Return to Year A: 2007-2008 Resource Index

Scriptures: Genesis 6:9–22, 7:24, 8:14–19/8:16–28, 46, 8:56—9:3 IV; Psalm 46; Romans 1:16–17, 3:22–31; Matthew 7:21–29/7:30–37 IV; II Nephi 5:79–85; Doctrine and Covenants 4:1–2

Prelude

Worship Setting

Welcome

Call to Worship

Leader: For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “The one who is righteous will live by faith” (Romans 1:16–17).

People: Ours is a culture of fear, God, where evening newscasts are litanies of shootings, fires, rapes, hostage taking, and child molestations. We stuff ballot boxes with votes for safety and security in an uncertain world. Are you listening, God? Do you care?

Leader: “Be still and know that I am your God. Spears, swords, and shields shall fail. No instrument of fear is equal to my love!”

People: Forgive us, for we have sung your praise and preached your word and trusted in our own strength. Restore your Spirit in us, O God, that we might build up the waste places of our lives with renewed faith.

Leader: “I am in the midst of the city! I am with you, in you, and through you. Though mountains tremble and shake, though waters roar and rage, though winds howl and wail—the breath of my Spirit shall calm your fear. Look to me. Trust me. Build in faith. I am your refuge and strength—your present help in trouble.”—“Our Present Help in Trouble” (based on Psalm 46) by Danny A. Belrose

*Hymn

“Sovereign and Transforming Grace” HS 12
OR “As We Gather” NS 3

*Invocation

*Response

Prayer for Peace

Ministry of Music

“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” HS 187
OR “Take the Path of the Disciple” R-19

Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:21–29

Communion Message

*Hymn

“Eat This Bread” NS 8
OR “Let Us Break Bread Together” HS 342
OR “As Familiar Words Are Spoken” by Danny A. Belrose

As Familiar Words Are Spoken

Tune: TRYGGARE KANINGEN VARA L.M.
(“Children of the Heavenly Father,” HS 156)

1. As familiar words are spoken, blessing bread before us broken,
   Let us kneel in deep devotion cleansed of cavalier emotion.
   Alternative line: May this prayer now reawaken holy promises we’ve taken.
    
2. In this cup of wine we bless is release from sin confessed,
   For the One whose name we take pardons all for love’s own sake.
   Alternative line: For the One whom we profess grants us peace and happiness.
    
3. Not by ransom nor by martyr—boundless grace accepts no barter,
   For the Savior’s sacrifice has no purchase, has no price.
    
4. In remembrance may we witness of the One whose love has purchased
   Life abundant, Spirit-filled, bless’d with hope and faith to build.

Time of Confession

Blessing and Serving of the Bread and Wine

Disciples’ Generous Response

Let us remember, at this time, those who have gone before us, whose lives were built in faith and whose generous witness strengthened our faith. Let us remember those who have been restored to wholeness—the sick, the poor, the needy—whose lives have been enriched through gifts of generosity: time, money, food, shelter, a listening ear, a caring touch. Let us remember God’s unending generosity poured out free of cause or merit. Let us give as God gives.

We are reminded, O God, it is your loving Spirit that brings us to this time and place. We thank you for faith-building experiences that remind us of your gifts to us. Amen.

*Hymn

“Open My Eyes, O Lord” HS 454
OR “Christ Has Called Us to New Visions” SP 38

*Sending Forth

O God, how often have you spoken to us through
          holy writ, psalms, prayers, and poetic hymns?
Forgive us, for we have been too busy—too focused on lesser things—
          to hear the symphonies of nature that shout your name
          in wind, wave, and starry wonder.
We have cried, “Lord, Lord!” pleading for your magic—
          your made-to-measure miracles—to hold trouble’s tide at bay.
We have made you a God of convenience.
We have built our lives on the shifting sands of our own efforts.
Save us, God, from self-preservation.
Grant us faith to build our lives anew infused by your Spirit.
Grant us faith to build according to your Word—not our words—
          to establish our lives on a solid foundation of daily deeds
          blessed with joy, hope, love, and peace.
For to truly know you, Gracious God, is to hear, to see, and to respond.
Bless us, as we seek to do your will.
May we build in faith and walk your way. Amen.
—“May We Build in Faith” (based on Matthew 7:21–29) by Danny A. Belrose

*Postlude

Scriptures: Genesis 6:9–22, 7:24, 8:14–19/8:16–28, 46, 8:56—9:3 IV; Psalm 46; Romans 1:16–17, 3:22–31; Matthew 7:21–29/7:30–37 IV; II Nephi 5:79–85; Doctrine and Covenants 4:1–2

The story of Noah is well known. Many readers of this story tend to focus on what they perceive as the vengeance of God. However, this is not really the reason this story is included in the biblical narrative. The ancient Hebrews were more concerned with the question, “Why?” Why did Noah respond to God’s call the way he did? Why did he trust in God with all evidence seemingly to the contrary? Why is this lesson important? Likewise, the allegory in Matthew 7 of the two men and the building of their houses causes us to ask, “Why?” Why did Jesus use this allegory to illustrate his point?

Both stories are stories of building and stories of faith. In the case of Noah, he appears the fool for building a ship so far from the water. In the allegory, it goes without saying that only a fool would build a house on sand, because anyone with common sense knows what will happen. Noah put his faith into action by building the ark. The wise man in the allegory built his house (in other words, his life) on the solid foundation of faith. Noah demonstrates that faith in God is never misplaced. The wise man illustrates that such faith is the only true foundation that we can depend on. Noah put his faith into action; the wise man acted on his faith.

Why is this important today, of all days? What relationship can we find between these two stories and partaking of the Lord’s Supper? The elements (bread and grape juice, or their equivalent) are symbols of the body and blood of Jesus. The elements do not change after the prayers of blessing are said. We eat the bread and drink the juice in remembrance of what Jesus has done for us. We acknowledge, in so doing, that we are followers of Christ, and we will keep the commandments.

When we reach forth our hand to take the emblems, we are reaching out in faith—faith that God truly “is” and faith that despite evidence to the contrary, we need not fear, because God’s love for us is steadfast. God’s promises to us are assured. When we reach forth, we are putting our faith into action. Our understanding of discipleship demands we not just hear the “words,” but we do something about them. Faith and action—perhaps both of these words should become synonymous for those who call themselves disciples of the Lord Jesus.

Return to Year A: 2007-2008 Resource Index