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Woship Resources 2007-2008 — Year A: Passionate for Peace
Return to Year A: 2007-2008
Resource Index
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Here I Am, Lord
Ordinary Time (Proper 17)
Scriptures:
Exodus 3:1–15; Psalm 105:1–6, 23–26, 45c; Romans 12:9–21; Matthew 16:21–28/16:22–31 IV; II
Nephi 12:91–95; Doctrine and Covenants 38:1a–c
Sharing Christ’s Peace
As [Temple] ministries come to fuller expression, receptive
congregations…will be revived and equipped for more effective ministry. —Doctrine
and Covenants 163:8c
Prelude
Hymn
“This We Can Do” SP
32
OR “Lord, Speak to Me”
HS 412
Welcome
Call to Worship: Exodus 3:15
*Hymn
“Lord, I Give You”
NS 32
OR “O Jesus, I Have Promised” HS
463
*Invocation
*Response
Focus Moment: Romans 12:9–21
Apostle Paul tells the church in Rome to extend hospitality, live
peaceably, and feed enemies if they are hungry. How can we feed our enemies
if they are hungry? Have you been unkind or hurt the feelings of someone
lately? What about calling them and extending an invitation to lunch in a
restaurant or inviting their family to share supper in your home with your
family? What other ways can you think of to extend hospitality, live
peaceably, and feed your enemies if they are hungry?
Ask two or three people from your congregation to share about a time when
they answered God’s call. If there are children or youth in the congregation
who have attended church camp this year, ask one or two to share the
commitments they made as a result of their camp experience.
Scripture Reading: Romans 12:9–21
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 Receiving of Mission Tithes
Sermon
Based on Exodus 3:1–15 and/or Romans 12:9–21
*Hymn
“Here I Am, Lord”
NS 12
OR “Christ Has Called Us to New Visions” SP
38
*Benediction
*Sending Forth
Solo or Hymn: “Beyond the Horizon” NS
5
*Postlude
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Exodus
3:1–15; Psalm 105:1–6, 23–26, 45c; Romans 12:9–21; Matthew 16:21–28/16:22–31
IV; II Nephi 12:91–95; Doctrine and Covenants 38:1a–c
Exploring the Scriptures
In last week’s scripture from Exodus (2:1–10) the writer tells of Moses’
birth and miraculous survival against Pharaoh’s command to kill all male
children. Here we encounter Moses as an adult occupied with attending his
father-in-law’s sheep. He was immersed in the everydayness of life when God got
his attention in a dramatic and unusual way. Moses saw a burning bush that was
not consumed by fire, and he wanted to find out why. Upon hearing a voice call
his name, he responds with the words of today’s theme: “Here I am.”
What ensues is a dialogue between God and Moses where Moses is told that he
will be the instrument of freeing his people, the Israelites, from oppression in
Egypt. And Moses replies by asking, in so many words, “Why me?” So God assured
Moses that God would be with him all the way and gave him God’s name, “I Am,” to
use as the authority by which he goes on his mission.
Here we have an ordinary man, not much different from you and me, sent on a
massive mission by God. Of course Moses feels unworthy and incapable. So would
we. But the key to Moses’ and our ability to accept what God asks of us has
nothing to do with our own strength or weakness. Rather it is all about God’s
commitment to stand at our side as we go. Our calling is to be faithful to the
One who is always faithful in covenant to us.
Today’s text from Romans 12 follows immediately after last week’s where Paul
counsels his hearers to “be transformed by the renewing of your minds”(v. 2).
Here Paul describes the characteristics and behaviors of the transformed
life—life in Christ. It is important to note that Paul does not stop at telling
us to be kind, loving, etc., to those we know and with whom we get along. Rather
he admonishes us to bless those who persecute us (v. 14) and give food and drink
to our enemies (v. 20). Here Paul is following Jesus’ instruction in the Sermon
on the Mount: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew
5:44).
When we respond to God’s call by saying, “Here am I; send me!” (Isaiah 6:8),
we are not agreeing to do only or even mostly the easy things. Instead we are
committing ourselves to build the kind of community that is referred to in
Doctrine and Covenants 161:3c as “arduous and even painful.” But such difficulty
should not give us reason to be discouraged or to disregard God’s call. For just
as God was with Moses in his leading of Israel from captivity, so will the
divine presence accompany us as we work for the liberation and redemption of
those who today are enslaved by the ways of the world.
Central Ideas
1. God calls people to do surprising, seemingly “impossible” things.
2. We are called to be the presence of God to all those we meet, as
difficult as this may be.
Questions for the Speaker
1. When have you heard God “speak” in the midst of ordinary life? How did
you respond?
2. When have you sensed God asking you to do something that seemed
“impossible”?
3. When have you done one of the things Paul lists, to help another
person in need?
4. Who are your enemies? What good is God calling you to do for them?
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