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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, August 16, 2009
Make Melody to the Lord
Ordinary Time (Proper 15)
Scriptures: I Kings 2:10–12, 3:3–14; Psalm 111;
Ephesians 5:15–20; John 6:51–58;
II Nephi 5:72–74; Doctrine and Covenants 161:1b
Starting weeks before this service, invite all members and friends of the
congregation who play instruments, or who like to sing as soloists or as a
group, to get together with a music coordinator. This group of people can offer
their musical talents in a variety of ways. Be sure to have bells, chimes, and
percussion instruments available for smaller children to play.
Prelude
Welcome
Call to Worship: Responsive Reading
Leader: Praise the Lord!
People: I will praise the Lord with all my heart.
Leader: Great are the works of the Lord;
People: We see all that God has done and we are filled with joy.
Leader: Generous and merciful are the works of God.
People: Let the justice of God survive at all times.
Leader: God has caused wonders to be remembered;
People: The Lord is gracious and compassionate.
Leader: God’s steadfast love endures forever and ever.
People: Awesome and holy is the name of the Lord.
All: To God belongs eternal praise.
—Adapted Psalm 111 © Jana Lee Horner
*Hymn of Praise: “Now Sing to Our God” NS 40
OR “My Life Flows On in Endless Song” HS 157
*Invocation
*Response
Ministry to the Young Disciples
Share the story, “Soli Deo Gloria” (To God Alone the Glory Be). This is a
brief story about Johann Sebastian Bach:
www.sermons4kids.com/soli-do-gloria.html.
Scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 161:1b
Hymn: “With Happy Voices Ringing” HS 29
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:15–20
Prayer for Peace see
page 27
Hymn: “Breathe on Me, Breath of God” HS 179
OR “On Eagle’s Wings” NS 41
Testimonies and/or Sermon
Based on Ephesians 5:15–20
Ask two or three to share testimonies about people who have impacted
their lives, showed them wisdom, and were filled with the Holy Spirit. (They
can be from the past or present.) Or the participants can share testimonies
of when they have been touched by the Holy Spirit through music and/or the
arts.
Hymn: “Of All the Spirit’s Gifts to Me” SP 12
OR “Teach Me, God, to Wonder” HS 176
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: II Nephi 5:72–74
Blessing and Receiving of Mission Tithes
*Hymn of Sending Forth: “Touch Me, Lord, with Thy Spirit Eternal” HS
409
OR “Lord Jesus, of You I Will Sing” SP 31
*Commission and Benediction
Go out, following in the path of Jesus through acts of kindness, justice,
and devotion. Listen for the ways of wisdom, ready to work where God calls.
May the Holy Spirit overflow in you with songs of love, hope, joy, and
peace. Go now, cloaked in the love of God, bearing the peace of Jesus. Amen.
*Response
*Postlude
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: I Kings 2:10–12, 3:3–14; Psalm 111; Ephesians
5:15–20; John 6:51–58
Exploring the Scriptures
The passage under consideration is attributed to Apostle Paul but was likely
written by another. Even so, it is filled with counsel worthy of our review. It
begins by urging the reader to live wisely, understand God’s will, and not take
the part of the fool. The tone of the writing is similar to wisdom literature
found elsewhere in the Bible. You may choose to take a moment and review such
literature to refresh your understanding of it.
The writer includes a series of “not…, but…” sentences in the passage. For
example, do not be drunk, but rather be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing
psalms and giving thanks for everything in the name of the Lord. Another advises
the reader not to be foolish, but instead understand God’s will. These sentences
offer instruction and are designed to help the reader understand what is
appropriate behavior for one who wishes to be a disciple.
This short passage concludes with a brief but important reference to the need
for mutuality among the body of Christ. This mutuality is appropriately founded
on reverence for Jesus Christ and calls the readers to voluntarily submit to one
another. The submission implied in the passage is the kind found in mutual
instruction, edification, support, worship, encouragement, and trust.
Central Ideas
- We are called to avoid the foolishness of our world and instead live in
the light of wisdom. In this case, wisdom refers to all the forms of
understanding available to us according to the context in which we live.
Thus, for those of us who live in wealthy, developed nations, it includes
utilizing the best of science, arts, medicine, economics, and other
disciplines. Our current foolishness includes rampant consumerism, fixation
on one’s self, and refusal to acknowledge that we are all globally
intertwined. Living without regard for other cultures and religions
continues to lead to the foolishness of war. The foolishness of greed and
ignorance fan the flames of injustice and unrest.
- Disciples are called to recognize that the Christian life is always best
lived in the midst of community. Moreover, community cannot be healthy
unless there is an underlying mutual regard among all, and for all, people.
God created the earth and its inhabitants as a whole, and no one, or no
thing, can survive outside of the network of interdependence. Mutuality
implies that we are not all alike and never will be. But because of our
common identity as children of God, we are all worthy of respect and
kindness. Further, we all should have equitable access to the world’s
resources. When we choose to live in mutuality, we are indeed making melody
to the Lord.
Questions for the Speaker
- What kinds of foolishness consume your life? What foolishness erodes the
energy and resources of your local congregation?
- The world continues to be diminished by war and poverty. What
foolishness permits these terrible conditions to continue?
- Think of a time when you and another person treated each other with
mutual regard. How was it expressed and how did it feel?
- Mutuality and interdependence go hand in hand. With whom are you
interdependent, even though it may make you feel uncomfortable to think
about it?
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