Return to Year B: 2008-2009 Resource Index
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
*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
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
Questions for the Speaker