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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, May 3, 2009
Abide in Love
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Scriptures: Acts 4:5–12; Psalm 23; I John 3:16–24;
John 10:11–18; Ether 5:41; Doctrine and Covenants 162:7d
Have a youth or Sunday school class make a house or church for the worship
center that can be used to represent “Abide,” “Live,” or “Home.”
It should have a roof with a hole in it, or a roof that can be removed, so
worshipers can place their offerings inside during the processional.
Prelude
Hymns of Worship Preparation:
“What Is This Place” SP 2 “Jesus” NS 22
“We Thank Thee, God, for Eyes to See” HS 465
Welcome and Sharing of Good News
Prayer for Peace see
page 27
Call to Worship: Based on Psalm 23
A shepherd knows what the sheep need before the sheep do. You provide
everything for growth and protection and contentment.
In your presence, I fear no evil or loss.
You guide me to all goodness through all the shadowy places where my fears
are.
When I am frightened and threatened, your blessings bring peace.
You teach us in the ways of joyous living.
You shower me with grace and overfill me with hope.
I look forward to always being in your kingdom.
*Hymn: “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need” HS 125
OR “The Lord’s My Shepherd” HS 124
*Invocation
*Response
To prepare for Communion, ask three members of the congregation to share in
the following testimonies. Have a variety of ages participate.
- Read Acts 4:5–12. The disciples had “been with Jesus.” How do others
know you have “been with Jesus”?
- Consider the Communion Prayers. How do you witness to God that you
always remember Jesus?
- Read I John 3:16–24 and consider the Communion prayers. How can/does
your congregation take upon them the name of Jesus Christ?
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.
Communion Message
Based on I John 3:16–24
Poem
Circle of Tides
The tide approaches, bathing bare feet;
Foam eddies round ankle and toe.
Recedes now leaving shells, frosted glass,
Wild water: dance to and dance fro.
So to and fro the child will go.
Runs home to the cabin and then
Being assured of parental love
Runs back out to beach comb again.
Waves chase combers like little white pups,
Roll over each other in sprays.
Some leap higher to catch the sea’s gifts,
Send them back for words of bright praise.
Breathe words of praise, salty mist of hymns,
Then, inhale the ocean’s perfume.
Sense the Creator’s circle of life
High water sweeps in like a broom.
Broom swept beaches beckon us further
To gaze at the way the day’s dressed.
Soon the blessed sun of the morning
Gives way to the moon that brings rest.
Rest in the thought “all’s right with the world”
That in God’s good love we abide.
Wars will soon end (we pray that they will).
God’s love will return with the tide.
My dancing waves return with the tide
Bringing gifts of sea shell and glass
Brightly stained for her sanctuary,
Preparing the deep for her mass.
—Linda Mountenay, 2007
Song of Preparation: “Sanctuary”
Have a song leader and/or a guitar player lead this popular song.
For words and chords, go to
www.higherpraise.com/Lyrics3/LordPrepareMe.htm.
Go to
www.kaneva.com/asset/assetDetails.aspx?assetId=105441&communityId=0
to hear the melody.
OR Hymn: “Here at Thy Table, Lord HS 333
Processional: Receiving of the Communion Emblems and Oblation Offerings
Have the combined Communion prayer read. Then encourage the worship
participants to come forward to receive the Communion and present their
offerings. Have the table set up with the house/church as suggested in the
worship center information. Have priesthood members holding the trays with
the emblems. Ask one priesthood member (maybe a teacher) to observe the
group and notify the servers if anyone is unable to come forward to be
served.
Processional Music: “Eat This Bread” NS 8
Have this song performed as a solo or with several musical
variations as detailed in the accompaniment version of the NS hymnal.
Youth members who play band or orchestra instruments would be ideal
participants.
OR “You Satisfy the Hungry Heart” HS 345
Pastoral Prayer
This prayer might include a blessing on the offering, the promise of
Communion, and continuing to “Abide in Love.”
*Closing Hymn: “Companions on the Journey” NS 7
OR “Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” HS 493
*Sending Forth: Doctrine and Covenants 162:7d OR Ether 5:41
*Postlude
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Acts 4:5–12; Psalm 23; I John 3:16–24; John
10:11–18
Exploring the Scriptures
The author of I John is anonymous. However, many scholars recognize common
themes between I John and the Gospel of John. Some suggest that I John serves as
a commentary on the Gospel of John. The writing expands upon the messages of
John: “to know [or walk in] the truth” (John 8:32); “a commandment” to “love one
another” (John 13:34; 15:12, 17); and referring to believers as “little
children” (John 13:33; 21:5) to name only a few similarities.
An example of love in action in this passage is Jesus laying down his life
for us. It is with this kind of love, which God showed us, that we are
encouraged to show toward others. An essential element of abiding in love
involves the recognition that human love is actually God’s love being
transmitted through individuals who care for and accept others.
There is an expectation from the author of I John that those who have more
will give to those with less. Active love involves leaving the comfort of one’s
home and lifestyle. We are to venture forth and model love by sharing with those
in need. By loving the poor, displaced, and forgotten in our community or
village, we are living as Jesus’ disciples.
In addition, the author describes the tendency of human fear and violence.
Because of lovelessness, hate and rejection replace our confidence in the love
God has for each person. Rather than confessing our belief in Jesus Christ, we
avoid doing the hard work of being God’s peace in the world. We are to overcome
the violence of lovelessness with the affirmation of God’s enduring and endless
love.
It is because of this tendency that we come to the sacrament of Communion.
Through the blessing of the Holy Spirit we confess our sinfulness and tendency
to live in darkness. We renew our commitment to act like Jesus Christ by being
love to the world. We recommit to live love through kindly actions. We boldly
confront violence and lovelessness with abundant and generous loving and caring
for others.
Central Ideas
- Love is an action verb rather than a noun.
- Love is shown through active intervention into the lives of those most
in need.
- We overcome lovelessness and violence with faithful, active love in
response to God’s abundant gift of love for each person.
Questions for the Speaker
- How have you put love into action?
- When or where have you actively intervened in the life of someone in
need?
- What examples can you share where lovelessness has been changed to love
through actions and response to God’s love?
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