WORSHIP RESOURCES
Ordinary Time (Proper 10)
Colossians 1:1-14
Discern Spiritual Wisdom
Additional Scriptures
Amos 7:7-17; Psalm 82; Luke 10:25-37
Prelude
Gathering Hymn
“God Within God Around” Sing several times. CCS 20
OR “As We Gather” Sing twice. CCS 73
OR “As God Is Joy” Sing twice. CCS 366
Welcome
Invitation to Worship For four readers.
Reader 1: God of still waiting,
Reader 2: God of deep longing,
Reader 3: God of the heart’s true rest:
Reader 4: hold us in fathomless peace and guard us with unwaning love.
Reader 1: Spirit of promise,
Reader 2: Spirit of purpose,
Reader 3: Spirit of ceaseless prayer:
Reader 4: bathe us in life full and free, kindle our wonder and hope.
Reader 1: Word who comes to us,
Reader 2: Word who lives with us,
Reader 3: Word who disturbs and heals:
Reader 4: silence our chattering fears, waken our unconscious faith.
Reader 1: Word true and faithful,
Reader 2: hope-bringing Spirit,
Reader 3: God of enfolding love:
Reader 4: come in your fullness and grace;
All Readers: Work through our lives for your praise.
—Carl P. Daw, Jr. from “God of Still Waiting,” CCS 58, adapted.
©2001 Hope Publishing Company
Congregational Hymn
“Be Thou My Vision” CCS 167
OR “How Shall We Find You” CCS 10
OR “Now in This Moment” CCS 96
This French, and Spanish translations of this song can be found at:
Prayer of Invitation
Response
Prayer for Peace
Light the peace candle.
From all your bounty I give to you;
For all the blessings you impart.
Receive this offering I bring.
Receive my joyful heart.
Peace Prayer
Spirit of Joyful Peace,
We don’t always feel joyful nor peaceful. Our human brains jump from day to day in search of the path of least resistance. Yet, the path of peace is filled with resistance!
We pause today to remember that you are faithful and ever-present in our strivings for peace. Open our cautious spirits to your leading Spirit, which is joyfully active each day of our lives.
You are so generous with your blessings. May we gratefully accept your blessings and respond by following your promptings to grow peace within our hearts, in our house, and from the hilltops of our towns. In the name of Jesus, who grants abundant peace, Amen.
—Rafael Montalvo based on
“My Gratitude Now Accept, O God,” Eng.;
translator Raquel M Martinez, CCS 614
Hymn of Peace
“O God of Love, Grant Us Your Peace” CCS 316
OR “One Common Prayer” CCS 313
OR “The Peace of Mind” CCS 320
Sing this in a two-, three-, or four-part round.
Focus Moment: Triune God—Thought-Word-Breath
A common metaphor for the Triune God is thought-word-breath.
The thought is like God, where the idea begins. The spoken word is Jesus Christ, described as the Word (John 1). The breath you feel on your hands when you speak the word is like the Holy Spirit, the breath that carries the spoken word out, the action that puts the idea into practice. In fact, the Hebrew word for breath is the same word for spirit—ruach.
Think of a word, for example, love. Speak your word. Now hold your hands in front of your mouth and speak your word aloud. God-thought, Jesus Christ-word, and Holy Spirit-breath are part of the same God we believe in; they are different ways we understand God.
Ask participants to turn to “When We Seek Language,” CCS 61, or project the refrain text for all to see. In small groups, read the refrain and then discuss how this text presents the Triune God. Ask a musician to play the refrain in the background quietly. When the groups finish, invite participants to sing the refrain together.
Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:1-14
Ministry of Music or Congregational Hymn
“The Path for Our Walking” CCS 177
OR “Holy Wisdom, Lamp of Learning” CCS 5
OR “We Limit Not the Truth of God” CCS 69
Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.
Message
Based on Colossians 1:1-14
Disciples’ Generous Response
Statement
God’s generous compassion is limitless. As we open our hearts to courageously and generously share by placing money in the offering plates or through eTithing, we join the movement of God’s compassion in the world. God shares abundantly, we share faithfully, others share generously, and God’s love and compassion grow endlessly.
If you have participants joining the worship online, remind them that they can give through www.CofChrist.org/give or through eTithing at www.eTithing.org (consider displaying these URLs).
Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes
Hymn of Assurance
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” CCS 11
Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.
OR “O God of Vision” CCS 78
OR “By Gracious Powers/Von guten Mächten treu und sill umgeben” CCS 268
Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.
Benediction and Sending Forth
God’s unending grace, love, faithfulness, and ongoing relationship with individuals and the faith community is assured. As we seek to discern spiritual wisdom, the Triune God’s grace and restoring actions are present and available to us. Go now…in the name of Jesus, the peaceful One.
Response
Postlude
SERMON AND CLASS HELPS
Year C—Letters
Ordinary Time (Proper 10)
Colossians 1:1–14
Exploring the Scripture
The letter was written to counter false doctrines introduced into the church at Colossae. Whether written by Paul or one of his close disciples, Colossians is like other letters known to have been written by Paul. Speculative ideas from other religions, perhaps Gnostic, have mingled with the principles of the true gospel. Even without details, the centrality and lordship of Christ were at the heart of the controversy.
After a traditional greeting, the letter praises the Colossians for their faith, love for others, and hope. As part of the larger movement, their faith expressed connection to and love for other saints. The gospel of grace has made a difference in their lives (“bearing fruit”), and they are growing, serving others, and displaying the fruits of the Spirit. Growth results from outreach and life as a disciple. Church growth was happening throughout the known world, so the Colossians’ service and growth helped unite them with other faithful congregations (v. 6).
Epaphras, the founder of the church in Colossae and a fellow servant, has personally communicated their faithfulness and love to Paul. Paul is pleased with their journey of discipleship and their faithful progress.
Thus, Paul continues to pray that God will give them spiritual understanding and wisdom. His hope is for them to model mature Christian lives and help transform the lives of others. The greeting turns into a prayer that they will be strong, patient in suffering and persecution, and filled with gratitude to God. Prayer unites them with all other followers, wherever they may be, and feeds the hope that keeps them going.
Through their faith in Christ, they share in the “inheritance of the saints in the light” (v. 12). God rescued the Colossians from their prior existence in “darkness” (v. 13) before they knew the light of Christ. The word used for “rescue” is the same as the word used to refer to God’s liberation of the Hebrew slaves in Egypt. Christians used these words to mean liberation from sin and ignorance of Christ’s saving gift. Freedom from ignorance is threatened by false teachings that lead people back into darkness. The language of light and darkness foreshadows later counsel in the letter and hints at the possible Gnostic identity of the false teachers.
The forgiveness and redemption offered by Jesus, God’s Son, provided free entry into God’s kingdom/kin-dom. Only in sacred community can the divisions created by different teachings be overcome in unity. God causes both the rescue from darkness and the transfer to the kingdom. Followers cannot bring about either, but faithful life in the Spirit can contribute to a sacred community that foreshadows God’s future reign.
Faith, forgiveness, and centering on Christ can overcome local divisions over doctrine. Our congregations must be reminded of their connection to the wider, international church. Their faith, prayers, and generosity can make a difference in the lives of other Christians and seekers.
Central Ideas
- The letter to the Colossians highlights the centrality of Christ in the church and Christ’s lordship over all creation.
- Teachings centered on anything other than Jesus Christ weaken the church and destroy Christian community.
- Serving others and displaying the fruits of the Spirit result in growth and unity.
- The forgiveness and redemption offered by Christ provide free entry into God’s kingdom/kin-dom.
Questions for the Speaker
- How obvious is the centrality of Christ in your congregation? What competes with Christ at center stage?
- How does your congregation “bear fruit?” What efforts to expand service and outreach could result in further growth?
- How do you live faith, hope, and love in daily life?
- How does this introduction to the letter of Colossians mirror some of our Enduring Principles?
SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY
Year C Letters
Ordinary Time, Proper 10
Colossians 1:1–14 NRSVue
Gathering
Welcome
Ordinary Time is the period in the Christian calendar from Pentecost to Advent. This span is without major festivals or holy days. During Ordinary Time we focus on our discipleship as individuals and a faith community.
Prayer for Peace
Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.
Light the peace candle.
God of peace, we open our hearts today and feel the yearnings of our brothers and sisters as we strive for peace. Although we do not know everyone’s concerns, we invite them to share in the blessings of this community, created in the name of the One who suffered on behalf of all, the Prince of Peace.
Encourage us as we work to respect each life’s journey, even when it is broken and uncertain, for each person at times must walk alone. Help us be ready to listen and slow to criticize, lest judgments be unrighteous and unredemptive.
Remind us that we are your hands and feet, and that if peace is to come, it must be through our actions. We pray in Christ’s name. Amen.
—Doctrine and Covenants 161:3a–b, adapted
Spiritual Practice
Unity
Read aloud:
As I read the scripture, think about the past week.
Who showed compassion when you felt sad or were suffering? Who rejoiced with you in good things that happened this week?
Who do you know who was hurting this week? How were you able to share this burden with them?
Who has had cause to rejoice this week? How did you celebrate with them?
God arranged the members in the body… that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.
—1 Corinthians 2:18, 25–26 NRSVue
As you reviewed the past week, who and what came to mind?
Invite people to share. Offer a short blessing of unity and close with “Amen.”
Sharing Around the Table
Colossians 1:1–14 NRSVue
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. You have heard of this hope before in the word of the truth, the gospel that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God. This you learned from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and he has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, so that you may have all endurance and patience, joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
The letter to the church in Colossae was written to counter false doctrines being introduced there. Speculative ideas from other religions, perhaps Gnostic, were being mingled with the principles of the true gospel. Even without details, the centrality and lordship of Christ were at the heart of the controversy.
After a traditional greeting, the letter praises the Colossians for their faith, love for others, and hope. The gospel of grace has made a difference in their lives, and they are growing, serving others, and displaying the fruits of the Spirit. Church growth was happening throughout the known world, as well as among the saints in Colossae.
The greeting turns into a prayer that they will be strong, patient in suffering and persecution, and filled with gratitude to God. Prayer unites them with all other followers, wherever they may be, and feeds the hope that keeps them going. Paul continues to pray that God will give them spiritual understanding and wisdom, so they might continue to model mature Christian lives and help transform the lives of others.
The forgiveness and redemption offered by Jesus provides free entry into God’s kingdom/kin-dom. Faithful life in the Spirit can contribute to a sacred community that foreshadows God’s reign. We must be reminded of our connection to the wider, international church. Our faith, prayers, and generosity can make a difference in the lives of other Christians and seekers.
Questions
1. How obvious is the centrality of Christ in your life?
2. How has the gospel of grace made a difference in your life?
3. How does your prayer life unite you with other followers of Christ?
4. How might your faith, prayers, and generosity make a difference in the lives of other Christians and seekers?
Sending
Generosity Statement
Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.
—Doctrine and Covenants 163:9
The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response. You also may give at CofChrist.org/give.
This offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response:
Discipling God, as we navigate our world of debt and consumerism, help us save wisely, spend responsibly, and give generously. In this way may we prepare for the future and create a better tomorrow for our families, friends, the mission of Christ, and the world. Amen.
Invitation to Next Meeting
Closing Hymn
Community of Christ Sings 624, “God of Grace and God of Glory”
Closing Prayer
Optional Additions Depending on Group
- Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
- Thoughts for Children
Thoughts for Children
Materials:
· 4x4 cloth squares
· string or yarn
· various small natural items (dried flower petals, tiny stones, seeds, strips of paper with prayerful words, etc.) used to fill the prayer ties
Say: Sometimes in the busyness of our days we forget to spend time with God who, as today’s scripture reminds us, loves us very much. Spending time with God doesn’t have to be complex. We can spend time with God anytime we are present in a moment or approach a moment with intention and focus.
Any moment can become a moment of prayer when we approach it as such. There are many ways to pray, and today we are going to explore one specific way.
People of many faiths hang objects as a way of praying. For example, many churches will hang banners or tie things to trees to enhance holiday celebrations. People in some countries in the United Kingdom tie “clooties” to ask for blessings. Clooties are colorful strips of cloth. In Nepal and other places, Buddhists hang prayer flags. As the fabric in the flags erodes, it carries prayers and blessings of peace and wisdom all over the world.
Finally, the Lakota and Cherokee people use prayer ties as offerings of prayers, intentions, and gratitude. They make these prayer ties by filling bits of cloth with small objects and hanging the mini satchels in sacred places. They believe that all who encounter the prayer ties are blessed.
Today, we are going to make our own prayer ties to hang, like the Lakota and Cherokee people. After we make these prayer ties, you will take yours home and tie it where you will see it often. You could tie it to a special tree in your yard or in a place you feel calm in your home.
Each time you see it, you can be reminded to pause for some time with God. It also will bless others who see it.
Prayer ties can be made with many things. Today, we will use fabric filled with the items we have here.
Once everyone has filled a prayer tie, help them tie their cloth into a bundle, using string or yarn. Invite them to take their prayer tie with them and hang it some place special while offering a prayer or song.
Adapted from a Center for Action and Contemplation (https://cac.org). Used with permission.