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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, July 12, 2009
Stand in Holy Places
Ordinary Time (Proper 10)
Scriptures: II Samuel 6:1–5, 12b–19; Psalm 24;
Ephesians 1:3–14;
Mark 6:14–29/6:15–30 IV; II Nephi 9:124–125; Doctrine and Covenants 108:10d
Prelude
Welcome and Sharing
Gathering Hymn: “O Day of Peace” SP 22
OR “The Love of God” HS 107
Call to Worship: Psalm 24:1–6 The Inclusive Psalms
Leader: The earth and everything on it—the world and all who live in
it—belong to our God.
People: Our God built it on the deep waters, laying its foundations in
the ocean depths.
Leader: Who has the right to ascend Our God’s mountain? Who is allowed to
enter Our God’s holy place?
People: Those whose hands are clean and whose hearts are pure, who do not
worship idols, or make false promises.
Leader: Our God will bless them; God their savior will declare them
innocent.
People: Such are the people who seek Our God, who seek your face, God of
our ancestors.
*Hymn of Praise: “We Are Living, We Are Dwelling” HS 376
OR “Morning Has Broken” HS 22
*Invocation
*Congregational Response: “Come, Holy Spirit, Come” NS 6
OR “May Thy Presence Be Ours” HS 102
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3–14
Ministry of Music: “I Am Standing Waiting” SP 27
Have a child sing this hymn. If possible, project the words on a screen.
OR Hymn: “Meet Me in a Holy Place” NS 36
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.
Blessing and Receiving of Mission Tithes
Message
Based on Psalm 24
Moment of Silent Meditation
Prayer for Peace see
page 27
Scripture Reading: Exodus 3:2–5 NIV
“The angel of the Lord appeared to [Moses] in flames of fire from within
a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So
Moses thought, ‘I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does
not burn up.’ When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to
him from within the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’ And Moses said, ‘Here I am.’ ‘Do
not come any closer,’ God said. ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where
you are standing is holy ground.’”
Story
At a worship service at the International Leaders Conference in 2007, a
picture of a burning bush, painted by Cathi Cackler-Veazey, was placed at
the foot of the Worshiper’s Path. Three pairs of shoes were also placed on
the floor, a small distance from the “burning bush.” Spontaneously, at no
one’s direction, the participants from all over the world took off their
shoes and left them at the entrance before walking up the path to the
sanctuary. The worship planners were touched by this response.
*Closing Hymn: “Holy Ground” NS 13
OR “Great God, Our Source” HS 444
*Sending Forth and Benediction
“Go forth, knowing that the love of God is yours to share, the peace of
Christ is yours to impart, the power of the Holy Spirit is yours to
enable.”—Audrey Lans
OR Doctrine and Covenants 108:10d
*Response
*Postlude
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: II Samuel 6:1–5, 12b–19; Psalm 24; Ephesians
1:3–14; Mark 6:14–29/6:15–30 IV
Exploring the Scriptures
Psalm 24 has three distinct parts. It begins with a wide-sweeping doxology, a
joyful exclamation of the magnitude of God’s creation and a liturgy of praise to
God. Because it asserts that everything and everyone belongs to God, nothing in
the world is our private property.
The second part of the reading (vv. 3–6) is a series of questions and
answers, perhaps structured as ritual between the priest and the people.
Question: Who can enter God’s holy place? Answer: Those with clean hands and
pure hearts. The behavior expected is living a life that respects and honors all
of God’s creation. Those who live in this ethical manner will find themselves
standing in holy places, in God’s presence.
It is widely held that the third part of this Psalm was processional in
nature. It was probably used to liturgically commemorate David’s ceremonial
delivery of the ark into the tabernacle at Jerusalem (see II Samuel 6:1–5,
12b–19). The ark was considered to be the very throne on which God sat in the
midst of Israel. The gatekeepers are told to open wide the gates for God, the
King of Glory, to enter in.
This psalm shows an expectation among the people of Israel that entering
sanctuary was a holy experience and God would be present. The experience is rich
with majesty and awe, but also includes the admonition to enter the holy place
with clean hands and pure hearts. The passage includes promise as well as
warning. Those who stand in holy places have access to the blessings of God when
they live in ways that respect and honor all of God’s creation.
For Community of Christ congregations to embody the meaning of this psalm,
there are several worship perspectives to consider:
- Where is the congregation’s sanctuary or holy place?
- How do we signify, celebrate, and recognize God’s presence in our
worship?
- How might we prepare our lives to enter a holy place?
- How will the congregation “open wide their gates” and welcome the “King
of Glory” into their midst?
- How will we open wide our hearts and lives for the entrance of God?
Central Ideas
- Everything and everyone belongs to God. We are blessed by the order and
magnitude of God’s creation.
- People entering holy places with clean hands and pure hearts will
experience God’s presence.
Questions for the Speaker
- What makes a place holy?
- How do you recognize God’s presence in the sanctuaries of your life?
- What experiences have made you aware of God’s holy power?
- What “private property” are you claiming ownership of when everything
really belongs to God?
- Some Christians have “adopted” verses 7–10 to signal the entrance of
Jesus into the city of Jerusalem or an invitation for Jesus to enter their
lives and hearts. How do these applications of the psalm speak to you?
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