Worship

Resources 24 September 2023 Ordinary Time (Proper 20) Philippians 1:21-30 Strive for Oneness

Additional Scriptures

Prelude Welcome

Call to Worship

Psalm 105:1-5, 45b

Hymn of Gathering

“God of Grace and God of Glory” CCS 624 Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

OR “Rejoice Ye Saint of Latter Days” CCS 81

OR “Lord Jesus, of You I Will Sing/Jésus, je voudrais te chanter” CCS 556/557 Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.

Invocation

Response

Focus Moment

Read the storybook, We’re Different, We’re the Same (Sesame Street) by Bobbi Kates and Joe Mathieu. Random House Books for Young Readers, ©1992. ISBN9780679832270.

Who better than Elmo and his Sesame Street friends to teach us that though we may all look different on the outside – deep down, we are all very much alike?

Follow the story with this Activity. If the storybook is not used, proceed to the Activity. Activity

Ask for volunteers to strike a superhero pose and share one special thing about themselves. After each one shares, ask the congregation to respond, “You are unique!”

Have a group of volunteers stand side by side. Be sure to include diverse representation from the congregation. Facilitate a discussion of:

In what ways are these people the same?

In what ways are these people different?

Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 164:6a

Conclusion

Community of Christ is a diverse, international family of disciples that embraces diversity and unity through the power of the Holy Spirit. The world needs all kinds of people. We all are wonderful.

Prayer for Peace

Light the Peace Candle

Prayer

God of Grace and Love, Be with us this day as we pray in your name for peace for our community and our world. As we enter this time of reflection and prayer, we are reminded that you have given us the gift of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is through him that we learn how to live, how to love, and how to work in community. Jesus spent his time with the people who never knew true peace and love. It was through him and his courage that people were inspired to spread love into this world for over two thousand years.

Our journey of peace and love is long and often arduous, but if we turn our eyes and hearts to the temple, not as a building, but as a symbol of love and care, our path to you, O God is clear.

Jesus Christ, the Peaceful One, be with us here and now. Inspire us to do great things and to be with those who need us most. Remind us that even though we come from different places and speak different languages, our hearts beat as one, united creation. Bless our Unity in our Diversity.

God, you are constantly inviting us to see the world as you see it - one family, one global community, united actions of love. Allow us to truly live those words of our mission prayer and grant us the courage to risk something new and to become a blessing of your welfare and peace.

In your Son’s name, Amen.

-Humberto Tinsman, used with permission

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

Scripture Reading

Philippians 1:21-30

Ministry of Music or Congregational Hymn

“All Are Welcome” CCS 276

OR “Sing of Colors/De colores”

Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.

Message

Based on Philippians 1:21-30

Disciples’ Generous Response Statement

332

All four of today’s Bible lectionary texts show us how generous and loving God is. The Exodus story tells of God feeding those wandering travelers with manna and quail. The Psalm praises God for that gift and for the attention God showed the Israelites during the Exodus. In the Gospel, Jesus’ parable of the workers in the vineyard illustrates a God who embraces all. In Paul’s letter, he explains that God is working and wants us to join in the work.

Our response to God’s generous love is to respond with joyful hearts. One way to do this is to offer love and grace by serving others and letting generosity become part of our nature.

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.

As we share our mission tithes either by placing money in the plates or through eTithing, use this time to thank God for the many gifts received in life. Our hearts grow aligned with God’s when we gratefully receive and faithfully respond by living Christ’s mission.

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

For additional ideas, see Disciples’ Generous Response Tools at CofChrist.org/spiritualpractices-generosity/.

Closing Hymn

“The Trees of the Field” sing at least twice CCS 645 Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

OR “Listen for the Call of God” CCS 343

OR “Kanisa Litajengwa/Oh, Who Will Build the Church Now?” CCS 338

Pastoral Prayer for Oneness Response