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Woship Resources 2007-2008 — Year A: Passionate for Peace
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Sunday, February 3, 2008
Hunger and Thirst for Justice
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany (Ordinary Time)
Scriptures: Micah 6:1–8; Psalm 15; I Corinthians
1:18–31; Matthew 5:1–12/5:1–14 IV; III Nephi 5:49–59; Doctrine and
Covenants 3:17–18
Sharing Christ’s Peace
The hope of Zion is realized when the vision of Christ is
embodied in communities of generosity, justice, and peacefulness. —Doctrine
and Covenants 163:3a
Prelude
Hymn Sing
“Let Justice Roll like a River” NS 28
"What Does the Lord Require of You?" NS 52
Call to Worship
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled. —Matthew 5:6
*Opening Hymn
“O How Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit” HS 322
OR “There’s a Spirit in the Air” HS 214
*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. Offertory 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/offertory
to print a copy, or contact your pastor, congregational financial
officer, or worship coordinator for a copy.
Scripture: I Corinthians 1:18, 19, 25, 28–31
Blessing and Receiving of Oblation and Mission Tithes
Communion Message
Based on Micah 6:1–8 and/or Matthew 5:1–12/5:1–14 IV
Time of Confession
Ask the congregation to turn to HS 329, “Bread of the World.” Have
this sung by a soloist or read aloud. Provide a minute or two for silent
reflection and prayer.
Preparation of the Emblems
Hymn: “You Satisfy the Hungry Heart” HS 345
Stanza 1 to be sung during preparation of the bread and wine
Blessing and Serving of the Bread
Hymn: “You Satisfy the Hungry Heart” HS 345
Stanza 2 to be sung during serving of bread
Blessing and Serving of the Wine
Hymn: “You Satisfy the Hungry Heart” HS 345
Stanzas 3–5 to be sung during serving of wine
Pastoral Statement and Prayer
*Closing Hymn
“Go Now Forth into the World” HS 436
OR “Now Let Us from This Table Rise” HS 327
*Sending Forth
Leader:
Go thy way, declare the word with truth and soberness.
Behold, God is real to us through Christ,
Forgiveness and strength are ours through him.
He offers mercy and justice to the human family.
Seeing that ye know these things,
why should ye desire more than to perform
the work to which ye have been called?
What does the Lord require of you?
People: To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with
our God.
Leader and People: This is joy!
—Adapted from Micah 6:8 NIV and “The Joy of Response,” Congregational Readings (Independence, Missouri: Herald Publishing
House, 1975), 135.
*Postlude
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Micah 6:1–8; Psalm 15; I Corinthians 1:18–31;
Matthew 5:1–12/5:1–14 IV; III Nephi 5:49–59; Doctrine and Covenants
3:17–18
Exploring the Scriptures
Micah was likely a trader or artisan hailing from the small town of Moresheth
on the border between Judah and Philistia. We know him, however, as one of the
great Hebrew poet-prophets who declared the word of the Lord to Judah and Israel
in the eighth century BCE.
Times were difficult. The Assyrians were threatening invasion. Injustice and
corruption in Hebrew society were blatant, leaving the children of Israel too
far from God’s protection and too close to the destructive hand of the enemy.
The setting for this passage is a courtroom where the people of Israel are on
trial before all of creation (the hills and mountains and the “enduring
foundations of the earth”). God asks for reasons why Israel has abandoned the
true faith. Then, not waiting for a response, God enumerates what has been done
for them, beginning with their rescue from slavery in Egypt.
Why the lawsuit? Specifically, injustice was perpetrated against the poor and
powerless—complacency that pretends nothing is wrong. There was abuse of power
by political and religious leaders. Generally, there had been a fundamental
violation of the covenant initiated by God. “I will be your God and you shall be
my people.”
This passage should not be interpreted as antisacramental or antiliturgical.
Rather, it is a declaration that sacrifices are not for magical appeasement of
the gods. Sacrifice is a celebration of God’s grace. It is a sacramental act of
response to God in which worshipers take upon themselves the responsibility of
acting faithfully. This is especially fitting for the Lord’s Supper: bread of
compassion and wine of justice for those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness.
Verse 8 is the essence of Micah’s message. In fact, this verse is a summary
of the preaching of all the prophets of that age: Rectify the inequities
of societies that deprive some citizens of their basic needs, show hesed
(mercy, compassion, steadfast love) to all, and walk where and with whom God
walks.
“In our context,” says Dennis Bratcher, “ Sunday
religion is not worth much if it doesn’t make a difference in how we treat
people on Monday! And coming to church on Sunday has little meaning if the
principles of justice and mercy were not lived in the workplace on Friday”
(Dennis Bratcher, “This Sunday in the Church Year,” The Voice,
http://www.cresourcei.org/lectionary/YearA/Aepiphany4ot.html).
There is a clear link between the reading from Micah and the passage from the
Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1–12). Both proclaim that those who are humble
and merciful are blessed.
Central Ideas
1. God initiates a relationship with us. Our covenanting God is faithful,
merciful, compassionate, and steadfast.
2. Our response to God’s initiative is not through lavish or showy
demonstrations to placate, appease, curry favor, or bargain.
3. True worship, true love of God, is expressed in a longing for healing
and a lifestyle of justice.
Questions for the Speaker
1. How does being “filled” by bread and wine in the Communion on Sunday
lead to hunger and thirst for acts of justice on Monday? What role does
worship play?
2. How does the prophetic word of Micah enhance the “blessed are”
declarations of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, and vice versa?
3. Who are the voices in the church and society today who are delivering
the poetic-prophetic “Micah” challenge? What are they saying?
4. Who are the persons in your congregation and community who hunger and
thirst for justice and mercy? How are they responding to injustice?
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