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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, March 8, 2009
Shaped by the Cross
Second Sunday in Lent
Scriptures: Genesis 17:1–7, 15–16/17:1–12, 21–22 IV; Psalm
22:23–31;
Romans 4:13–25; Mark 8:31–38/8:33–41 IV; Jacob 1:8;
Doctrine and Covenants 161:3a–c
A child or youth greets each person arriving for worship, giving them a small
construction-paper cutout of a cross. Use varied colors of paper for the
crosses. Punch a hole in the top and string a piece of yarn or ribbon through
it.
For the worship setting stand a tree limb with several branches in a bucket
of rocks or sand in the front of the sanctuary.
Prelude
Welcome
Prayer for Peace
Hymn: “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go” HS 132
OR “Song of Shalom” SP 40
Silent Meditation
Call to Worship: Jacob 1:8
*Hymn: “Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service” HS 17
OR “O Christ Who by a Cross” SP 30
*Invocation
*Response
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.
Scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 161:3a–c
Blessing and Receiving of Mission Tithes
Lenten Reading of Confession: “Take Up the Cross”
Leader: Jesus said, “If any want to become my followers, let them
deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Congregation: This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?
Leader: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of
me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and
whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those
who find their life will lose it and those who lose their life for my sake
will find it.”
Congregation: This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?
Leader: “You have heard it said, you shall love your neighbor and
hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you.”
Congregation: This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?
Leader: “There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and
distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then
come, follow me.”
Congregation: This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?
Leader: “Does this offend you? It is the Spirit that gives life; the
flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
But among you there are some that do not believe.”
Congregation: This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?
Leader: “Because of this, many of his disciples turned back and no
longer went about with them. So Jesus asked, “Do you also wish to go away?”
Congregation: Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal
life.
—Adapted from John 6, Mark 8, Matthew 6, Matthew 10, and
Luke 18
Hymn: “Here, O Lord, Your Servants Gather” SP 29
OR “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” HS 428
During the singing of this hymn, invite the congregation to reflect on
how they have been “shaped by the cross.” At the end of the hymn, ask the
accompanist to keep playing while people write their thoughts on their paper
cross, then come forward to hang them on the tree branches.
Spoken Word
Based on Mark 8:31–38
*Hymn: “Look at This Man, Born of God” HS 230
OR “Here I Am, Lord” NS 12
*Benediction
*Postlude
Following the service, place the tree branch with the paper crosses in
the foyer or fellowship hall for the congregation to read and reflect on
during the rest of the Lenten season.
Scriptures: Exodus 20:1–17; Psalm 19; I Corinthians
1:18–25; John 2:13–22;
Moroni 10:29–30; Doctrine and Covenants 162:7
Prelude
Welcome
Song of Praise: “Sanctuary” Camp Song
For words and chords, go to
www.higherpraise.com/Lyrics3/LordPrepareMe.htm.
Go to
www.kaneva.com/asset/assetDetails.aspx?ID=105441&communityID=0 to
hear the melody.
OR “Meet Me in a Holy Place” NS 36
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Genesis 17:1–7, 15–16/17:1–12,
21–22 IV; Psalm 22:23–31; Romans 4:13–25;
Mark 8:31–38/8:33–41 IV
Exploring the Scriptures
Jesus and the disciples had arrived at the village of Caesarea Philippi (Mark
8:27). But on the way, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”
Finally, it was Peter who boldly claimed, “You are the Messiah.” With this
foundational understanding, Jesus creates a teachable moment with the
disciples—a moment where he could be completely open (vulnerable) to them about
what was in store for him on his journey.
Jesus’ openness about his journey to the cross bonded the disciples to him
through a mutual love and shared experience. This, too, is our experience when
we declare that this man Jesus is the risen Christ. At that moment the
vulnerable Christ fills our being and we are bonded with him on his, and now
our, journey to the cross.
With his disciples bonded to him Jesus broke pattern and, instead of
withdrawing from the crowd to teach his disciples, he now called the crowd to
them. These people of Caesarea Philippi who struggled with their understanding
of a one-God faith were called by Jesus to give up their self-centered way of
life and live life from the inside out. We are also called to live life from the
inside out shaped by the cross of Christ.
Central Ideas
- Every day Jesus asks, “Who do people say that I am?” Every day Jesus
calls us to join him on his journey to the cross. Will we allow ourselves to
be open, vulnerable, and truly connected to Jesus on the journey?
- Jesus calls us from a life of self-centeredness to a life lived from the
inside out.
- Being a follower of Jesus is seeing the cross as our guiding symbol and
living our lives for the sake of others.
Questions for the Speaker
- Who does the congregation say Jesus is? Who do you say he is?
- How can the congregation become open and vulnerable to Jesus’ journey
and make it theirs?
- What will it take and when will you know that you are living life from
the inside out?
- What “crowd” does your congregation need to invite to take up their
cross and join you?
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