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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, June 7, 2009
Touch Us, Lord
First Sunday after Pentecost
Scriptures: Isaiah 6:1–8; Psalm 29; Romans 8:12–17;
John 3:1–17;
III Nephi 8:70–75; Doctrine and Covenants 162:3
Before this Sunday’s service, the congregation can decorate a Communion cloth
with their painted handprints—using washable paint. Make sure a variety of
colors is used, and have available several paint pans large enough to place an
adult’s hand in. Also provide an area where people can wash their hands after
this activity. Try to balance the different sizes and colors of prints on the
cloth. The cloth may be used on the Communion table for today’s service, using
it under the emblems or covering them.
Prelude
Welcome
“Aloha” means I share my breath of life with you, and I hope you do the
same as you say “Aloha” to me. Let us share together in greeting one another
with “Aloha.”
Hymn of Touch: “Touch Me, Lord, with Thy Spirit Eternal” HS 409
OR “Gather Us In” SP 4
Invitation to Worship
“Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the Lord glory and
strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory of his name; worship the Lord in
holy splendor. May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless
his people with peace!” —Psalms 29:1–2, 11
*Hymn of Invitation: “Great and Marvelous Are Thy Works” HS 48
OR “Now Sing to Our God” NS 40
*Prayers for Our Gathered Community
Have one given by a child and one by a kupuna (elder or
grandparent).
*Response
Responsive Reading
Leader: We celebrate the rich possibilities that God brings to us.
People: We rejoice over this gathered community, blessed by God’s loving
presence.
Leader: We remember Jesus and the spiritual touch he brought to us,
symbolized through the bread and wine.
People: May we be touched and made anew by God’s Spirit, that we in turn
can touch others.
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.
Our generous response is a symbol of ourselves, for we offer more than
our money. Our hands—soft, imperfect, bruised, calloused—are symbols of our
discipleship in serving others. May the work of our hands be committed to
serving, meeting the needs of humanity. May the Holy One touch us as we
share generously to touch the lives of others in our congregation, mission
center, and world ministries.
Scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 162:3
Receiving and Blessing of Oblation and Mission Tithes
Scriptural Lesson: Isaiah 6:1–8
Hymn of Reflection: “The Voice of God Is Calling” HS 394
OR “Here I Am, Lord” NS 12
Communion Message
Based on Isaiah 6:1–8
Scripture: III Nephi 8:70–75
Hymn of Preparation: “Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands” SP 15
OR “Beneath the Forms of Outward Rite” HS 339
Communion Prayer for the Bread and Wine
Come to the Table
After reading the combined prayer for the bread and wine, invite the
congregation to come to the table to receive the emblems. As they leave the
table, presider and pastor (or others designated) can touch each person’s
hand, or embrace, and say, “Go with the peace of Jesus Christ.”
Ministry of Music: “I Have Called You by Your Name” R-10
Have a soloist sing this song, or have the melody played on piano or
organ, while the congregation is receiving the bread and wine.
*Hymn of Blessing: “Lay Your Hands” NS 27
OR “Come Down, O Love Divine” HS 289
*Prayer of Blessing for Our Community and
Prayer for Peace see page
27
*Sent Forth Touched: “Go, My Children” SP 44
OR “Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” HS 493
*Postlude
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Isaiah 6:1–8; Psalm 29; Romans 8:12–17; John 3:1–17
Exploring the Scriptures
Isaiah 6:1–8 describes Isaiah’s call and commissioning to be God’s prophet.
This is not a casual encounter between a human and God nor is it initiated by
Isaiah. God reaches out and speaks to him. In Yahweh’s presence Isaiah must
respond—“Here am I; send me!”
The setting for this scripture is in the year when King Uzziah died, and it
takes place in the Jerusalem temple. Bible scholars believe an autumnal festival
may be the reason why people gathered in the temple. Perhaps they were ushering
in the new year with a renewal of covenant. With their King’s death they were
probably also praying for the selection of a new king. Perhaps the people were
gathering in community to discern God’s will for a new leader, as well as for
their lives.
In this man-made temple, a place where the Jews believed God physically
dwelled, Isaiah saw a heavenly court and became aware of God’s holiness and
presence. The “seraphim,” described as human-animal creatures—perhaps winged
animals with human hands and faces—appeared above Isaiah. Their wings covered
their faces and feet as they flew over an amazed man who knew he was in God’s
presence. These heavenly creatures called out: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of
hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
In Hebrew scripture, God’s presence is often expressed through earthquakes
that shake the “thresholds.” With winged creatures flying and the ground
shaking, Isaiah’s awareness of God caused him to be conscious that he was “lost”
and a “man of unclean lips,” a condition that often occurs when humans recognize
that God is near.
People of that time believed they would die if they saw God. Yet Isaiah
proclaimed “my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” He didn’t die or
faint. God offered him protection through this divine encounter as one seraph
touched Isaiah’s mouth with a live coal from the altar and said, “Now that this
has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.”
With that cleansing, Isaiah was spiritually opened to hear God’s call to him:
“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah was transformed from a
temple participant to God’s prophet. He gave his life faithfully: “Here am I;
send me!” and was commissioned to go in God’s service.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are each called to discern God’s presence in
our lives, to repent of those things that separate us from God, and to willingly
say yes to God’s call and commissioning. Most of our called-out moments will
occur in the mundane experiences of daily life rather than in the supernatural.
It’s not so much the intensity of the experience that will form us but our
willingness to commit ourselves in faithful service to God and God’s people. As
we respond, “Here am I, send me,” God’s promise is to faithfully support and
direct us.
The Communion provides a holy-temple moment when we can become aware of God’s
presence as we reach for and take the bread and wine within us. It is also an
opportunity to sense God’s call and prepare ourselves to go forth as disciples
of peace.
Central Ideas
- God calls ordinary people to respond to his call.
- In God’s presence we are often aware that our behaviors and attitudes
separate us from God and others. However, God’s grace brings forgiveness and
wholeness to our lives.
- God continues to reach out to people, calling and commissioning them to
bring peace, reconciliation, and healing of the spirit to others. This is
made clear in the Lord’s Supper.
Questions for the Speaker
- When has God’s presence made you aware of those things that separate you
from God and others?
- How has that experience transformed you?
- How can you become aware of the holy within and around you? What
spiritual practices assist you in that awareness?
- Remember a commissioning experience where God has called you out and
provided support and direction. How has it changed your ministry and
relationship with God and others?
Return to Year B: 2008-2009
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