Return to Year B: 2008-2009 Resource Index
Scriptures: II Samuel 18:5–9, 15, 31–33; Psalm 130;
Ephesians 4:25—5:2;
John 6:35, 41–51; Alma 16:169–172; Doctrine and Covenants 163:2a
Prelude
Meditation
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”—Ephesians 5:1–2
Welcome
*Hymn: “There’s a Spirit in the Air” HS 214
OR “Bring Forth the Kingdom” SP 9
*Invocation
*Response
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Call to Worship
Leader: Out of the depths we cry to you.
People: O Lord, hear our voices!
Leader: Lord, hear our pleas.
People: Lord, if you look at our sins, who could stand before you?
Leader: Within God there is forgiveness and grace.
People: We wait for you, Lord, and we find hope in your word.
—Psalm 130 adapted
Focus Moment: “The King’s Loaves/An Afghanistani Folktale”
This story is taken from The Classic Tales: 4,000 Years of Jewish Lore by Ellen Frankel (Jason Aronson Inc., 1989) and Folktales of Israel by Dov Noy (University of Chicago Press, 1963) or can be found at www.jhom.com/topics/bread/folktale.html.
Folktales can reveal much about giving to others and the motivations of givers. They reveal a “generosity of spirit” that speaks the language of “giving” whether it is the giving of time, talent, or treasure. Tell the story of “The King’s Loaves,” then invite the congregation to consider the following questions:
Was the beggar who thanked God being disrespectful of the king?
Which beggar in the story is more like you?
Was the king a naturally generous person? Did he have a “generosity of spirit”?
Were there limits on the king’s generosity?
What made the king want to give jewels to the beggar who thanked him instead of God?
What caused the king to look at his wealth differently?
Did the act of giving transform the king?
Prayer for Peace see page 27
Hymn: “Break Thou the Bread of Life” HS 173
OR “As the Deer” NS 2
Word of Life
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”—John 6:51 NRSV
Sermon
Based on John 6:35, 41–51
Hymn: “The Bread that Giveth Strength” HS 423
OR “Mighty God, Transforming God!” NS 38
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 163:2a
Blessing and Receiving of Mission Tithes
Loving God, we admit that we often look for happiness in things that do not matter. We try to attain happiness by our own hands, rather than from you. We are reminded that you are the Bread of Life, and because of this we will never be hungry or thirsty again. We offer these gifts in your name so that others may be fed by your Spirit. By your example may we offer bread to the hungry and the gift of living water to those who are thirsty. Amen.—John 6:24–35
*Hymn: “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” HS 134
OR “Christ Has Called Us to New Visions” SP 38
*Benediction
*Response
*Postlude
Scriptures: II Samuel 18:5–9, 15, 31–33; Psalm 130; Ephesians 4:25—5:2; John 6:35, 41–51
Exploring the Scriptures
Like many passages of scripture, this text has insights that arise out of Jesus’ conversation with an oppositional crowd. The crowd objects to Jesus’ claim to be the bread that came down from heaven. The reason for their objection is simple: “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”
This is an important text because it displays a common obstacle to spiritual growth. Sometimes when we talk about spiritual experiences, the conversation turns to things that are out-of-the-ordinary or a bit dramatic. People often become fascinated by stories of “mountaintop experiences” in the spiritual lives of others and sometimes have an inclination to want these experiences for themselves. Such desires tempt us to look for spiritual light anywhere but in the common, ordinary stuff of life. In this scripture, though, we remember that Christ, Messiah, the Savior of the world came out of beginnings so common that some people could not imagine that he was anything special. Likewise, God’s revelation continues to be present in the common, ordinary things of life. One task of discipleship is to develop the eyes and ears to notice God’s presence in everyday life.
Jesus goes on to enlighten the crowd. At one point, he says, “Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.” There are two emphases here relative to those who come to Jesus. The first is “hearing” God. This is important, but hard to do in a world so filled with noise. People who want to know the peace of Christ must learn to listen if they want to hear God. Are we taking time for prayer and scripture or to be with God’s creation in ways that help to open us to God’s presence? Also, are we opening our ears to the cries of people in need so we can hear God’s voice calling us through them? In today’s scripture passage, the crowd did not have to strain to hear God’s word; they just needed to open their ears in the right direction. The same is true for us.
It seems, though, that simply “hearing” God is not enough. Jesus also emphasized the importance of learning. Jesus said, “Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.” Many in the crowd had heard God’s word in scripture and in the wonderful stories of faith from their religious tradition. However, hearing and learning are two different things. If they had really been learning, their lives would be transformed, their hearts would be humble, and their minds would be open. They would be bearing the fruits of true faith. The same is true for us. We hear God’s word in scripture, creation, and many other ways. The question is: Are we learning?
Jesus did not offer the crowd a formula or set of easy answers. He offered them the dynamics of a life—his life. “I am the living bread,” he said. It is the bread that we are invited to eat, to be absorbed in. It is the life that we are invited to take into ourselves.
Central Ideas
Questions for the Speaker