Each of this series of nine Resource Kits -- authored by Rev. Justin Tanis, MCC's Director of Clergy Development -- includes liturgical resources, small group materials, and ideas for incorporating the value into the life and culture of your congregation.
1. Priesthood of All Believers:
MCC is committed to mutual collaboration between laity and clergy in ministry. (1 Peter 2:5-10)
2. The Lost Coin, Sheep, and Child:
MCC recognizes the inherent value and dignity of each person. (Luke 15)
3. Love One Another:
MCC is committed to expressing love for one another by encouraging each individual to develop high self-esteem, being a servant to one another, and showing respect to each person. (John 13:34-35)
4. Run the Race:
MCC ministers with persistent and enduring faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
5. House of Prayer for All People:
MCC ministry in every arena reflects a commitment to justice and inclusivity, nondiscrimination, and equal access by and opportunity for all. (Isaiah 56:7)
6. Not Ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ:
MCC is committed to boldness in proclamation and excellence in ministry (Romans 1:16)
7. Created in God's Image:
MCC is committed to each person's growth toward wholeness in body, mind, and spirit, and full integration of spirituality and sexuality. (Genesis 1:27)
8. Go Into All The World:
MCC is passionately committed to reaching all people with the Good News. (Matthew 28:19-20)
9. Being Good Stewards:
MCC wisely utilizes the gifts God has given to us. (1 Peter 4:10)
CORE VALUE #1
Priesthood of All Believers
MCC is committed to mutual collaboration between laity and clergy in ministry. (1 Peter 2:5-10)
Scriptural Foundation: 1 Peter 2:5-10
Like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: See I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in that one will not be put to shame. To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, the stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner, and a stone that makes them to stumble, and a rock that makes them fall. They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of the one who called you out of the shadows and into God's marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:5-10)
Worship Resources
Call to Worship
One:
Come out of the shadows, calls God,
Many:
Come into the light!
One:
For you are chosen by the Almighty,
Many:
A royal priesthood,
One:
A holy nation.
Many:
We are God's own people.
Affirmation of Belief
We believe that all are God's own people,
Chosen and beloved by God.
We affirm the priesthood of all,
Lay and clergy,
Of all nations, genders, and colors.
We commit to work together
As we build the dominion of God.
Prayer
Let us be like living stones,
Built one upon the other,
To become together a spiritual house,
Worthy and acceptable to you, O God.
Let us be like living stones,
Strong and enduring,
That we may build a church
That weathers every storm.
Continue to challenge and encourage us,
Holy One,
That we may build together,
Clergy and lay, member, friend and stranger,
Your home among us.
Small Group Program
Open with prayer
Ice Breaker
This icebreaker gives group members a chance to see a part of themselves as holy.
Ask each member of the group to share one quality they have that is holy. It may be their patience, a sense of caring about others, or any other quality. Share one way that God has used that quality.
Scripture
Ask a member of the group to read 1 Peter 2:5-10
Discussion Questions
Select the questions you think will be most interesting to your group and add your own. The size of your group will determine how many questions you'll be able to discuss.
1. Describe someone you knew in your childhood that you think of as holy. Who were/are they? Are they clergy or laity? What qualities made them holy to you?
2. What are the differences between clergy and laity? What are the similarities?
3. What does it mean for GLBT people, our families and allies to declare ourselves a holy nation? Do you see the community as a holy nation?
4. Scripture says we are to be holy nation in order to proclaim the acts of the one who calls us out of the shadows. Describe a situation in the world today that you see as shadowed; this might be something you've seen in your own life or a situation you've heard about on the news. How might God be calling us out into the light? What role could the church play in bringing light to that situation?
5. Why is this value important for Metropolitan Community Churches?
Affirmation of Belief
Say together the affirmation found in the worship resource section. You may want to give this out to group members to use as an affirmation for the week.
Action
This action affirms one of the most radical principles of MCC...that clergy and laity are both able to celebrate communion.
If members of your group are comfortable doing so, take communion together. Distribute small pita loaves and glasses of juice to each member of the group, and while one person says/reads the words of institution, every member of the group should break the bread at the same time and bless the cup together. Have someone offer a prayer of blessing and then serve one another communion.
Closing Prayer
Ask group members pray for one another that God may use the holy parts of them in order to make the world a better place.
Living Out the Value
In living out this value, look for ways to encourage collaborative work in the church. Some ways to live that out are:
1. Hold a training for lay worship leaders in your congregation to encourage participation in the worship life of the congregation. You might want to do a series of trainings that focus on different sections of the liturgy.
2. Conduct a ministry fair to help members and friends of the church find new ways to get involved in the life of the church.
3. Have a series of sermons from lay members of the congregation or have a dialogue sermon between the pastor and a layperson.
4. Have the church's lay delegate(s) hold a session to describe how to get involved in the district and Fellowship. Discuss current MCC issues with the congregation.
5. Encourage people to "pray the newspaper," lifting up different issues to God's light for transformation.
CORE VALUE #2
The Lost Coin, Sheep, and Child
MCC recognizes the inherent value and dignity of each person. (Luke 15)
Scriptural Foundation: Luke 15
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."
So Jesus told them this parable:
Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays in on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost." Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost." Just so I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Then Jesus said:
There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, "Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me." So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, "How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands." So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son." But the father said to his servants, "Quickly, bring out a robe -- the best one -- and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!" And they began to celebrate.
Now his elder son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what was going on. The servant replied, "Your brother has come and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound." Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, "Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!" Then the father said to him, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found." (Luke 15)
Worship Resources
Call to Worship
One:
Seeker of the Lost,
Many:
We are here to be found.
One:
For everyone who is lost, you search.
Many:
For everyone who is found, you rejoice.
One:
No one is beyond your ability to find.
Many:
No one is beyond your joyful embrace.
One:
Into your loving arms we come,
Many:
Seeking, finding, sought and found.
Affirmation of Belief
We affirm that each person
Is beloved and cherished by God.
We join with Jesus in
recognizing the value
And dignity of every human being.
We believe that God searches
for all who are lost
leaving no one behind.
Prayer
Holy Seeker,
If even one is lost,
You seek us out.
Everyone is valuable to you.
May we be instruments of your searching,
Helping you to find the lost,
Rejoicing with the found,
Cherishing those who don't yet know their value in your eyes,
And treating all people as you do.
In the name of Christ,
Seeker of our Spirits.
Amen.
Small Group Program
Open with prayer
Ice Breaker
This exercise gives group members an opportunity to seek out some information about one another.
The group leader should gather one fact about each group member ahead of time and make up a worksheet like this, substituting the facts you found for the examples here:
| Who: |
Name: |
| Has three dogs |
|
| Grew up in Johannesburg |
|
| Loves chocolate ice cream |
|
| Wanted to be a ballet dancer as a child |
|
| Has missionary parents |
|
| Has been part of MCC for more than 20 years |
|
| Served in the military |
|
| Favorite Bible verse is Luke 15 |
|
| Volunteers at a soup kitchen |
|
Give one worksheet to each group member. Have them find out which group member fits which description and have them fill in the name in the appropriate blank.
Scripture: Luke 15
Ask a member of the group to read Luke 15 aloud. Because this is a long text, you may want to have several people take turns reading it. It may also be helpful to have people follow along in their Bibles or to have a hand out with the reading on it.
Discussion Questions
Select the questions that you think will be most interesting to your group and add your own. The size of your group will determine how many questions you'll be able to discuss.
1. This set of stories about things and people who were lost is in response to comments that Jesus welcomes sinners. What do you see as the connection between being lost and sin? Why does Jesus link these two ideas?
2. Some parts of the Bible tell us that we are all sinners; many of us grew up in traditions that taught us that all have fallen short. But in these stories, there are at least as many righteous people (and in 2 cases, a lot more) than there are sinners. What do you think Jesus is communicating to us with this? Why might there be 99 people who have no need of repentance?
3. In the story of the Prodigal Son, the older brother appeals to the father's sense of fairness. Is there a way that this story shows a principle which is right, but isn't fair? Do you think God always acts fairly? What is Jesus telling us through this story?
4. What do these stories teach us about how Jesus wants us to treat others? What are the implications of God seeking every one?
5. Describe a time when you felt spiritually lost. What was/is that like? How do you know when you've been found or when you've found your way again?
6. What are you looking for spiritually? Are there places in your life where you are actively seeking God?
7. Why is this value important for Metropolitan Community Churches?
Affirmation of Belief
Say together the affirmation found in the Worship Resource Section. You may want to give this out to group members to use as an affirmation for the week.
Action
Decide together as a group to do one of the ideas listed in the Living Out The Value Section. Volunteer together for a day to do something that values and uplifts those who are often overlooked in our society.
Closing Prayer
Ask group members to identify something that they are spiritually seeking and then pray for one another to find those things.
Living Out the Value
In living out this value, your ministry can look for ways to reach people often overlooked or forgotten in the community. By reaching out to them, you can affirm their dignity and worth as a part of the community. Some ways to do this are:
1. Visiting people who are shut in or in nursing homes. You can develop a group of people who regularly visit those who have few visitors. The volunteer department of a local nursing home can help you with this project. Or you may wish to recruit volunteers who are part of an existing visitation program.
2. Linking church members with pen pals who are in prison. The chaplain's office at the prison can help you arrange this.
3. Provide holiday gifts for children in foster care. Your state/province's social service agencies can usually assist with this. You can collect gifts for holidays (be aware that there will be children from other faiths) or donate bundles of school supplies at the beginning of each term.
4. Recruit volunteers from your congregation to serve meals at a local soup kitchen. Create an opportunity for volunteers to gather together once a month or weekly to pray for the hungry and homeless and to reflect theologically on their experiences as volunteers.
CORE VALUE #3
Love One Another
MCC is committed to expressing love for one another by encouraging each individual to develop high self-esteem, being a servant to one another, and showing respect to each person. (John 13:34-35)
Scriptural Foundation: John 13:34-35
Jesus said, "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)
Worship Resources
Call to Worship
One:
We gather in the presence of Jesus who said,
"I give you a new commandment:
Many:
"Love one another."
One:
In sorrow and in joy,
Many:
"Love one another."
One:
In times of plenty and in times of want,
Many:
"Love one another."
One:
In the sun and in the rain,
Many:
"Love one another."
One:
They will know we follow Jesus
Because we live out his command:
Many:
"Love one another."
Affirmation of Belief
We are committed to following Jesus' command
To love one another.
We affirm our need to know
And love ourselves as God's own children.
We are called to serve one another,
As God's servants in this world.
We strive in all things
To treat one another with the respect,
Love and dignity that all God's creation deserves.
Prayer
O Lover of my soul,
Help me to love myself,
A person made in your own image.
Help me to love myself in truthfulness,
Without arrogance,
and with appreciation for the good in me.
Help me to love others,
As people made in your own image.
Help me to love others with my whole heart,
Without prejudice,
And with respect for the good within them.
Inspire me to serve your people,
Challenge me to love more,
I ask all this in the name of Jesus,
My example and my hope. Amen.
Small Group Program
Open with prayer
Ice Breaker
This ice breaker gives members of the group an opportunity to do something to care for themselves and for other members of the group.
Hold a potluck to begin the group. You may want to have people bring food for a meal, or just have appetizers or dessert together. Be sure to pay attention to any dietary restrictions that people have; you want to be sure that everyone can participate.
Scripture
Ask a member of the group to read John 13:34-35.
Discussion Questions
Select the questions that you think will be most interesting to your group and add your own. The size of your group will determine how many questions you'll be able to discuss.
1. Describe a way in which you are serving others. What does it feel like? Do you feel like you are doing this enough in your life? Too much? Too little?
2. Give each group member a piece of paper. Have them divide the paper into four boxes, labeled like this:
| Child |
Teen |
| Coming Out |
Now |
In each section, draw or write about how you saw yourself during that time. In the box marked, "Coming Out," participants can use whatever experience they've had that has caused them to see themselves differently (coming out of one way of being into another). It may be coming out as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered, it may be a career change, discovering HIV status, learning about a queer child, or whatever marked a meaningful transition in that person's life.
Have people share with the group, as they feel comfortable. Then ask participants to discuss how and why their sense of self has changed or stayed the same over the years (most people will have some things that are constant and some that have changed). How has their sense of self-esteem changed over the years? What has led to those changes?
3. Do we have a responsibility to God to develop a healthy self-esteem? What are the reasons for that? How have our religious backgrounds helped us develop self-esteem and how have they hindered us?
4. Jesus challenged people around him … how is this a part of showing love for others?
5. Is Jesus' command always practical? Do you think there are exceptions to this? Why or why not?
6. In what ways is our church involved in serving others? Are there other things that you feel called to do to serve?
7. Why is this value important for Metropolitan Community Churches?
Affirmation of Belief
Say together the affirmation found in the worship resource section. You may want to give this out to group members to use as an affirmation for the week.
Action
Prepare by having a large, shallow basin of warm water and a number of soft towels. This is a way for group members to show love to and care for one another.
Close your time together having members of your group wash each other's hands or feet. This is an ancient Christian tradition based on Jesus' example of foot washing. Go around the circle so that each person has an opportunity to have their feet/hands washed, if they are comfortable doing so, and to wash another person's feet/hands.
Closing Prayer
Invite group members to go around the circle and each one pray for the person to their left. People can demonstrate their love and spiritual care by praying for one another.
Living Out the Value
In living out this value, you want to create opportunities for people to express love and service to one another and to themselves.
1. Hold a day-long workshop or a series of classes designed to help build self-esteem. A local therapist or teacher may have resources to do this.
2. Have a training or series of programs to help members of your church be more effective in countering racism and other forms of prejudice. Create greater respect for diversity within your congregation.
3. Create a time of blessing families in your congregation and talk about the ways they love one another. Be sure to recognize the many ways in which people form families; in intimate relationships, as groups of friends, as parents and children, etc.
CORE VALUE #4
Run the Race
MCC ministers with persistent and enduring faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Scriptural Foundation: Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Worship Resources
Call to Worship
One:
God, we come
Many:
Seeking the courage to run the race of life
With faithfulness and joy.
One:
Christ, we come
Many:
Seeking the strength to run the race of life
With steadfastness and love.
One:
Spirit, we come
Many:
Seeking the faith to know
That you are at the race's end,
At its beginning and throughout it all.
One:
We come, we come, we come.
Affirmation of Belief
Holy One,
you call us to a life of faithfulness.
We affirm that you want us
To be persistent and enduring.
We commit ourselves to the long term
walk of faith.
Day by day, we follow you.
Prayer
We look to you, Jesus,
The pioneer of our faith,
Going before us in life, death and resurrection.
We look to you, Jesus,
The perfecter of our faith,
Our guide and teacher
Who shows us the way.
We look to you, Jesus,
Keep us steadfast and faithful,
As we follow you day by day.
Small Group Program
Open with prayer
Ice Breaker
Have paper and pen available for each person.
Have group members list as many pioneers as they can think of in three minutes. The people can be pioneers in any field—the first person on the moon, the first person to organize a Pride parade in your town, the first to discover a new element, the first to travel around the planet. See whose list is the longest.
Scripture
Ask a member of the group to read Hebrews 12:1-2
Discussion Questions
Select the questions you think will be most interesting to your group and add your own. The size of your group will determine how many questions you'll be able to discuss.
1. Scripture tells us that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Name some of the people who are part of that cloud of witnesses for you. In what ways have these witnesses helped to shape your faith?
2. The passage tells us to lay aside every weight sin that cling to us. How do we go about doing this? What enables us to lay them aside? Why is it important that we let these things go?
3. How does Jesus act as a pioneer and perfecter of your faith? What does this sentence mean to you?
4. What are the things that have made it difficult for you to run the race? What obstacles have you personally encountered?
5. What do you do when you are feeling worn out? How do you renew yourself spiritually so that you can continue on?
6. How have you experienced MCC ministering with a "persistent and enduring faith?" What obstacles has your congregation overcome? In what ways have you been persistently faithful?
7. Why is this value important for Metropolitan Community Churches?
Affirmation of Belief
Say together the affirmation found in the worship resource section. You may want to give this out to group members to use as an affirmation for the week.
Action
This action helps people to reflect on who has been a witness and pioneer for them in faith.
Have group members write a letter to someone who has been an inspiration in faith to them. If you have time, have people share the contents of their letter if they are comfortable doing so.
Closing Prayer
Living Out the Value
1. Create a display for your congregation about the history of your church, region or the Fellowship. Place it in the social hall or entrance area. Use this to remind people of the faithfulness that you've lived out together.
2. Give an award to someone in your community who has demonstrated long term faithfulness. This is a great opportunity to thank one of the unsung heroes of your church or community.
3. Invite a pioneer to preach or speak at your church. This may be someone who was an early gay activist, a parent or ally who spoke up for the rights of GLBT people when no one else was doing so or someone who has taken a stand for civil rights in your town or city. Give them a plaque honoring their years of faithfulness.
4. Recognize and remember the cloud of witnesses in your church by doing an act of remembrance. Consider holding a Names Project Quilt display in your church or commemorate in some way the people who have gone before us.
5. In worship, have several speakers witness to those who have been great inspirations of faith to them.
CORE VALUE #5
House of Prayer for All People
MCC ministry in every arena reflects a commitment to justice and inclusivity, nondiscrimination, and equal access by and opportunity for all. (Isaiah 56:7)
Scriptural Foundation: Isaiah 56:7
These I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. (Isaiah 56:7)
Worship Resources
Call to Worship
Invite people to "Come into the house of God" in many languages. Here are
some suggestions:
Spanish:
"Ven y entra a la casa de Dios"
Portuguese:
"Entra na casa de Deus."
Afrikaans:
"Kom na die huis van God"
Mandarin:
"Ging Ru Hsun Di Da Seng Deng"
French:
"Entrez la maison de Dieu"
German:
"Gekommen in das Haus des Gottes"
Italian:
"Entrare nella casa del dio"
Japanese:
"Kamisama no uchi kitte kudasai"
Affirmation of Belief
We affirm God's call for justice
In our land and in our lives.
We strive for inclusivity
In our worship, our fellowship and our community.
We know that all people
Are beloved and welcomed by our God.
Prayer
Just and enduring God,
You call upon us to love your people
With the same passion that you love us.
Create in our hearts fresh fervor
To bring freedom and justice to our world.
May our community of faith
always be a place
Where all your children can gather in peace.
May we be a house of prayer for all people.
Small Group Program
Open with prayer
Ice Breaker
Have available a map of the world and small round stickers. This exercise should help people see how they are connected to a wider world.
Ask group members to place a sticker on every part of the world that they have visited (if your group is larger or your time is very short, have people place a sticker on the parts of the world where they have lived). If you have time, invite people to share recollections of their favorite place.
Another option is to tell people the week before to bring a photograph of a place that they have visited. Encourage people to bring their most interesting photograph from the furthest destination they have visited. Have each group member share the photograph with the group and briefly tell about what is in the picture and how they came to be there.
Scripture
Ask a member of the group to read Isaiah 56:7
Discussion Questions
Select the questions you think will be most interesting to your group and add your own. The size of your group will determine how many questions you'll be able to discuss.
1. Scripture tells us that the offerings and sacrifices of all nations will be accepted by God. Why was this a revolutionary thing for the Bible to say?
2. In what ways do you see your church living out this calling? In what areas do you still need to grow?
3. People around the world practice many different religions; how do you think they will all come together on the mountain of God? What will this look like?
4. Invite group members to name a time when they stood up for something that furthered justice and inclusivity. What lead you to take that stand? What gave you the courage to do so?
5. What do you see as the most important justice issues facing our community today? What are the most pressing justice issues in the world today?
6. Why is this an important value for Metropolitan Community Churches?
Affirmation of Belief
Say together the affirmation found in the worship resource section. You may want to give this out to group members to use as an affirmation for the week.
Action
Have available paper and pens, a directory of your political representatives and information about an issue that is of importance to your community. You may want to look at an issue such as same sex marriage, global distribution of HIV/AIDS medication, racial profiling, etc. Select one issue and all write about that; this will enable the group to help each other craft letters.
Have your group write letters to your members of parliament, Prime Minister, representatives in Congress, President, etc., about a particular justice issue that is of importance to your group.
Closing Prayer
Pray about the issue your group wrote letters about. Encourage group members to continue to pray about this issue.
Living Out the Value
1. Hold a letter writing campaign at coffee hour for Amnesty International to support prisoners of conscience around the world. Contact Amnesty International at www.amnesty.org. Or send letters to your political representatives about an issue that is of importance to your community.
2. Conduct a series of institutes at your church designed to address and reduce prejudice. Bring in a trainer to lead your congregation in looking at issues such as racism, sexism or other prejudice.
3. Work together with a congregation that is demographically different from yours on an issue of justice that affects your community.
4. Research the racial, ethnic, class and age demographics of your city or town. Compare the numbers you find to your own congregation. How close are the percentages of your area to your church? Consider what you can do as a congregation to reach out to groups that you are not currently reaching but who are present in your community. Create a plan to follow through on this.
CORE VALUE #6
Not Ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
MCC is committed to boldness in proclamation and excellence in ministry (Romans 1:16)
Scriptural Foundation: Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)
Worship Resources
Call to Worship
One:
Say it with boldness,
Many:
God is good.
One:
Say it out loud,
Many:
Jesus loves me.
One:
Say it clearly,
Many:
The Spirit is here.
One:
Say it to all the world.
Affirmation of Belief
We are called to speak of
God's transforming love.
We affirm that we are to be bold
In declaring God's goodness and mercy.
We are proud of our faith,
Proud to be the people of God.
Let us proclaim to the world
Of salvation and
God's wondrous presence in our lives.
Prayer
Jesus,
Inspire us to be bold in faith
And passionate in action.
Let us speak with pride
Of your presence in our lives.
Let us serve you with the very best within us,
That all the world will know
Of your goodness and your power.
Small Group Program
Open with prayer
Ice Breaker
Give each group member a piece of paper the shape and size of a bumper sticker. Make markers and/or crayons available.
Create a bumper sticker that could serve as an advertisement for your small group. Have group members show their stickers and explain why they designed them the way they did.
Scripture
Ask a member of the group to read Romans 1:16
Discussion Questions
Select the questions you think will be most interesting to your group and add your own. The size of your group will determine how many questions you'll be able to discuss.
1. Define "the gospel." What does it mean to you?
2. In what ways does your church proclaim the gospel?
3. In what ways are you a witness to the gospel? Is witnessing to the gospel primarily about speaking or acting or both?
4. Do you feel bold in witnessing? Why or why not?
5. What is your primary feeling about being a Christian? Are you proud, ashamed, grateful, embarrassed, think its no one's business, etc.? What has led you to feel that way?
6. How do you think your life is different because you have heard the gospel?
7. What is, for you, the heart of the gospel? What is the most important thing for us to proclaim?
8. Why is this value important for Metropolitan Community Churches?
Affirmation of Belief
Say together the affirmation found in the worship resource section. You may want to give this out to group members to use as an affirmation for the week.
Action
Provide group members with pen and paper if they don't already have them.
Ask group members to think of one way that they could, through their actions, witness to the gospel. This may be inviting someone to church, doing an act of service, etc. Have group members write down the action and then share it with the group.
Closing Prayer
Pray for group members to have the courage to do the actions that they wrote down; pray for boldness and faithfulness.
Living Out the Value
In living out this value, you will want to look at how to be bold in proclaiming the gospel and also at excellence in ministry.
1. Hold a series of classes for people engaged in the ministry of your church helping them to learn new skills to minister with excellence. You might focus on things such as how to effectively run a meeting, skills to welcome newcomers, etc. Encourage people to evaluate their skills and improve them in a supportive environment.
2. Conduct a workshop for church members about how to witness effectively to the gospel. Discuss the reasons for evangelism and how people can be a part of your church's outreach.
3. Start a new advertising campaign in your local area. You may want to target specific publications in order to reach new groups who are underrepresented in your congregation.
CORE VALUE #7
Created in God's Image
MCC is committed to each person's growth toward wholeness in body, mind, and spirit, and full integration of spirituality and sexuality. (Genesis 1:27)
Scriptural Foundation: Genesis 1:27
So God created humankind in God's own image; in the image of God she created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)
Worship Resources
Call to Worship
One:
Blessed are the bodies that bring us to worship.
Many:
Holy are our bodies, kneeling in prayer,
One:
birthing a baby,
Many:
planting the earth,
One:
comforting, loving,
Many:
mending and harvesting.
One:
Blessed are the minds that come to worship.
Many:
Holy are our minds, dreaming dreams,
One:
composing poems,
Many:
calculating figures,
One:
solving puzzles,
Many:
speaking of love.
One:
Blessed are the spirits that gather in worship.
Many:
Holy are our spirits, soaring in gratitude,
One:
weeping with compassion,
Many:
stirring with joy,
One:
longing for a better world,
Many:
safe in God's embrace.
One:
Blessed are our bodies, minds and spirits.
Many:
Holy are our lives. Thanks be to God.
Affirmation of Belief
I believe in the goodness of my body.
I thank God for my body's ability
To give me pleasure,
Warn me of injury,
Heal me of disease,
And embrace my loved ones.
I marvel at my complexity and beauty.
Help me to be one with my body.
Prayer
You created us, God,
And pronounced us good.
Let your goodness well up within us;
Let your wholeness complete us.
Let us revel in our bodies,
Full of goodness, full of wholeness.
Thank you, God.
Small Group Program
Open with prayer
Ice Breaker
This ice breaker will give group members the opportunity to move around and pray in different positions. Remind group members to only do what they are comfortable doing.
Pray in your bodies by inviting each member of the group to choose a position (i.e., kneeling with hands together, standing with arms open, sitting with palms up and open, etc.) and spend about a minute in that position praying silently. After a minute, have each member of the group invite the others to follow the member's prayer position. Make sure the group tries out each position (as much as possible, respecting people's physical limitations).
Scripture
Ask a member of the group to read Genesis 1:27-30
Discussion Questions
Select the questions you think will be most interesting to your group and add your own. The size of your group will determine how many questions you'll be able to discuss.
1. What did it feel like to pray in different postures? Which felt more open? Closed? Connected? Energizing? Tiring? What did you learn about prayer from this exercise?
2. What have churches taught you about bodies? About sexuality? Use examples from your own religious background.
3. How can you use your body in the service of God?
4. Are your sexuality and spirituality integrated or do you see them as two separate things? Where do the two overlap? Where are they distinct?
5. After God created humanity, God saw that the creation was very good. What does this mean for you spiritually?
6. What are the characteristics of healthy sexuality? How have you learned this?
7. What is most important to God about our sexuality?
8. Why is this value important for Metropolitan Community Churches?
Affirmation of Belief
Say together the affirmation found in the worship resource section. You may want to give this out to group members to use as an affirmation for the week.
Action
Take a prayer walk as a group. Simply go out into your community and walk or move together, praying for the things you see, hear, smell and feel along the way. Be sure to pick a route and a pace that is accessible for all group members. Think about each step you take as a moment of prayer. You can each pray silently as you walk or you can pause at points along the way and pray together. When you are done, talk about what it felt like to pray in that way.
Closing Prayer
Living Out the Value
1. Hold a forum on sexuality and spirituality. Invite speakers from the community who will raise thought-provoking issues. Look at issues such as sexual ethics for the 21st century.
2. Conduct a class on homosexuality and the Bible. Advertise it well in the wider community. Many people still have not heard this and are hungry for this information.
3. Hold a health fair and provide people with information about how to care for their bodies, minds and spirits. Invite local health care provides to come to speak to the community. Consider working with local health agencies to provide screening for diseases such as diabetes, breast cancer, prostate cancer and HIV.
4. Gather a group of church members to participate together in an AIDS-walk or bike ride. Emphasize that this is a way to both do something healthy for your body and to promote well-being in our community.
5. Hold a series of classes at your church on topics like stress reduction, self-esteem and building a healthy relationship.
6. Contact a local AIDS prevention organization and have a safer sex workshop at your church.
CORE VALUE #8
Go Into All The World
MCC is passionately committed to reaching all people with the Good News. (Matthew 28:19-20)
Scriptural Foundation: Matthew 28:19-20
Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Creator and the Christ and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)
Worship Resources
Call to Worship
One:
Jesus calls us:
Many:
Go into all the world
One:
To the rich and famous and to the poor and destitute.
Many:
Go into all the world
One:
To the women and the men and the transgendered.
Many:
Go into all the world
One:
To the infants and the aged.
Many:
Go into all the world
One:
To people of every nation and color.
Many:
Go into all the world
One:
To the bisexuals, lesbians, gay men and straight folks.
Many:
Go into all the world
One:
To the hopeful and to the despairing.
Many:
For Christ is with us in all those places.
One:
Go into all the world
Affirmation of Belief
I believe that the Good News
Of your love for us
Is a message that changes lives.
Help me to passionately proclaim
This wonderful word
To people of every kind.
Prayer
Jesus,
You send us out into the world,
Not content for us to stay at home
Keeping the Good News to ourselves.
Give me the vision to recognize your presence
In all places and in all people.
Help me to speak of your presence
Within my life.
Small Group Program
Open with prayer
Ice Breaker
This icebreaker will help the group look at the way they have interacted with people of other nations.
Describe a time when you encountered someone from another country. What was it like? Was communication easy or difficult? In what ways did you see this person as similar to you? In what ways were you different?
Scripture
Ask a member of the group to read Matthew 28:19-20
Discussion Questions
Select the questions you think will be most interesting to your group and add your own. The size of your group will determine how many questions you'll be able to discuss.
1. How do you define being a disciple of Jesus?
2. Do you see yourself as a disciple? What does it mean to you to be a disciple of Jesus?
3. How has your experience of God changed you? What is the Good News for you?
4. Do you think that Jesus means that people from every nation should have the opportunity to hear the Gospel and become disciples? Or that every person in every nation will become a disciple?
5. What principles should guide people sharing their faith with others in the 21st century?
6. Who do you think needs to hear the Good News in your community? In what ways might you witness to them?
7. Why is this value important for Metropolitan Community Churches?
Affirmation of Belief
Say together the affirmation found in the worship resource section. You may want to give this out to group members to use as an affirmation for the week.
Action
This action will help you think about the global realities that will soon become a part of MCC. How will we learn about each other in a way that empowers us for mutual ministry?
Select one of the countries that will be a part of your region as the MCC restructures. Learn about that country together: their language, heritage, form of government, religious trends, what organizations there are for LGBT people and other information. Make sure that you are using information that is current, rather than just historical. Pray for the people of this country.
Closing Prayer
Pray for people who need to hear the Good News that your church has to share, but who have not yet heard it.
Living Out the Value
1. Reach out to a church that will be a part of your new MCC Region. Have members of your church learn about that part of the world and about the MCC churches there. Write a letter to the congregation and tell them that you are praying for them and looking forward to being together in your Region.
2. Support one of the programs of Church World Service. You can help provide blankets and tools for needy people around the world or work to support programs for refuges. Find them at http://www.churchworldservice.org
3. Take a look at issues of globalization. Contact your elected representatives and ask them for their positions on global trade and then discuss the issues with a small group.
4. Plan a worship service that focuses on hearing the Good News. For the sermon, invite several church members to share their testimony. (Be sure to plan this ahead of time so people have an opportunity to think through and plan what they will share with the congregation).
CORE VALUE #9
Being Good Stewards
MCC wisely utilizes the gifts God has given to us. (1 Peter 4:10)
Scriptural Foundation: 1 Peter 4:10
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. (1 Peter 4:10)
Worship Resources
Call to Worship
One:
Come bringing your questions,
Come bringing your dreams,
Many:
For God is here to receive us.
One:
Come bringing your riches,
Come bringing you needs,
Many:
For God will provide in abundance.
One:
Come bringing the best of you,
Come bringing your weakness,
Many:
For God has known us from the beginning.
One:
Come bringing all of who you are,
Many:
For that is what God asks of us.
Affirmation of Belief
You have been so generous to me, O God.
Let me follow your example.
May I be generous with those I meet,
Whoever they are.
May I invest my resources
In ways that further your dominion.
Prayer
Generous God,
You have given us so much:
The beauty of the Springtime air,
The wonder of love,
The bounty of food upon the earth,
The miracle of each breath we take.
Thank you.
Remind me to live with gratitude
For the blessings that I have
And for all that I see around me.
Small Group Program
Open with prayer
Ice Breaker
This icebreaker helps people to see themselves as givers and receivers of gifts.
Ask group members to write a description or draw a picture of the best gift that they have ever received. Then describe or draw the best gift they have ever given. Have people share their answers with the group. Which was more satisfying: receiving the great gift or giving one?
Scripture
Ask a member of the group to read 1 Peter 4:8-10
Discussion Questions
Select the questions you think will be most interesting to your group and add your own. The size of your group will determine how many questions you'll be able to discuss.
1. Brainstorm a list of the gifts that God has given to us. Write the answers on flipchart paper so everyone can see them.
2. What gifts has God specifically given to you? This might be particular talents you have, people in your life, situations you have found yourself in...
3. In what ways are you sharing these gifts with others? Are you satisfied with this level of sharing? Are there things you might do more of?
4. In what ways is your church living out the principle in this scripture verse? What are some ways you could change how you do things to live this out more fully?
5. Describe the relationship you see between generosity and spirituality. How does God want us to be generous?
6. We often think of gifts to the church has giving money. What are other ways in which you can give to the church?
7. Why is this an important value for Metropolitan Community Churches?
Affirmation of Belief
Say together the affirmation found in the worship resource section. You may want to give this out to group members to use as an affirmation for the week.
Action
Have the group members make a commitment to giving a gift to the church. This might be a monetary gift, or it could be time spent on a volunteer project, such as spending a Saturday cleaning the sanctuary or doing yard work, or stuffing envelopes.
Closing Prayer
Living Out the Value
1. Help congregants discover their spiritual gifts by holding a workshop on spiritual gifts.
2. Hold workshops for the community on financial management. Connect people with resources that will help them save money. Include information about charitable giving to help people make good decisions with their money. Find a financial advisor who can address the financial needs of single people, same sex and opposite sex couples.
3. Raise money for a nonprofit/charitable group or agency in your community. Choose a cause that furthers the values of your church and community. Hold a fundraiser and invite the director of the charity to come and speak to the group about why it is important to your city/town.
4. Organize an alternative Christmas market where people can purchase gifts that help people around the world. Two great groups to support are the Heifer Project International, www.heifer.org which donates animals to people around the world to help them become self-supporting, and Habitat for Humanity, www.habitat.org which builds homes around the world for people in need. Or volunteer in your community to help build a Habitat home.
5. Raise money to provide for ministries in your own congregation. Work with the pastor and Board of Directors to identify areas that need particular funding.
