July 2024 Worship Planning Tools

• 7 July 2024

• 14 July 2024

• 21 July 2024

• 28 July 2024

WORSHIP RESOURCES

7 July 2024

Ordinary Time (Proper 9)

2 Corinthians 12:2-10

My Grace Is Sufficient

Additional Scriptures

2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10; Psalm 48; Mark 6:1-13

Prelude

Share and Care

Greetings and Welcome

The presider should prayerfully read all four of the lectionary scriptures several times and prepare a statement of welcome, including an overview of the scripture and theme of the day. An example:

Welcome to this sacred time. We come in response to the invitation issued through God’s grace. We come to find our place at the table.

Paul uses an unlikely group of words in the scripture for his letters today: boast, thorn, torment, weakness, power, strong, and grace. It’s a puzzling combination of words that don’t seem to go together. The most important are the last three: power, strength, and grace.

In the scripture, Paul testifies that God’s grace gives him strength in Christ that is sufficient to make him strong despite his weakness. Power to overcome weakness— physical, mental, spiritual—is God’s gift of grace. Power that is sufficient to meet the needs of our time and place. Power to respond to Jesus’s call on our lives.

This conviction is expressed in our Enduring Principle of Grace and Generosity. We are challenged to pay attention not to our weaknesses and challenges but to God’s strength that is given us through God’s grace. We are moved to praise God. The psalmist must

have experienced grace and lifted his voice in praise recorded as Psalm 48, which we will hear inviting us to worship.

Hymn of Calling

Hymn of Praise

Invocation

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

The presider and speaker should consider ways the scripture verses can be made most meaningful to listeners. For example, a projected or printed image of the scripture text for all to see. Consider using more than one reader.

Focus Moment

Invite a volunteer to help illustrate the Focus Moment. Ask them to hold a hymnal. Strength to meet our needs is God’s promise. How much strength is that? Is it enough to lift a table? A chair? A book? Five books? Twenty-five books? Easy, right? Add four more books. Still easy?

Continue adding books until holding them it is still possible but somewhat difficult. You have just enough strength to hold the books you have, right?

We don’t have to prove God’s promise by lifting things. God sees the need and God’s grace is sufficient, it is enough. In fact, God’s power is strongest when we feel weakest. For example, when you are tempted to do something you shouldn’t and feel too weak to say no, pray for God’s help. God’s promise is that you will have the strength you need and experience Christ’s peace.

Prayer for Peace

Light the Peace Candle.

Prayer

God of grace,

You are all powerful and you promise strength for us when we are weak. How often we misunderstand your promise and think that you want our side to win—in games, in elections, in war—because we pray for victory. Guide us in your ways of peace, we pray. Our prayer is that you will help us find those peace pathways and motivate us to live in them. Help us find the energy and enthusiasm in peaceful cooperation similar to what we

find in competition and conflict. Help us recognize the value of human life in the other— whether she is a competitor, or he is an enemy.

We make these petitions in the name of your son, the prince of peace. Amen.

—Steve Bolie

Peace Hymn

“Amazing Grace”

OR “Christ Has Changed the World’s Direction”

OR “Called by Christ to Love Each Other”

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Communion Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Communion Message

Communion Hymn

“Into My Heart” Sing several times

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

OR “In the Singing”

OR “God, Whose Grace Redeems Our Story”

Invitation to Communion

CCS 19

CCS 356

CCS 577

CCS 573

CCS 519

CCS 570

All are welcome at Christ’s table. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a sacrament in which we remember the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ. In Community of Christ, we also experience Communion as an opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant and to be formed as disciples who live Christ’s mission. Others might have different or added understandings within their faith traditions. We invite all who participate in the Lord’s Supper to do so in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.

Blessing and Serving of the Bread

Blessing and Serving of the Wine

Consider reading the combined prayer and serve the emblems simultaneously with the server of the wine following the server of the bread.

For guidelines on the Lord’s Supper, including online participation, see CofChrist.org/ourministry-tools.

Disciples’ Generous Response

Hymn of Awareness

“I Am Standing Waiting”

OR “Brothers and Sisters of Mine”

OR “Nimwebo Ba Yahweh”

Statement

CCS 298

CCS 616

CCS 613

If this song is unfamiliar, sing along with the vocal recording found on Community of Christ Sings Audio Recordings, available from HeraldHouse.org

Explanation for visitors: For more than twenty-five years, Community of Christ has used the term Disciples Generous Response in place of offertory. It emphasizes that our offerings are our response as disciples to a generous God. Mission tithes may be designated for worldwide mission or local mission. Undesignated contributions or loose change on Communion Sundays are used to help with the Mission Initiative to Abolish Poverty, End Suffering.

Scripture Reading: Luke 4:18–19

As we share our mission tithes either by placing money in the plates or through eTithing, use this time to thank God for the many gifts received in life. Our hearts grow aligned with God’s when we gratefully receive and faithfully respond by living Christ’s mission.

If your congregation is meeting online, remind participants they can give through CofChrist.org/give or eTithing at eTithing.org (consider showing these URLs on screen).

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

Year B Letters

Ordinary Time (Proper 9)

2 Corinthians 12:2–10

Exploring the Scripture

Many scholars who study 2 Corinthians find evidence that the manuscript combines several letters Paul wrote, not just one. Dramatic changes in tone and content occur, without transition or explanation, like the sudden change between chapters 9 and 10. Chapters 2 and 7 refer to a painful letter Paul sent.

Chapters 10:1–13:10 may be part of that letter. Paul writes about the challenges to his authority as an apostle. He notes the ways his ministry and teaching have been misrepresented by people both within the Corinthian church and in the larger Christian community. These themes flavored some of his previous correspondence, but his defense reveals how painful the accusations have been to him personally.

Boasting was an acceptable practice in the Greek world. Those who had acted for the city or provided a service to their community were often boastful. But some boasting was extreme and exaggerated. It’s clear from the preceding verses that one charge against Paul was he boasted too much. Paul justified his boasting, within limits, and his testimonies of grace by arguing they point to God, not himself. In contrast, the super-apostles who mislead the Corinthians with a different Jesus boasted of human accomplishments and spiritual visions. In chapter 11, Paul compared himself to the super-apostles and listed the persecutions and trials he faced to bring good news to the Greek Christians.

In Chapter 12, Paul stooped to competing with his detractors by sharing an ecstatic revelation and called himself a fool in the process. He described a “person in Christ” (probably himself) who experienced a remarkable vision 14 years previously (v. 2). He was “caught up to the third heaven” and heard truths too sacred to be spoken (vv. 2–4).

The third heaven was Paradise, the most sacred realm, closest to God. Paul offered this as a testimony of God’s grace and a credential for apostolic authority but avoided giving details that might draw attention to himself rather than God. Personal revelations are less important than the central revelation of Jesus Christ as Savior, Redeemer, and Lord. Focusing on personal mystical experiences could lead to the glorification of Paul, not Christ; therefore, he refused to linger on it.

Also, the miraculous vision is offset by a “thorn” in his side, preventing him from taking pride in receiving direct revelation (v. 7). Scholars debate the nature of this thorn. Was it an illness, such as epilepsy or depression; a disability, such as poor eyesight; a speech impediment; or one person who opposed and persecuted him? We don’t know. But the thorn in his flesh continued to create difficulties for him throughout his ministry. Paul’s hearers know about it, for he doesn’t explain it. Difficulties and persecutions are far more common in his ministry than visions.

God turned his weakness into a strength, and he boasted of it because “whenever I am weak, then I am strong” (v. 10). It prompted him to greater faithfulness and endurance. Just as Christ experienced persecution and suffering because of his ministry, Paul faced opposition, judgment, and affliction. God takes such suffering and transforms it into redeeming power that attracts new followers and expands the gospel message.

Central Ideas

1. Paul defended himself against accusations of boasting and spiritual arrogance by focusing on God rather than himself.

2. Paul assured the Corinthians that he experienced personal spiritual revelations but avoided elaborating or lingering on them.

3. Afflictions and persecution were more common in Paul’s life than mystical experiences.

4. God is with us during our misfortune. How we face our weaknesses can provide faithful testimonies that transform others.

Questions for the Speaker

1. When have you faced accusations of pride, arrogance, and self-centeredness? How did you handle it? How did your faith help you?

2. When do you share personal mystical experiences with others? To what extent? What are the benefits and faith-building motivation for sharing?

3. How have you taken part in Christ’s suffering and death because of your faith journey?

4. How can you talk about God’s strength in weakness without implying suffering is a blessing given by God as a test?

Year B Letters

Ordinary Time, Proper 9

2 Corinthians 12:2–10 NRSVUE

Gathering

Welcome

Ordinary Time is the period in the Christian calendar from Pentecost to Advent. This period is without major festivals or holy days. During Ordinary Time we focus on discipleship as individuals and a faith community.

Prayer for Peace

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.

Light the peace candle.

Today’s Prayer for Peace is inspired by the hymn, “Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley,” Community of Christ Sings 452, African American Spiritual.

“We must walk this lonesome valley; We have to walk it by ourselves.

Oh, nobody else can walk it for us; We have to walk it by ourselves.”

God of paradox, we live in community, we long for community, and we work for peace in community. Yes, we are many, and yet we are one. Empower us in community that we would stride with confidence into our lonesome valleys, knowing even as we walk on solitary paths in pursuit of peace, our friends walk with us. And the peace we walk toward is worth the price.

May we lean into these uncomfortable lonesome paths of peace with the assurance that our community waits for us, and that you, God, are ever-present.

In the name of Jesus, who walks ahead, beside, and within us Amen

Spiritual Practice

Praying for Peace

For today’s Enduring Principle we are focusing on the Pursuit of Peace, or shalom. In Community of Christ we follow the impress of the Holy Spirit to “work with God and others to restore shalom to creation.” As we pray for loved ones, nations, the world, and even those with whom we disagree, we focus our hearts on restoration, relationships, and reconciliation. The following prayer was written by St Francis of Assisi:

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.

Amen.

Read the prayer again. Invite the group to repeat each line as you read it.

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith

Amen.

Sharing Around the Table

2 Corinthians 12:2–10 NRSVUE

I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows was caught up into paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

Scholarship suggests 2 Corinthians combines several of Paul’s letters into just one. Paul writes about the challenges to his authority as an apostle. He notes the ways his ministry and teaching have been misrepresented by people within the Corinthian church and in the larger Christian community. These themes flavored some of his previous correspondence, but his defense reveals how painful the accusations have been to him personally.

Boasting was acceptable in the Greek world. Those who had acted for the city or provided a service to their community often were boastful. But some boasting was extreme and exaggerated. One charge against Paul was that he boasted too much. Paul justified his boasting “within limits” and his testimonies of grace by arguing that they pointed to God, not himself. In contrast, the super-apostles who mislead the Corinthians boast of human accomplishments and spiritual visions. Paul offers a testimony of God’s grace and his credentials for apostolic authority but avoided giving details that might draw attention to himself rather than God.

Paul writes of a “thorn” in his side. Scholars debate the nature of this thorn: an illness, a disability, a speech impediment, perhaps a person who opposed and persecuted him? We don’t know. But the thorn in his flesh continued to create difficulties for him throughout his ministry.

God turned Paul’s weakness into a strength. God takes such suffering and transforms it into redeeming power that proclaims the gospel message.

Questions

1. When have you faced accusations of pride, arrogance, and self-centeredness? How did you handle it?

2. How can you talk about God’s strength in weakness without implying that suffering is given by God as a test?

Sending

Generosity Statement

Beloved Community of Christ, do not just speak and sing of Zion. Live, love, and share as Zion: those who strive to be visibly one in Christ, among whom there are no poor or oppressed.

Doctrine and Covenants 165:6a

The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response.

The offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response:

Discipling God, as we navigate our world of debt and consumerism, help us save wisely, spend responsibly, and give generously. In this way may we prepare for the future and create a better tomorrow for our families, friends, the mission of Christ, and the world. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn

Community of Christ Sings 258, “Shall Tribulation or Distress”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper Thoughts for Children

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NRSV

Communion Statement

All are welcome at Christ’s table. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a sacrament in which we remember the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ. In Community of Christ, we also experience Communion as an opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant and to be formed as disciples who live Christ’s mission. Others may have different or added understandings within their faith traditions. We invite all who participate in the Lord’s Supper to do so in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.

We share in Communion as an expression of blessing, healing, peace, and community. In preparation let’s sing from Community of Christ Sings (select one):

515 “In these Moments We Remember”

516 “Coming Together for Wine and for Bread”

521 “Let Us Break Bread Together”

525 “Small Is the Table”

528 “Eat This Bread”

Thoughts for Children

Peace is like a light that shines wherever there is need.

Let’s take three deep, peaceful breaths together.

Imagine peace inside of you that shines like a light. What color is it?

Now think of someone you care about, a family member or friend.

Take a deep breath. When you breathe out, imagine sending your light to them. See them become peaceful, too.

Think of someone you don’t see often.

Take another deep breath When you breathe out, picture the person receiving your light of peace. See the person become peaceful.

Think of someone you feel grumpy toward.

Take a deep breath. When you exhale, send your light of peace to the person. See it surround the person. See the person smile and receive peace.

Now picture the whole world.

Take a deep breath. As you exhale, send your light of peace to the whole Earth.

Pay attention to what you see and hear as Earth and all the people of the world experience peace.

When you are ready, open your eyes.

Ask: What color was your light of peace?

How did it feel to send peace to someone you care about?

Was it easy or hard to send peace to someone you feel grumpy toward? Why do you think that is?

What did you see or hear when Earth was full of the light of peace?

Adapted from Book Club Resource

14 July 2024

Ordinary Time (Proper 10)

Ephesians 1:3-14 Set Our Hope on Christ

Additional Scriptures

2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19; Psalm 24; Mark 6:14-29; Doctrine and Covenants 164:9a

Share and Care Prelude Welcome

The presider should prayerfully read all four of the lectionary scriptures several times and prepare a statement of Welcome including an overview of the scripture and theme of the day. The following is an example.

Welcome to this sacred time. We come, full of hope, in response to the invitation issued through God’s grace. We come to find the Holy.

It’s a mystery. The letter to the Ephesians highlights the unknown of God’s work through Jesus Christ. Understanding the mystery of it all opens our lives to hope in Christ. While it is mysterious, it is not accidental…

The psalmist must have experienced grace and lifted his voice in praise recorded as Psalm 24 which we will hear inviting us to worship. Hymn of

Call to Worship: Responsive Reading

Leader 1: The Earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.

For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters.

Leader 2: Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?

Or who may stand in His holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.

He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Congregation: Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors!

And the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.

Hymn of Praise

“Earth

Invocation Response

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14

Psalm 24:1-2, 3-4, 9-10

The reading of the theme lectionary scripture is placed here so that it will be known in the worship elements that follow. The presider and speaker should consider ways in which the scripture verses can be made most meaningful to listeners. For example, a bulletin insert of the reading or more than one reader.

Focus Moment

Gather an egg timer that uses sand like an hourglass, a picture of White Sands National Park in New Mexico, a small cup of water (like a communion cup), a picture of a large body of water, and a picture of someone holding a tiny baby. Project the pictures for all to see.

Today’s scripture verses we just heard use words like immeasurable greatness, power, forgiveness, and richness. It says that God lavished on us the riches of his grace. Lavish is kind of a funny word that we probably don’t use very often. It means something like generously giving something you have a lot of or an abundance of. Let’s talk about abundance with some examples.

Here is a timer with sand in it. You might see one in a kitchen or in word games. We use one so we know when the egg is boiled or time in the game has run out. What would lots of sand look like? Here is a picture of the White Sands National Park in New Mexico. That’s a lot of sand, we could say an abundance of sand.

Here is a small cup of water. What would lots of water look like? Here is a picture of the ocean. That’s a lot of water, we could say an abundance of water.

Now let’s think about love, God’s love. What would a small amount of God’s love look like? Is that even possible? Here is a picture of someone holding a tiny baby. Would that be a small amount of love? Probably not. The baby is small, but the love is very large, it is abundant.

God’s love is like that. It is abundant, so abundant that we can’t even imagine it. It fills the whole world, all of creation, the earth, water, land, all the animals, the moon, planets, and stars. And the good news is that God’s love for us, all the people in the world, is ABUNDANT.

The book of Ephesians in the Bible is about this. It uses the word “lavished” to describe what God does with God’s abundant love. Verses 7, 8 and 9 say: “In him [Christ] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made know to you the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure.”

Prayer for Peace

Light the Peace Candle.

Prayer

Lavishing God,

We hear the promise that your grace is abundant, that you lavish it on us generously. Through the example of Jesus Christ giving his life, you challenge us to give our all and work of peace. Jesus taught that it is in losing ourselves in the gospel of peace that we are saved. It’s a tall order. The irony of this requires us to act in faith. So, today we are praying for the strength of your Holy Spirit to empower us to do your work of living in the path of Christ, the way of peace.

There is so much need for people dedicated to the work of nonviolence and peace. We would be part of those who give themselves for the cause. Cleanse us of thoughts of violence. Stir us to seek peace rather than conflict. Inspire us to lose ourselves in the cause of justice. Don’t let us falter when the challenge seems too great. Amen.

—Steve Bolie

Hymn of Reflection

“Hevenu shalom alayehem/La paz esté con nosotros”

OR “The Peace of the Earth/La paz de la tierra”

OR “May the God of Hope/Dios de la esperanza”

Sing at least twice. Encourage participants to try all the languages.

CCS 311

CCS 647

CCS 652

Message

Based on Ephesians 1:3-14

Sung Response

“The Path of Our Walking”

OR “In the Bulb There Is a Flower”

OR “Help Us Express Your Love”

CCS 177

CCS 561

CCS 621

Disciples’ Generous Response Statement

For more than twenty years, Community of Christ has used the term Disciples’ Generous Response in place of offertory. It emphasizes that our offerings are our response as disciples to generous God. Mission Tithes may be designated for worldwide mission or local mission.

Our hearts grow aligned with God’s when we gratefully receive and faithfully respond by living Christ’s mission. During the Disciples’ Generous Response, we focus on aligning our heart with God’s heart.

Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 164:9a

Our offerings are more than meeting budgets or funding mission. Through our offerings we can tangibly express our gratitude to God who is the giver of all. As we share our mission tithes either by placing money in the plates or through eTithing, use this time to thank God for the many gifts received in life.

If your congregation is meeting online, remind participants they can give through CofChrist.org/give or eTithing.org (consider showing these URLs on screen).

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

Hymn of Gratitude To be sung as the offering is received.

“From You I Receive” Sing several times

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

OR “We Lift Our Voices”

Pastoral Prayer

Closing Hymn

“May the God of Hope/Dios de la esperanza”

Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.

OR “Jesu, Tawa Pano/Jesus, We Are Here” Sing several times.

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

OR “Hope of the World”

Sending Forth

CCS 611

CCS 618

CCS 652

CCS 71

CCS 29

With the hope of Christ within us, let us lavishly share our abundance and our love. Go with God.

Postlude

Year B Letters

Ordinary Time (Proper 10)

Ephesians 1:3–14

Exploring the Scripture

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians was written to ordinary people doing their best to keep their jobs, provide shelter, food, clothing, and maybe an occasional “treat” for their family. Some were better off than others; some probably experienced tragedy, grief, and injustice. Some may have been the ones inflicting injustice onto someone else. They were people with several questions about life, the future, and how to make sense of a life of faith. In many ways, Ephesians is a letter written to people just like us, though separated in time and place.

Scholars have noted that this whole paragraph of today’s text is one long, running sentence in the Greek text. Paul wanted to make sure it was all connected and nothing would be excluded! In verses 3–4: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ…”

This statement is foundational to the entire section: Praise for what God has done, is doing, and will do. We are participants—or should we say beneficiaries—of what God is up to in the world. We have been blessed because of what God is up to in this plan for redemption. As Paul pulls back the curtain on this idea, it’s like he’s saying, “This includes you, you know.” In verses 4 to 14, he explains what God has been about and how redemption touches each person who receives grace.

Paul proclaims this blessing has been part of God’s grace and generosity from the beginning. All are included. God’s yearning has always been to bless all creation all the time. There is no hierarchy of spiritual blessings. All God’s children are equally and generously blessed. What are these blessings?

We each have been blessed with giftedness. When all our gifts work together according to God’s goodwill, something happens. The Blessings of Community are fully expressed and offer much-needed hope in our often-desperate communities. According to Paul, because of God’s gift, intended to be shared from the beginning of creation, we can do better than exclusion, tolerance, or patronization. We can do better than blame victims. We can do better than allowing unjust systems to continue to oppress people from living a life full of God’s grace and hope. Redemption gives us the space to stumble towards love. This mystery is now in full expression because of Jesus Christ.

The term “mystery” in the New Testament usually means something previously hidden but now disclosed. Paul says we now know God purposed this mystery to be put into effect as part of this desire from the beginning of time and is bringing it all together in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As we experience this mystery, we can stumble towards love. Now that this mystery is revealed, what is our next step?

Liminality means “a threshold of consciousness.” Theologically speaking, liminal space refers to the moment we become conscious of a transition. Like standing in a doorway, we are between one space and another but not entirely in either. Paul says now the mystery is revealed, we are aware of what happens next. As disciples, we take faithful steps to follow God. Paul is telling his readers, then and now, because of what God has revealed, we can step through the doorway into God’s future, even as we stumble toward love. The supreme blessing of God’s activity is liberation, freedom, adoption, and redemption for all creation.

Central Ideas

1. The letter to the believers in Ephesus was meant for “ordinary” people, like us.

2. Paul expresses praise for what God has done, is doing, and will do.

3. All God’s children are equally blessed.

4. God reveals mystery—things previously hidden—to help us be more aware of the supreme blessing of God’s activity that surrounds us.

Questions for the Speaker

1. What have been some moments of praise and celebration for you and your community? How did your celebration reflect the blessings of community to your larger community?

2. How has this mystery, revealed in Jesus Christ, been expressed in your life or community? How have you stumbled toward love in this last week?

3. What threshold are you being asked to cross in your next faithful step as a disciple and community?

Year B Letters

Ordinary Time, Proper 10

Ephesians 1:3–14 NRSVUE

Gathering

Welcome

Ordinary Time is the period in the Christian calendar from Pentecost to Advent. This period is without major festivals or holy days. During Ordinary Time we focus on discipleship as individuals and a faith community.

Prayer for Peace

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.

Light the peace candle.

Today’s Prayer for Peace is inspired by the hymn, “My Gratitude Now Accept, O God,” Community of Christ Sings 614 and 615, by Rafael Montalvo.

“From all your bounty I give to you; For all the blessings you impart.

Receive this offering I bring.

Receive my joyful heart.”

Spirit of joyful peace, we don’t always feel joyful or peaceful. Our human brains jump from day to day in search of the path of least resistance. Yet, the path of peace is filled with resistance! We pause today to remember that you are faithful and ever-present in our strivings for peace. Open our cautious spirits to your leading Spirit, which is active joyfully each day of our lives. You are so generous with your blessings. May we gratefully accept your blessings and respond by following your promptings to grow peace within our hearts, in our house, and from the hilltops of our towns.

In the name of Jesus, who grants abundant peace Amen

Spiritual Practice

Unity

Our Enduring Principle focus this week is on Unity in Diversity. Not one person on Earth is exactly like another. We all are shaped by our culture, genetics, upbringings, families, experiences, beliefs, etc. One thing we all have in common is that we all are divinely made. Unity in Diversity is respecting the differences while honoring the Divine in all voices. Read the following to the group:

But God has so arranged the body…that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. 1

Think over the past week. Who has shown compassion when you felt sad or were suffering?

Who has rejoiced with you, celebrating the good things in your life?

Invite people to share.

Who do you know who has endured suffering this week? How were you able to share this burden with them?

Who has had cause to rejoice this week? How have you celebrated with them?

Invite people to share.

Offer a short blessing of unity and close with “Amen.”

Sharing Around the Table

Ephesians 1:3-14 NRSVUE

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

The images of the cosmos gifted to the world by the Hubble Space Telescope continue to inspire awe and wonder. Looking back in time we see the complexity and expanse of God’s creativity because of the nature of light and time. There has never been a time when humans have the perspective of creation that we have now.

The Apostle Paul begins his letter with a Hubble Telescope view of the gospel and does not neglect to place the reader smack in the picture. Today takes a really big look at the work of salvation in Jesus and puts us in view.

When we consider the flow of God’s movement in creation we can get lost in the story

Sometimes we might feel like one of those little specks of light in a Hubble photograph, a speck among billions of specks. But Paul assures each person that God is with us, that God sees us not as a mob of people, but as beloved individuals.

Followers of the Way during Paul’s ministry were in no way a majority. In fact, they were a small, but growing faction. His words assure readers that God sees them, and they are an integral part of the history of salvation. Paul captures the beginnings and the futures of followers of the Way in a breathless song of praise for what God is doing and what the people are becoming. God with us, is proof that we all matter and all are seen and known.

Questions

1. God came to us as a baby under the same circumstances that billions of babies have come into the world: poor, vulnerable, oppressed. How does this influence the way you think about God and your relationship to God and creation?

2. What does it mean for you to be a “follower of the Way?”

Sending

Generosity Statement

Beloved Community of Christ, do not just speak and sing of Zion. Live, love, and share as Zion: those who strive to be visibly one in Christ, among whom there are no poor or oppressed.

Doctrine and Covenants 165:6a

The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response.

The offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response:

Discipling God, as we navigate our world of debt and consumerism, help us save wisely, spend responsibly, and give generously. In this way may we prepare for the future and create a better tomorrow for our families, friends, the mission of Christ, and the world. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn

Community of Christ Sings 21, “God the Sculptor of the Mountains”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group

• Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

• Thoughts for Children

Thoughts for Children

You will need:

• “I Am” signs

Say: Today I am going to give you each a piece of paper to make a sign. As you can see, the sign already says, “I AM.” You will fill in the word that describes the “real you” that you hope people can see.

Let’s begin with taking three, deep, peaceful breaths together.

As you sit quietly, close your eyes and imagine you are looking in a mirror. You see your own reflection. You see your hair, your eyes, your face.

Now imagine the mirror can see beyond your outside. It begins to reflect who you are inside.

You see your feelings. What is the mirror showing you?

The mirror shows your ideas and creative thoughts. What do you see?

The mirror shows your hopes and dreams for the future. What are they?

Now imagine you are holding a sign in front of you. At first it is blank, but slowly words form. It says “I AM…” What word appears next? I AM _____?

When you see the word that completes the sign “I AM _____,” open your eyes and write it on your sign to complete your phrase.

Allow participants to share what they wrote and celebrate who they are.

Say: In addition to being all the wonderful things you just shared, we are reminded by today’s scripture that we also are children of God!

This week, as you go about your daily life, remember who you are Proudly show the real “you” to the world. Share your ideas, your giftedness, and your kindness with confidence, knowing you are a child of God.

Adapted from Kids Book Club Resource

WORSHIP RESOURCES

21 July 2024

Ordinary Time (Proper 11)

Ephesians 2:11-22

Christ Is Our Peace

Additional Scriptures

2 Samuel 7:1-14a; Psalm 89:20-37; Mark 6:30-34, 53-56; Doctrine and Covenants 163:2a; 163:9

Preparation

Gather materials needed for the Focus Moment. See below.

Share and Care

Prelude

Welcome

The presider should prayerfully read all four lectionary scriptures several times and prepare a statement of welcome, including an overview of the scripture and theme of the day. An example: Welcome to this sacred time. We come in response to the invitation issued through God’s grace. We come to find our peace in Christ.

On April 8, 2018, President Steve Veazy concluded his sermon, “Hope Rising,” with this question: When God dreams of Community of Christ, what does God see?

He answered the question as follows:

I think God sees a worldwide family bound together in the spirit of Christ.

I think God sees people experiencing all of the dimensions of salvation through positive witness and innovative ministry.

I think God sees people and groups being spiritually restored through reconciled relationships to God, others, and the whole creation.

I think God sees a spiritual movement that is creating alternatives to cultural, political, and religious trends that are contrary to the reconciling and restoring purposes of God.

I think God sees us as we are and as we are becoming.

And when God sees us, God sees hope for the world rising. Our theme today, “Christ Is Our Peace,” envisions a similar future resulting from God’s reconciling work breaking down walls that seemed permanent. We will also share modern day counsel on the peace of Jesus Christ.

Welcoming Hymn

“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

CCS 87

Project or display pictures of the Berlin Wall and the Great Wall of China. Use wooden blocks or dominos to build a wall while you discuss how walls divide people from each other.

Walls often seem permanent. For example, for people who grew up in the late twentieth century, the Berlin Wall felt permanent. It was a guarded concrete barrier that encircled West Berlin from 1951 to 1989, separating it from East Berlin and the rest of Germany. It was twenty-seven miles long and nearly fourteen feet high. This wall came down beginning November 9, 1989.

On other hand, the Great Wall of China is 3,000 years old. It was built to block nomadic invaders. Depending on how the wall is measured, it stretches somewhere between 2,500 and 3,400 miles (4,000 and 5,500 kilometers).

Today’s scripture verses tell us that Jesus broke down dividing walls. In his context that probably meant the hostility between Jews and Gentiles. He brought these groups together so there could be peace between them. Jesus offers that same kind of peace today. We will pray for such peace next in our prayer for peace.

Prayer for Peace

Light the Peace Candle.

Prayer

Reconciling God,

Your desire is for us to be reconciled within ourselves, with each other, and with creation. We live in a time of deep divisions between people and nations. We tend to listen only to those we agree with, even as voices get more and more strident in expressing opinions. Nations, it seems, settle for conflict and war rather than doing the hard work of reconciliation and peace.

God of peace,

Energize us for reconciliation. Make us impatient with divisiveness. Help us see and hear past differences that are made greater by the clamor of opinionated talk. Help us recognize commonalities of purpose and desire. Help us be loving in mind, heart, body, and soul as we live in the name of Jesus. Amen.

—Steve Bolie

Peace Hymn

Disciples’

Our hearts grow aligned with God’s when we gratefully receive and faithfully respond by living Christ’s mission. During the Disciples’ Generous Response, we focus on aligning our heart with God’s heart.

Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 163:9

Our offerings are more than meeting budgets or funding mission. Through our offerings we are able to tangibly express our gratitude to God who is the giver of all. As we share our mission tithes either by placing money in the plates or through eTithing, use this time to thank God for the many gifts received in life.

Explanation for visitors: For more than twenty years, Community of Christ has used the term Disciples Generous Response in place of offertory. It emphasizes that our offerings are our response as disciples to generous God. Mission tithes may be designated for worldwide mission or local mission.

If your congregation is meeting online, remind participants they can give through CofChrist.org/give or eTithing.org (consider showing these URLs on screen).

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

Year B Letters

Ordinary Time (Proper 11)

Ephesians 2:11–22

Exploring the Scripture

This letter never refers to the Ephesians nor details about a specific congregation in early manuscripts. It may have been a general letter, circulating from one congregation to another. Vocabulary, writing style, and sentence structure differ from Paul’s usual writing. Perhaps one of Paul’s followers created this letter using ideas and themes from Paul’s known letters, reinterpreted for the church’s continuing needs.

From ancient times, the Jews identified themselves as God’s chosen people, in a special covenant relationship with God. Over time, being God’s chosen people expanded into an elite attitude that flavored Jewish culture, laws, and traditions. Other nations were unclean.

Marriage with non-Jews was forbidden, and at times in their history, men who married Gentiles were ordered to cast off their wives and children, condemning them to certain death. Gentiles who wanted to become Jews had to go through the sacred ritual of tvilah, for restoration of spiritual purity. This rite was symbolic of dying to all their pagan ways.

Paul’s mission to Gentiles was controversial because of the strict separation between Gentiles and Jews. Many Christian leaders in Jerusalem and Alexandria argued for Gentile converts to be circumcised before being baptized as Christian. Paul fought against the “Judaizers,” arguing with the apostles in Jerusalem.

Today’s passage recognizes the traditional division between Jews and Gentiles, but states Christ has overcome the separation. The Gentile Christians did not bear the mark of circumcision in their flesh, because that category of acceptance by God was now obsolete. They were aliens and strangers to the customs, laws, and traditions of Israel, but there are no strangers in Christ.

Herod’s temple in Jerusalem included a dividing wall on the 35-acre Temple Mount. Signs posted along the lattice-work barrier proclaimed: No foreigner may enter within the fence and enclosure surrounding the sanctuary. Whoever is caught so doing will have only himself to blame for the death which inevitably follows.

Although Jews did not have Roman authority to kill with impunity, it was understood that Roman soldiers would turn a blind eye to whatever happened within the temple precincts. Therefore, the Gentiles stood far off from the inner courts and the sanctuary, the dwelling place of God. Christ, the barrier-breaker, demolished the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles. ”[H]e is our peace” (v. 14), reconciles all disciples into one fellowship. Further, God is no longer separated from humankind by space, time, or human barriers (such as the veil that closed off the Presence of God in the inner sanctuary). Instead, God is fully accessible to each person, without an intermediary, just as a parent is present to all household members. Gentiles and Jews are equal citizens of God’s kingdom. Ephesians presents Christ as the cornerstone of the household of God. Isaiah 28:16 says, “See, I am laying in Zion a foundation stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation…” to bring justice, righteousness, and truth. The name of the cornerstone would be “One who trusts will not panic.” Jews understood the cornerstone to be the Messiah. In Ephesians, the cornerstone joins together

all disciples to create a growing, expanding, organic temple in which God’s Spirit lives, the very heart of the New Jerusalem of Isaiah’s vision.

Central Ideas

1. The Jews separated themselves from all other nationalities and ethnic groups as God’s chosen people.

2. Herod’s temple symbolized the division between Jews and Gentiles, with its dividing wall and dire warnings. The temple veil symbolized the barrier between God and humankind.

3. Jesus was the barrier-breaker, who reconciled Jew and Gentile, God and humankind.

4. Christ is the cornerstone, the foundation of a community of people who are united in justice, righteousness, and truth.

Questions for the Speaker

1. How is your nation divided and hostile to those who are different? How are they symbolized?

2. Who are the “chosen people” in modern society? In Christianity? In Community of Christ?

3. What is your congregation doing to help destroy the barriers that exist in your local community?

4. How are you and your congregation building a spiritual temple dedicated to justice, righteousness, and truth? What does it look like? How is it changing?

Year B Letters

Ordinary Time, Proper 11

Ephesians 2:11–22 NRSVUE

Gathering Welcome

Ordinary Time is the period in the Christian calendar from Pentecost to Advent. This period is without major festivals or holy days. During Ordinary Time we focus on discipleship as individuals and a faith community.

Prayer for Peace

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly. Light the peace candle.

Today’s Prayer for Peace is inspired by the hymn, “Ososŏ, ” Community of Christ Sings 225, by Geonyong Lee.

Spirit of reconciliation, We crave peace that looks like Gentle wind on freshly fallen snow, Fragile-winged butterflies on strong stems, A tiny grain of sand rolling down the silent dunes created of its cousins. Your peace is astonishing and beautiful!

Thank you for bringing our poetic minds back to the truth that pursuing peace means reconciliation. Reconciliation is beautiful, too, though it takes work, humility, and the setting aside of our precious egos for the sake of our community’s health.

Strengthen our resolve to pursue peace in this way. May we be quick to forgive and to set healthy boundaries in the name of pursuing peaceful relationships. In the name of Jesus, our example of reconciliation Amen

Spiritual Practice Holding in the Light

Our Enduring Principle focus this week is on Blessings in Community. We are called to create communities of peace in our families, neighborhoods, congregations, nations, tribes, and around the world. A spiritual practice that helps us feel connected to our communities is called Holding in the Light. It is a form of intercessory prayer/meditation adapted from the Quaker movement. We will stand in a circle together. I will have a candle to light in my hand. The rest of you will hold your hands in front of you as if helping me hold the light.

Pause to let the group get situated. Read the following:

While looking at the light from the candle, center yourself and breathe in the word love, breathe out the word light. Repeat three times.

Say the names of the loved ones, communities, or countries you are holding light for. You can name them aloud to hold as a group or keep them in your heart.

Pause to let people name who they need to.

Now imagine these persons being surrounded by the light as bright as the candle. We will hold these loved ones in light for three minutes.

Say the following:

Offer a moment of gratitude for your loved ones, your communities, and this experience of holding in the light.

Next time you see a sunset or sunrise, you can remember to hold a loved one in the light.

Sharing Around the Table Ephesians 2:11–22 NRSVUE

So then, remember that at one time you gentiles by birth, called “the uncircumcision” by those who are called “the circumcision” a circumcision made in the flesh by human hands remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us, abolishing the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone; in him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.

From ancient times, the Jews identified themselves as God’s chosen people, in a special covenant relationship with God. Over time, being God’s chosen people expanded into an elite attitude that flavored Jewish culture, laws, and traditions.

Paul’s mission to Gentiles was controversial because of the strict separation between Gentiles and Jews. Many Christian leaders argued for Gentile converts to be circumcised before being baptized as Christian.

Today’s passage recognizes the division between Jews and Gentiles but states that Christ has overcome the separation. The Gentile Christians did not bear the mark of circumcision in their flesh because that category of acceptance by God now was obsolete. They were strangers to the customs, laws, and traditions of Israel, but there are no strangers in Christ.

Herod’s temple in Jerusalem included a dividing wall on the thirty-five-acre Temple Mount. Signs posted along the lattice-work barrier proclaimed, “No foreigner may enter” within the fence and enclosure surrounding the sanctuary. So the Gentiles stood far off from the inner courts and the sanctuary, the supposed dwelling place of God. But Christ, the barrier-breaker, demolished the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles. God is fully accessible to each person, without an intermediary. In Christ, Gentiles and Jews are equal citizens of God’s kingdom.

Ephesians presents Christ as the cornerstone of the household of God. The cornerstone joins together all disciples to create a growing, expanding, organic body in which God’s Spirit lives.

Questions

1. How is your nation divided and hostile to those who are different? How is it welcoming?

2. Who are the “chosen people” in modern society?

3. What is your congregation doing to help destroy barriers in your local community?

4. How are you dedicated to justice, righteousness, and truth? What does it look like? How is it changing?

Sending Generosity Statement

Beloved Community of Christ, do not just speak and sing of Zion. Live, love, and share as Zion: those who strive to be visibly one in Christ, among whom there are no poor or oppressed.

Doctrine and Covenants 165:6a

The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response.

The offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response:

Discipling God, as we navigate our world of debt and consumerism, help us save wisely, spend responsibly, and give generously. In this way may we prepare for the future and create a better tomorrow for our families, friends, the mission of Christ, and the world. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn

Community of Christ Sings 273, “Draw the Circle Wide”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group

• Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

• Thoughts for Children

Thoughts for Children

Say: Today we are going to play a sorting game. I am going to give two descriptions. Those who meet my first description will go to my right, and those who meet my second description will go to my left. If you do not meet either description, stay in the middle.

If you have brown hair, go to my right. If you have blond hair, go to my left.

If math is your best subject, go to my right. If reading is your best subject, go to my left.

If you are the youngest child in your family, go to my right. If you are the oldest child, go to my left.

If chocolate ice cream is your favorite, go to my right. If vanilla is, go to my left. Have participants sit back down with you.

Say: So often in the world we use differences to define us and divide us. We create categories, and sometimes the categories are so small that they don’t even apply to everyone for example, when I asked about your hair color, if you had red hair or black hair, you had nowhere to go, you just stayed in the middle. The scripture for today reminds us that rather than using our differences to categorize and divide, we should use our differences to strengthen our community and build a more-inclusive world.

28 July 2024

Ordinary Time (Proper 12)

Ephesians 3:14-21

What is the Breadth, Length, Height, and Depth of Christ’s Love?

Additional Scriptures

2

Samuel 11:1-15, Psalm 14; John 6:1-21

Share and Care

Prelude

Greetings and Welcome

The presider should prayerfully read all 4 of the lectionary scriptures several times and prepare a statement of Welcome including an overview of the scripture and theme of the day. The following is an example.

Welcome to this sacred time. We come in response to the invitation issued through God’s grace. We come to experience the fullness of God’s love.

Today’s theme scripture from Ephesians 3 is full of spiritual qualities of the committed disciple. The “fullness of God’s love” is the goal and result. It is critical for the disciple’s life and the blessings of community to be realized.

Let’s take a few moments to greet fellow worshippers. You could suggest statements such as “May you be filled with the fullness of God’s love.” or “I see the fullness of God’s love expressed in you.” The introduction to the welcoming hymn will call us back to quiet community.

Call to Worship: Ephesians 3:14-17

Hymn

Response

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:18-21

Moments of Reflection

As “In the Quiet of This Day,” CCS 161, is quietly played in the background, ask everyone to turn to the hymn and read the words. At the end of the reflection time sing Stanza 5 (Alleluia) together.

Prayer for Peace

Light the Peace Candle. Prayer

Loving God,

We ask you to expand our hearts and minds so that we may realize the width and breadth of your love. We ask you to help us see the needs around us, those in our families, our communities, our nation, and our world. Show us pathways to peace. Help us work together to pursue peace so that wanting and suffering may be abolished. Guide us to work together to pursue peace so that hunger and poverty may be alleviated. Make us instruments of peace as followers of Jesus, the peaceful One. Amen.

-Steve Bolie

Peace Hymn

“Shalom chaverim”

Ask youth to lead this song in a 2 or 3-part round.

OR “Peace Salaam Shalom”

CCS 653

CCS 310

Ask youth to lead this song, perhaps with the vocal recording found on Community of Christ Sings Audio Recordings, available from HeraldHouse.org or the video recording found here: Youtube.com/watch?v=lBQ-KsGo_BI

Message

Based on Ephesians 3:14-21

Ministry of Music OR Congregational Hymn

“Restore in Us, O God”

OR “I Sought the Lord”

OR “In Christ We Live”

Disciples’ Generous Response Statement

CCS 219

CCS 175

CCS 326

Explanation for visitors: For more than twenty years, Community of Christ has used the term Disciples Generous Response in place of offertory. It emphasizes that our offerings are our response as disciples to generous God. Mission tithes may be designated for worldwide mission or local mission.

During the Disciples’ Generous Response, we focus on aligning our heart with God’s heart. Our offerings are more than meeting budgets or funding mission. Through our offerings we are able to tangibly express our gratitude to God who is the giver of all.

As we share our mission tithes either by placing money in the plates or through eTithing, use this time to thank God for the many gifts received in life. Our hearts grow aligned with God’s when we gratefully receive and faithfully respond by living Christ’s mission.

If your congregation is meeting online, remind participants they can give through CofChrist.org/give or through eTithing.org (consider showing these URLs on screen).

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

Closing Hymn

“He Came Singing Love”

OR “When We Seek Language”

OR “Lord Jesus, of You I Will Sing/Jésus, je voudrais te chanter”

Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.

CCS 226

CCS 61

CCS 556/557

Benediction

Read Ephesians 3:14-21 These verses will have been read previously in the worship so read from a different version such as International Children’s Bible or The Message or Good News Version.

Response

Postlude

Year B Letters

Ordinary Time (Proper 12)

Ephesians 3:14–21

Exploring the Scripture

Last week’s scripture passage announced Jesus as the barrier-breaker, who destroys all that divides and separates humankind. The barriers on the Temple Mount are symbols of division between nations, and the veil of the temple symbolizes God’s inaccessibility. Destroying those barriers and setting up equality among all Christians was the critical point of conflict between Paul and the apostles in Jerusalem. But conflict and persecution couldn’t change Paul’s conviction that Christ’s salvation is for every nation.

Paul begins chapter 3 by saying, “This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles.” Verse 14, the beginning of today’s passage, says, “For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father…” Bowing the knee was a symbol of loyalty and service to a king.

Paul’s relationship with his Gentile neighbors was directly connected to his loyalty and worship of God. Recognition of God’s love for all nations was at the heart of Paul’s devotion to God. Neither arguments by the Jewish apostles nor persecution could change his conviction that God embraces all people and includes everyone in God’s family.

Verses 14–15 uses the phrase: “…the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.” In ancient times, the father named the children. A name was not just a label. It was a complete identity, character, and will.

Here, Paul reminds the Gentile Christians that God made all people in God’s image, not just the Jews. Every person of every family and lineage reflects God’s image. Every person is created with an independent will and can live in the character of the Divine.

Christ lives in our hearts, not as a temporary guest, but as a lifelong resident who changes and transforms us with love beyond understanding. Paul’s prayer expresses his deep wish for that character to shine forth as Christ’s indwelling Spirit of love. Paul prays the Gentile disciples may come to understand the greatness (breadth, length, height, and depth) of Divine love, so they can live in the fullness of that gift.

To know a love that is beyond knowing is a paradox. Humans “know” God’s love by experiencing it personally, not by any rational thought. Knowing occurs through the Spirit living in us, transcending our human limits and transforming our inadequate responses into offerings of life as disciples. The heart knows the love of Christ that surpasses human reasoning, and the way the heart “knows” is through the indwelling Spirit.

Public prayers rely on human words and therefore are limited. Paul closes his prayer with an acknowledgment that God’s blessing goes beyond human speech and transcends the limits of our imagination and yearnings. We express our petitions from our limited understanding of needs and possibilities. God responds from the Divine perspective to carry out fully more than we have asked for (v. 21). The church exists to point toward God, not itself, just as Christ came to point the way toward God.

The prayer ends the first three chapters of Ephesians. Those chapters focused on the unifying act of Christ breaking down barriers to bring people into one body. The last three chapters provide instruction on how disciples respond to God’s grace by offering their lives and obedience to Christ’s teachings.

Central Ideas

1. When we honestly recognize God’s love for all nations, we bow our knees in worship, devotion, and wonder.

2. Every person of every family and lineage reflects God’s image, and God knows each by name.

3. Humans “know” God’s love by experiencing it personally through the indwelling Spirit.

4. God’s blessing goes beyond human speech and transcends the limits of our imagination and yearnings.

Questions for the Speaker

1. When have you known with your whole being that God loves you with love beyond all understanding?

2. Who would you like to exclude from the family of God? Why? How can God’s Spirit help you adjust your thinking to accept them as God’s children?

3. When have you felt your prayers were inadequate to express your yearnings? What are various ways we can try to express our deeper yearnings to God?

4. Where does your congregation need strengthening in its inner being to live God’s love?

Year B Letters

Ordinary Time, Proper 12

Ephesians 3:14–21 NRSVUE

Gathering Welcome

Ordinary Time is the period in the Christian calendar from Pentecost to Advent. This period is without major festivals or holy days. During Ordinary Time we focus on our discipleship as individuals and a faith community.

Prayer for Peace

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly. Light the peace candle.

Today’s Prayer for Peace is inspired by the hymn, “The Peace of the Earth,” Community of Christ Sings 647. It’s a Guatemalan song.

Deep peace falling over you; God’s peace growing in you.

Creator God, thank you for peace in all its forms. The roaring peace of rivers, the crashing peace of oceans, the constant peace of Earth’s gravity, the mysterious peace of the heavens.

Help us pursue peace in all its forms: the still peace in our hearts, the just peace in our society’s systems, the calming peace of reconciliation in relationships, the humbling peace of treating Earth with integrity.

As we pursue this peace, plant it deep within us God, so that it can begin to grow within us, working within us to become a new creation. As we feel that peace growing, help us cultivate it in others so that they can sense the growing peace of your presence. Then as we go out together with this new expression, we might draw others to you so that they can grow peace within their hearts, too.

In the name of Jesus, the Giver of deep peace Amen

Spiritual Practice

Receiving in Gratitude

Today we are focusing on the Enduring Principle of Grace and Generosity. The first thing we do in this life is receive. Our first breath is a gift we receive. It is a gift that is given freely. The spiritual practice for today is a breath prayer. During the prayer we use words to breathe in and words to breathe out. Today we will be breathing in receive life and breathing out thank you

Slowly read the following instructions:

Sit with relaxed posture and close your eyes. We will spend three minutes in breath prayer. Breathe in a regular, natural rhythm.

As you breathe in, silently say, “Receive life.” As you exhale, respond, “Thank you.”

Breathe in and out, focusing on what you are breathing in and what you are exhaling. Watch the time for three minutes. Urge participants to continue the breath prayer for the full three minutes.

When time is up, ask the following for a short group discussion: What is one thing you are grateful for in this moment?

After the discussion say:

Thank you, God, for another day. Thank you for the opportunity to connect with others, to receive and to give to one another. Amen.

Sharing Around the Table

Ephesians 3:14–21 NRSVUE

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

The beginning of today’s passage states, “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father…” Bowing the knee was a symbol of loyalty and service to a king. Paul’s relationship with his Gentile neighbors was connected directly to his loyalty and worship of God. Recognition of God’s love for all nations was at the heart of Paul’s devotion to God.

Neither arguments by the Jewish apostles nor persecution could change his conviction that God embraces all people and includes everyone in God’s family. In ancient times, the male parent named the children. A name was not just a label. It was a complete identity, character, and will. Here, Paul reminds the Gentile Christians that God made all people in God’s image, not just the Jews. Every person of every family and lineage reflects God’s image. Every person is created with an independent will and can live in the character of the Divine.

Christ lives in our hearts, not as a temporary guest, but as a lifelong resident. Paul’s prayer expresses his deep wish for the indwelling of Christ’s Spirit. Paul prays the Gentile disciples may come to understand the greatness (breadth, length, height, and depth) of divine love. The heart knows the love of Christ that surpasses human reasoning, and the way the heart “knows” is through the indwelling Spirit.

Paul closes by acknowledging that God’s blessing goes beyond human speech and transcends the limits of our imagination and yearnings. We express our petitions from our limited understanding of needs and possibilities. God responds from the divine perspective to carry out fully more than we have asked for.

Questions

1. When have you known with your whole being that God loves you?

2. What are various ways we can try to express our deeper yearnings to God?

3. How do you sense Christ’s Spirit of love dwelling in you?

Sending

Generosity Statement

Beloved Community of Christ, do not just speak and sing of Zion. Live, love, and share as Zion: those who strive to be visibly one in Christ, among whom there are no poor or oppressed.

Doctrine and Covenants 165:6a

The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response.

The offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response:

Discipling God, as we navigate our world of debt and consumerism, help us save wisely, spend responsibly, and give generously. In this way may we prepare for the future and create a better tomorrow for our families, friends, the mission of Christ, and the world. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn

Community of Christ Sings 2 “How Can We Name a Love”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group

• Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

• Thoughts for Children

Thoughts for Children

You will need:

• A live plant or a picture of a plant/tree with visible roots

Say: Today I brought something to share with you.

Show participants your plant or picture with visible roots. Ask them to tell you what they see. When someone points out the roots, go deeper there.

Ask: What do you know about roots? How do they help the plant? (Affirm answers )

Say: Roots are really important for plants. They help plants stand firm and get the food and water they need to grow.

In today’s scripture, we are invited to be rooted and grounded in love. Just like roots connect the plants to nutrients and water, when we are rooted in love, we are connected to God’s love and are able to feel and share it with the world.

Let’s take a minute and imagine we have actual roots. Stand up and imagine roots coming from your feet deep into the ground.

Now imagine those roots being surrounded by love. Imagine the love traveling up the roots and into your heart. What color is that love? How does it feel in your heart?

Now, stretch your hands high above your head like they are branches. Imagine the love of God traveling from your heart and into the world. Whom will you share God’s love with?

When you are ready, open your eyes and head back to your seat.