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Sabbath for the Shepherd: A Quiet Pentecost

Sabbath for the Shepherd: A Quiet Pentecost. Dwight Judy Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. John 20 . Gathered in fear Peace be with you As the Father has sent me, so I send you Receive the Holy Spirit. Two Pentecosts. Quiet Pentecost of John 20 Extravaganza Pentecost of Acts 3

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Sabbath for the Shepherd: A Quiet Pentecost

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  1. Sabbath for the Shepherd: A Quiet Pentecost Dwight Judy Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

  2. John 20 • Gathered in fear • Peace be with you • As the Father has sent me, so I send you • Receive the Holy Spirit

  3. Two Pentecosts • Quiet Pentecost of John 20 • Extravaganza Pentecost of Acts 3 • Church keeps looking for renewal like Acts 3 • There would be no Acts 3 without John 20! • Let us look where the Holy Spirit is acting rather than wishing for something different.

  4. Could this time of quiet be of God’s designing? • “The church is of God and will exist until the end of time….. • All in every age and station stand in need of the grace which it alone supplies.”

  5. Galatians 5:18-26 • Now the works of the flesh are obvious: • fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, • enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, • drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. . . .

  6. Galatians 5:18-26 • By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is • love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. • Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another.

  7. United Methodist Church • Reclaim Unity • Renew Method • Dwell in the Peace of Christ

  8. Definition and Rules of the Methodist Societies • “Such a society is no other than ‘a company of [people] having the form and seeking the power of godliness, united in order to pray together, to receive the word of exhortation, and to watch over one another in love, that they may help each other to work out their salvation.’” • Avoid evil • Do good • Attend upon Ordinances of the Church

  9. Be a Society • “Such a society is no other than ‘a company of [people] having the form and seeking the power of godliness, united in order to pray together, to receive the word of exhortation, and to watch over one another in love, that they may help each other to work out their salvation.’”

  10. The Holy Spirit Among Us • John Cassian, late 4th to early 5th century • Almost 50 contributors across denominations, size of congregations, regions • Renewal of prayer disciplines – renaissance of prayer forms • Small group spiritual formation • Companions in Christ • Scripture meditation • Wesleyan Covenant Discipleship • Applications for discernment of our calling before God, individually, in committee work, for whole congregation

  11. Love God with all of you heart, and soul, and mind, and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. Spiritual formation is the process of becoming more like Jesus Christ for the sake of others. -- Robert Mulholland

  12. Spiritual Disciplines in Soul Feast • Spiritual Reading of Scripture • Prayer • Corporate Worship • Practices of self-emptying • Spiritual Companioning • Hospitality • Developing a Rule of Life

  13. Rule of LifeMarjorie Thompson, Soul Feast • A rule of life is • a pattern of spiritual disciplines • that provides • structure and direction • for growth in holiness.

  14. Very Good News for United Methodists! • Confusion around theology – how can we articulate a stance of “grace” to a world intent on conflict? • Trying the next new thing – focus on numbers alone • “Christianity” has been hijacked by media. • Methodist heritage is all about “method”! Our purpose is to grow closer to God and more loving toward neighbor through spiritual disciplines • Aim – to be made perfect in love in this life!

  15. John Wesley“The Means of Grace” • How do we “wait upon the Lord?” • By “marching forward with all our might.” • Ordinary Means of Grace • Public and Private Prayer • Attending upon Sacraments of the Church • Scripture reading • Holy Conferencing • Fasting or Abstinence

  16. Disciplines of Holy LivingWesleyan Heritage • Being made perfect in love in this life • Rules of the Societies • Do no evil • Do good • Attend upon the Ordinances of the Church • Sacraments (particularly Holy Communion) • Searching the Scriptures • Public and Private Prayer • Fasting or Abstinence • Holy Conferencing

  17. Covenant Discipleship ModelDavid Lowes Watson, Gayle Turner Watson, Steven Manskar

  18. Rule of St. Benedict6th Century & the 21st Century Church • LectioDivina – our life of prayerful study • Opus Dei – our life of worship • Opus Manuum – our work of service, mission, and administration • Hospitality to all

  19. Leaven for the Bread of Life • Spiritual formation focus provides “leaven” for the congregation • Reflective study groups – “meeting together in order to help each other work out our salvation.” • A congregation of soul friends • Teaching all lay leadership spiritual disciplines • Allowing Jesus to Lead Us

  20. Going on to Perfection of Love • What spiritual practices help you to connect with God? • What practices help you to grow in love of neighbor? • How would you know if you are growing in love? • Meister Eckhart – “The Holy Spirit comes upon us bit by bit. . . . So that were we to live a thousand years, we could still grow in love.”

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