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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 15, 2009
Seek Christ’s Sanctuary
Third Sunday in Lent
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
OR “Lord, We Come Before Thee Now” HS 10
Call to Worship
Psalm 19:1–4, 14 OR Moroni 10:29–30
*Hymn: “There’s a Church Within Us” HS 290
OR “Firm Foundation” NS 10
*Invocation
*Response
Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 162:7d
Lenten Meditation of Confession
Music Ministry: “Take My Life and Let It Be” HS 408
During a youth instrumental or piano solo, invite the congregation to
silently follow the words in the hymnal, reflecting on ways they may have
withheld their lives from God.
OR “All to Jesus I Surrender” HS 430
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 162:7a, c
Blessing and Receiving of Mission Tithes
Scripture Drama
As John 2:13–17 is read, act out the scripture with simple props. Have
one person seated at a card table with a tray of coins and bills. Have
another standing beside stuffed animals representing the selling of sheep,
cows, and doves. Have several bystanders representing Jesus’ disciples, off
to one side. Have one person representing Jesus enter from the rear of the
sanctuary with a rope tied around his waist. When he sees the
moneychangers and sellers, he becomes angry, takes off the rope to use as a
whip to drive the animal seller away, and turns over the tray of money onto
the floor. The money changer and animal seller exit. The people representing
Jesus’ disciples look at each other and nod as verse 17 is read. Jesus and
his disciples exit, leaving the money and animals on the floor.
Use children and youth for some of these roles.
Spoken Word
Based on John 2:13–22
Prayer for Peace
*Hymn of Response: “Take My Life and Let It Be” HS 408
OR “All to Jesus I Surrender” HS 430
*Prayer of Sending Forth
*Response
*Postlude
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Exodus 20:1–17; Psalm 19;
I Corinthians 1:18–25; John 2:13–22
Exploring the Scriptures
Many who read these scripture verses of Jesus in the temple in Jerusalem
describe them as an example of Jesus’ humanness. The scenes of an angry Jesus
moving with determination and intention to disrupt and run out anyone and
everything are vivid. However, the point to this story is not about Jesus’
humanness. This is a story of Jesus’ call to be God’s eternal sanctuary.
Jesus challenges religious rules and practices that are so embedded they
prevent an openness allowing for God’s fresh revelation to daily impact people.
When Jesus says, “If you destroy this temple, in three days I will raise it up,”
he is referring to the temple being his body. It is Jesus who is the temple. It
is Jesus who is the everlasting sanctuary for God. And it is Jesus calling us to
his sanctuary to experience, now, life eternal.
Central Ideas
- Jesus always challenges religious traditions that become rules and
practices, preventing people from experiencing fresh revelation from God.
- Jesus is the focal point of temple life. We find in him the living
sanctuary of peace that brings us into a closer relationship with God.
- Jesus’ humanness is always overshadowed by his eternalness, so we can
know with certainty that our lives, too, have an eternal purpose.
Questions for the Speaker
- What religious traditions and practices prevent the congregation from
experiencing God’s daily revelation?
- How can Jesus’ life become your sanctuary?
- How does holding up church buildings and campgrounds, as temple, prevent
you from experiencing Christ as temple ministry?
- How can the Community of Christ Temple, as an ensign of peace, be lived
out in your congregation?
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Resource Index
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