Praying Together with Scripture, May 20, 2024 8:00am

  Join Zoom Meeting  with lay ministers John Lindholm and Alan Crowley hosting on behalf of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Holden, Massachusetts and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Jericho, Vermont.  Every Monday morning at 8:00.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85459472625?pwd=RWY5b1hJRXRrZi9OMmVMeXhPZU5XQT09

Meeting ID: 854 5947 2625.   Passcode: 684195

Lectio Divina Process:

    1st reading:  Read:  Listen for the overall sense of the passage.  Notice a word or phrase that most captures your attention as you listen, as though the Holy Spirit were flashing a light from the text to your heart, asking you to notice it. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, allow your eyes to be opened and your heart to be melted  as God speaks to you. If you choose, simply share the word or phrase with the group.

    2nd reading: Reflect- Listen for the feelings, sensations and connections that God's Word stirs in you. If you want, share a connection you sense between the passage and this particular moment in your life.

    3rd reading:  Respond-  Listen to your own heart for  something that you want to express to God in response to the meanings and observations you are hearing. If you desire, share a reverent gratitude, petition or lament that you would like God and your siblings gathered with you to hear. After the 3rd Sharing, Share the Silence: Rest in God-  Hold a quiet space to listen to God speaking in your heart,  beyond words.

Meditation Song for Lectio Divina, shared by music minister John Penoyar,

We are Christ to one another

We are the body of our Lord.

Where two or three  of us are gathered in His name,

We are the living Word of God.

We are the Hands and feet of Jesus

We're called to walk the road He walked.

Reach-ing out to heal each other

reach-ing out with love.

God works in ways beyond our knowing

His spirit often moves unseen  

May God in all His gracious wisdom

Let His will live in me to day

"Nicodemus",     Tanner, Henry Ossawa, 1859-1937

John 3:1-17
1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God."3 Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above."4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Lord's Prayer  (recited together).

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. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  for thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, forever and ever. Amen.

 Closing Prayer

• Holy God, the earth is full of the glory of your love.
  May we your children, born of the Spirit,
  so bear witness to your Son Jesus Christ, crucified and risen,that all the world may believe and have eternal lifethrough the One who saves, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,  now and for ever. Amen.