Scriptures: Hosea 11:1–11; Psalm 107:1–9, 43;
Colossians 3:1–11; Luke 12:13–21/12:15–23 IV; III Nephi 5:56; Doctrine and
Covenants 153:9
Prelude
Welcome
Call to Worship: “O Give Thanks” The text follows this service outline.
OR Colossians 3:1–11
*Hymn: “Gather Your Children” SP 3
OR “Now Thank We All Our God” HS 60
OR “Gather Us In” SP 4
*Prayer of 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.
Scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 153:9
Blessing and Receiving of Oblation and Mission Tithes
Hymn: “Every Good and Perfect Gift” HS 151
During the receiving of the offering, sing verses 1 and 3 only.
OR “Soften My Heart” NS 47
Testimonies of God’s Steadfast Love
Ask two or three people of different ages to share brief testimonies of a
time in their lives when they experienced stress or doubt and were blessed
by God’s love.
Ministry of Music: “Standing on the Promises” R-2
Have a quartet sing this a cappella.
OR Congregational Hymn: “How Firm a Foundation” HS 136
OR “Jesus” NS 22
Communion Thoughts
Based on Psalm 107:1–9, 43
Share a brief message focused on the sacrament of Communion and the
opportunity it offers for renewal.
Come to the Lord’s Table
Confession: “We Come, Aware of Sin” HS 334
A soloist or the congregation sings verse 1.
OR “Meet Me in a Holy Place” NS 36
Sing verses 1 and 4. (A soloist sings the first half of each
verse and the congregation the second half.)
Reflection: Share one minute of silence for personal reflection.
Preparation: “We Come, Aware of Sin” HS 334
A soloist or the congregation sings verse 2.
OR “Meet Me in a Holy Place” NS 36
Sing verses 2 and 5. (A soloist sings the first half of each verse
and the congregation the second half.)
Sharing: Blessing and Serving of the Bread and Wine
Affirmation: “We Come, Aware of Sin” HS 334
A soloist or the congregation sings verse 3.
OR “Meet Me in a Holy Place” NS 36
Sing verses 3 and 6. (A soloist sings the first half of each verse
and the congregation the second half.)
Scripture for Peace: III Nephi 5:56
Prayer for Peace
*Hymn: “Leave We Now the Table of Our Lord” HS 326
OR “Go, My Children” SP 44
*Sending Forth
Leader: O Lord, you called us and invited us to the sacramental table.
People: You gathered us in and redeemed us.
Leader: We came to the table thirsty,
People: And you satisfied us.
Leader: We came to the table hungry,
People: And you filled us with good things.
Leader: Now we go forth renewed, knowing that your love endures forever.
All: Thank you, Lord, for your steadfast love!
*Postlude
“O Give Thanks” A Call to Worship for Four Readers Based on
Psalm 107:1–9, 43
Select four readers with diverse voices.
1: O give thanks!
1+2: O give thanks to the Lord,
1+2+3: For the Lord is good,
All: For his steadfast love endures forever!
4: Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
Those he redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands:
1: From the east,
3: And from the west,
2: From the north,
4: And from the south.
1+3: We wandered in desert wastes;
2+4: We were hungry and thirsty;
1: Our souls fainted within us.
All: Then we cried to the Lord in our trouble,
And the Lord delivered us from distress.
3: Let us thank the Lord!
3+4: Let us thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
All: For his steadfast love endures forever!
2: O give thanks to the Lord
For his wonderful works to humankind.
2+3: O give thanks to the Lord,
For he satisfied the thirsty.
2+3+4: O give thanks to the Lord,
For the hungry he fills with good things.
All: O give thanks to the Lord,
For his steadfast love endures forever!
Psalm 107 describes the steadfast love of God. This love endures and
perseveres despite peoples’ transgressions and unfaithfulness. Scholars propose
the psalm may have initially been an individual’s prayer of thankfulness and was
later used as a liturgy by congregations. This perspective is supported in two
sets of repetitive verses present in the psalm. “Then they cried to the Lord in
their trouble and [God] delivered them from their distress,” repeats in verses
6, 13, 19, and 28. Verse 8: “Let them thank the Lord for [God’s] steadfast love;
for [God’s] wonderful works to humankind,” echoes in verses 15, 21, and 31. In
addition, the thankfulness of verse 1: “O give thanks to the Lord, for [God] is
good; for [God’s] steadfast love endures forever,” links to the guidance toward
action in verse 43: “Let those who are wise give heed to these things, and
consider the steadfast love of the Lord.” Whether the Psalms is used by
an individual or corporately, it expresses appreciation for God’s unending
presence and love, even during times of trial and distress.
Biblical scholars offer an interpretation of the language of wandering and
being lost found in verses 4–9. In 598 BCE, the Babylonians mandated the exile
of the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah. During the hardships and separation
from the temple, there was fear that God would abandon the people. The psalmist
boldly proclaims the Lord delivered them because of God’s “steadfast love”
and God’s “wonderful works to humankind.”
The “hungry and thirsty” language of verses 4–9 informs today’s
sacrament of Communion. The imagery of wandering in the desert applies to our
lives. Too often we stray from God’s purposes by imposing our self-will or our
sense of self-sufficiency into life decisions and actions. Too many base their
worth on how well one plans, invests, or manages his or her life. During these
times of personal achievement and self-control, we fail to depend on God and
become lost in the details and struggles of life. We wander from God, yet hunger
and thirst for God.
As Christians, we celebrate the ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus
Christ. Through the Communion experience, we remember, repent of our sinfulness,
and recommit our discipleship to Jesus Christ, the human expression of God’s
boundless and steadfast gift of love and mercy. Psalm 107:43 reminds us to
realign our lives to dependence on God, rather than human ways, with assurance
of God’s steadfast love.
