Learning Together for the Transformation of the World 2015 MISSION U

Learning Together for the Transformation of the World 2015 MISSION U Learning Together for the Transformation of the World MISSION U: :

Opening Worship Call to Worship (Psalm 42 and Psalm 43) Come, all you whose souls thirst for the living God. We come in search of help and hope.

Come, you who are acquainted with grief or oppression. We come bearing our doubts, our wounds, and our fears.

Come, you who are in need of good news. We come in search of joy, truth, and light. Come and find refuge in God your rock. Let us again praise the One who is our help and our hope. - re :Worship.blogspot.com

Come and find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead find the room for hope to enter, find the frame where we are freed: “Come and Find the Quiet Center”

clear the chaos and the clutter, clear our eyes that we may see all the things that really matter, be at peace and simply be.

Silence is a friend who claims us, cools the heat and slows the pace, God it is who speaks and names us, knows our being, touches base,

lifting shades to show the sun, raising courage when we’re shrinking, finding scope for faith begun. Making space within our thinking,

In the Spirit let us travel, open to each other’s pain, let our loves and fears unravel, celebrate the space we gain:

there’s a place for deepest dreaming, there’s a time for heart to care, in the Spirit’s lively scheming there is always room to spare! The Faith We Sing, #2128, 1992 CCLI #

Opening Prayer Lord, we have come to this place from near and far, from our chaotic lives and rusty, dusty routines, from all that was and is, to all that might be, to the possibilities.

We welcome you into our midst and ask that you be near us and breathe your gentle mercies on us so that we may leave this place renewed. Amen.

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Reflection on the Word Deuteronomy 30:15-30 What are some of the other gods we worship? What does it mean to choose life each day?

Matthew 6:25-33

What worry do you carry with you today? Can you trust God to carry it for you because he “knows what you need”?

Seek ye first the kingdom of God, And His righteousness, And all these things, shall be added unto you, Allelu, alleuia. “Seek Ye First”

Ask and it shall be given unto you, Seek and ye shall find. Knock and the door shall be opened unto you. Allelu, Alleuia

Seek ye first the kingdom of God And His righteousness And all these things, shall be added unto you. Allelu. Alleluia. UMH #405

CREATED FOR HAPPINESS: Understanding Your Life in God

 Extend and receive welcome.  Be present as fully as possible.  Speak your truth in ways that respect other people’s truth. Touchstones

 No fixing, saving, advising or correcting each other.  Learn to respond to others with honest, open questions.

 Attend to your own inner teacher.  Trust and learn from the silence.  Observe deep confidentiality.  When the going gets rough, turn to wonder. From Parker Palmer’s Circle of Trust ®

Session One Happiness is… Defining and creating happiness in our sacred and secular spaces (Chapters 1 & 2)

What is happiness?

Group Responses: Contentment Satisfaction Peace Having a voice Joy Loving relationships Things going right Affirmation

Group Responses: Purpose Absence of misery Chocolate Acceptance Balance Trusting in God

To me, happiness is doing something meaningful that helps people and that I believe in with people I love. - Mark Zuckerberg

Questions: 1) Where does happiness come from? Is it a gift or of our own making? 2) How does one measure happiness? 3) What is the difference, if any, between happiness, joy and contentment? 4) Looking at the traits of happy people (pgs 15-16), select two you would like to incorporate more into your life.

Who have you been and who are you now? Where has your heart traveled Who have you loved and what have you lost What have you bought and what was the cost I can see in your eyes there's a whole life behind them Deep and sweet stormy and distant sometimes And I find I have few stories I'd like to tell you of mine “Who Have You Been” – Carrie Newcomer

Happy: The Movie Directed by Roko Belic

Happiness Survey

Note to folks online…if you will choose the “Social Stream” to the right of your picture, you can participate in chat with others. You do have to create a free Ustream account. Quick and easy. You can also use Facebook login.

Questions for Reflection 1)What surprised you most? 2) What is one thing you would like to change? 3) What is one thing keeping you from being happy?

Questions: (pgs ) 1)What is it about these images of happiness that make people want to buy this product or experience? 2)What are your favorite advertisements and why? 3)What are the feelings or emotions that the images in the ads evoke in you? 4)How does the media industry use images, colors, sounds and other means to package happiness? 5)Come up with one question that you would like to ask the makers or advertisers of products that promote happiness.

"Shout To The Lord” Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing Power and majesty, praise to the King; Mountains bow down and the seas will roar At the sound of Your name.

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands, Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand, Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

My Jesus, My Savior, Lord, there is none like You; All of my days I want to praise The wonders of Your mighty love.

My comfort, my shelter, Tower of refuge and strength; Let every breath, all that I am Never cease to worship You.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing Power and majesty, praise to the King; Mountains bow down and the seas will roar At the sound of Your name.

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands, Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand, Nothing compares to the promise I have in You. Darlene Zschech, CCLI License #

Be Happy!