Worship Resources

from Worship Planning Tools - November 2023

by CofChrist

Sacred Space – Small Group Resources

19 November 2023

Ordinary Time (Proper 28)

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Encourage One Another

Additional Scriptures

Judges 4:1-7, Psalm 123, Matthew 25:14-30, Doctrine and Covenants 162:1a-b, 165:6

Prelude/Fellowship

Gathering Hymn

“Keep Your Lamps Trimmed”

CCS 249

CCS 633 OR “Si tuvieras fe/If You Only Had Faith”

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own. OR Sing along with the vocal recording found on Community of Christ Sings Audio Recordings, available from Herald House.

Welcome

Call to Worship

Doctrine and Covenants 162:1a-b

Choose a reader with a welcoming spirit who can read this scripture as a true “call” to worship.

Hymn of Rejoicing

“Halle, Halle, Hallelujah” sing at least twice

“We Are Marching in The Light of God”

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own. OR “Somos el cuerpo de Cristo/We Are the Body of Christ”

Prayer of Invocation

Response

Spiritual Practice: Lectio Divina, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

CCS 95

CCS 86 OR “Suyahamb’ Ekukhanyen’ Kwenkhos’/

CCS 337

The leader of this Spiritual Practice should plan on reading the scripture three times. If so inclined, the reader can choose three different translations/versions of the Bible and read a different one with each reading. In a bilingual/multi-lingual congregation, different languages can also be used. Sound a bell/chime after each reading to end the silent contemplation time.

Prepare to receive God’s word by sitting comfortably alert, with eyes closed or looking at a candle with an unfocused gaze, centering yourself with relaxed breathing. We will listen to the scripture three times. Before each reading, a question will be posed for you to consider. When I sound the bell/chime to end the time of silence, you are invited to share (out loud or in the group chat, if in an online setting) a phrase or word that came to your mind as you listened. You can also remain silent in your thoughts and continue listening to the group. There is no pressure to share.

Consider printing or projecting the questions.

Before the first reading of the scripture: What word or phrase catches your attention?

Before the second reading of the scripture: How is this applicable to your life?

Before the third reading of the scripture: Is there an invitation here for you?

Ministry of Music or Congregational Hymn

“Let the Truth Shine in Our Speaking”

OR “Blest Be the Tie that Binds”

CCS 322

CCS 325 Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

OR “We Are Children of Creation”

Message

Based on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Prayer for Peace

Light the Peace Candle.

Hymn of Peace

“Ososŏ/Come Now, O Prince of Peace”

CCS 340

Prayer

CCS 225 Sing several times. Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.

OR “Come and Fill/Confitemini Domino” CCS 235 Sing in the Taizé style (see the 5 February 2023 service outline for more information). Rotate between English and Latin.

Peaceful One, We are not at peace: Focused on the here and now, We see challenges and difficulties in life right before our eyes. Problems that make the heart faint, Blood pressure rise.

Nerves shake the body, Sleep no longer comes easy. Tears well up.

Depression sets in. Looking adversity in the face, Fear of what we might lose.

Emptiness from what we have lost. Makes the body react.

Nervous tension tunes out the whispering calm of the Spirit. Health issues, Job instability, damaged economy, loss of life, and uncertainty in this world, Scares away peace, like a sudden clap of thunder That causes the dove to flee.

As we bow our head here in humble prayer, We ask You to give us courage to lift up our eyes, Beyond the horizon, Looking over the heads of the current threats in our lives. What lies beyond the horizon?

Is it the peace we desire?

How do we reach that vision and make it reality, So that calm settles upon us, The heart slows down, Tension unwinds, Sleep returns, Love is felt, Security perceived, Depression floats away. Where peace drowns the heart and overflows throughout the body, Pumping warmness to limbs, Pins and needles awake clinched hands and stiff feet, Coming alive, to proclaim the Shalom we seek. Our hands and feet become those of the Savior’s – alive, Just out of view from someone else seeking peace looking out at us, Their vision, Their horizon. Grant us peace, so we might grant them peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

-Michael Wright, Rome, Italy, used with permission

For additional ideas: Find this day’s Prayer for Peace service on the church’s website at www.CofChrist.org

Disciples’ Generous Response Statement

During this time of a Disciples’ Generous Response, we focus on aligning our heart with God’s heart. Our offerings are more than meeting budgets or funding mission. We can tangibly express our gratitude to God through our offerings, who is the giver of all.

Friends, may our generous response as disciples be a form of mercy to those who seek it. May we encourage one another as sacred community through generosity and may our gifts benefit those in our surrounding communities who have received cruelty and inhumanity and cry out for God’s mercy:

Blessing of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes Responsive Reading

Leader: To you we lift up our eyes, to you enthroned in the heavens.