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Woship Resources 2009-2010 — Year C: Live Generously, Love Courageously
Return to Year C: 2009-2010
Resource Index
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Bring Glory and Honor to God
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Scriptures: Acts 16:9–15; Psalm 67; Revelation
21:10, 22—22:5; John 14:23–29; Alma 14:79–89; Doctrine and Covenants
152:4a, d
Prelude
Welcome, Announcements, and Concerns
*Call to Celebration
Leader: My brothers and my sisters, behold, I say to you, How great
reason have we to rejoice.
People: God has not forsaken us nor turned from us in regard to the work
of the Restoration to which God has called us.
Leader: This is the blessing which has been bestowed upon us, that we
have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great
work.
People: God’s promises are sure.
Leader: Blessed be the name of our God; let us sing to his praise, let us
give thanks to his holy name, for he works righteousness forever.
—Alma 14:79b and Doctrine and Covenants 152:4a, adapted
by Crystal Hunter, 2008
*Celebration Hymns Choose two or three.
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” HS 20
“Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord” HS 57
“Bring Forth the Kingdom” SP 9
“I Will Sing, I Will Sing” NS 19
“Now Sing to Our God” NS 40
Prayers of Welcome
Ask three or four members of the congregation—representing different
generations, races, and genders—to welcome God into the service with a
simple sentence prayer. The last prayer should be the presider offering a
Prayer for Peace and leading the congregation in a collective
“Amen.”
Scripture for Confessional Reflection: Doctrine and Covenants 152:4a, d
Have we turned away from God and God’s purposes? God, help us to remember
that your promises are sure and those who love you will walk in the light of
your Spirit.
Disciples’ Generous Response
Each Sunday, as part of the Disciples’ Generous Response, we ask you to
integrate the message of “share equally” between Local and World Ministries
Mission Tithes. Generosity stories are provided to keep the church in touch
with how contributions to Mission Tithes spread the peace of Jesus Christ.
Please use the stories, testimonies, and up-to-date contribution information
as part of your offertory ministry. Visit
www.CofChrist.org/generositystories to print a copy, or contact your
pastor, congregational financial officer, or worship coordinator for a copy.
Offertory Statement: “A disciple spends responsibly as a commitment to
live in health and harmony with God and the world.” This is stewardship
principle #6 from Becoming a Generous Disciple (The Presiding
Bishopric, 2004), 3. For the expanded statement see
www.CofChrist.org/generosity/default.asp.
Blessing and Receiving of Mission Tithes
Stewardship Hymn: “God of Creation” HS 395
OR “We Thank You, Lord, for Strength of Arm” HS 78 OR “Lord, I Give
You” NS 32
Hymn: “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” HS 32
OR Ministry of Music: “The Ways of God”
Have this sung by a choir or quartet. Sheet music is by David Haas, ©
2005. Published by GIA Publications Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL
60638; G-6696, SATB, solo.
Message
Based on Psalm 67. Also use Revelation 21:10, 22—22:5, if desired.
* Closing Hymn: “Lord Jesus, of You I Will Sing” SP 31
OR “This God Is the God We Adore” HS 481
OR “All Are Called” R-9
*Benediction: John 14:27–29
*Postlude
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Acts 16:9–15; Psalm 67;
Revelation 21:10, 22—22:5; John 14:23–29
Exploring the Scriptures
In the three-year cycle of the Revised Common Lectionary there are only five
passages from the book of Revelation. This book is filled with strange symbols
that often provoke more fear and confusion than understanding—even distaste—so
we shy away from it. Add to that, unhelpful popular attempts to “decode”
this book’s meaning through literal interpretation, and we are tempted to avoid
it all together.
Read with imagination, Revelation can lead to insight as it startles and even
disorients—before leading us into a fresh view. Read with understanding that its
primary purpose was to give hope to struggling Christians, apocalyptic
literature helps the oppressed claim hope for a reign of justice in an unjust
world. Christopher Rowland says, “Revelation requires the recovery of that
ability…to be stirred or shocked and scandalized into repentance and action
rather than indifference or rejection” (New Interpreters Bible, Vol. XII,
556).
We arrive, then, at the climax of the book of Revelation. The author, through
graphic images of the prophet, seeks to encourage the reader by painting a
picture of a day when God will dwell in the city of peace. The separation of
heaven and earth will be no longer. The glory of God will not be confined to a
temple or to a separate sacred space. All space will be filled with peace and
justice! A beautiful river will flow from the city and it will nourish the tree
of life that grows along the banks of the river. The leaves of the tree will be
a source of healing.
These images not only are meant for consoling us in times of bereavement,
they are also for challenging us. They not only promise that things will turn
out well in the future, they also ask us to face the fact that current realities
are starkly different: Disease is present in the midst of plenty. Some eat well
while others starve. Some are isolated while others are surrounded by the love
and support of community.
This is not an image of a future focused on individuals, but on community—in
fact on a city as God’s paradise. The light of God’s glory is for all
nations. Even in the present moment when the reign of God is not yet fully
revealed, the reality of a crucified and risen Savior, and a group of disciples
who take his name upon them, is a sign and foretaste of that holy city.
Psalm 67 declares that the
blessings of God do not stop with us. It expresses a vision of inclusive praise.
The psalm is echoed in another scripture from Revelation as honor and glory to
God is sung by “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation,
from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before
the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9).
Central Ideas
1. The strange apocalyptic images in Revelation were meant for a people
who needed the promise of God’s hope in the midst of chaotic times.
2. The climax of Revelation promises a day when life will be “on earth as
it is in heaven.”
3. With this grand vision of God’s promised future, we discern God’s call
to embody that vision right here and now in our far-from-perfect world.
Questions for the Speaker
1. How does a disciple or a congregation “bring honor and glory to God”?
2. With clear understanding that this vision is not literal, what
feelings of hope does it give you for the future? Can you express a similar
vision in your own words?
3. What can you and your congregation do to resemble a city that always
has the gates open, welcomes all nations, and is so close to God that there
is no need for a church or temple?
4. What does the beautiful image of the tree by the river whose leaves
are for the healing of the nations mean to you?
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