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Woship Resources 2007-2008 — Year A: Passionate for Peace
Return to Year A: 2007-2008
Resource Index
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Keep My Commandments
Ordinary Time (Proper 22)
Scriptures: Exodus 20:1–4, 7–9, 12–20; Psalm 19;
Philippians 3:4b–14; Matthew 21:33–46/21:35–49 IV; Jacob 3:9–17; Doctrine and
Covenants 50:8d–g
Sharing Christ’s Peace
The expectation for priesthood to continually magnify their
callings through spiritual growth, study, exemplary generosity, ethical
choices, and fully accountable ministry is always present. —Doctrine
and Covenants 163:6c
Prelude
Gathering Hymn
Call to Worship
Psalm 19:7–10, 14
OR Jacob 3:9–12
*Hymn: “More Precious than Silver”
Words and music by Lynn DeShazo, Integrity’s Hosanna! Music, 1982 and
1992. CCLI #11335. See
http://www.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis2/moreprecious.html for
words and melody.
OR “My Life Flows On in Endless Song” HS 157
*Invocation
*Response
Focus Moment
During the month of October, shortened stories from The Story of the
Church by Inez Smith Davis will be used to share the rich heritage of the
Community of Christ. These stories will be more effective if told rather
than read.
Four missionaries accepted God’s call to spread the gospel to the
Sandwich Islands. One of the missionaries, Knowlton Hanks, was ill when he
boarded the ship. He soon died and was buried at sea.
For seven months Addison Pratt, Benjamin Grouard, and Noah Rogers were
passengers on the Yankee whaler. The Timeoleon finally landed on the
island of Tubai on May 1, 1844. Addison Pratt agreed to remain as the
Timeoleon sailed on to Tahiti. During the month of July, ten baptisms
took place and a branch was organized. On August 5, Communion was shared for
the first time.
Addison Pratt continued his missionary work until 1852 when he and the
other missionaries were compelled by the French government to abandon their
mission.
Eighteen years later, Elders Glaud Rodger and Charles Wesley Wandell left
San Francisco for Australia on November 6, 1873. On December 3, a leak
appeared in the ship’s bow. The captain went below to examine the damage and
concluded it unsafe to proceed. He changed course and headed toward Tahiti,
a little more than 1,000 miles away. They arrived on December 13.
On December 19, the two missionaries took a stroll on the road outside of
town and were accosted by two men. In their excitement they clung to the
missionaries, over and over saying the Tahitian word Parato. Little did the missionaries know the men were
saying Pratt—Addison Pratt. Frightened and unable to understand, Roger and
Wandell got away from them as quickly as they could. Then they met a road
overseer who spoke English. He told them there was a Mormon settlement at
Tiona (pronounced Te-o-na), Tahitian for Zion.
The ship was scheduled to depart the following morning, so the
missionaries went to God in prayer. Much to their delight, the ship was
detained for six additional days.
Early the next morning, the two set out for the little settlement of
Saints in Tiona. The Saints were filled with excitement and greeted each
other with “Te Atua speaks again.” (God reveals himself once more.) Chicken,
breadfruit, and coconuts were prepared for their guests.
The sharing of the history of the church since the departure of the
missionaries, and the events on the island, took the afternoon.
For eighteen years, the labor of the local elders kept the teachings of
Christ alive. Glaud Rodger and Charles Wandell experienced the power of
faith in this isolated community.
—Adapted from Inez Smith Davis, The Story of the Church,
13th ed.
(Herald Publishing House, 1989), 321–331, 523–528. The History of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,
vol. 4, chap. 3.
Communion Message
Based on Exodus 20:1–4 and/or Psalm 19
Hymn
“O God, the Eternal Father” HS 335
OR “In Memory of the Savior’s Love”
HS 330
Time of Silent Confession and Preparation
Preparation of Emblems
Use a variety of breads and purple, red, and white grape juice to help
illustrate the global nature of the Lord’s Supper.
Blessing and Serving of Communion
Meditation Music
Repeat “More Precious than Silver” either instrumentally or vocally.
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.
Selections from Philippians 3:7–14
Blessing and Receiving of Oblation and Mission Tithes
Pastoral Commission
*Closing Hymn
“Once More Before We Part” HS 500
OR “Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, We Go”
HS 498
*Benediction
*Response
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Exodus 20:1–4, 7–9, 12–20; Psalm 19; Philippians
3:4b–14; Matthew 21:33–46/21:35–49 IV; Jacob 3:9–17; Doctrine and Covenants
50:8d–g
Exploring the Scriptures
The Ten Commandments, called the “Ten Words” by the Jewish faith, are clarion
calls to freedom from a God whose identifying attribute is bringing the
Israelite slaves out of Egypt (v. 1). For a people who were victims of
injustice, the laws establish a just and peaceful community by announcing words
of freedom: freedom from idolatry; the tyranny of unrelieved work; and anger,
envy, and unbridled passions that destroy relationships. Relationships are at
the heart of God’s message and covenant with humankind. Throughout the
scriptures, God reminds us that how we treat each other is important. A
community without laws is one enslaved to anarchy, violence, and injustice.
The Decalogue (“Ten Words”) in Exodus 20 should be understood in the context
of God’s covenant with Israel to be their God if they will be God’s people.
God’s grace and salvation (literally saving the people) has preceded the acts of
covenant and law-giving in freeing them from slavery in Egypt. Thus, obedience
is not what prompts God to provide grace and salvation, and righteousness is not
a reward for keeping the multitude of laws that have grown up around the
original Decalogue. Obedience is the grateful response of a covenant people who
have already received salvation as a gift.
So it is with our covenant of baptism, which we remember in today’s
Communion. In baptism we accept God’s grace and salvation. In response to that
gift, we are called to be obedient to God’s call and serve others. Communion
reminds us of our relationship with God and calls us to improve our
relationships with those around us by giving them freedom to be God’s children,
too.
In Psalm 19, the psalmist glorifies God with praise for all creation (vv.
1–6) and for God’s laws (vv. 7–14). God’s laws are righteous; they make wise the
simple; they enlighten humankind. It closes with the psalmist asking God to
purify the inner, unarticulated desires and impulses of the heart, so they are
acceptable to God. In our inner being dwell the passions that the laws attempt
to tame. Both law and faith proclaim us free from the tyranny of passion—free to
be the people God has created us to be.
Central Ideas
1. We worship a God of liberation, and as God’s covenant people, we, too,
are called to establish freedom and justice.
2. Obedience to God’s laws and commandments are an expression of
discipleship that results from accepting God’s grace and salvation.
3. Christians are not exempt from obedience, but are called to repentance
and faithful discipleship in establishing the peaceable kingdom.
Questions for the Speaker
1. What enslaves people today? How does God strive to free you from your
slavery?
2. If you were to reword the Decalogue as statements of freedom, what
words would you use?
3. When have you responded with obedience to God after first experiencing
God’s grace and salvation? How do our sacraments embody this ideal?
4. What is the relationship of law, grace, and kingdom in the concept
“bringing to pass the cause of Zion”?
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