Gratitude

Digital Liturgy

Gratitude 

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

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Psalm 138

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I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;

 before the “gods” I will sing your praise.

I will bow down toward your holy temple

and will praise your name

for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,

for you have so exalted your solemn decree

that it surpasses your fame.

When I called, you answered me;

you greatly emboldened me.

May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord,
when they hear what you have decreed.
May they sing of the ways of the Lord,

for the glory of the Lord is great. Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
Though lofty, he sees them from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
with your right hand you save me. The Lord will vindicate me;
your love, Lord, endures forever—do not abandon the works of your hands.

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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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I Thessalonians 5:16-18

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Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

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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. Have you experienced the presence of God 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

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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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Word on Gratitude 

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In the Sermon Zac spoke about journaling around the question, What am I grateful for? For this week would it look like for us to daily reflect on what you're grateful for. As you process what you’re grateful for, share your gratitude with someone in your life. 

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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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Presence:

• Growing in Gratitude: Rediscovering the Joy of a Thankful Heart - Mary K. Mohler
• One Thousand Gifts - Ann Voskamp 
• 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! 

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