Scriptures: Hosea 1:2–10; Psalm 85; Colossians
2:6–19; Luke 11:1–13/11:1–14 IV; Mosiah 7:37; Doctrine and Covenants
162:4a, b
Before the service ask three people to share their testimonies about a time
when life had been a struggle and Christ saw them through their trials.
Praise Singing select from the following
“Jesus Is the Rock” NS 24
“Firm Foundation” NS 10
“Rock of My Salvation” NS 42
“Hope of the World” HS 208/209
“There’s a Spirit in the Air” HS 214
“Rain Down” R-8
Call to Worship
Reader 1: (From the front of the sanctuary) One day Jesus was
praying in a certain place. When he had finished, one of his disciples said
to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
Reader 2: (From the congregation shout out) Teach us to pray!
Reader 3: (From the congregation shout out) Yes, teach us to pray!
Reader 1: And so he taught them “Our Father who art…” (Congregation
joins in the Lord’s Prayer as the invocation.)
Scripture Reading: Luke 11:1–13
Drama: “The Winter of 1834,” Part 1
Testimony 1
Hymn: “Praise Him, Praise Him” HS 68
OR “Hosanna” NS 14
Drama Part 2
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.
Blessing and Receiving of Mission Tithes
Testimony 2
Hymn: “Lord, Help Me to Know Your Presence” NS 31
OR “Look for the Beautiful” HS 437
Drama Part 3
Testimony 3
Hymn: “Instruments of Your Peace” NS 21
OR “Hark! The Voice of Jesus Calling” HS 381
Drama 4
Scripture for Confessional Reflection: Mosiah 7:37
We are called to be very serious and genuine when we repent.
Hymn: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” HS 85/86
OR “Let Us Pray for One Another” HS 312
OR Ministry of Music
Scripture for Peace: Doctrine and Covenants 162:4a, b
Prayer for Peace
Challenge very short
Based on Colossians 2:6–19
Hymn: “O Jesus, I Have Promised” HS 463
OR “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian” HS 464
Benediction
Drama: “The Winter of 1834” By Debra Bruch
Latter Day Saint history* offers this true and powerful story that
demonstrates how people respond to God’s grace. It somewhat parallels the Good
Samaritan story. This drama can be performed or read. If the congregation is
small, most could participate in the service at different times. Characters can
be doubled, except for Parley Pratt. The different parts of the drama could be
presented between parts of the worship service.
Part I
Parley P. Pratt:
My name is Parley Pratt. During October and November of 1833, my brothers
and sisters in Christ and I were mobbed. We were beaten, whipped, and some
of us killed. Over a thousand people were driven out of Jackson County,
Missouri. I was completely destitute. I had lost nearly everything and was
hit in the head rather severely. All my provisions for the winter were
destroyed or plundered, and my grain was left growing on the ground for the
mob to harvest. On the first day of January 1834, we met in my house and
decided that two of the elders should be sent to Ohio—in order to counsel
with President Smith and the church at Kirtland, and do something for the
relief or restoration of the people the mob hurt so badly. Later, the mob
burned my house and destroyed everything else I had. Because of concern for
our poverty and the bad weather, we all hesitated to go. But Lyman Wight and
I decided to go. I had no clothing for the journey; no horse, saddle,
bridle, money, nor any provisions to take with me or to leave with my wife
who was sick most of the time because of the cruelty of people. I didn’t
know what to do. Almost everybody was poor. I trembled just thinking about
it. So I went out and started walking. I found myself in front of John
Lowry’s house, thinking that perhaps he could help me. I knocked, but got no
answer. So, I went in.
The Healed:
John: We were sick. Weren’t we, mother?
Mother Lowry: You more than me, John. But I could do nothing. We both had
a high fever. You were vomiting, and I could do nothing.
John: It’s all right, Mother. Maybe, because we were ill, God took an
opportunity.
Mother Lowry: I saw him come in and sit down. He was concerned, but he
could do nothing, it seemed. He just sat there and then another elder came
in.
John: They administered to me and I woke up right then and was well
again! This Parley Pratt told me that he needed money and I gave him as much
as I could. He then went on his way. But it was a miracle to me, and the
house was full of the Holy Spirit.
Mother Lowry: The healing Spirit.
John: It changed my life.
Part II
Parley P. Pratt:
He gave me enough money to start my journey and take care of my wife. I
left Lowry’s house and went further into the woods of the Missouri Bottoms
and came to the camp of a man named Higbee. He owned some horses.
The Horse Owner:
I barely saw him walking down the road; it was so dark. Yet at first
glance, it seemed as if he was surrounded by a light that I couldn’t see.
His clothes were rags and he had no coat, and yet he was walking outside in
the January snow—and the winter of 1834 in Missouri was difficult. I’d heard
of the attacks on the Mormons in Jackson County the November before—terrible
things people do to each other. I didn’t know at the time if he was one of
them. I mean, he could have been a member of the mob who vowed to kill those
Latter Day Saints. Maybe he was out to kill me. It didn’t matter, I guess.
Mind you, I would have helped anybody really. But this was different. I felt
compelled. He didn’t ask for anything, and I ended up giving him my best
horse, old Dick. And then to top it off, I gave him my saddle too! After he
left, I found myself wondering why God would let a man be so destitute, so
cold and alone. Why didn’t God do something? That’s when I realized that God
did do something! God sent this man to me. I don’t know why I
responded like I did. I reckon it was a miracle—God let me be a part of this
miracle. It changed my life.
Part III
Parley P. Pratt:
This experience became more than just a coincidence. It was the touch of
God. All I knew to do was to thank God and bless the man and his family. The
next person I encountered was Sydney Gilbert at Liberty, Missouri. His shop
in Jackson County was destroyed and plundered by the mob. Fortunately, he
had some fabric left, and, to my surprise, overheard two women visiting.
The Tailors:
(Talking to each other and the audience as if they were being
interviewed.)
Violet: Oh, you remember that awful winter of 1834—don’t you, Gloria?
Gloria: That was a long time ago, ya know, Violet. I’m old, ya know.
Violet: Oh, don’t be cranky. Of course you remember it. Remember that
nice man who we made clothes for?
Gloria: Oh yeah, yeah, we were visiting the frontier. Nice place to
visit, but wouldn’t wanna live there, ya know.
Violet: He rode up on this beautiful horse, but he didn’t have a coat and
his clothes were nothing more than rags. I couldn’t believe it!
Gloria: Couldn’t believe it. Not the sharpest tack in the box, if you ask
me.
Violet: Nobody’s asking you, Gloria. He came right up and Mr. Gilbert
took one...
Gloria: His family was where we was stayin’. Don’t ya know.
Violet: Mr. Gilbert took one look at him and told him to come in.
Gloria: That stranger was a looker, that’s fer sure. Had a nasty cut on
his head, as I remember.
Violet: Well, Mr. Gilbert said, “Brother, you need a new suit of
clothes.” It just so happened that they had saved some fabric from that
awful mob. So I said ...
Gloria: I said.
Violet: We said that we’d make him a set of new clothes. Just give
us his measurements and we’d get started.
Gloria: We couldn’t measure him ourselves, ya know.
Violet: It wasn’t appropriate, Gloria.
Gloria: Pity.
Violet: So we went to work and made him a new set of clothes.
Gloria: At least I got to make his britches.
Violet: Gloria! I don’t care how old you are; you be quiet! There’s
people here!
Gloria: I didn’t say anything!
Violet: I don’t know why, but doing that never left me. It changed my
life. I don’t have a clue why it did, but it did. Yours, too—didn’t it,
Gloria?
Gloria: Yep. Changed my life.
Part IV
Parley P. Pratt:
To be honest with you, I was having a difficult time. I knew that God
hadn’t left me. But to be mobbed, beaten, and torn from my home tested my
faith, at least my faith in people. When I left to prepare for the journey,
I didn’t know where I was going. But God placed these good people in my path
to bless me. Lyman Wight was also blessed and we traveled over one thousand
miles to Ohio. Faith and the blessings of God cleared up our way to
accomplish what seemed impossible. There are people who will hurt and
destroy, but others who will give to the point of sacrifice. I will never
forget this. Never. It changed my life.
Our scripture text for today places us in the midst of early congregational
life in the city of Colossae. Like so many other places in this region, this
city had received the good news of the gospel through the missionary efforts of
Paul and/or his associates. The Christian church had been established, but now
finds itself challenged by strong voices that apparently are trying to undermine
the basic principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This letter is sent in
response.
First, the saints are reminded that they have accepted Jesus Christ as
their Lord and Savior. This confession requires obedience in response to who
Christ is and what he has taught. Growth of faith comes only through embracing
the truths they have been taught. What God has done for them must result in
their sincere thanksgiving to God for their blessings and salvation.
Second, the Colossians are counseled to resist those “philosophers” who are
teaching another way. The idolization of dietary regulations, sacred calendars,
Sabbath observance rules, doing physical self-harm, worshiping angels (as
defined as those spirits that preside over every aspect of nature and humanity),
and visionary teaching must be resisted. This doctrine would associate one’s
salvation with one’s ability to comply with the above principles.
Finally, in this passage of scripture, the writer seeks to help the church
reestablish its foundation or grounding. In this case, unlike some other Pauline
letters, the matter at hand is not relational in terms of members’ treatment of
one another but rather doctrinal in terms of their relationship with God. To be
grounded in Christ requires an understanding of and belief in Christ as the
expression of the fullness of God. In this respect Christ is not only the head
of the church but also the Lord of the universe. As such it is Christ and his
teachings that provide the source of spiritual growth and strength. It is in the
expression of God’s love for those saints in Colossae and for all
creation as witnessed in the crucifixion of Christ on the cross and his
resurrection that invites all to be baptized. In baptism, disciples of Christ
experience repentance, forgiveness, and their own resurrection to a new life.
They are grounded in Christ now and in the life to come.
This scripture lesson calls every congregation of disciples to evaluate their
foundation. In some ways it can be compared to the scriptural analogy of
choosing to build one’s house on the sand or on the rock. It also helps us to
understand that the “foundation” or “grounding” needs to be checked from time to
time to make sure it is still solid. All disciples and all congregations
continue to face strong voices that would seek to replace aspects of our
spiritual foundation, which would in turn weaken our relationship with God,
Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Societal trends, stressful schedules, self-serving
objectives, broken relationships, as well as many other things, tend to soften
our spiritual foundation. The process of discipleship spiritual formation must
be ongoing and rooted in our deepening relationships with Jesus Christ and the
community of Christ.
