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Woship Resources 2007-2008 — Year A: Passionate for Peace
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Resource Index
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Delight in God
Ordinary Time (Proper 9)
Scriptures:
Genesis 24:34–38, 42–49, 58–67/24:34–38, 43–53, 63–73 IV; Psalm 45:10–17;
Romans 7:15–25a/7:15–27 IV;
Matthew 11:16–19,
25–30/11:17–21, 27–30 IV; II Nephi 6:79–84; Doctrine and Covenants 10:4
Sharing Christ’s Peace
Scripture is not to be worshiped or idolized. Only God, the
Eternal One of whom scripture testifies, is worthy of worship.—Doctrine
and Covenants 163:7b
Prelude
Welcome
*Opening Hymn
“O Lord, Grace Our Communion”
HS
1
OR “Lord, We Come Before Thee Now”
HS
10
*Invocation
Call to Worship: Matthew 11:29–30
Reading
Gifts of This Day
Leader: Thank you for the gift of this day—the gift of air in our
lungs, grass beneath our feet, the promise of spring, the dance of
the seasons.
People: We are debtors, God—receivers and refusers of your grace.
Take away our sleepy resistance. Awaken us to your generosity
through bread broken and wine poured. A life given, new life
received.
Leader: Thank you for the gift of family and friends—the gift of
faces: black, brown, red, and white. Humanity’s rainbow of living
relationships—tall, short, thin, and stout.
People: We are debtors, God—receivers and refusers of your grace.
Take away our sleepy resistance. Awaken us to your generosity
through bread broken and wine poured. A life given, new life
received.
Leader: Thank you for the gift of struggle and loss—the crucible
of doubt that forges faith beyond what’s known. The gift of
questioning minds that skims away the dross of discontent.
People: We are debtors, God—receivers and refusers of your grace.
Take away our sleepy resistance. Awaken us to your generosity
through bread broken and wine poured. A life given, new life
received.
Leader: Thank you for the gift of simple things—the ant that
crawls, a speck of dust, the wonder in a baby’s cry, the painted
pictures found in clouds, the taste and smell of drops of rain.
People: We are debtors, God—receivers and refusers of your grace.
Take away our sleepy resistance. Awaken us to your generosity
through bread broken and wine poured. A life given, new life
received.
—By Danny A. Belrose
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.
Prayer
Receiving of Mission Tithes
Hymn of Meditation
“Dear Master, in Whose Life I See”
HS
113
OR “Breathe on Me, Breath of God”
HS
179
Communion Message
Based on Romans 7:15–2a/7:15–27 IV
Hymn of Preparation: “Bread of the World”
HS
329
Blessing and Serving of the Bread and Wine
Sending Forth: Doctrine and Covenants 10:4c
Keep my commandments, and assist to bring forth my work according to my
commandments, and you shall be blessed.
*Hymn
“Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”
HS
284
OR “Song of the Righteous”
NS
48
*Benediction
*Postlude
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Genesis
24:34–38, 42–49, 58–67/24:34–38, 43–53, 63–73 IV; Psalm 45:10–17;
Romans 7:15–25a/7:15–27 IV;
Matthew 11:16–19,
25–30/11:17–21, 27–30 IV; II Nephi 6:79–84; Doctrine and Covenants 10:4
Exploring the Scriptures
Today marks the beginning of a four-week series on the Letter of Paul to the
Romans. For many in the Community of Christ, today’s text has been difficult to
understand. Perhaps it is the result of a significant reliance on a reading of
the text as it is found in the Inspired Version of the Bible. What exists in
reality are two very different texts. Accordingly, the NRSV translation will be
the passage considered below.
Some would read this portion of the Roman letter as Paul’s personal sharing
of his own struggle that is part and parcel of the human condition. That is,
Paul knows what is right, yet does the opposite. Others suggest that Paul is
writing from the perspective of fallen humanity (or Adam’s). One thing is clear:
Humanity finds it difficult to define accurately the moral dilemma it confronts.
Paul equates this struggle to being a law, that “evil lies close at hand” (v.
21) when we want to do what is right.
Paul places our moral responsibility within the human heart, “in my inmost
self” (v. 22), and describes the war that rages in his mind. He does not always
understand his behavior. He does not act as he ought. He does things that he
hates. Paul wants to delight in the law of God, but finds himself constantly
confronting his own personal captivity to the power of sin (vv. 22–24). “Who
will rescue me?” (v. 24) asks Paul. “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our
Lord!” (v. 25) is his answer. This confession is a fitting reminder as the
congregation shares in the Lord’s Supper. Today we acknowledge and delight in
the grace of God.
Central Ideas
1. Paul proclaims confidence in the victory over sin that is known in
Jesus Christ.
2. It is difficult to remain unaffected by the moral dilemmas confronting
our world.
Questions for the Speaker
1. How does Paul explain his wrestling with sin? Are you able to relate
to his description?
2. What illustrations can you think of that would help the congregation
overhear Paul’s concern in this text?
3. How have you observed people being rescued from the power of sin in
their lives—finding freedom, grace, and thanksgiving in Christ?
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