Woship Resources 2008-2009 — Year B: Be a Sanctuary of Christ's Peace

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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
  1. 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.
     
  2. 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
  1. What kinds of foolishness consume your life? What foolishness erodes the energy and resources of your local congregation?
     
  2. The world continues to be diminished by war and poverty. What foolishness permits these terrible conditions to continue?
     
  3. Think of a time when you and another person treated each other with mutual regard. How was it expressed and how did it feel?
     
  4. 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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