WORSHIP RESOURCES
Ordinary Time (Proper 15)
Hebrews 11:29—12:2
Cloud of Witnesses Surrounds Us
Additional Scriptures
Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19; Luke 12:49-56; Doctrine and Covenants 165:2a-f
Preparation
If the camp song alternative is to be used, invite someone to be the music leader. Youths who recently attended camp or reunion might be familiar with the songs and able to lead or assist. URLs are provided for familiarity; permission for use in worship is the congregation’s responsibility.
For the Focus Moment, have plain wooden or cardboard “blocks” and markers available for each participant. Three-dimensional blocks would be best, but two-dimensional cardboard cutouts will work. Be creative with what you have. For example, a drawing of a box will provide three sides. Invite online worshipers to have paper and writing instruments for the Focus Moment.
Prelude
Welcome
Include in-person and online worshipers. If technology allows, invite online worshipers to participate by waving to the gathered congregation and the in-person worshipers waving back.
Announcements, Joys, and Prayer Need
Greet and Be Greeted
Today’s theme is Cloud of Witnesses Surrounds Us. We are all witnesses. Let’s take a few minutes to greet our fellow witnesses in worship. Please resume your seats when the music leader signals the beginning of our gathering hymn.
Gathering Hymn
“Ain’t No Rock” Youtube.com/watch?v=U7jtQUO8pBc
Campfire song; see note in Preparation.
OR “Come Away from Rush and Hurry” CCS 83
OR “Oh, Sing to the Lord/Cantad al Señor ” CCS 88
Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.
Call to Worship: Psalm 80:7
Hymn of Praise
“Praise the Lord Together” Campfire song CCS 642
This song can be sung in a two-, three-, or four-part round.
OR “Great and Marvelous Are Thy Works” CCS 118
OR “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” CCS 92
Invocation
Response
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:29—12:2
Focus Moment: Live in Faith
This letter to the Hebrews talks about Abraham who looked forward to a city designed and built by God. This is what we might imagine when we talk about signal communities. These are cities not of bricks and stone only, but of people who share their gifts with others. This letter gives credit to God, who is the architect and builder of all things good.
Invite as many people to join as possible. Have plain wooden or cardboard ‘‘blocks’’ available, one for each participant. With markers, participants decorate sides of the blocks with what they have to share: Have each write their name on one side, special skills on the other sides, for example, caring for animals or playing soccer. On the top and bottom of the block have them write a camp or event they attend to which they can invite others. When they are finished designing the blocks, ask participants to hold up their blocks and share about their designs. Invite all to build a ‘‘city’’ with the blocks. You might need to add extra blocks to have enough to create a city.
—Community of Christ Scripture-based
Focus Moments, Herald House
If technology allows, invite online worshipers to show their squares.
Message
Based on Hebrews 11:29—12:2
Meditation As the Spirit leads…
Do not print this element in the bulletin or show it on the screen.
Leave it to the presider's discretion to use or not use music that is consistent with the ending of the Message. If appropriate, the presider can signal the musician to play some meditation music without the interruption of a verbal explanation.
Prayer for Peace
Light the peace candle. Online worshipers may want to light a peace candle.
Hymn of Assurance
“I’ve Got Peace like a River” Campfire song; see note in Preparation above.
YouTube.com/watch?v=N2R4D6qhaD8
OR “O God of Love, Grant Us Your Peace” CCS 316
OR “The Peace of the Earth/La paz de la tierra” CCS 647
Sing twice. Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.
Peace Prayer
Surrounding God,
When we pay attention, we see that you have surrounded us with the ways of peace. Our ancestors and scriptural forebearers have witnessed for peace. Our more immediate ancestors have sought peace, as do many who are alive now. Many have been willing to sacrifice for peace. Bless us with your vision and their vision of the peaceable kingdom. In the name of the peaceful One. Amen.
Disciples’ Generous Response
Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 165:2a-f
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
Closing Hymn
“I Am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N” Campfire song; see note in Preparation.
https://youtu.be/YH_mhPX7C5k?si=0SlIhJV3gKlxDptA
OR “Clouds of Witnesses Surround Us” CCS 372
OR “My Life Flows On in Endless Song” CCS 263
Sending Forth
God surrounds us with witnesses—in the scriptures and everyday life. Open your eyes, ears, and hearts to the encouragement of the Holy Spirit given through them. Go in peace. Amen.
Postlude
SERMON AND CLASS HELPS
Year C—Letters
Ordinary Time (Proper 15)
Hebrews 11:29—12:2
Exploring the Scripture
This week’s lection continues to share models of faith in Jewish history. As with the previous verses, Hebrews 11:29–31 begins with the words by faith to stress that each character trusted God’s direction and their religious convictions in difficult circumstances.
The enslaved Israelites crossed the Red Sea, trusting God to hold back the waters. The Israelite army trusted that Jericho would fall after the unusual military tactic of marching around the city and blowing trumpets. Rahab, the prostitute, provided hospitality to the Israelite spies and, as a result, was spared when the Israelites captured her city.
Verse 32 names other great heroes of faith—six people plus “the prophets”—and begins a summary of heroic actions associated with these figures and others. Notes in the New Revised Standard Version allow the reader to look up each victory or suffering and identify the person and circumstances.
Some refer to recognizable Hebrew Testament figures. Some refer to brave people who lived years after the Hebrew Bible was written but before the New Testament Gospels and letters existed. These characters are found in the apocryphal book of 2 Maccabees, a history of the Jewish rebellion against the Seleucid (Syrian) conquest of Palestine.
2 Maccabees includes several theological ideas that entered Judaism two centuries before Jesus was born. Many Jews, including the Pharisees, embraced the resurrection of the dead. Jewish leaders taught people to pray for the dead, that God would forgive their sins, so they could live again when the day of resurrection came. 2 Maccabees is full of examples of people willing to die as martyrs. These stories and the examples listed in Hebrews became models for Christian martyrs.
“Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised” (v. 39). They lived and died in faith, trusting in the future they could not yet see. Besides, they were not resurrected (“what was promised”) when they died. According to Hebrews, those from previous eras who died in faith will be resurrected during the end times. That resurrection will be more glorious, perfect, and complete because of Christ’s death and resurrection.
This great “cloud of witnesses” (v. 12:1) encourages those being persecuted or martyred to endure faithfully without wavering. They must not succumb to any sin that would weaken their resolve or lead them astray. In the “race that is set before us” (v. 12:1)—or challenges they face—they must continue toward the final goal. Jesus Christ is the best example, the companion on their journey who “perfects” them as they grow as disciples and the reward after the struggle.
Christ endured the cross for their sake and, in solidarity with them, died a torturous death. Christ sits at God’s right hand, a phrase Psalm 110 used to signify victory over all enemies. Jesus Christ provides victory over death and sin to complete salvation through obedience and resurrection.
Although this passage looks to past heroes, the tone is one of hope and faith for the future. The past provides examples and witnesses for the current efforts. Faithfulness requires steadfast trust in the future we cannot see, held firmly in God’s hands.
Central Ideas
- Many previous believers have faithfully faced persecution and difficulties, providing models for us.
- Faithfulness does not prevent Christians from facing persecution, torture, and death or entering difficult, wild places of want.
- Faithfulness occurs as blessings of victory and endurance in death.
- Life as a disciple requires perseverance, steadfast patience, hope, and faithfulness.
Questions for the Speaker
- Reflecting on your life, how would you complete the sentence, “By faith, I…”?
- What must you give up to run the race set before you?
- Which heroes of faith steady you amid difficulties?
- What would happen if your congregation relied only on the past? What gives you hope and optimism for the future of your congregation?
SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY
Year C—Letters
Ordinary Time (Proper 15)
Hebrews 11:29–12:2 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.
Begin the peace prayer with:
God, this day our community brings its desires of peace to you. We pray for...
Give each person the opportunity to contribute a word or phrase. When all who desire to have shared, conclude the peace prayer with:
God, we know that peace is not easy.
Our desire for peace and working toward your peace may bring reconciliation, or it may separate us from family or friends.
Give us the strength to share our convictions for peace and compassionate words to express them.
We ask these things in Jesus’s name. Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Blessing of Loving Kindness
Read the following aloud:
Today we will experience a blessing of loving kindness. I will say a phrase, and you will repeat the words after me silently. As we begin, take a few moments to quiet yourself. If you are comfortable doing so, close your eyes.
Allow the words of blessing to resonate in your heart and mind. I will pause at the end of each phrase to give time for you to repeat it silently.
May I be blessed with loving kindness. (Pause.)
May I be blessed with health. (Pause.)
May I be blessed with true happiness. (Pause.)
May I be blessed with peace. (Pause.)
Think of someone who is beloved to you. Visualize the person as you pray. You may insert the person’s name into the prayer in your mind:
May my beloved be blessed with loving kindness. (Pause.)
May my beloved be blessed with health. (Pause.)
May my beloved be blessed with true happiness. (Pause.)
May my beloved be blessed with peace. (Pause.)
Now think of a close friend. Visualize the person as you pray:
May my friend be blessed with loving kindness. (Pause.)
May my friend be blessed with health. (Pause.)
May my friend be blessed with true happiness. (Pause.)
May my friend be blessed with peace. (Pause.)
Think of someone with whom you are in conflict or has harmed you. Visualize this person. Breathe deeply and lovingly pray this blessing:
May the one who harmed me be blessed with loving kindness. (Pause.)
May the one who harmed me be blessed with health. (Pause.)
May the one who harmed me be blessed with true happiness. (Pause.)
May the one who harmed me be blessed with peace. (Pause.)
Invite people to share the thoughts, emotions, and images they experienced in this time of blessing.
Sharing Around the Table
Hebrews 11:29–12:2 NRSVue
By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace.
And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Others suffered mocking and flogging and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned to death; they were sawn in two; they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains and in caves and holes in the ground.
Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
This week’s passage continues to share models of faith in Jewish history. As with previous verses, the passage begins with the words by faith to stress that each character trusted God’s direction and religious convictions in difficult circumstances. The readers are reminded of story upon story of God’s faithfulness in the midst of unrelenting struggle and unwavering faith in the lives of their ancestors.
“Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised.” They lived and died in faith, trusting in the future they could not yet see. This “great cloud of witnesses” encourages those being persecuted or martyred to endure faithfully without wavering. They must not succumb to any sin that would weaken their resolve or lead them astray. In the challenges they face, they must continue toward the final goal.
Jesus Christ is the best example, the companion on their journey who “perfects” us as we grow as disciples. Although this passage looks backward to past heroes, the tone is one of hope and faith for the future. The past provides examples and witnesses for current efforts. Faithfulness requires steadfast trust in the future we cannot see, held firmly in God’s hands.
Questions
1. Reflecting on your life, how would you complete the sentence: “By faith, I _______?”
2. What must you give up so you can run the race set before you?
3. Who are the heroes of faith that steady you amid difficulties?
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 38, “Who Is This Jesus”
Closing Prayer
Optional Additions Depending on Group
· Thoughts for Children
Thoughts for Children
In the Bible we learn the names of people and their stories of faith. Our names are important to us. We feel connected when we share our name with others. We are kind and respectful when we learn other people’s names.
Let’s take three, deep, peaceful breaths together.
We are going to share our names by humming them. (Demonstrate by saying your name and drawing it out in a long humming sound.)
When we hum, we hear our name, and we feel it. Place your fingers on the front of your throat and hum with me. (Practice with the children.)
Now place your hands over your ears and hum. Can you feel it?
We will hum each one’s name together. As we do, we will share our connection and friendship with that person.
Join me, and we will hum each name together until we have hummed everyone’s name. (Hum each name.)
Close with one more peaceful breath.
Ask: What did it feel like to hum names? How did it feel to hear your name hummed?
Say: This week, focus on sharing peace with others by saying their name with kindness and respect.
allthingsarespiritual.org/spiritual-practices-for-children-and-youth.html