Examen 

1. Give thanks

Spend a few moments in gratitude for the gifts and blessings of the day. In what ways does practicing God's presence together lead to gratitude in your life and the life of your community?  

2. Ask for light

Ask God to enlighten you, showing where he has been at work and present in your day through events, people and places.

3. Examine the day

Review the moments of the day, noticing what has led to consolation and what has led to desolation and my reactions to these events, people and places. Have you experienced the presence of God though the people around you in any new ways today? 

4. Seek forgiveness

Ask God's forgiveness for the times when you have acted, spoken or thought contrary to his grace and calling for you. 

5. Resolve to change

Decide what in your behavior or attitude you will try to improve in the coming week.

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Monthly Practices

After learning the biblical basis for a topic through the sermons in Celebration, each village will determine how they want to practice that topic for the following month together. The Digital Liturgy will contain suggestions to help frame our imagination towards a practice for the following month. 

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Word on Practicing Presence Together 

One of the underlying philosophies that fuels the beast of western culture is radical individualism. This evasive train of thought has even influenced the way many of us practice christianity. Christianity is a communal faith. While we do have a personal relationship with Jesus, scripture also puts a very serious emphasis on our corporate relationship with God. As we seek to have deeper awareness of God’s presence it’s important that we find ways to do this in community. 

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Imagination

At Citizens we seek to be a community that values gathering inside and outside of the building. While we find deep beauty and value in Sunday morning worship, we strive to create other spaces of worship in community throughout the week. What could it look like for your village, or DNA group to strategically make space in your rhythms to practice God’s presence together. 

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Suggestions

1. Moments of reflection: take a moment at the beginning of village emphasis/family dinner/DNA group to reflect on your day and share moments when you experienced the presence of God. 
2. Prayer: When together pray prayers of invitation together  
3. For families - Pray and read scripture with your kids before bed. A great tool for this is a book called imaginative prayer. (If you’re interested we’d love to send you a copy) 

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Resource List 

Here is a list of suggested books for personal reading and reflection or for DNA Groups to walk though together. 

Presence:

• Practicing the Presence of God - Brother Lawrence
• Domestic Monastery - Ronald Rolheiser  
• Liturgy of the Ordinary - Tish Harrison Warren 
• Book of Common Prayer for Ordinary Radicals - Shane Claiborne 
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If you need assistance in getting any of these books, send an email of your name and address with which book you’re interested in to info@citizensakron.com and we would love to get you a book!