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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 29, 2009
The Hour Has Come
Fifth Sunday in Lent
Scriptures: Jeremiah 31:31–34; Psalm 51:1–12;
Hebrews 5:5–10; John 12:20–33; Helaman 5:68–71; Doctrine and
Covenants 163:11a–b
Include a strip of paper in each bulletin, or ask a child or youth to hand
each person a strip of paper as they enter the service. As part of the worship
setting, display a large flowerpot of dirt with a trowel shovel and a basket of
seed packets or plastic zipper bags with a few seeds in them.
Prelude
Welcome
Hymn of Praise: “When Morning Gilds the Skies” HS 35
OR “Jesus, Name above All Names” sing twice NS 25
Prayer for Peace
Call to Worship
Jeremiah 31:31–34
*Hymn: “My God, How Wonderful Thou Art” HS 193
OR “Santo, Santo, Santo” NS 43
*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 163:11a–b OR Helaman 5:68–71
Blessing and Receiving of Mission Tithes
Music Ministry: “Draw Thou My Soul, O Christ” HS 168
OR “The Love of God” HS 107
Present as a vocal solo, instrumental, or congregational hymn.
Spoken Word
Based on John 12:20–33 and/or Psalm 51:1–12
Lenten Confession
Scripture Reading: Psalm 51:7–12
Meditation Music: “What Wondrous Love Is This” HS 216
Have a youth play meditation music on a musical instrument. As the
music is played, ask the congregation to reflect on what sins separate them
from God, writing them on their strip of paper.
Scripture Reading: John 12:24–25
Meditation Music: “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” HS 262
Again have a youth play meditation music. As the music is played,
invite the congregation to come forward and bury their strips of paper in
the pot of dirt and take a seed packet as a reminder of the words of Jesus
from John 12.
*Hymn: “Community of Joy, Proclaim the Living Christ!” R-16
OR “God Forgave My Sin in Jesus’ Name” HS 382
*Closing Prayer
*Response
*Postlude
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Jeremiah 31:31–34; Psalm 51:1–12; Hebrews 5:5–10; John
12:20–33
Exploring the Scriptures
“The hour has come,” writes John, “for the Son of Man to be glorified” (John
12:23). This declaration is prompted by an inquiry of Greeks indirectly to Jesus
through Philip and Andrew. It is also at the center of a debate. The writer of
John undoubtedly sets the “Pharisees” in contrast to the inquiring “Greeks.”
Those of the house of Israel reject Jesus, while outsiders (the nonelect)
express curious interest in Jesus, according to John. It is the Gentiles who
“wish to see Jesus” (12:21). It is to this inquiry that the declaration—“the
hour has come”—is revealed. And what is revealed?—the death, resurrection, and
exaltation to former glory of the one who “became flesh and lived among us”
(John 1:14; 11:4; 13:3; 17:1–5). The moment of disclosure had now come.
The “Greeks” (Gentiles) are a symbol. They represent for John the world
seeking Jesus. That the hour has come means that Jesus now makes himself
available to the world, to all, and not just to the Jews. His present ministry
to persons in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria will become extended to all when the
Son of Man is glorified. This yet-to-be-experienced presence is the dominant
theme in the farewell discourses and Jesus’ high priestly prayer (John, chapters
14–17). This would be a very important understanding for the community to which
John is writing. As a gentile community, they are separated from the historical
Jesus by at least six decades. They needed to be assured that living in another
geographic place and a different historic time did not remove them from the
life-giving and saving work of Christ.
The availability of the merits of Christ for all believers everywhere
required his death, according to this text. “Unless a grain of wheat falls into
the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears
much fruit. Those who love their life lose it” (12:24–25). There is a dying to
self and an embrace of his calling and mission on behalf of all. Note the
affirmation: “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to
myself” (12:32). Jesus being lifted up on the cross in obedience will also be
the cause of humanity being lifted into God’s embrace though his exaltation.
John’s Christ does not writhe in agony. He does not struggle in desolate
Gethsemane. John’s Christ does not even cry out! Rather, he embraces God’s will.
A voice from heaven confirms his decision (12:28).
Central Ideas
- The congregation needs to hear the inquiry of the Greeks. They need to
stand with the Greeks in desiring to see Jesus.
- John is writing to his historical community at the end of the first
century. Those hearing the sermon need to hear John’s testimony as one borne
to them in the twenty-first century as well—a community separated by almost
two millennia, but not removed from the life-giving and saving work of
Christ.
- Dying to self and embracing one’s calling is commended to each disciple
who would follow Jesus. His obedience becomes ours by obediently following
him.
Questions for the Speaker
- How is John’s presentation of Jesus Christ significantly different from
that of the accounts of Matthew, Mark, and Luke? Note the significant
difference in the Crucifixion and Resurrection accounts.
- How might the congregation hear John’s faithful narrative regarding the
life-giving and saving work of Christ for them in the twenty-first century?
Would they hear it in the same manner that the Johannine community would
have heard it in their time?
- How might you communicate Christ’s vocation of drawing all people to
himself on the cross of Calvary? What meaning might this have for a lively
discipleship?
Return to Year B: 2008-2009
Resource Index
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