Worship Resources

12 November 2023

Psalm 78:1-7; Matthew 25:1-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Mosiah 2:36, 43; Doctrine and Covenants 162:7a

Prelude and Fellowship

Gathering Hymn

“Breath of the Living God/Soplo del Dios viviente”

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

CCS 43

OR “Come Now, Sound the Call of Zion”

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

Welcome

CCS 95

CCS 381 OR “Siyahamb’ Ekukhanyen’ Kwenkhos’/ We Are Marching in the Light of God”

Consider having a person read this inviting Psalm in a dramatic, welcoming way to pull the congregation in as an introduction to the worship service. This could be a youth in your congregation who does theater at school or in the community or an older member of the congregation who is seen as a fount of wisdom: Listen, dear friends, to God’s truth, bend your ears to what I tell you. I’m chewing on the morsel of a proverb; I’ll let you in on the sweet old truths, Stories we heard from our fathers, counsel we learned at our mother’s knee. We’re not keeping this to ourselves, we’re passing it along to the next generation

God’s fame and fortune, the marvelous things he has done. He planted a witness in Jacob, set his Word firmly in Israel, then commanded our parents to teach it to their children So the next generation would know, and all the generations to come Know the truth and tell the stories so their children can trust in God. Never forget the works of God…

- Psalm 78:1-7, The Message, adapted

“Great and Marvelous Are Thy Works”

CCS 118

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

OR “The God of Abraham Praise” CCS 94 OR “Now in This Moment” CCS 96

Invocation

Response

Scripture Reading

Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25

Focus Moment

This Focus Moment is meant to be a conversation with the congregation, including children and youth. Be open to questions that may come up in addition to the ones provided. Consider printing or project the starter questions.

The scripture today focuses on a people who had finally reached their “promised land” with God’s help, a place where they were safe and a place where they could begin God’s work after a long time of journeying in the desert and years of hardship. They were no longer slaves, no longer marginalized people – they were home. Joshua brings the community together to make a covenant that they would serve the Lord and let go of their false gods. It was a way to show loyalty to their Deliverer.

Possible discussion starters:

• We hear and talk about the word “covenant” a lot as Christians in Community of Christ? Where have you heard this word before?

Examples: Doctrine and Covenants, Baptism, Lord’s Supper/Communion, in church history, the Bible, in the law, etc.

• Do you know what a covenant is? What are some other words we could use to describe a covenant?

Examples: pledge, contract, pact, accord, treaty, agreement, understanding, etc.

• When have you made a covenant, a pledge, agreement or understanding in your life? Why did you make that covenant?

• What did that covenant mean to you and those with whom you covenanted? Feel free, especially if children or youth are present, to use synonyms for covenant, if helpful.

• Joshua has brought his community together to covenant to be faithful to God who has been faithful to them. In what ways here in our own sacred community do we covenant with God and one another?

Examples: through the sacraments, our Enduring Principles, Mission Initiatives, community service projects, etc.

• Joshua’s people announce “We are witnesses” as they have witnessed each other take the covenant. When have you witnessed covenant in action in your congregation or community?

• The covenantal language that Joshua uses sounds exclusive in many ways, exclusive to his own people. How can we be faithful to our God while opening ourselves to being welcoming to those who are outside of our sacred community? Who are examples of those people in our neighborhoods, towns, villages or cities?

Thank you for your participation in this holy conversation. May we as a sacred covenantal community serve the Lord by serving those who are still enslaved, wandering, homeless, alone, and hungry. May we incline our hearts to the Lord by serving those in God’s image. May we always recognize the Worth of All Persons.

Hymn of Serving

“We Shall Overcome” CCS 261 OR “Bear Each Other’s Burdens” CCS 374 Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own. OR “Make Me a Servant” CCS 597

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

Based on Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25

Hymn of Peace Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

“Hevenu shalom alaychem/La paz esté con nosotros” CCS 311 OR “Peace Salaam Shalom” CCS 310

Light the Peace Candle. Statement

We light the Peace Candle and celebrate the peace of Christ. Christ calls each of us by name and invites us into discipleship and a deeper awareness of his presence in our lives. He came as the Prince of Peace, but many have not accepted it.

Prayer

God who dwells near, We all struggle, Whether with ailments, anxieties, or abilities, Perceived imperfections in our biology force us to rely on the perfection of your mystery, To realize our own potential and worth.

Our prayer today, O Creator, is one of introspection – one of turning inward so we might in turn move outward to those in need of You. We ask you, Loving Parent, To loosen our tongues when we must speak prophetic words, And ask that our brothers or sisters might be there by our side to amplify those words when our words fail us or when our lack of privilege makes it difficult for others to hear;

To unstop our ears so we can hear the still small voice of the Spirit, Words that whisper love and value and encourage action on our part.

And we ask for friendship with those whose ears are tuned to that voice already, Reiterating words of love, value, and encouragement that we can hear.

To open our eyes so we can really perceive what is happening around us, To see the need and hurt in the world, the need for love and care. We ask for guides who are different than us, so we can learn to see What we never saw before: God everywhere – in those who weep, the poor, the displaced, the mistreated, and diseased of the world – a God who freely dwells with those who suffer unnecessarily.

And Compassionate Creator, We ask in moments of loss that we will be assured of our Christian hope, Resurrection.

We ask that those we have lost may accompany us, Walking with us in mind and heart, feeling their presence in love through the rest of our days, confirming that God gives new life to those who love.

As we come to the water’s edge, when we feel small and incapable of the challenge that lies between us and Your promise, May we utter words, listen, and see the things that have always been there but we did not believe we could be a part of, And let the sea part, as we walk with the community of Saints who Amplify our voices, our hearing, and our sight, Led on by those who have gone before us, So we might arrive in our promised land, The sanctuary of inclusion and inner peace, Where our struggles are no more, The Kingdom where we turn outward to others who seek refuge and welcome them to Shalom, The peaceful Zion we struggle to build together. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

- Michael Wright, Rome, Italy, used with permission

For additional ideas: Find this day’s Prayer for Peace service on the church’s website at www.CofChrist.org

Disciples’ Generous Response

Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 162:7a

OR Mosiah 2:36, 43 (RAV), adapted

Wise King Benjamin, who led his people into a covenant in an attempt to create a literal kingdom of righteousness and peace, expressed God’s love to his people and taught that generosity is part of serving the Lord:

“Now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that you have and are, grants to you whatever you ask that is right, in faith, believing that you shall receive, oh then, how had you ought to impart of the substance that you have, one to another? I would that you should impart of your substance to the poor, every person according to that which they have, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.”

Statement

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

Covenantal living and serving God requires generosity on the part of the disciple. It is through action and giving on the part of disciples that the peaceable kingdom is built. May a generous response always be part of our service to God and one another.

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

For additional ideas, see Disciples’ Generous Response tools at www.CofChrist.org/disciples-generous-response-tools

Closing Hymn

“I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” CCS 499 Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

“We Are People of God’s Peace” CCS 306 OR “Take the Path of the Disciple” CCS 558

Prayer of Benediction and Commitment

Response

Postlude