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Woship Resources 2007-2008 — Year A: Passionate for Peace
Return to Year A: 2007-2008
Resource Index
Sunday, September 28, 2008
God Is Faithful
Ordinary Time (Proper 21)
Scriptures:
Exodus 17:1–7; Psalm 78:1–4, 12–16;
Philippians 2:1–13; Matthew 21:23–32/21:21–32 IV; Jacob 3:4–8; Doctrine and
Covenants 46:7a–f
Sharing Christ’s Peace
Eternal joy and peace await those who grow in the grace of
generosity that flows from compassionate hearts without thought of return.
Could it be otherwise in the domain of God, who eternally gives all for the
sake of creation? —Doctrine
and Covenants 163:9
Prelude
Greeting
Congregational Call to Worship:
Leader: God has called us and will lead us, even in the wilderness
places.
People: Through Christ, we trust that God loves us and will always be
with us.
Leader: Arise then, people of God! We are free.
People: (Standing)
Our future is open, in
the living love of our Redeemer! Praise be to God.
—Prayers and Readings for Worship,
Vol. 2, Peter Judd, ed. (Herald Publishing House, 1996), 9.
*Hymn of Faithfulness
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” HS
187
OR “In Heavenly Love Abiding” HS
120
OR “Now Sing to Our God”
NS 40
*Opening Prayer
*Response
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.
Scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 46:7a–f
Blessing and Offering of Mission Tithes
Drama: “You Didn’t Ask Me”
A child comes down the aisle, trying to move a box or large object that
appears very heavy. The child sits on the floor and pushes it with their
feet. Very determined, the child pulls, shoves and pushes, trying to get the
box where they want it to go. The box does not move. The child then asks a
youth to help, but the box remains in place. All this time, an adult is
watching what is going on. When the child gives up, the adult says,
“(Child’s name), why didn’t you use all the strength that you had
available?” The child
says, “But I did. I
used all of the strength that I had and asked (youth’s name) to help me!”
“No, (child’s name). You weren’t using all the strength you had. You didn’t
ask me.” With that,
the adult bends down and helps the child and youth put the box in the right
place.
Meditation Reading
When your dreams are scattered ashes,
When all hope seems torn apart,
And faith falters from life’s clashes
What brings healing to the heart?
It’s the Spirit’s constant whisper
Weaving hope within the soul,
Knitting fragile faith together
Thread by thread to make us whole.
When each face is blurred by traffic,
When your soul seeks sacred space,
And the press and pace rob family
What fills life with saving grace?
It’s the Spirit’s faithful presence
Pouring peace upon the soul,
Draining doubt of its tomorrow,
Welling up to make us whole.
— Danny
A. Belrose, “It’s the Spirit’s Faithful Presence,” Wave Offerings (Herald Publishing House, 2005),
88–89 (vv. 2 and 3).
Hymn of Renewal
“Lord, Lead Me by Your Spirit” HS
183
OR “Rock of My Salvation” NS
42
Morning Message
Based on Exodus 17:1–7 and/or Psalm 78:1–4, 12–16
Suggestion: For additional help use Bore No More by Mike and Amy Nappa (Loveland, Colorado:
Group Publishers, 1995). ISBN 1-55945-266-8
*Sending Forth Hymn
“This God Is the God We Adore” HS
481
OR “Though the Mountains May Fall” NS
50
*Benediction
*Sending Forth: Philippians 2:1–2
*Postlude
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Exodus
17:1–7; Psalm 78:1–4, 12–16; Philippians 2:1–13;
Matthew 21:23–32/21:21–32 IV; Jacob 3:4–8; Doctrine and Covenants 46:7a–f
Exploring the Scriptures
The Exodus story for today finds the Israelites in the wilderness, having
been freed from captivity in Egypt under the leadership of Moses. Life in the
wilderness could not have been easy. The people did not know where they were
going or if they would have the basic necessities to remain alive. Here they
were desperate for water, presumably not having drunk any recently. They
complain to Moses, accusing him of having brought them out of Egypt only to die
miserably in the wilderness. So Moses asks God what to do with his thirsty and
doubting people. God then leads Moses to a place where he is told to strike a
rock. He does this and water gushes out.
The lesson here is not so much the miraculous way in which water was
provided. Rather it is that God does not leave God’s people deserted without
means of sustenance. God is indeed faithful. This doesn’t mean that God provides
exactly what and when we ask or what we think we need. It simply means that God
does and will always provide. This is for us a test of patience. Verse 7 says,
“Is the Lord among us or not?” The answer for the Israelites in the wilderness,
and for us today in our many difficult and challenging situations, is a
resounding “Yes!”
Psalm 78 is a recitation of God’s goodness to the people of Israel. The
underlying theme is God’s faithfulness and persistence with people who are often
rebellious, even sinful. Verse 15 specifically describes God splitting the rock
to yield water when the people were thirsty—as described in today’s scripture
from Exodus. This psalm was written many years after the Israelite wanderings in
the wilderness. As such it is an example of how memory of God’s gracious action
was and still is the backbone of the Jewish faith.
God is just as faithful to us today as God was to the Israelites of old. And
we are just as rebellious and sinful as they were. Repeatedly we pursue our own
ways, thinking that happiness and success will result. But time and time again
we are brought to our knees in humble confession that we have wandered. And
every time, God is there to take us back. God’s faithfulness can never be
doubted.
Central Ideas
1. God never leaves us alone.
2. God persists with people even when they are rebellious and sinful.
Questions for the Speaker
1. When have you found yourself doubting God’s presence?
2. When has God been present to you at a time when you wandered away?
3. What are some of the most significant times in your life when God has
been your strength?
4. What is your most appropriate response to God’s faithfulness?
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