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

Return to Year B: 2008-2009 Resource Index

Sunday, October 4, 2009
Receive the Kingdom

Ordinary Time (Proper 22)

Scriptures: Job 1:1; 2:1–10; Psalm 26; Hebrews 1:1–4; 2:5–12;
Mark 10:2–16/10:2–14 IV; III Nephi 5:50–59; Doctrine and Covenants 157:11–12

Prelude

Ask members of the congregation to turn around and greet each other in the name of Jesus.

Gathering Song: “Gather Your Children” SP 3
OR “The City Is Alive, O God” HS 375

Call to Worship: Doctrine and Covenants 157:11–12

*Opening Hymn: “For the Beauty of the Earth” HS 75
OR “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” HS 187

*Invocation

*Response

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.

Reflection

There are many places where the message of Jesus must go. We believe that the message of salvation is key to persons gaining a more meaningful relationship with their Creator. If this is the case, we must be engaged in bringing ministries to those persons who have never had a chance to hear the message of salvation and share how the message of love, joy, hope, and peace can transform individual lives and communities. Sometimes we see the offering plates go by and do not calculate the offering’s relevance to the advancement of God’s purposes here on earth. This time of the service allows us to measure our correct response in relation to God’s call for us to be a part of that vision, the vision of the peaceable kingdom here on earth.

Blessing and Receiving of Oblation and Mission Tithes

Reading

Reader 1: Lord, lay your hands gently on our children. Hush your stern disciples and clear the path of doubt so we may bring them forth.

Reader 2: Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.

Reader 1: Take us all up in your arms, as little children, and bless us. With your touch, render to us your peace. Bring to us forgiveness and healing. We seek wholeness under your gentle hands.

—Mark 10:13–16 adapted and “Lay Your Hands” NS 27 adapted

Message

Based on Mark 10:2–16

Prayer for Peace see page 27

Hymn: “Let Us Break Bread Together” HS 342
OR “Santo, Santo, Santo” NS 43

Preparation of the Emblems

Using the combined prayer for the emblems, have the congregation come forward to receive them.

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Hymn: “For Bread Before Us Broken” HS 340
OR “Eat This Bread” NS 8

Pastoral Prayer

Have a member of the pastorate, or a former pastor, offer this prayer.

*Closing Hymn: “Bring Forth the Kingdom” SP 9
OR “Go Now Forth into the World” HS 436

*Sending Forth: III Nephi 5:50–59

*Response

*Postlude

Sermon Helps

Scriptures: Job 1:1; 2:1–10; Psalm 26;
Hebrews 1:1–4; 2:5–12; Mark 10:2–16/10:2–14 IV

Exploring the Scriptures

The central scripture focus for this morning’s message is Mark 10:13–16 and involves Jesus’ teaching about children and their relationship to God’s peaceable kingdom. This theme is also recorded in Mark 9:33–37 and receives attention by the Gospel writers of Matthew (18:1–5) and Luke (9:46–48). In this scripture story Jesus tells about Jewish parents (or relatives or friends) bringing their children to a rabbi to learn about what is required for entering the kingdom of God. Bible commentaries remind us that it was especially common for parents to bring their children to the rabbi to be blessed on their first birthday.

It is important to remember that Jesus had already announced his “messiahship” to his disciples and shared with them regarding the journey that would take him to Jerusalem where he would be tried, convicted, crucified, and would rise again on the third day (Mark 8:27–32). The events that Jesus foretold had caused a sense of unrest among his disciples and a feeling to be protective of their Master. They did not want Jesus to be bothered at this time by a group of parents seeking a blessing for their children. The various scripture accounts tell how the disciples tried to keep the children away from Jesus so he would not be bothered by their need for attention at a time when perhaps imminent danger loomed just around the next turn in the road. In their minds there were simply more important things to be concerned about, and the blessing of children was far down on the list of priorities! Jesus does not agree and in fact “rebukes” them saying, “Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get between them and me. These children are the very center of life in the kingdom…unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you will never get in. Then, gathering them in his arms, he laid hands of blessing on them” (The Message). Jesus’ strong reaction toward his disciples’ protective posture is most pronounced in the Gospel of Mark.

One commentary writer (Interpretation series) suggests that the natural dependence of children on their parents becomes a metaphor for entering the kingdom of God. Jesus taught his disciples a lesson about what was required of them and of all who desired to receive and enter the kingdom. They first must become like children who trust and obey, have no limits to their generosity, and have no prejudice or preconceived ideas about who belongs and who doesn’t. Jesus wanted them to realize the importance of what it means to be humble and meek like a child and yet be adventurous and willing to travel into the “unknown” without fear. Jesus also wanted them to know that when they approach the kingdom as a child, God will put his arms around them, touch them with God’s loving Spirit, and bless them.

In this brief passage of scripture, Jesus reminds us that the kingdom is inclusive of all persons who are willing to take upon them the characteristics of a child and come expecting to receive God’s blessing of peace. The table of the Lord’s Supper symbolizes Jesus’ open welcome to the least and to all who would respond to his call.

Central Ideas
  1. Children are good role models for who can receive and enter the kingdom of God.
     
  2. Life is filled with distractions that put up barriers preventing us from seeing clearly the open, all-inclusive nature of God’s peaceable kingdom.
     
  3. Like the disciples of Jesus, we sometimes act out of fear of the unknown and allow that fear to keep us and others from receiving and entering the kingdom where God waits to bless us.
     
  4. The Communion table is the place of welcome and hospitality where persons are invited to come and be forgiven and accepted in Christ.

Questions for the Speaker
  1. What does it mean to you to receive and enter the kingdom of God? What difference has it made in your life, in the life of someone you know, or in the life of a complete stranger whose testimony has been meaningful to you?
     
  2. How do children remind you of the peaceable kingdom? What is it in their lives that models the principles of the kingdom?
     
  3. How willing are you to challenge the congregation to become like the children talked about in this scripture? What difference will it make in their lives, the lives of their families, the life of the congregation, and the community where the congregation exists?
     
  4. What will be required of your congregation to receive and enter the kingdom? How will you discern together in prayer and study? How will your worship be different? Are you willing to invite others to come and join in the mission of sharing Christ’s peace and experiencing the blessings of God’s kingdom?

Return to Year B: 2008-2009 Resource Index