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Woship Resources 2007-2008 — Year A: Passionate for Peace
Return to Year A: 2007-2008
Resource Index
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Recognize Jesus among Us
Ordinary Time (Proper 29)
Scriptures:
Ezekiel 34:11–16, 20–24; Psalm 100; Ephesians 1:15–23; Matthew 25:31–46/25:32–47
IV; Words of Mormon 1:11–12; Doctrine and Covenants
85:1c–2b
Sharing Christ’s Peace
Jesus Christ, the embodiment of God’s shalom, invites all
people to come and receive divine peace in the midst of the difficult
questions and struggles of life. —Doctrine
and Covenants 163:2a
A Service of Song and Testimony
Prelude
Call to Worship: Psalm 100
*Opening Hymn
“We Would See Jesus”
HS 217
OR “Jesus” NS
22
*Invocation
*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.
Reading
Reader One: Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and fed you? Or
thirsty and gave you something to drink? Or a stranger and showed you
hospitality? Or naked and gave you clothing? When was it that we saw you
sick or in prison and visited you?
Reader Two: When you refused to help the least of these my brothers
and sisters, you were refusing to help me. But I assure you, when you
did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were
doing it to me!
—Matthew 25:31–46, adapted
Jesus calls us to feed the hungry, to give something to drink to the
thirsty, to show hospitality to the homeless and strangers, to clothe the
naked, and to visit the sick and those in prison. Giving and sharing comes
in many forms, and this morning we are responding to the call of Jesus
through our stewardship. Our financial response is an important way to share
so that others can experience God’s generosity and love.
Blessing and Offering of Mission Tithes
Testimonies
See list below.
OR Sermon based on Matthew 25:31–46/25:32–37 IV
*Closing Hymn
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus” HS
85 or 86
OR “This We Can Do” SP
32
*Benediction
*Sending Forth: Doctrine and Covenants 85:1c
*Postlude
Below are several testimony themes that relate to
recognizing Jesus among us. Each is followed by a suggested hymn. Select three
to four ideas from those listed. Encourage those persons giving testimonies to
share briefly. Choose only one or two verses of the hymns. The hymns could be
sung as solos or duets, performed by instrument, or sung by the congregation.
The hymns could be used before or after the testimonies.
I Recognize Jesus among Children
“Jesus Loves the Little Children”
HS
223
I Recognize Jesus in My Family Life
“Would You Bless Our Homes” HS
447
I Recognize Jesus on My Life Journey
“Lord Jesus, of You I Will Sing” SP
31
I Recognize Jesus Globally
“In Christ There Is No East or West” HS
448 or 449
I Recognize Jesus through My Service
“O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee” HS
462
I Recognize Jesus in My Neighbors
“Yesu, Yesu, Fill Us with Your Love” HS
407
I Recognize Jesus in the Stillness
“Master, Speak! Thy Servant Heareth” HS
410
I Recognize Jesus through Healing
“Heal Me, Hands of Jesus” SP
33
I Recognize Jesus in the City
“Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life” HS
383
I Recognize Jesus in Compassion for Others
“Bear Each Other’s Burdens” HS
369
I Recognize Jesus through the Blessing of Children
“O Master to All Children Dear” HS
347
I Recognize Jesus in Nature
“All Thing Bright and Beautiful” HS
18
I Recognize Jesus in Communion
“An Upper Room Did Our Lord Prepare” HS
343
I Recognize Jesus in My Present and My Future
“Now in This Moment” HS
58
I Recognize Jesus through the Scriptures
“The Living Word of Scripture” HS
299
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Ezekiel
34:11–16, 20–24; Psalm 100; Ephesians 1:15–23; Matthew 25:31–46/25:32–47
IV; Words of Mormon 1:11–12; Doctrine
and Covenants 85:1c–2b
Exploring the Scriptures
This is the last Sunday of the church’s year. It is also the climax of Jesus’
teaching ministry in Matthew. Chapters 24 and 25 are the end-time teachings of
Jesus. They include three parables of judgment. Today’s scripture titled “The
Judgment of the Nations” concludes the discourse.
Matthew portrays the “second coming” in sharp contrast to the first coming.
This time, Christ comes in glory, with all the nations assembled before him. He
conveys God’s blessing to those who have done deeds of loving kindness.
When we show one
person such generosity, even
the least
among persons, we are showing mercy to God; we are participating in the kingdom
of love and grace that God envisions for creation. We think our commonplace
actions are insignificant, but they are eternal opportunities. As often as we
have truly loved, we have loved God.
The scriptural passage is commonly known as “the parable of the sheep and the
goats.” Early rabbinical writings regarded goats as “armed robbers” because they
jumped people’s fences, destroyed their plants, and cropped grass too close to
the ground when grazing. So, the shepherd (Jesus) sends the sheep (the people of
God) to the “right” side, indicating favor. While the goats are sent to the
“left,” a less favorable spot.
This parable is an indictment of humanity’s violent resistance to God’s
revelation that we are all created in God’s own image.
“We live in a world where the face of Jesus is torn. Humans hurt each
other, rending the body of Christ. Systems and institutions crush the spirit
and imprison the mind. Christ mourns where bullets, barricades of burning
tires, barbed-wire fences, cultural prohibitions, violence, and minefields
separate humanity. Christ shares the burdens of poverty, AIDS, orphans,
imperialism, wealth, and conflict. Christ is persecuted with those who
suffer in his name, and forsaken when his servants forget indigenous
communities.
The church also tears the face of Jesus. We show the world the lamb, the
lion, and the child but fail to resolve conflicts in our own families and
congregations.”—2004 International Leaders Meeting Declaration, Herald,
January 2007, 6–7.
To such a bleak history, the “Lord of history” speaks: “As you did it to one
of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (v. 40).
This parable is not just a revelation of the crisis of history. It is a call
to active love. The six mercies (food, drink, welcome, clothing, nursing care,
and visitation) are ministries that can be provided without requirement of
wealth, refined skills, or great sacrifice, yet they are lifesaving.
We encounter God in all of our relations. Every wife comforting her husband,
every father giving joy to his child, every friend consoling a companion, and
every mother feeding her infant encounter the Lord.
The parable is an invitation to personal recognition and acceptance. Each one
of us counts as “the least.” We all bear the image of God, no matter how
diminished or devalued we or anyone else may think we are. We are bodies of
Christ.
Central Ideas
1. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus’ teaching ministry concludes with
parables of judgment, followed by this vision of Christ coming to judge the
nations and reign in glory.
2. The scripture passage is an indictment of those who devalue persons
created in God’s image. At the same time, it is a celebration of the worth
of each and every person—especially those considered by society to be “the
least.” To love them is to love God.
3. The scripture is a call to active love. It is a call to acts of mercy
where all of us can participate. We can give lifesaving, life-giving food,
drink, welcome, clothing, nursing care, and visitation.
Questions for the Speaker
1. How can you convey God’s coming in glory and God’s final judgment in
ways that minister to today’s disciples and friends of the church?
2. How in our world and your faith community are you neglecting or
violating the Christ in your midst?
3. In what ways are the actions of your congregation and its members
leading the Christ to recognize them as serving the “least of these”?
4. When, personally, did you most recently see Christ in such
circumstances? Share a time when you were hungry or thirsty or without
shelter (literally or figuratively) and someone acknowledged your worth by
serving you.
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