Off To A Good Start

Each of the 24 meeting openers, from New Year to Epiphany, includes a subject matter, along with corresponding scripture, a suggested activity, ideas for silent reflection, a leaders reflection, some discussion questions, a prayer, and a closing thought for folks to meditate on and unpack after they have left the meeting.

These are all versatile enough to be adapted to many different situations for many different group sizes.  They are flexible enough for specific portions to be eliminated/shortened/lengthened as needed.

Following these 24 installments, the book goes on to present several prayers for meetings, church seasons/celebrations, seasons of the calendar year, special occasions and specific concerns. For example there are table graces, prayers before and after meetings of all kinds including church meetings. There are prayers for the Annual Congregational meeting, worship planning, ministry and personnel, pastoral care, outreach, mission, social justice, fundraising and finance, stewardship, bible studies, Christian educators, and with the choir in addition to prayers for all the seasons of the church year and the calendar year and many special occasions and concerns.

There is no need to fret about giving a devotion EVER AGAIN!  These little treasures can be adapted, used and reused as needed – in any situation.  This little book is well written and down to earth – my copy is dog eared, highlighted and has post it notes all the way through it.  It is well worth the $20 I spent on it.  

From the David’s introduction (pg vi):
“When you come to a faith community meeting there is always a tendency to think, “Let’s get on with the business and pass quickly over the God stuff.” But in the silence, the holy silence as we pause and pray silently, God speaks.  In reflecting on the well-chosen words of a devotion, God speaks.  And in the prayer offered sincerely, God speaks.  We are called to listen, to act on what we hear, and to give our heartfelt thanks to the Holy One.”