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Woship Resources 2008-2009 — Year B: Be a Sanctuary of Christ's Peace
Return to Year B: 2008-2009
Resource Index
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Free to Be!
Youth Ministries Day
Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany (Ordinary Time)
Scriptures: Isaiah 40:21–31; Psalm 147:1–11, 20c; I
Corinthians 9:16–23;
Mark 1:29–39/1:26–35 IV; Mosiah 3:8–12; Doctrine and Covenants 95:2c
At least one week before the service, invite two or more youth to prepare
testimonies on the theme “How Being a Disciple Makes You Free.”
Prelude
Welcome
Call to Worship
Listen to the CD Free to Be You and Me sung by the New Seekers. Or
read an extract from the book with the same title from the 1970s by Marlo
Thomas. YouTube has video clips and the song. If shown or played in the
service, see www.youtube.com/t/terms.
OR Scripture Reading: Mosiah 3:8–12
Prayer:
Adult: We pray, Lord God, for your Holy Spirit to reveal to us the areas
in our lives that are in chains and are in need of your liberation.
Youth: We seek your strength, God, to break free from these unhealthy
ties. Help us, Lord Jesus, to completely depend on you and your strength so
we may please you in everything we do.
Adult: As creatures of habit, it is very difficult for us to break these
chains of oppression.
Youth: Please give us confidence that anything is possible with you as
our strength. Help us to turn to you always, but especially in our weakest
moments.
Adult: Thank you in advance, Lord God, for freeing us from all those
things that oppress us.
Youth: We thank you because we know that only with you are we truly
free.In the name and by the power of Jesus we thank you. Amen.
Response: “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” NS 34
OR “May Thy Presence Be Ours” HS 102
Hymn: “Creator of Sunrises” HS 186
OR “Companions on the Journey” NS 7
Centering Exercise:
Suggest that the congregation get comfortable, close their eyes, pay
attention to their breathing, clear clutter from their minds, and listen to
these guiding words from Psalm 46:10. Pause at least ten seconds between
each line for reflection.
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
Prayer for Peace
Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 9:16–23
Use a modern-language version such as The Message.
Hymn: “For the Healing of the Nations” HS 452
OR “Instruments of Your Peace” NS 21
Have youth share their testimonies between verses.
Sermon
Based on I Corinthians 9:16–23
Hymn: “Lord, Save Your World” HS 310
OR “Let Justice Roll like a River” NS 28
Relate a modern-day story of someone trapped in a situation where they were
set free by Jesus. Examples may be found in past issues of the Herald or
in Courageous Witness (ISBN 978-0830910694) or Face Your Fears
(ISBN 978-0830911530). Both books are by Jared
Munson and are published by Herald House.
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.
Freeing Activity: “To seek forgiveness, Lord, for wrongs that long have
bound us”
—HS 334
Provide large bowls of water at the front of the sanctuary as part of
the worship setting. Hand out small pieces of rice paper (called "paper
solvy" and available at
craft or fabric stores), and ask each person to write down something they don’t
like about their life or a concern that troubles them. After a few
moments of reflection on what they’ve written, have them take the rice
paper and put it in the water, watching it dissolve. Let them consider
that God has taken it away and they are free from it. (Several bowls are
needed so the water doesn’t get too murky.)
Scripture: “I, the Lord God, make you free; therefore, ye are free
indeed.”—Doctrine and Covenants 95:2c
Receiving and Blessing of Mission Tithes
*Hymn: “The Love of God” HS 107
OR “God Forgave My Sin in Jesus’ Name” HS 382
*Sending Forth:
Go now, and trust in God for your strength.
Proclaim the good news wherever God calls you.
Do not set yourselves apart from others,
but be all things to all people for the sake of the kingdom.
And may God give you the strength and freedom of an eagle.
And may God’s Holy Spirit be the rising wind beneath your wings.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in his name. Amen.
*Postlude
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Isaiah 40:21–31; Psalm 147:1–11, 20c;
I Corinthians 9:16–23; Mark 1:29–39/1:26–35 IV
Exploring the Scriptures
In this passage, Paul helps us understand freedom and response. Paul was free
because he had experienced the resurrected Christ, but he was also captive to
his call. He had no choice but to proclaim what he had seen and heard. This
compulsion to proclaim the resurrected Christ was also echoed by Peter in the
book of Acts. There was no worldly reward in Paul’s proclamation of God’s free
grace, but he was a participant in that grace along with all those who accepted
Jesus Christ as Lord.
Paul was truly a slave to the gospel, because to him the gospel was the power
of God unto salvation. Paul’s hard heart had been transformed and he no longer
saw Christ and others from a worldly point of view. Paul was ministering out of
a compelling vision of Christ’s reconciling ministry, and his total submission
to God’s purposes in his life was a free choice.
Some commentators suggest that Paul actually gave up his freedom and asked
others to do the same. A careful reading of this passage, coupled with Paul’s
other writings, reveals a freedom that enables one to say no to certain
activities because of a more compelling yes within. Paul’s claim in 9:19, “I,
being free from all people, have made myself a slave to all,” must have been
shocking to those around him. He chose to live the life of service to all so
that he “might win the more” (v. 19).
Finally, Paul demonstrated an understanding that the gospel message must be
delivered in a language and form that is relevant to the people and culture.
Like Christ who came and dwelt among us, Paul understood the need to immerse
himself in his cultural context and convey the gospel in meaningful symbols and
language that would connect with those who would be receptive to his message.
Central Ideas
- When we encounter the resurrected Christ, we see the world from a
totally different perspective.
- Like Paul, our response is not out of obligation but out of deep
gratitude for the free gift of God’s grace.
- We are truly free to be who God created us to be when we choose to
respond in service to others.
- Like Paul, we are challenged to convey and live the timeless message of
the gospel in language and forms that speak to all ages in the culture of
our time and place.
Questions for the Speaker
- How has your view of the world changed as a result of your encounter
with the resurrected Christ?
- How has your relationship with Christ freed you to live out God’s
purposes in your life?
- What things have you said no to because of your response to the generous
grace of God in Christ?
- How can you, like Paul, creatively share the timeless message of the
gospel with all ages in your place and time?
Return to Year B: 2008-2009
Resource Index
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