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Woship Resources 2007-2008 — Year A: Passionate for Peace
Return to Year A: 2007-2008
Resource Index
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Bless, Break, and Share
Ordinary Time (Proper 13)
Scriptures:
Genesis 32:22–31; Psalm 17:1–7, 15; Romans 9:1–5; Matthew 14:13–21/14:12–18
IV; II Nephi 11:36–38; Doctrine and
Covenants 19:3a
Sharing Christ’s Peace
That which seeks to harden one human heart against another
by constructing walls of fear and prejudice is not of God. Be especially
alert to these influences, lest they divide you or divert you from the
mission to which you are called. —Doctrine
and Covenants 163:3c
Prelude
Gathering Hymn
“O Lord, Grace Our Communion” HS
1
OR “As We Gather” NS
3
Welcome
Call to Worship: Doctrine and Covenants 19:3a
*Hymn
“God! When Human Bonds Are Broken” SP
18
OR “Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service” HS
17
*Prayer of Invocation
*Response
Focus Moment
Use the material from pages 62–63 of Hospitality: Sharing God’s
Welcome, by Tammy Lindle (Herald Publishing House, 2006) to talk about or
dramatize today’s scripture story of Jesus feeding the multitude. Be sure to
coordinate with the person giving the Communion message.
Hymn
“Gather Your Children” SP
3
OR “Gather Us In” SP
4
Communion Message
Based on Matthew 14:13–21/14:12–18 IV
Hymn of Preparation
“Let Us Break Bread Together” HS
342
OR “Eat This Bread” NS
8
Reading
Bread broken, blessed, and shared.
This morning, in this community of the committed,
we will kneel in memory of One who is
the bread of life
—broken, blessed, and
shared.
One whose outstretched hands on splintered cross
inscribes our names, held fast by love in lieu of
nails.
This morning we will lift our voices in song,
bow heads in supplication, hear words of holy promise
woven in sacred text.
In preparation of wine poured, bread broken, and love shared
bless our faltering steps with surefootedness
that we may walk with purity of heart.
Fill our doubt with faith. Hold us firm with hope.
Smile us into smiling, Lord.
Surprise us¾stir
our souls with new resolve,
that the Truth we seek may sing its own
song—
a new song that shapes our words and deeds
in anthems of service,
broken, blessed, and shared.
Bless each soul herein…
leader and follower, preacher and penitent,
that we may also, with hands outstretched,
be extensions of your grace…
“Living bread—broken, blessed, and shared.”
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
-—“Broken, Blessed, and Shared” by Danny A. Belrose
Blessing and Serving of the Bread and Wine
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.
Blessing and Offering of Oblation and Mission Tithes
*Hymn
“Make Us, O God, a Church That Shares”
HS
484
OR “Sent Forth by God’s Blessing” HS
493
*Pastoral Prayer
*Sending Forth
*Postlude
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Genesis
32:22–31; Psalm 17:1–7, 15; Romans 9:1–5; Matthew 14:13–21/14:12–18
IV; II Nephi 11:36–38;
Doctrine and Covenants 19:3a
Exploring the Scriptures
Bless, break, and share. These three words exemplify the pattern by which
Jesus engages at the table throughout the Gospels. In nearly every story about
Jesus eating with people, these three words are invoked. In today’s reading,
which is the only one told in all four Gospels, we find Jesus feeding a crowd,
thanks to the generosity of a child. After responding compassionately by curing
the sick, Jesus tells the disciples not to send the crowd away but to feed them.
Taking the five loaves and two fish, Jesus first blesses the food. He then
breaks the food for it is only in breaking that the food can be shared. He gave
the food to the disciples and they shared with the crowd. All ate and were
filled. There was much left over and more to be shared.
This is what we come together to do at the Communion table and what we, as
Christians in the Community of Christ, are called to do at every table: bless,
break, and share with all. As we leave the Communion experience, we are called
to share the good news of the Gospel with others, for there is more to share.
Our Communion prayers or blessings state that we are willing to take on the name
of Jesus Christ. As Jesus responded to people in need, we, too, are called to do
likewise. As Jesus admonished his disciples to give them something to eat, we,
too, are called to share the bread of life, Jesus, with our friends and family.
Central Ideas
1. Jesus and the child are generous.
2. “Bless, break, and share” are the words Jesus uses in nearly every
story about his sharing in a meal with others.
3. Blessing refers to God being the benefactor of all. God provides.
4. Breaking the bread is the only way it can be shared.
5. Sharing is what we are called to do as Christians in the Community of
Christ.
Questions for the Speaker
1. How are you called to be a generous disciple, following the example of
the little boy and Jesus?
2. What other stories in the Gospels use the same pattern of bless,
break, and share?
3. How do you acknowledge God as generous and the benefactor of all?
4. How does the breaking of bread in one’s life lead to sharing with
others?
5. How is the pattern of “bless, break, and share” lived out in your life
as a disciple of Jesus Christ in the Community of Christ?
6. How do you share Jesus with family and friends?
7. How does Communion help you share the good news with others?
8. As there is usually some bread or wine left over on the Communion
table, how could you relate this to those that still need to hear the
message of Jesus Christ? Many times the question, “Has anyone missed their
portion?” is asked by the presider after the bread and wine have been
shared. How can you relate this to people who have indeed missed their
portion by not knowing about Jesus Christ? How can the congregation share
the good news of Jesus Christ with their friends and family?
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