Scriptures: II Kings 5:1–14; Psalm 30; Galatians
6:1–16;
Luke 10:1–11; 16–20/10:1–11, 17–21 IV; Alma 6:24–28; Doctrine and Covenants
163:9
A few weeks before this service, ask the congregation to be prepared to share
either nonperishable food items for families in need or—in a cool climate—socks,
beanies, or scarves, to be contributed to a homeless shelter. These items may be
used as the worship center along with the Communion emblems or placed either in
a container or spread around the table and floor in front of the
emblems—symbolizing Christ among those in need.
If the object lesson activity is used, prepare a bucket weighed down with
bricks or sand. This needs to be in place before the service begins. The point
of the lesson is that it can’t be moved easily by one person.
Welcome
Call to Worship
Reader 1: Psalm 30:1–5
Hymn: “Mourning into Dancing” NS 39
OR “Morning Has Broken” HS 22
Reader 2: Psalm 30:11–12
Hymn: “Come, Rejoice Before Your Maker” HS 44
OR “Give Thanks” NS 11
Prayer of Thanks
Disciples’ Generous Response
The object lesson is based on Galatians 6:2.
Use the following activity as an introduction to the Disciples’ Generous
Response. 1. Prepare a heavy bucket that will be very difficult to lift
(weigh it down with bricks or sand). 2. Cut thread into several 60-cm
(24-inch) lengths. A combined number of threads may be able to lift the
weight of the bucket. (You will need a few extra threads as some will
break.)
Introduce the bucket as a “heavy burden” for someone to carry. Ask one
person to come forward and try to lift the bucket with a thread through the
handle. The thread will break and they won’t be able to lift it. How
often do we expect a person to carry a load alone? It’s not fair to expect a
heavy load to be carried this way.
If someone has a problem and they could use some help, are we willing to
help them? How willing are we to allow others to help us with our concerns?
Attach two or three threads through the handle of the bucket and get a few
other people to try to lift it. No, these threads have broken too. It
seems that more helpers are needed. Call on extra people; have the larger
group carry the bucket away from the front of the sanctuary. Each person
is important. Every one counts. When we work together, we make the load
lighter. A difference can be made even if the task seems insurmountable.
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 163:9
Receiving and Blessing of Oblation and Mission Tithes
Hymn: “We Thank You, Lord, for Strength of Arm” HS 78 OR “Bear
Each Other’s Burdens” HS 369
OR “This Is a Time to Remember” Worship & Rejoice 579
OR Ministry of Music
Ministry of the Word
Based on Galatians 6:1–16
Scripture for Confessional Reflection and Communion Preparation:
Alma 6:24–28
Have you ever turned down an opportunity to give and later wondered whose
lives you may have missed helping? God, help us to see Christ in all.
Preparation of Emblems: Time of Silence for Personal Prayer or Confession
Blessing and Serving of Bread
Ministry of Music: “Soften My Heart” music only NS 47
Blessing and Serving of Wine
Ministry of Music: “For Bread Before Us Broken” music only HS
340
Scripture for Peace: Luke 10:5–6
Prayer for Peace
Sending Forth Statement
We are sent forth with God’s presence in our lives. We have been claimed
by God’s love and have been challenged to spread love to all, sharing all
things. Go forth with God’s blessing.
*Hymn: “Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” HS 493
OR “Send Me Forth, O Blessed Master” HS 424
OR “Canto de Esperanza” SP 25
*Benediction
*Postlude
The first part of our passage focuses on sharing the burdens of others. If
others are doing things that are not right, we should help them to find the
right path again. And why can we do this? We can do this because, as Christians,
we have the Spirit to work with us. We are cautioned, however, to do this with
gentleness. Paul tells us to bear each other’s burdens. When we do that, we
fulfill the law of Christ or, in other words, we live the way Christ would want
us to live—loving our neighbor as ourselves. In verse 3, Paul cautions us that
we must not think of ourselves too highly, because then we are only fooling
ourselves. We must at all times be aware of who we are, test our own works, and
ask ourselves if what we are doing is being done in the name of Christ or in the
name of “me.”
At first, verse 5 seems to contrast with what is said in verse 2, but it may
point out that we need to always be aware of our own shortcomings, even as we
help others overcome theirs. We need to be aware of the load we carry in order
to help others carry theirs.
One might think that verse 6 does not fit very well with the verses before
and after. This verse says we are to take care of those who teach us. Paul may
be referring to those he had appointed to continue the teachings of the gospel
in various places; nevertheless, this still fits the theme of taking care of one
another. We are called to share in all good things with these teachers.
The next four verses (7–10) bring us back to the theme of doing good, but now
such actions are viewed through the lens of the coming end of the age. The word
“reap,” used several times in this passage, is grounded in the view that the end
of time is soon when God will exercise God’s judgment. We are warned that
whatever we sow we will also reap at that time. Paul’s reference to sowing our
own flesh probably refers to those who taught that Christians must still adhere
to the Jewish law of circumcision. Paul again reminds us that we must share the
Spirit and make people aware of the importance of the Spirit. Whenever we have
the opportunity, in other words, as long as there is still time, we should do
good to all—especially do good to those who are part of our community of faith.
In the remaining verses, Paul concludes his letter and comes back to those he
disagrees with, who push for circumcision and boast about themselves getting
others to follow this law. We are reminded that we are to be a new creation. If
we follow this understanding, peace will rest upon us.
In verse 14, Paul emphasizes what (or who) is most important: Jesus Christ.
This focuses us on the central meaning of the Lord’s Supper that is shared
today. The sharing of this meal symbolizes the core of today’s theme: “Share All
Things.” As we share together in this sacrament, we are reminded that as God
shared God’s self with us, we are called to share with others.
