Solitude

Digital Liturgy

Solitude (3/12)

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

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Spirit of the living God 

Fall fresh on me 

Spirit of the living God 

Fall fresh on me 

Make me 

Mold me 

Fill me  

Use Me 

Spirit of the living God 

Fall fresh on me 

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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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Luke 5:12-16

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 While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy.[b] And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.”  And Jesus[c] stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him.  And he charged him to tell no one, but “go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”  But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities.  But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

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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 being aware of God's presence lead to gratitude in your life?  

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. 

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

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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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Imagination

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Ruth Haley Barton gives us insightful words on solitude. May this article expand our imagination for how we can practice solitude next month: https://transformingcenter.org/2009/08/invitation-to-solitude-and-silence-experiencing-gods-transforming-presence-2/

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Resource List 

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

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Solitude:

• Praying like Monks, Living Like Fools - Tyler Staton 
• How to hear God, a simple guide for normal people - Pete Greig  
• Meditations of the Heart - Howard Thurman 
• Sacred Rhythms - Ruth Hailey Barton 
• 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! 

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