November 2024 - Worship Planning Tools by CofChrist

• 1 November 2024

• 3 November 2024

• 10 November 2024

• 17 November 2024

• 24 November 2024

WORSHIP RESOURCES

1 November 2024 All Saints’ Day

Revelation 21:1-6a

God Makes All Things New

Additional Scriptures

Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 24; John 11:32-44; Doctrine and Covenants 165:6c

All Saints’ Day is a day to remember and celebrate all the saints Christian people past and present. As a reminder of our communion of saints, this service is nontraditional, intended to be shared around a table with a meal. If your group feels uncomfortable singing hymns around a table, try reading them as poetry or listening to them played.

Preparation: Announce plans ahead of the service for a potluck meal. You are encouraged to place an empty place at the table as a symbol of those saints who have passed and are not present in body but in spirit. This service may be celebrated at the start of the meal, during the meal, or after the meal.

Prelude

If access to an instrument is a problem in the space for the meal, play recorded music.

Call to Worship

For all the saints, who from their labors rest, all who their faith before the world confessed, your name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!

William Walsham How, CCS 331, Stanza 1

Hymn Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own. “Blest Be the Tie that Binds”

CCS 325 OR “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”

CCS 54

Invocation

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 25:6-9

Focus Moment

Today is All Saints’ Day! Orthodox Christians typically celebrate the saints who have been formally canonized, which traditionally happens many years after the person dies. Do you know any of these saints? You might know them as names of churches or schools!

In Community of Christ, we recognize the Worth of All Persons, which means all people are of equal and immeasurable worth. In William Walsham How’s hymn, “For All the Saints,” CCS 331, we sing “May we your saints, your servants true and bold, serve as the saints who nobly lived of old.” Who are people you know who served or continue to serve with passion, striving to invite people to Christ, abolishing poverty and end suffering, pursuing peace on Earth, developing disciples to serve, and experiencing congregations in mission? Who has been a ‘saint’ to you?

Prayer for Peace

Light the Peace Candle. Prayer

O God of All the Saints,

Today we give thanks for all those who have come before us, and who have now gone ahead of us. We are in awe of those who followed your example of servant leadership, working tirelessly for peace in places as far away as the other side of the globe and as close as their own homes. We remember the saints who came before and their sacrifices, and as always, you and your sacrifices made in the name of peace. May we have the strength to pick up the candle of peace to share its warmth with those in need so that the pursuit of peace might continue into the next generation. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Tiffany and Caleb Brian Testimonies

Invite individuals to share stories of the faithfulness of all kinds of saints past and present. You might focus on those people from your community who have passed in the past year, or someone special to your community, or others.

Scripture Reading: Revelation 21:1-6a

Disciples’ Generous Response Statement

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 can join in making God’s work visible in the world. 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. We are called to join God in making all things news! Our time, talents, and treasures all are needed to build the kin-dom of God on Earth. In light of these stories we’ve heard today of the generous spirits of saints come before us, prayerfully discern how God calls you to respond.

Hymn

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

“For All the Saints”

331 OR “Christ Has Called Us to New Visions”

OR “Sing a New World into Being”

Sending: Doctrine and Covenants 165:6c Postlude

CCS

556

576

Year B Letters

All Saints’ Day, Ordinary Time

Revelation 21:1–6a

Exploring the Scripture

The day following All Hallows Eve (Halloween) is All Saints’ Day, a celebration of all the saints, martyrs, and spiritual mentors who influence us. Today we recognize with gratitude all those, past and present, who have touched our lives with their faithful commitment, humble example, and compassion.

The book of Revelation was probably written during the reign of Roman emperor Domitian (81–96 CE). The text strengthened and supported persecuted Christians, many of whom became martyrs. Like other apocalyptic literature, the visions in the Book of Revelation assert that God set a limit to the present evil age. The new age will be ushered in with birth pangs of cataclysmic destruction, unrivaled conflicts, and terrifying omens. The end is merely the beginning of God’s victory and realizing a new creation.

The old heaven and Earth will pass away with the primordial sea of chaos that existed at creation’s beginning. God will replace them with a new heaven and new Earth, as declared by Isaiah in 65:17 and 66:22. Balance and harmony will be re-established. All life will be perfected and find its purpose in fulfilling the potential for which it was created.

Jerusalem was often a symbol for Israel or in the Christian community, the church, and the people of God (Galatians 4:26). A New Jerusalem, the “holy city,” will descend from heaven, adorned as a lovely bride. Revelation 21:9–27 elaborates on the image of the New Jerusalem as Christ’s bride, highlighting its purity, perfection, completeness, accessibility, and inclusive nature. The Reign of God that Jesus preached and modeled during his lifetime has come to fruition.

In fulfillment of the old covenants, God’s presence will live among humans, who will be known as God’s people. There will be no more death, pain, sorrow, or grief. Those words comforted followers who were facing persecution or lost loved ones to martyrdom. God personally will wipe away all tears while the first creation, broken and shattered, passes away.

God (the one seated on the throne) speaks personally to the author in the vision. First, God calls John to witness what is happening. “See, I am making all things new” (v. 5). But it is not enough to be a silent witness. God commands the vision be written down for others to read and affirms the experience as genuine and trustworthy.

In words that echo Jesus’ cry on the cross, we hear the voice declare, “It is done!” (v. 6). What God intended from the beginning has come to a glorious end. God adds a signature, a confirmation of identity: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end” (Ibid.; also Revelation 1:8). Alpha was the first letter of the Greek alphabet; Omega was the last letter. God is the source of all things and the completion to which all history has been pointing.

Note, however, the first and last letters are ineffective in carrying meaning unless the letters between are also used. Between the beginning and the end, God moved in history, calling, enticing, revealing, and finally incarnating the Divine in Jesus Christ to bring about fulfilling and completing the broken human race.

Central Ideas

1. God will build a new heaven and a new Earth, balanced, harmonious, and whole.

2. There will be no death, pain, grief, and sorrow; all will be made new.

3. God is the source of all and the completion to which all history has been pointing.

4. Between the beginning and the end, God moved in history, finally incarnating the Divine in Jesus Christ as the completion of humankind.

SERMON AND CLASS HELPS

Questions for the Speaker

1. When has God done something new in your life and “old things” passed away?

2. What would the world be like if there was no death, pain, sorrow, or grief?

3. What are signs your congregation is moving toward “perfection,” that is, fulfilling the purpose for which it came into being?

4. Where have you seen God moving in history? In your local community? In the call to bring about peace and justice where you live?

Year B Letters

All Saints Day

Revelation 21:1-6a

Welcome

All Saints’ Day is observed as a day to remember disciples of old, people who made contributions to Christian community, and church members who lived lives of faithfulness and service. It is also a time to remember friends, family, and community members who died during the year. In this way we honor those who have gone before us and reaffirm our belief in eternal life.

Prayer for Peace for All Saints Day

Ring bell or chime three times slowly.

Light Peace Candle

Ringer of the first bell,

Today we give thanks for all the saints who have come before us, and who have now gone ahead. We are in awe of those who followed Your example of servant leadership, working tirelessly for peace in places as far away as the other side of the globe and as close as their own homes. We remember the saints who came before and their sacrifices, and as always, You and Your sacrifices made in the name of peace. May we have the strength to pick up the candle of peace to share its warmth with those in need so that the pursuit of peace might continue into the next generation. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Spiritual Practice

Dwelling on the Word

Today we are observing All Saints Day, those that have come before us. I will read the following scripture aloud. As you hear it allow words, images, or phrases to come to your mind. Try not to focus on them. Let them rest in you. After a moment of silence, I will read the excerpt again a second time. As you hear the words again listen for how God’s spirit is nudging you or catching your attention.

Read the Follow Excerpt from Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls or lose heart.

Pause

Read the passage a second time: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set

SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY

Pause

before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls or lose heart.

Invite group member to share responses to these questions:

1. What words, phrases or images came to mind?

2. How are you responding to God’s call to be fully alive in community with Christ?

Sharing Around the Table

Revelation 21:1-6a

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

“See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and be their God; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”

And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.

It is difficult to thrive in chaos. Child psychologists agree that living in chaos diminishes the ability for children to thrive, it causes long term trust issues, and causes children to bury feelings of hurt and discomfort, further damaging the development processes.

Why the short trip into childhood development? Chaos isn’t good for anyone. In the first sentence of today’s text John of Patmos shares that the new heaven and new earth are devoid of chaos. John’s Revelation, like much of the Bible, equates the presence of the sea with the presence of chaos. Water is a fearful thing; scary things live in it. During the first century very little was understood beyond a few feet of the surface of the sea. Weird creatures became tangled in nets and washed up on shore. The sea was full of the strange, and if it covered your head for just a few moments you died.

The symbol of water is central in Christian faith and represents a passage events: Moses and Israel passing through the Red Sea, Israel passing through the Jordan, and Jesus being baptized. Christian baptism is a sacramental passage of life through death to new life. In John’s vision of a new heaven and new earth the chaos of death is gone, and the presence of life eternal is evident. Everything is new and truth and justice will reign.

Living in the first part of the 21st century seems like anything but ordered and peaceful. It seems that chaos rules. Sometimes it feels like we are floundering in the sea of unknowing and fear. But as much as we think we are special, the churches that John was writing to were experiencing the same

things we are: powers of oppression, economic uncertainty and inequality, and a feeling that the tension between good and evil was pulling toward evil more every day.

But John knows better. John knows that in the church, in community, order can be established, that a new heaven and new earth already exist. In a community that is focused on principles of fairness, openness, equality, and servant ministry God is present. God dwells in and blesses that community. John of Patmos reminds and encourages us that dwelling in community is living a new life, and is in fact living in a new heaven and new earth, and that all of those who have walked the path of discipleship throughout the eons journey alongside us in God’s eternal kingdom.

• Share about a time when you found yourself amid chaos and the community came to your rescue.

• Reflecting on present time, past, and future, who are some of the saints (people of faith) historical and personally known who have impacted your journey of faith?

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.

This offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response: God, You have blessed generations before us and will bless generations yet to come. May we be a generous people in response to your boundless grace and unending love. Bless and magnify our offerings and our service to others. Let generosity become part of our nature, we pray. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn CCS 331 “For All the Saints”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group

• Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

• Thoughts for Children

Thoughts for Children

You will need:

• Flowers (can be real cut flowers, fake flowers, or flowers made from Pipe Cleaners and tissue paper)

• Construction paper cut into small rectangles with a hole punched in them

• String

• Vase

• Something to write with

All Saints’ Day is a day to remember disciples of old, people who contributed to Christian community, and church members who lived in faithfulness and service. It is also a time to remember friends, family, and community members who have died during the year. In this way we honor those who have gone before us and reaffirm our belief in eternal life. Those who have come before us have helped make the world a more beautiful and hopeful place. To remember them, we are going to create a bouquet of flowers that remind us of that beauty and hope. I am going to give you each a small piece of construction paper. On that piece of paper, I want you to write the name of someone who came before you who helped make the world a more beautiful and hopeful place. Once you have written their name, use some string to tie the paper near the top of one of our flowers. Once you have done that, add your flower to the vase.

If you need help thinking of someone’s name to write, find an adult and ask them for a name they would like to include.

Once each participant has had a chance to write someone’s name, offer a prayer of gratitude for all the saints and a prayer of comfort for those who they have left behind.

Description of All Saints Day taken from Sacred Space Year C: All Saints Day (https://www.cofchrist.org/all-saints-day)

3

November 2024

Ordinary Time (Proper 26)

Mark 12:28-34/12:33-40 IV

Love God, Love Neighbor

Additional Scriptures

Ruth 1:1-18; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9:11-14; Doctrine and Covenants 165:6a

Preparation

For the Focus Moment provide a battery tea light for each participant or encourage them to use their imaginations.

Prelude

Welcome

Call to Worship: Psalm 146:1-2, 8-10

Hymn of Centering

“Ubi Caritas et Amor” Sing several times

CCS 152 OR “Help Us Accept Each Other”

Invocation

Sung Response

“Bring Forth the Kingdom” Sing the refrain only.

Prayer for Peace

CCS 333

CCS 387

Today’s Prayer for Peace is inspired by Marty Haugen’s hymn, “Bring Forth the Kingdom,” CCS 387. Stanza three reads, “Seeds of mercy and seeds of justice grow in the kingdom of God.”

Light the Peace Candle.

Prayer

Mother God,

We long to bring forth peaceful communities where all are equal, all are safe, all are loved, and all are welcomed. We long to bring painful, destructive wars to an end. As rain heals the parched fields, we long for your mercy to heal our parched souls. We long to be your healing hands on Earth, spreading your justice. Give us strength and courage.

RESOURCES

WORSHIP

Many seeds grow. Many seeds blossom. We plant bulbs that will take months to peek through the soil and grow hearty petals. We plant tiny seeds that grow enormous leaves. May we tend to your garden lovingly and faithfully through seasons of rest, seasons of growth, and seasons of harvest. In the name of Jesus, tiller of fields of mercy. Amen. Tiffany Brian

Focus Moment: All Saints’ Day

Provide a battery tea light for each participant or encourage them to use their imaginations.

This past week, November 1 was All Saints’ Day! Orthodox Christians typically celebrate the saints who have been formally canonized, which traditionally happens many years after the person dies. Do you know any of these saints? You might know them as names of churches or schools!

In some cultures, especially in Latin America, families celebrate this time of year with a holiday called Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. They remember especially people in their families who have died. In Community of Christ, we recognize the Worth of All Persons, which means all people are of equal and immeasurable worth. In William Walsham How’s hymn, “For All the Saints,” CCS 331, we sing “May we your saints, your servants true and bold, serve as the saints who nobly lived of old.”

Who are people you know personally who served or continue to serve with passion, striving to invite people to Christ, abolishing poverty and ending suffering, pursuing peace on Earth, developing disciples to serve, and experiencing congregations in mission? Who has been a saint to you? Who are people in your life who have shown you God’s love, walked with God, or worked for the kin-dom of God?

Share specific people in your congregation or community who have died in the last year.

All Saints’ Day can be sad because we miss these people. It’s okay to feel sad sometimes. We can also be thankful for all of the wonderful memories we have of these people, and thankful for the way they changed the world around them!

What can we remember and celebrate about the saints in our lives? For example: I want to remember their hugs, or how they were a good listener, or how they helped at the food shelf.

Let’s pray for these saints together in a special way! One way to remember people is by lighting a candle in their honor. Imagine you are holding the light of that person up to God. Now, imagine God’s light filling that person as you pray.

Hold a candle. Name the person or people for whom you are praying in a practice called Held in the Light of God. For example, “Loving God, today we hold the light of [Grandma] up to you. [She] is special to me because [explain their influence]. I know God that you are with [Grandma] every day. Let [Grandma’s] light continue to fill our lives with memories of love and compassion. God, let us feel your light filling every part of our lives. Amen.

Offer one prayer over all the lit candles or ask for several participants to offer short prayers. This practice is modified from this spiritual practice, CofChrist.org/spiritual-practices-forchildren

Hymn of Remembrance

“For All the Saints”

OR “Give Thanks for Life”

Scripture Reading: Mark 12:28-34

Message

Based on Mark 12:28-34

Hymn of Reflection

“Bear Each Other’s Burdens”

331

563

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

OR “He Came Singing Love”

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Communion Scripture: Matthew 26:26-30

Communion Remarks

Invitation to Communion

226

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.

Hymn of Preparation

“Coming Together for Wine and for Bread”

OR “Eat This Bread” Sing several times.

CCS 516

CCS 528 OR “Let Us Break Bread Together”

CCS 521 Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

Blessing and Serving of the Bread and Wine

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

Disciples’ Generous Response Statement

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

Oblation

CCS

The first Sunday of the month focuses the Disciples’ Generous Response on Abolish Poverty, End Suffering, which includes oblation ministry.

Today continues our reflection on the Generosity Cycle with the Discover phase. We are also inspired today by the saints who have gone before us, and we consider how God blessed the world through them. Remember their offerings and sacrifices. We are so grateful for those who gave of their time, talents, and treasures to advance the kin-dom of God. How are you feeling called today to do the same? How will we bring forth the kindom, as Marty Haugen urges us in his hymn, in our offerings?

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.

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

Sending Forth Hymn

“Jesu, Jesu, Fill us with Your Love”

CCS 367 Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

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

CCS 652 Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.

OR “Called by Christ to Love Each Other”

Sending Forth: Doctrine and Covenants 165:6a

Postlude

CCS 577

Year B Letters

Ordinary Time (Proper 26)

Mark 12:28-34

Exploring the Scripture

The Gospel writer of Mark shared the good news of God’s coming reign through story: a fastpaced account of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection. God’s new revelation in and through Jesus is communicated through events and characters. The Book of Mark is best understood as a whole, providing a balanced hearing of Mark’s emphasis on Jesus’ healing power and suffering servanthood. Although today’s text appears as part of a lively series of exchanges in the temple, it is complete alone and can be shared effectively without extensive background information. It is important to remember the emphasis on and culture of community (family, tribe, religion) in first-century Judaism and Christianity, as well as the role and significance of the Jewish temple. To love your neighbor as yourself carries a communal connotation connected with kinship, love, and belonging. In the first century setting it more accurately means love outsiders as you do your family or tribe.

The focus of this text is on Jesus’ conflict with the political, social, and religious authorities of the day. Writing shortly after the temple was destroyed, the Gospel writer was dealing with questions of identity: What does it mean to be a good Jew? What is at the core of our identity as a chosen people of God?

After a series of questions from Pharisees, Herodians, and Sadducees, intended to test and trap Jesus (Mark 12:13–27), a sympathetic friendly scribe emerges in the plot. The scribe seems sincere in his question; it speaks to the heart of both Judaism and Christianity. He asked, “Which commandment is the first of all?” (v. 28).

The scribe agreed with Jesus’ reply (vv. 29– 31) and we begin to see the scribe as a follower of Jesus. However, Jesus’ response takes us deeper, “You are not far from the kingdom of God” (v. 34). His words revealed something missing in the scribe’s commitment. Reaching consensus on key theological points and “correct” answers is not enough. It is how we live, act, and relate to others that matters most. Love of God and love of neighbor are acts, not rules. It is a way of being, not a way of thinking.

The exchange in this scene is important for several reasons. It authoritatively places Jesus in the prophetic tradition of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Amos. It claims the heart of Judaism and pulls it forward into the heart of Christianity love one God (monotheism) and love your neighbor. It significantly argues the act of love is far more significant than any rule of ritual (“burnt offerings and sacrifices” [v. 33]). It clearly communicates that following Jesus is about our whole lives: how we live, what we do, and the depth of our love. Are we willing to love to the point of suffering, even death? This question is accented by the impending suffering of Jesus on the cross which begins in chapter 14.

Central Ideas

1. The center of our identity as followers of Christ is love for God and neighbor.

2. Choosing to follow Jesus is a choice we make with our whole lives; to truly follow Jesus is to truly live in the way of Jesus and may be costly.

SERMON AND CLASS HELPS

Questions for the Speaker

1. In what ways do we allow ritual to take the place of love, or worship become about a church building instead of our whole lives?

2. How does love for God and neighbor the center of our identity affect congregational life?

3. How are we like the scribe? What is missing in our commitment to following Jesus?

4. How has following Jesus with your whole life been “costly”?

Year B Letters

Ordinary Time, Proper 26

Hebrews 9:11–14 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, “Bring Forth the Kingdom,” Community of Christ Sings 387, by Marty Haugen.

Seeds of mercy and seeds of justice, grow in the kingdom of God!

Mother God, we long to bring forth peaceful communities where all are equal, safe, loved, and welcomed. We long to end painful, destructive wars. As rain heals the parched fields, we long for your mercy to heal our parched souls. We long to be your healing hands on Earth, spreading your justice. Give us strength and courage.

In the name of Jesus, Tiller of fields of mercy. Amen.

Spiritual Practice

Loving Kindness Blessing

Today’s spiritual practice is focusing on Worth of All Persons. Under the definition of this Enduring Principle, it states:

We seek to uphold and restore the worth of all people individually and in community, challenging unjust systems that diminish human worth.

By practicing a Loving Kindness blessing, we remind ourselves of the Worth of All Persons. For our Loving Kindness blessing I’ll say a phrase, and you may repeat the words after me in your mind.

Read the following to the group: Give the words of the meditation time to resonate in your heart and mind:

May I be blessed with loving kindness. May I be blessed with health. May I be blessed with true happiness. May I be blessed with peace.

SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY

Pause.

Think of someone who is beloved to you. Visualize the person As you pray, you may insert the person’s name into the prayer in your mind:

May my beloved be blessed with loving kindness. May my beloved be blessed with health. May my beloved be blessed with true happiness. May my beloved be blessed with peace.

Pause.

Now think of a close friend. Visualize the person as you pray:

May my friend be blessed with loving kindness. May my friend be blessed with health. May my friend be blessed with true happiness. May my friend be blessed with peace.

Pause.

Think of someone with whom you are in conflict or who has harmed you. Visualize this person. Breathe deeply and lovingly pray this blessing:

May the one who harmed me be blessed with loving kindness. May the one who harmed me be blessed with health. May the one who harmed me be blessed with true happiness. May the one who harmed me be blessed with peace.

Pause.

Think of Mother Earth and all creation. Visualize all creation. Breathe out love in your blessing to all of creation:

May Mother Earth be blessed with loving kindness. May Mother Earth be blessed with health. May Mother Earth be blessed with true happiness. May Mother Earth be blessed with peace.

Pause.

Invite people to share the thoughts, emotions, and images they experienced in this time of blessing.

Sharing Around the Table

Hebrews 9:11–14 NRSVUE

But when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), he entered once for all into the holy place, not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of the ashes of a heifer sanctifies those who have been defiled so that their flesh is purified, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!

The space was rather small for as holy as it was. Only about four by six feet. It was an elevated space, just big enough for a few people to gather. The space had been maintained and cleaned carefully and lovingly over the years. While it showed use, it was undeniably a sacred space.

For us, an oak table in a dining room, a grouping of logs around a campfire pit, plush chairs and couches in a living room, a table in a coffee shop, or a log beside a stream can become holy places. Some become regular meeting spaces; others are holy because the divine touch is felt there.

The author of Hebrews speaks of a holy place, a spiritual tent that Christ enters as the eternal High Priest. Christian tradition teaches that Jesus was without sin, that he lived purely for others and as a

witness of God’s goodness and grace. Jesus gave fully of himself in his life and in his death. Through Christ, all the world experiences the presence of God.

Jesus has led us to understand that all creation is holy. It was holy before we arrived. It is up to us to sense the holy, commune with the Divine, and be in healthy relationships with others.

A table is a holy space because of the attention we give to each other as we share in meals and conversation. The log by the stream is holy because of the deep trust and love between a parent and child in a place of unending beauty and complexity. When we gather in sacred community, we are primed to encounter the Divine because “God was surely in this place,” and we are able to sense it because of the depth and breadth of God’s boundless love.

Questions

1. Where are your holy places?

2. Share a time when you unexpectedly encountered God?

3. How do you experience the presence of God when in community with others?

Sending

Statement of Generosity

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 150, “Dios está aquí” “God Is Here Today”

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

You will need:

• traits list

• paper

• coloring supplies

Say: Today’s scripture talks about how Jesus came to help us be the best versions of ourselves. Being our best selves takes intention and work, too. Today, I want you to think of a trait you want to work to be better at (Have a list of traits available for kids who get stuck )

Maybe you want to be braver or more patient with yourself and others. Whatever trait you choose, I want you to draw a picture of what that trait looks like. Use whatever colors and shapes you think best represent that trait. When you are finished, hang your picture in a place you see often, so you can be reminded to work that trait into your living.

Send participants back to their seats with paper and coloring supplies. Take time after the gathering to ask participants what they drew and to celebrate the trait they are working to incorporate.

10 November 2024

Ordinary Time (Proper 27) Mark 12:38-44

Can We Calculate Our Giving?

Additional Scriptures

Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17; Psalm 127; Hebrews 9:24-28; Doctrine and Covenants 165:2a, f

Preparation

Secure a copy of the story to be read during the Focus Moment (purchase or borrow from a local library). See below for three choices.

Prelude Welcome

Sharing Joys and Concerns

Praise Singing

“For the Life That You Have Given”

OR “We Lift Our Voices”

Invocation Response

Prayer for Peace Light a Peace Candle. Prayer

Generous and loving God,

We pause and offer our sincerest gratitude for the privileges and bounty of our lives. We can forget to be thankful; we can become used to the blessings, and we can become desensitized to the hurt and need in our communities, countries, and world. Make us uncomfortable. Spark in us a fire, that cannot be extinguished, to change systems of oppression. Keep us awake with ideas and actions to bring about a more just world.

Let us see past the grandstanding and displays for power, to truly understand what it means to live your peace and justice and love. To make our whole lives an offering to the cause you call us to. To not be peaceful, accepting the status quo but be peacemakers, actively being your hands and feet to make the world a better place for all.

WORSHIP RESOURCES

CCS 619

CCS 618

We forget, Lord, and are sorry. Please reignite our flames for justice. We pray in Jesus’s name Amen.

Sing of Peace

“Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”

CCS 605 OR “Companion of the Poor”

Poem: What Do I Give, What Can I Give? See below.

Ministry of Music OR Congregational Hymn

“Can We Calculate Our Giving”

CCS 296

CCS 609

CCS 617 OR “Take My Gifts and Let Me Love You”

Scripture Reading: Mark 12:38-44

Focus Moment: Story of Generosity

Read A Chair for My Mother by Vera B Williams, Greenwillow Books, ISBN: 978-0688040741. After a fire destroys their home and possessions, Rosa, her mother, and grandmother save and save their coins until they can afford to buy one big, comfortable chair that all three of them can enjoy.

OR The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister, North-South Books, ISBN: 978-1558580091. The rainbow fish with its iridescent scales is the most beautiful fish in the whole ocean. But since he is also vain and proud, he becomes more and more lonely over time. Then he realizes that you can’t win friends through beauty. He is a beautiful fish who learns to make friends by sharing his most prized possessions.

OR The Smartest Giant in Town or The Spiffiest Giant in Town, ISBN: 978-0142402757. When George the Giant spies a shop full of wonderful clothes, he decides to treat himself to a new outfit. He puts on his new shirt, pants, shoes, and tie, and is immediately transformed from the scruffiest giant in town to the smartest giant in town. But on his way home, George runs into various animals who need his help. And little by little, George finds himself giving away all his new purchases.

Message Based on Mark 12:38-44

OR Testimonies

Ask participants to share experiences they have had with generosity leading the way.

Small Group Discussion

Print or project the questions for all to see.

Who modeled generosity in your life?

Where has one of your practices of generosity stemmed from?

Disciples’ Generous Response

Generosity Scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 165:2a

Hymn of Generosity

“Take My Life and Let It Be”

CCS 608 OR “From You I Receive” Sing several times.

CCS 611

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

Statement

Generosity rarely happens by chance. Instead, it is intentional decisions that we make in our lives. It demonstrates willingness to offer every dimension of one’s life to God. There are many ways that people can show expressions of generosity. Over this season of generosity, we will examine some of these expressions of time, treasure, talent, and testimony.

What do you consider a treasure?

A treasure is any valuable or valued item. It can be something that you have placed the value on, or society has deemed valuable. To be able to give treasures one needs to be able to see the treasures that abound around us. This means taking a position of gratitude. By embracing gratitude, we reflect on what we have, what is important to us, and what we actually need and what we can share with others.

When one has gratitude for the blessing of having good health when they are healthy, they can fully embrace the treasure of being well enough to donate blood. When one has gratitude for the food in their fridge, bills having been paid, and money in the bank, they can understand the freedom this allows and how sharing this wealth can allow others dignity and freedom also.

As we share our mission tithes either by placing money in the plates or through eTithing, reflect on what you are grateful for and some of the ways you can share your treasures.

Generosity Scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 165:2f

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

Sending Forth Hymn “Send Me Forth”

CCS 651 OR “Make Us, O God, a Church That Shares”

CCS 657

Postlude -

Poem

What do I give, what can I give?

There is nothing in this house, No food for the children, Hardly clothes to hide our nakedness. There is nothing of worth that I could share,

To show God the love I have for them.

What do I give, what can I give?

Law says that I shall give a sacrifice. That this is how I can show my love for God

But I have no money to give, No sacrifices to share, To show God the love I have for them.

What do I give, what can I give?

I see the scribes who offer the best They wear beautiful clothes, say long prayers Everyone knows of their love of God

But I have nothing, nothing to give To show God the love I have for them.

What do I give, what can I give?

I have just two small copper coins It really is nothing, It could buy us some food, help with our poverty And yet I want to share it, to give it to God

To show God the love I have for them.

Kass Unger

Year B Letters

Ordinary Time (Proper 27)

Mark 12:38–44

Exploring the Scripture

Jesus had entered the temple for the first time after his triumphant entry into Jerusalem the day before. Until this time, he had ministered in the countryside. He was not considered a threat by the ruling Romans or the religious leaders who yielded to the Romans to save their positions in society. Now that he was in Jerusalem, the religious leaders who feared the crowds followed him and began to test Jesus so they could discredit him.

Mark’s chapter 12 shows examples where Jesus confronts religious leaders in the place where they claimed authority, the temple. First Jesus confronted the chief priests, scribes, and elders; then the Pharisees; and then the Sadducees. In this particular scripture, he challenged their generosity. He described not only their lack of true generosity but the manner in which they displayed generosity. He seemed to mock their appearance as they displayed their so-called generosity. He challenged their actions toward the lowest in society, in this case widows.

The actions of the widow in this story provide an example of what it looks like to “give… to your true capacity” (Doctrine and Covenants 163:9). Here the widow gave out of her poverty, meaning she gave the way God gives, from her heart. The scribes gave from what was left over, or out of their abundance. The scribes withheld their generosity. Jesus preached inclusion of all, including widows. Jesus also used this incident to teach us about God’s generosity. God’s generosity is grace freely given with no holding back (Ephesians 1:6). The scribes withheld grace to the widow and her class. Then they gave only enough to be seen by others as they gave. The widow gave all she could give and she gave it humbly. She was the one who received God’s gift of grace that day. In Malachi 3:10, we see an example of God’s generosity. Here we see it again. The widow brought “the full tithe” and gave according to her true capacity. That caused God to provide grace in abundance to her. By withholding their tithes, the gifts of the scribes did not generate the type of blessing afforded the lowest in the society.

As Jesus sat opposite the treasury, he was able to observe as God’s creation responded to God’s generosity. He witnessed someone, who understood her relationship to her loving God, go to a place where she was not welcomed and to which the religious leaders of the day used her offering as a source of their livelihood. Still, she gave because she knew God would expect nothing more of her. Jesus also witnessed how some withheld from their God and used God’s name to put down others. In a showing of God’s true grace and generosity, Jesus courageously stood by the one who humbled herself even at the risk of giving his life for her welfare.

As you reflect on today’s scripture, you may want to think about examples of true generosity in your life or within the congregation or community. It could be financial generosity, time or talents, or extending grace to others. While this may be a very familiar story, the challenge for us to give to our true capacity remains. Re- view the principles of A Disciple’s Generous Response and imagine the church and the world if all would give to their true capacities! Imagine what can happen to a person’s relationship with God when he or she gives out of a genuine desire to give back to God.

SERMON AND CLASS HELPS

Central Ideas

1. Jesus invited and received everyone.

2. The widow did not hold back but gave to her true capacity.

3. The scribes withheld their generosity and gave only enough to be seen.

4. God’s grace is received and given in abundance when the “full tithe” is brought before God.

5. God’s grace is available to everyone.

Questions for the Speaker

1. If Jesus was to observe the offering at your congregation, what would he see?

2. How are the lowest in your society welcomed into your congregation?

3. What excuses do some people have for withholding their generosity?

4. As we receive God’s generosity what should be our response?

5. As you review the principles of A Disciple’s Generous Response (www.CofChrist

6. .org/disciples-generous-response), how does this story clarify your understanding of these principles?

Year B Letters

Ordinary Time, Proper 27

Hebrews 9:24–28 NRSVUE

Gathering

Welcome

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, “Whatever You Do,” Community of Christ Sings 355, by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette

In prisons and jails, Lord, we find a surprise; we see you in people whom others despise.

Spirit of compassion, we come feeling convicted. We all have those people in our lives the ones we call lazy when they make more work for us; the ones we call aggressive when they scare us; the ones we call annoying whom we avoid; the ones we call violent whom we lock up. It is in our human nature to push these people, the despised ones, away.

Yet, when we push them away, we push away peace. For in each of these people is you and how can we know peace without you? You are in each and every person. You are in their relaxation and their passion, in their insistence and in their suffering. Give us courage and an open heart to draw the despised ones close close enough to see you in their eyes.

In the name of Jesus, who dined and died with criminals Amen

Spiritual Practice

Holy Listening

Today’s spiritual practice will focus on the Enduring Principle of All Are Called. All people have gifts to share in community. By practicing Holy Listening, we can learn more about how people are feeling called to share their giftedness and how we can support one another in those calls. Ask the person next to you to join you in conversation. Find a spot in the room to get comfortable and face one another. You will take turns sharing your stories of how you sense the gifts God has given you and how you feel called to share those gifts. You each will have five minutes to share. During this time the listener will listen and nod, but not comment. At the end of the five minutes, the listener may respond with this one sentence: “I noticed that…”

Then switch places and repeat.

Before you begin, please repeat this prayer with me: “Help me be wholly present to this human being.” (Repeat.)

SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY

Start the timer. After five minutes remind the listeners to say their one-sentence response and invite them to switch places.

Start the timer again.

When each person is done sharing, remind the listeners to say their one sentence. Then ask the group to share any insights or reflections on this spiritual practice.

Sharing Around the Table

Hebrews 9:24–28 NRSVUE

For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the holy place year after year with blood that is not his own, for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once and after that the judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

This scripture references the ancient Jewish rituals of the temple, particularly when a high priest enters the Holy of Holies annually to offer sacrifices for himself and others. Parallels are drawn to Christ as high priest, who upon his death enters a similar temple, which is the presence of God. Earthly places are imperfect and fallible and are visited repeatedly. Yet the one sacrifice of Christ, made of love for the world, reconciles the world to God’s eternal purposes.

Regardless of the difficulties we face in life, we can find hope, peace, and comfort in the lessons taught by Jesus. Further, we can be that hope for each other. This is what we are commanded to do in scripture: to love God and to love our neighbor as we love and care for ourselves.

As disciples we strive to live and love like Jesus. We offer ourselves in loving service to others. As we do so, we are in essence building the kin-dom of God. We are living and actively participating in salvation, reconciliation, and restoration.

Questions

1. Tell of a time when you shared your talents, skills, or giftedness as an act of loving service.

2. When have you sacrificed (freely given) something important to you to help someone else?

3. When has someone sacrificed something on your behalf?

Sending Statement of Generosity

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:

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn

Community of Christ Sings 334, “Though the Spirit’s Gifts Are Many”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group

• Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

• Thoughts for Children

Thoughts for Children

You will need:

• coloring supplies

• copy paper

Say: In today’s scripture we are reminded of how much Jesus loves each of us. Sometimes, saying that God loves us is a lot easier than feeling God’s love. Today, I want to invite you into a practice of feeling God’s love. Afterward, I will send you back to your seat to draw how it felt to experience this love.

To begin, hold your arms wide to your side. Imagine your fingers connecting with the Spirit of God that constantly moves around you. Feel your fingers begin to tingle and spread farther apart as you try to hold God’s love in your hands.

When you’ve gathered as much of God’s love as your hands can hold, bring your hands to your heart and hold them there. As you do, imagine the love of God beginning to fill your body. Imagine God’s love encountering those things within you that make you sad things you don’t like about yourself or that embarrass you.

As God’s love fills you, imagine it wrapping around each of those things and infusing them with love until they no longer cause pain or sadness. Now imagine God’s love begin to expand within you. As you open your arms back to the world, recognize the growing love of God never leaving you, but expanding into the world to share.

Thank you for trying that practice with me. When you head back to your seat, I invite you to take a piece of paper and some crayons. Once you reach your seat, I want you to draw a self-portrait of how you feel when filled with God’s love. Be creative; use whatever colors and shapes best express your feelings.

17 November 2024

Ordinary Time (Proper 28)

Hebrews 10:11-25

Hold Fast to Hope

Additional Scriptures

1 Samuel 1:4-20; Psalm 16; Mark 13:1-8; Doctrine and Covenants 165:2a-b

Prelude Welcome Sharing Joys and Concerns

Call to Worship

The Lord is our chosen portion and our cup. You, O God, show us the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy.

Psalm 16:5, 11, adapted

Praise Singing

“How Firm a Foundation”

OR “God of Grace and God of Laughter”

Invocation and Prayer for Joys and Concerns

Response

Spiritual Practice: Visualization

This spiritual practice is grounded in the lectionary scripture from Hebrews 10:11-25. After the scripture has been read, you are invited to close your eyes and take three grounding breaths. A word or phrase will then be offered, and you are encouraged to create or visualize a mental picture that aligns with that word or phrase. Try to hold that image in your mind, noticing the details; shapes, colors or textures of that image.

Read Hebrews 10:11-25

Invite those gathered to close their eyes and take three deep breaths. Give them 30 seconds to create and sit with each mental image.

Imagine a mental picture for this word: Sacrifice

Imagine a mental picture for this phrase: Draw near to God

Imagine a mental picture for this phrase: Laws in the hearts

Imagine a mental picture for this phrase: Hold unswervingly to hope

Imagine a mental picture for this phrase: Spur one another toward love and good deeds

WORSHIP RESOURCES

CCS 250

CCS 100

Small Group Sharing

After the final phrase, print or project the five words/phrases and invite people to choose one to describe or share their mental picture with a neighbor.

Reread Hebrews 10:11-25

Song of Reflection

“Nada te turbe” Sing several times.

CCS 241

If this is unfamiliar to your group, consider singing along with the vocal recording found on Community of Christ Sings Audio Recordings, available from HeraldHouse.org. OR “Heal Me, Hands of Jesus”

CCS 546

Prayer for Peace

Light the Peace Candle.

Prayer

Creator of all,

It is easy to look around and become overwhelmed at the current state of the world. With environmental catastrophes and the state of global warming, the lack of sustainability, and pollution. There are wars and greed, systems that support discrimination, inequality and unjust treatment of people and the planet. How can we not feel overwhelmed?

Don’t put laws in our hearts, Lord. But rather your radical, all-encompassing love. May this flow through our bodies spurring us on to demand just change to the world we live in and on. May this cause us to make a beautiful noise; to speak and stand in the face of oppression and greed and be a living example of a better way.

Let us draw near to you God, with sincere hearts. That we might be sustained in the knowledge of your love for all and the heartbreak of what we, as humanity, have caused. Help us find our way forward from here, is our prayer from the depths of our beings. Amen.

Sing for Peace

“Lord, Prepare Me” Sing twice.

CCS 280 OR “The People Walk/Un pueblo que camina”

CCS 292 Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.

Object Lesson

Telephone is a fun game to practice skills of listening carefully and communicating clearly, with a chance to reinforce today’s scripture.

Rules: Create groups of participants (the bigger the better, seven to ten). The first person in the line will be given a sentence. They then quietly share it with the next person in their line, and it gets passed down the line in a similar way to an old-fashioned telegraph relay station. The last person in the line shares the sentence. See how much it has changed from the original.

Example sentences: You are worthy and you are loved. Hold fast to hope without wavering.

Discuss: What caused the differences? Have you ever had an experience like this? What might we do to become clearer communicators? Better listeners?

Disciples’ Generous Response

Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 165:2a

Statement

Generosity rarely happens by chance. Instead, it is intentional decisions that we make in our lives. It demonstrates willingness to offer every dimension of one’s life to God. Many ways can show expressions of generosity. Over this season of generosity, we will examine expressions of time, treasure, testimony, and talent.

Testimony is the sharing of your story, encounter, and experience. In our context it is communicating with others where you have experienced God moving in your life or how this connection with God has changed and shaped you. In the journey of discipleship there are times when we feel very close to God and other times when we struggle and feel disconnected. Sharing of testimonies supports the community, growing hope, and helping us all move forward in our journeys with God. It is important that we not only share our testimony but, as we learned in the Object Lesson, listen carefully to those of others.

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

Song of Hope

“Beauty for Brokenness”

Choose three stanzas most applicable to your group.

OR “For the Healing of the Nations”

Message

Based on Hebrews 10:11-25

OR Small Group Sharing Print or project questions for all to see When has hope grown in a time of darkness in your life? What give you hope today?

OR Ask two or three people share a testimony on the above questions.

302

297

CCS

Sending Forth Hymn

“Take the Path of the Disciple”

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

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

OR “How Many Times We Start Again”

Benediction

Sending Forth: Doctrine and Covenants 165:2b

Postlude

CCS 558

CCS 652

CCS 560

Year B Letters

Ordinary Time (Proper 28)

Hebrews 10:11–25

Exploring the Scripture

Today ends the examination of Christ as the Eternal High Priest. We have come to understand he gave his life once and for all time, for all people. For those following the Hebrews lectionary path the last few Sundays, today begins with a summary of key points explored in previous texts. If today is the first time considering Jesus as the Great High Priest, we recommend a review of Sermon Helps for the past five Sundays.

Contrasting Jesus Christ with the priests who served in the Jerusalem temple, the author of Hebrews reiterates a key theme in last week’s text. Human priests stand at the altar offering animal sacrifices day after day, but they can never fully atone for sins. The need for repetition is itself proof of the ineffectiveness of the ritual. The daily sacrifices only serve to remind people of their sinfulness.

On the other hand, Christ offered his life, once, completely, for all time and creation. His work was finished, and like royalty, “he sat down at the right hand of God,” waiting for the end of the age when all who opposed him would be subordinated (v.12). His single sacrifice offered complete forgiveness, allowing God to view each of us through the filter of Christ’s perfection.

The author cites Jeremiah 31:33–34 to affirm Christ’s new covenant lives in their hearts. The new covenant in Christ offers complete forgiveness of sins. It does not rely on external sacrificial rituals or an unending cycle of laws, daily rituals, and reminders of incomplete redemption. There is no more need for animal sacrifices.

There are no longer any barriers (curtains) separating us from God’s presence. We can approach God with confidence, following Jesus’ way. Because Christ died for our sins, our hearts have been symbolically sprinkled with the “blood” (life) of Christ and cleansed from impurities (v. 19). Further, we can approach God in faith with a clear conscience without carrying the burden of remembering past evil. Whatever scars sin has left on our bodies is removed, as if washed away by pure water.

With Christ as our High Priest, we look to the future with unwavering hope, knowing God’s faithfulness toward us is unwavering. Christ transforms our relationship with God and our relationship with one another. Forgiven, free from sin, filled with hope, we encourage one another and work together in love to bring about good in the world. We gather eagerly for worship and togetherness and build the community Christ promoted as God’s Reign.

Even as we see “the Day approaching,” we continue to be a source of steadfast faith, hope, and love for one another (v. 25). “The Day” probably refers to the Second Coming of Christ, mentioned in Hebrews 9:28. It does not matter whether one views it as Christ’s Second Coming, the end of the world, or some other apocalyptic event. Whatever day we might dread, whatever deadline we might face personally or as a community, whatever approaching disaster we discern, we can face it with faith, hope, and love. We are assured of Christ’s continued ministry of forgiveness, restoration, and mercy for humankind and each of us as individuals.

Central Ideas

1. Priests stand at the altar day after day offering inadequate sacrifices, but Christ sacrificed himself once and for all to bring about final, total redemption.

SERMON AND CLASS HELPS

2. The new covenant lives in our hearts, strengthening us through continual renewal and mercy.

3. We can approach God in faith with a clear conscience and look to the future with hope.

4. Whatever disasters loom ahead, Christ provides faith, hope, love, and forgiveness as resources to meet them.

Questions for the Speaker

1. How have you claimed Christ’s forgiveness and mercy?

2. What does it mean personally for the new covenant to live in your heart, renewing your life?

3. How does the burden of conscience deny the blessing God offers through Christ? What do you do to let go of the burden of a guilty conscience?

4. What disasters do you perceive in your future? How can faith, hope, love, and forgiveness help you meet them?

Year B Letters

Ordinary Time, Proper 28

Hebrews 10:11–25

Gathering

Welcome

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, “Christ, You Call Us All to Service,” Community of Christ Sings 357, by Joy F. Patterson

Let us be a servant people, reconciling, ending strife, seeking ways to be more just of sharing and of ord’ring human life…

God of service and strife, thank you for your beautiful world! In the clouds, sun and wind we find inspiration to be your servant people. For the clouds never tire of raining, the sun never tires of shining, and the wind never tires of blowing. Teach us to be relentless and resilient. Remind us that we come from the same Earth that the clouds and the wind come from. The light you placed in the sun is the same light you placed in our souls.

Pursuing peace seems endless at times. Endless and repetitive. Just as the green Earth needs regular and continual rain, peace needs regular and consistent reconciliation. But just as the rain is beautiful and full of healing, so is reconciliation. Deep in our hearts, hide a passion to end strife, so that we would continue to search for it within our souls, around our communities, and among our neighbors. May we always seek ways of peace.

In the name of Jesus, the Way of peace. Amen.

Spiritual Practice

Discernment through Contemplative Prayer

Today’s spiritual practice focuses on the Enduring Principle of Responsible Choices. We find stories in the scriptures of people reflecting on their history and seeing God’s hand in all of it. When we pause to discern God’s presence in our lives, we can see the divine hand throughout. God’s presence guides us as we seek to make Responsible Choices. One way we can sense God’s presence is through contemplative prayer.

Contemplative prayer is a method of meditation used by Christians to sit in silence with God. When we get quiet and listen to our heart, we can discern where God is calling us. Choose a word or phrase as a symbol of your intent to open yourself to God’s presence. Sit comfortably, with your eyes closed Repeat your word slowly and silently.

SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY

When you become aware of thoughts, physical sensations, or emotions, allow them to pass. Return gently to your word or phrase.

We will continue this practice for three minutes.

Ring a chime to start the meditation.

After three minutes ring a chime to end the meditation. Now we will sit quietly for three minutes to see what comes to us in the silence.

Ring a chime to end the silence.

Invite the participants to share their experience with this spiritual practice.

Sharing Around the Table

Hebrews 10:11–25 NRSVUE

And every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, “he sat down at the right hand of God,” and since then has been waiting “until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet.” For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying,

“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds,”

and he adds,

“I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.”

Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

In this passage of Hebrews, the focus is on Christ as high priest. We are urged to look to the message of his great and last sacrifice instead of the continued daily sacrifices performed in the temple. Remember that Christ will remember our sins and lawless deeds no more. Where there is forgiveness, there no longer is a need for offerings for sin.

This promise is predicated on the covenant quoted in verse 16, that the law will be put in our hearts and written on our minds. Again, the message of Jesus is to go deeper than the religious requirements. We see this all over the New Testament in his teachings. Not to simply do what we should do, but to be what Jesus wants us to be. We’re to integrate his holy message of love, salvation, worth, compassion, giftedness, and call in all we do.

A commitment is made to this when we begin our journey with Christ. For many, that commitment was made through baptism or confirmation. May we continue to commit ourselves to following Christ each day, each time we gather in faith, each time we take Communion, each time we

love and serve one of our siblings in Christ. This passage reminds us that the love and commitment of Christ should be etched so deeply on our hearts that it transforms how we act. That time and time again we might more fully reflect the Divine in our world today.

Questions

1. What does it mean personally to have this covenant written on your heart?

2. How can faith, hope, love, and forgiveness help you through difficult times?

3. How can your faith community, family, or friendship group more fully reflect the way of Christ?

Sending Statement of Generosity

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:

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn

Community of Christ Sings 511, “Three Things I Promise”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group

• Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

• Thoughts for Children

Thoughts for Children

You will need:

• bubble solution and wands for each person

Say: Today’s scripture reminds us of the importance of forgiveness. Just as God offers us forgiveness, we should offer forgiveness to others, too. Sometimes, the hardest person to forgive is ourselves. Even after we’ve apologized and made amends, we still might feel guilt or shame about something. Today, I want us to try a practice that will help us let go of guilt and shame.

Close your eyes and visualize the thing you are struggling to forgive yourself for. Have you already apologized for this thing? Have you done all you can to make it right? If so, it is time to let go of your bad feelings about it and forgive yourself.

To do this, I want you to imagine that you have a bubble wand and some bubble solution. Imagine dipping the wand into the solution. Take a deep breath in and bring the wand to your lips. As you release the breath, imagine you are blowing your guilt and shame into the bubble. Now imagine the bubble floating away, taking the bad feelings with it. If you weren’t able to release all of the bad feelings, feel free to blow another bubble or two.

When you are ready, open your eyes and head back to your seat (If you got bubble solution for each participant, give them the solution as they go to their seats, but ask them to not use bubbles until the end of the gathering.)

24 November 2024

Ordinary Time (Proper 29)

Tomorrow Christ Is Coming

Additional Scriptures

2 Samuel 23:1-7; Psalm 132:1-18; John 18:33-37; Doctrine and Covenants 161:4a-b; 165:2a

Preparation

Secure a copy of a suggested book for the Focus Moment (purchase or borrow from a lending library).

Prelude Welcome Sharing of Joys and Concerns

Praise Singing

“God Almighty, We Are Waiting”

397 OR “Gather Your Children”

77 OR “Jesus, Partner, Lover, Friend”

Invocation

Response Scripture Reading

Enlist four readers

Reader 1: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come,

Reader 2: and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, Reader 3: and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, Reader 4: and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

Reader 2: To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, Reader 3: and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, Reader 4: to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Reader 3: Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, Reader 2: even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail.

Reader 4: So it is to be. Amen.

Reader 1: ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God,

WORSHIP

RESOURCES

Revelation 1:4b-8

CCS

Reader 2: who is Reader 3: and who was Reader 4: and who is to come, Reader 1: the Almighty.

Scripture Response

“Of the Father’s Love Begotten”

OR “All Earth Is Hopeful/Toda la tierra”

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

OR “Jesus, Promise of an Angel”

Disciples’ Generous Response

Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 165:2a

Generosity Statement

Revelation 1:4b-8

CCS 27

CCS 392/393

CCS 32

Generosity rarely happens by chance. Instead, it is intentional decisions that we make in our lives. It demonstrates willingness to offer every dimension of one’s life to God. There are many ways that people can show expressions of generosity. During this season of generosity, we have examined expressions of time, treasure, testimony, and talent.

“Talents” can be used to describe a special gift or trait. It could be something someone has come to with a natural ability or, in our context, includes skills or things that someone has had to work very hard to become prolific at. There are so many different types of talents. We often easily notice those in the creative fields such as music or art, or sports, but there are many more and variations are great.

Some might be social talents, such as an understanding of how to interact in social situations or having strong empathy for others. They might revolve around learning languages or comprehending math. Perhaps someone is gifted in their ability to teach or encourage and support others. There are so many different types of talents, and an incalculable number of ways in which these talents can be shared with others as an expression of generosity that imitated God’s generosity.

Focus Moment

Small Group Sharing

Identify a talent you possess. Share with a neighbor one way you can use or share this talent with others.

OR Read Because by Mo Willems, Hyperion Books for Children, ISBN: 978-1368019019 It is a story of influence and inspiration. We start with how Brahms was influenced by Beethoven to write beautiful music. Musicians practiced long and with care to be able to play the piece. Lots of people set the stage and got the hall ready for a performance so that the music could happen. It transforms a girl on her own journey to center stage.

OR Read Mister Fairy by Morgane de Cadier, Red Comet Press, ISBN: 9781636550008. Mister Fairy is not like other fairies; try as he might, he has not yet found his own special talent. In fact, all the animals laugh when he tries to copy what the other fairies do. So,

Mister Fairy travels far from his forest home to another place where, almost by accident, he discovers and shares his special gift.

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

Generosity Song To be sung while the offering is received.

Message

Based on Revelation 1:4b-8

Ministry of Music OR Congregational Hymn

“Tomorrow Christ Is Coming”

CCS 618

“Take My Life, That I May Be/Toma, oh Dios, mi voluntad” CCS 610 Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own. OR “We Lift Our Voices”

CCS 287

CCS 406 OR “Come and Bring Light” Choose two or three stanzas

Prayer for Peace Light the Peace Candle. Prayer

Lover of all,

In the chaos and uncertainty of life be our anchor holding us steady. When we feel overwhelmed and are uncertain where to start, may we find comfort and direction in your word and the example of Jesus.

Help us to breathe peace into our lives, our relationships, our communities, our nations, and the world.

May we be the hands and feet and heart of Jesus, reaching out to those in need, speaking against injustice and demanding systems that are fair and equitable and loving those that feel unlovable.

When it is insurmountable, lead us to the one thousand little things that can contribute to the avalanche of change. As we not only pray for peace, but live lives dedicated to the actions of peace.

We pray this prayer hoping peace echoes around the world. Amen.

Sending Forth Hymn

“Go Now Forth into the World”

OR “Now Let Us from This Table Rise”

Sending Forth: Doctrine and Covenants 161:4a-b

Postlude

CCS

646

644

Year B Letters

Reign of Christ, Ordinary Time (Proper 29),

Revelation 1:4b–8

Exploring the Scripture

The Christian calendar is ending. Next week a new Christian year begins with the Advent Season, directing our attention once again to Christ’s coming 2,000 years ago, in the present age, and in the future. In expectation, on this last Sunday of the year, we worship Jesus Christ as Christ the King.

Our text begins as a letter, with a greeting from the Holy Spirit to the seven churches in Asia. The Spirit is described as God’s presence and spiritual energy in the spirits of the seven churches. “Seven” stood for wholeness, symbolizing all Christian churches to whom the letter was sent. By extension, it can include all churches in existence today. The greeting also comes from Jesus Christ, who is celebrated throughout the passage with tributes and titles that highlight his Divine nature and redemptive work.

Jesus Christ is the faithful witness. His teachings, life, and words can be trusted as true, and he remained faithful to his teachings and beliefs until the end. The word translated as “witness” can also mean “martyr,” who gave his life on the cross.

He is the firstborn of the dead: the Resurrected Christ brought back to life as “the first fruits” of the harvest of souls, which will occur during the final judgment (1 Corinthians 15:20). He is King of Kings, superior in Spirit, power, and authority over all kings. The government of this world could not stop his life or ministry, and by defeating death, Christ is now superior to all earthly powers.

After praising Jesus Christ, John outlines what Christ has done for us. Christ loves us. Note the present tense. Christ’s love is current, not a thing of the past, and it continues into future ages.

Christ freed us from sin by sacrificing his blood for our sins. Christ is King of God’s kingdom, a kingdom in which we act as priests or ministers who worship and serve God, Christ’s Father. The final phrase may refer to God as wielding all power and glory, or it may refer to Christ. In many passages throughout the Book of Revelation, God and Christ are interchangeable. Any description could apply to either.

Christ is coming again. The implication is the time is soon. Efforts are already underway to bring about the Second Coming, an idea that appealed to the Christian martyrs who suffered under Domitian’s reign when the Book of Revelation was written. When Christ comes, he will be visible to every human being as the Divine Son of God, even to those who did not recognize him earlier and were responsible for his death. They and all those who denied him will wail at his coming as they understand the injustice and sin of their actions.

In the final verse, the acclaim for Jesus Christ ends. God claims the identity of “Alpha and Omega.” Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet; omega is the last letter. The phrase symbolizes the beginning and the end, with everything between included. God affirms what was written and the account to come are true, signed with God’s name, the same God who created all things and will complete all things in the final days.

SERMON AND CLASS HELPS

Central Ideas

1. Jesus Christ is both a faithful witness of the teachings and kingdom he stood for and the faithful martyr who gave his life for the sake of the kingdom.

2. Christ is King of Kings, superior to all earthly powers, who could not stop his influence.

3. Christ loves us, freed us from sin, and made us inheritors and ministers of the kingdom, serving God.

4. Christ is coming again to reign as King.

5. Through the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, God attests to the truth of what is written.

Questions for the Speaker

1. How have you been a faithful witness to the life, teachings, and words of Jesus Christ?

2. Where have you witnessed faith opposing the power of government and rulers?

3. What does it mean to be the inheritor of God’s kingdom now?

4. What is another metaphor for creating the inclusive community Jesus taught?

5. How does the theology of Christ’s Second Coming affect your faith, service, and ministry inside and outside the church?

Year B Letters

Reign of Christ Sunday (Ordinary Time, Proper 29)

Revelation 1:4–8

Gathering

Welcome

Reign of Christ Sunday is the final Sunday of Ordinary Time and the Christian calendar year. On Reign of Christ Sunday, we celebrate God’s peaceable reign made manifest in our lives, relationships, the church, and the world. This is what we understand as shalom, God’s healing and restoring activity in the world.

Prayer for Peace

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.

Light the peace candle.

God of all creation, we are so grateful for your reign on Earth! You are Alpha and Omega; you are Redeemer; you are Prince of Peace. We see your peace in your world. We see the harmony between bees and flowers. We see peace between neighbors. We feel a deep calm within when we feel your presence. Yet, we know work remains. We don’t always know how to bring peace into existence. May we be inspired by Jesus’s words and actions. The reign of Jesus is not of this world. So, too, may we work toward peace that seems other-worldly.

In the name of the most high, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Spiritual Practice

Jesus Prayer

The traditional form of the Jesus Prayer comes from the petition of the beggar on the road to Jericho, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” However, a shorter phrase that focuses on the name of Jesus and the desire for God’s mercy can be used as a meditative prayer. Today we will use “Lord Jesus, have mercy on me.”

Sit in a comfortable position. Let your breathing become relaxed and easy.

Let the words Lord Jesus, have mercy on me form in your mind.

Gradually fit the words of the prayer to the natural rhythm of your breath. For example, internally say “Lord Jesus Christ” as you inhale and “Have mercy on me” as you exhale.

Remember, the prayer is not intended for rational analysis of content and words. Allow your mind simply to rest in the words as you breathe.

We will continue silently praying the Jesus Prayer for three to five minutes. Draw the prayer time to a close by saying, “Amen. ”

Ask participants to share briefly about the experience of the Jesus Prayer.

Sharing Around the Table

Revelation 1:4–8 NRSVUE

John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all the tribes of the earth will wail on account of him.

So it is to be. Amen.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

The addressing of seven churches might seem a bit confusing to us at first. You see, seven is a perfect number in Jewish tradition as if they were speaking to the whole of the church. For our context we can interpret this as addressing the whole of our church.

John reminds us that it is by Christ that we are loved and freed, and that through Christ the peaceable kingdom can come into being. His hope is that everyone will see that, even those who pierced his side. Not just that we see, but that we will “wail on account of him.” So how can we more fervently acknowledge that Christ has loved and freed us?

The answer lies in how we embody as is mentioned in the last verse, living as Jesus who is the embodiment of the Alpha and Omega. The One “who is and who was and who is to come.” God is with us now and forever, and whatever is to come. May the example of Jesus Christ, the Living Christ, guide our way forward now and always.

Questions

1. How have you been an embodiment of the life, example, or teachings of Jesus?

2. What might it look like for God’s shalom to prevail across the world?

3. What is another metaphor for creating the inclusive community Jesus taught?

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.

Pray with me:

God, may our generosity this day be in response to the reality of your presence in this space. May you bless our gifts that they might further your purposes of joy, hope, love, and peace in the world. May we continue to be generous with our financial offerings, and may we joyfully extend invitation and hospitality to others as we live into the peaceable reign of Christ. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn

Community of Christ Sings 276, “All Are Welcome”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group

• Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

• Thoughts for Children

Thoughts for Children

You will need:

• paper crown

Invite the children to sit on the floor with you.

Ask: What is a king? What is a kingdom? Who makes the rules in a kingdom? Who decides how people will act in a kingdom? (Affirm all answers.)

Place the crown on your head.

Say: In my kingdom all people will eat ice cream for dinner!

Have each child wear the crown and make a declaration of how people in the child’s kingdom will act.

Say: Today is the day we remember that Jesus talked about the kingdom of God and how it is different than kingdoms in our world and storybooks.

What are some ways God wants us to act in God’s kingdom?

Help children with answers: Love each other, be kind, make friends with new children at school, share generously, work for peace, treat everyone specially.

Say: When we remember that we are part of the kingdom of God, it helps us act in ways that build community and lead to God’s dream of peace for our world. Think of one thing you can do today to show you are part of building God’s kingdom of peace.

Take a moment for children to share. Thank them and ask them to return to their seats.

Lesson is from Sacred Space Year B: Reign of Christ Sunday