Return to Year B: 2008-2009 Resource Index
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
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”
Jesus said, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”Leader:
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
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
Questions for the Speaker