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Woship Resources 2007-2008 — Year A: Passionate for Peace
Return to Year A: 2007-2008
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Sunday, June 15, 2008
Is Anything Too Wonderful for God?
Ordinary Time (Proper 6)
Scriptures: Genesis 18:1–15;
Psalm 116:1–2, 12–19; Romans 5:1–8; Matthew 9:35—10:8/9:41—10:7 IV; II Nephi
6:10–19; Doctrine and Covenants 6:2
Sharing Christ’s Peace
The Temple is an instrument of ongoing revelation in the
life of the church. Its symbolism and ministries call people to reverence in
the presence of the Divine Being. —Doctrine and Covenants 163:8a
Prelude
Encourage children and youth to share their gift of music for the prelude
ministry.
We Sing of God’s Wonder
“Earth and All Stars” HS 49
“I Will Sing, I Will Sing” NS 19
OR “All Things Bright and Beautiful” HS 18
Welcome
Have baskets of flowers as part of the worship center. The presider
welcomes the congregation commenting on the wonder of God’s blessings and
the beauty of creation. Children and designated participants are then
invited to distribute flowers throughout the congregation during the playing
of “Lord, Help Me to Know Your Presence,” NS 31.
Call to Worship: Psalm 116:1–2, 12–14
*Hymn
“Rain Down” R-8
OR “Creation Flows Unceasingly” HS 69
*Invocation
God of wonders, help us to be fully alive
—eyes wide open, ears attuned to
nature’s song
—our minds seeking each subtle hint
of truth
hidden in this heaven around us.
We ask no rending of the veil, no vision ecstasies,
no burning bush nor parting seas.
You need not pause the sun nor move the stars,
for each breath is miracle enough.
Each feathered bird, each blade of grass—
a wonder of their own.
Strip away our need for magic.
Dance your own dance, God.
Wrap us in your mystery.
Let us worship you this hour in song, prayer, and holy word.
Let your shining face be seen in young and old,
in those who lead and those who
follow.
Awaken us to your abiding presence
wherein all true wonders never cease.
Amen.
—“God of Wonders” by Danny A. Belrose
*Response
Prayer for Peace
A reading and prayer for today’s nation can be found at
www.CofChrist.org/prayerpeace.
Focus Moment
Read or tell the story Just in Case You Ever Wonder by Max Lucado,
Word, 1992. ISBN 0-84990978-3
Ministry of Music: “Santo, Santo, Santo” NS 43
Where possible have a soloist for each language.
OR play a version of “What a Wonderful World” (by Robert Thiele and
George David Weiss) accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation depicting
nature scenes. Recorded by various artists.
Reading
“It wasn’t me; I didn’t do it.”
“Oh yes, you did.”
“Well, I might have coughed a little…
I wouldn’t laugh at you, Lord.”
“Oh YES, you did.”
Now look, could you blame her?
She’s well past child-bearing years and Sarah’s snickering to
herself:
“I’m ninety; Abraham’s old. Shall I indeed
bear a child?
Is there anything too wonderful for the Lord?”
Ask Isaac, whose very name means “he laughs.”
Is there anything too wonderful for God?
Who paints the morning?
Who sends the rain?
Who spins the stars?
Whose breath is the wind?
Who births every child and is mother to all?
“It wasn’t me; I didn’t do it,” winks God and smiles.
“Oh yes, you did.
Yes, you did!
—“Yes, You
Did!” (based on Genesis 18:1–15) by Danny A. Belrose
Sermon
Based on Genesis 18:1–15
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.
Reflection
“And they were amazed at his teaching.” It was not Jesus’ ability
to give sight to the blind, heal the lame, walk on water, or feed
thousands with a child’s lunch that caused his followers to be
amazed. It was that his entire ministry centered on the miracle of
reviving the dead. Everywhere Jesus went he found dead people
walking about, thinking they were alive. Jesus amazed his listeners
by unfolding the wonder of God to those whose eyes had become
clouded and whose ears and minds had been dulled to the beauty of
life all around them. He brought dead people alive! And they
shouted, “Is there anything too wondrous for God!” Recipients of
such a wondrous gift could do no other than share their new life
with others that they might also live in newness of life. Love lays
an obligation upon us. So does generosity. Not proscriptively, but
naturally—for love is love’s response. Let us accept again
God’s generous gift of new life and respond generously as we give to
God’s work.
Prayer
We thank you, God, that we have been awakened by your grace. Let
us rub the sleep from our eyes that we might once more drink in the
wonder of your creation of which we are a part. Bless us beyond the
meager gifts we give this morning. Let us be constantly amazed by
your love, and may we amaze others with its wonder. Amen.
Receiving of Mission Tithes
Congregational Hymn
“Every Good and Perfect Gift” HS 151
OR “Light Dawns on a Weary World”
R-3
We Silently Reflect on God’s Wonder
Presider invites the congregation to participate in two minutes of silent
reflection. This provides an opportunity for personal contemplation,
confession, and prayer—a time to let the wonder of God’s Spirit breathe anew
in hearts and minds.
*Hymn
“This Is God’s Wondrous World” R-1
OR “God, Who Touchest Earth with Beauty” HS 172
*Prayer or Sending Forth
*Postlude
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Genesis 18:1–15; Psalm 116:1–2, 12–19; Romans
5:1–8; Matthew 9:35—10:8/9:41—10:7 IV; II Nephi 6:10–19; Doctrine and Covenants
6:2
Exploring the Scriptures
Genesis 18 is an ancient biblical passage that can still speak to us today.
While it includes the amazing activity of God in Sarah and Abraham’s lives, the
focus of the story is not on God’s capacities or capabilities. God’s activity
may well be surrounded by mystery and wonder, but it ought not be treated as
sensational magic.
Rather, the preacher would do well to focus on the predictable and
understandable reaction of Sarah. She laughed in disbelief, not out of disregard
for God’s action, but because she, like us, limited God by the boundaries of her
own mind. Sarah could not imagine God great enough to defy conventional
understanding or practice. The point is not whether God’s will defied our
biological understanding of human reproduction. The point is that we are called
to remain open to the wonderful, awe-inspiring activity of God all around
us—with no limitations attached.
Central Ideas
1. God works in ways that can exceed our human capacity to understand.
God’s activities are sometimes mysterious and always wonderful, but are
never mere magic.
2. Like Sarah, we often forget to imagine and worship a God who works in
ways far greater than our own. Nothing is too wonderful for God.
Questions for the Speaker
1. Have you, like Sarah, ever laughed at the thought of what God can do,
only to be shown God’s amazing power?
2. What is the difference between mystery and magic? Why is God properly
viewed as mysterious but not as a magician?
3. Has your congregation ever experienced the gracious power of God
extended in ways that have blessed them beyond human expectation?
4. Can you begin to imagine what God wishes to bless the earth with?
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