Our Lady of Grace
&
The Holy
Spirit
Fellowship
Groups
FORMAT
FOR JANUARY 07 MEETING
Baptism
Brief welcome
(with tea)
Opening
prayer: preferably a few words from a member of the group.
( Eg Thank you for bringing us together and for the opportunity to listen
to your word and learn from your Holy Spirit and grow in our faith. Help
us to share, to be open and attentive, and help us to practise in our
lives what we learn from you. Amen.
Or, for example: Lord God, Lead us by your Holy Spirit. We ask you to
come into our lives, our Parish, this group, and lead us where you want
us to go. Amen)
Read passage
aloud Luke 3:15&16 and 21&22
Further optional relevant passages: Peter Acts of the Apostles Ch 2:37-41
and Paul Romans Ch 6: 1-11
Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their
hearts whether John might be the Messiah.
John answered them all, saying, "I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the holy Spirit and fire.
After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
Questions
on the passage
Is baptism essential for salvation?
What does the baptism of Jesus tell us about Jesus?
What does it mean when we say that Christians are initiated into the death
and resurrection of Jesus?
How can Christians live this mystery in a practical way?
Discuss evidence of the Holy Spirit in your own life?
Explain how the baptism of infants can be a meaningful event to the adult
Christian community.
Re-read
the passage aloud, followed by silent reflection.
Prayers resulting from silent reflection and also prayers for the needs
of the group members or others as arises.
Finish with daily group prayer: Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth.
Social: shared
table
Grace before eating: For example: Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts
which we are about to receive from your bounty, through Christ our Lord.
Amen
Grace after eating: For example: We give you thanks, almighty God, for all your benefits, who lives and reigns, for ever and ever. Amen