February 2, 2023

Presence

Perhaps

Week 1 of a year-long series from Citizens Akron

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Opening Prayer

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

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. 

Affirmation of Faith

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

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

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

Text

John 1:9-13

 “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.  He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.  But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,  who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God”

Podcast

(listen to the sermon here)

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.

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. 

Word on Presence

What we look at in many ways determines what we live like. As humans we are designed to be formed. The question for the people of God is what are we being formed by? One of the keys to being aware of the presence of God among us is viewing the world through the right lens. One of the best ways to see our days though the proper lens is to start our day with Jesus. 

Imagination

The majority of Americans wake up to their phone alarms and immediately begin to look at their phones.This in most cases leads to social media or emails, or the news cycle being the first thing seen in the morning thereby forming us to those values.  What if instead of our phones the first thing we did when we woke up in the morning was to simply say the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)?. 

Suggestions

  1. Buy an alarm clock 
  2. Don’t sleep near your phone 
  3. Write the Lord’s Prayer on a piece of paper 
  4. Read the Lord’s Prayer 3 times 
  5. As God to make you aware of his presence in course of your day

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 

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!

Past Digital Liturgies

Journey through past Digital Liturgies