Casting Your Cares

(Leaders: Before the session, bring one rock for each participant, if possible.)

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, invite participants to respond, “When you hear ‘joy,’ what comes to mind?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 and Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11.

• 1 Peter 4:12 starts with “beloved.” To whom do you think Peter is writing? [Christians 2,000 years ago and/or us] What does it mean to be “beloved” of God?
• “Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.” (1 Peter 5:9, NRSV). Who are “your brothers and sisters in all the world”? What kinds of suffering are they going through? How does your church address suffering in the community? How does being part of The United Methodist Church help address suffering in the wider world? What might be other ways you might address the needs in your area?
• “He (Peter) isn’t saying the problems will go away. But he is inviting us to not let the suffering control us. Cast your inclination to worry away. Trust in the Lord because he cares for you.” (From Planning Worship). How have you experienced this? How might it look e to trust God fully? In what area of your life do you need to work on trusting God?

Optional activity

(Leaders: Get rocks – one for each participant, if possible – before the session.)

If each person has a rock:

Leader: “Let us hold the rock. Feel the rock in your hand. Think about things weighing you down; anxiety, concern, struggle, temptation, sadness, and anger” (you can revise them or add more).

Pause (a minute or so)

“The Bible says, “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7, NRSV).

“Let us cast our anxiety and things heavy in our heart on Jesus. When you are ready, cast your rock to _______ (middle of the room, on the table; you pick the place). Let go; let God.

After everyone places their rocks, say, “Now place your hand on your heart. Close your eyes. Jesus loves and cares for you. Let us receive the care of Jesus to our body, mind, spirit and heart.”

Pause (a minute or so)

“When you are ready, please open your eyes” (then continue the session).

If people did not have a rock:

“Let us imagine holding a rock in your hand,” or “Think about things weighing you down; anxiety, concern, struggle, temptation, sadness and anger.”

Pause (a minute or so)

“The Bible says, “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7, NRSV).

“Let us cast our anxiety and things heavy in our heart on Jesus. When you are ready, open your hand to let go of things heavy in your heart. Let go; let God. “

After everyone opens their hands, say, “Now place your hand on your heart. Close your eyes. Jesus loves and cares for you. Let us receive the care of Jesus to our body, mind, spirit and heart.”

Pause (a minute or so)

“When you are ready, please open your eyes” (then continue the session).

• “Psalm 68 gives us a model of how to cast our anxiety onto the one who cares for us. It starts as many psalms do – and as we often do ourselves – with complaint, anger, or frustration with all the bad things that surround us too often. But the psalm quickly moves to a different mode, as if casting aside those attitudes and feelings. ‘But let the righteous rejoice.’ It’s that ‘but’ that’s important, it seems. There is a choice and not a both/and. But let’s let that go and move into joy instead.” (From Preaching Notes) How might you express your joy? How can you share joy as you prepare yourself for Pentecost? How does your church celebrate Pentecost?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the following prayer, a similar prayer or the Lord’s Prayer:

Gracious and loving God, we cast all our anxiety on you because you care for us. Forgive us, we pray; we struggle to trust that you will take care of us, no matter what is happening around us. Help us to “Let go, and let God.” Lead us to joy; inspire us to share the joy with others. Use each of us as your instrument of peace. In your precious name, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.