WORSHIP RESOURCES
Ordinary Time (Proper 15)
Ephesians 5:15-20
Let My Spirit Always Sing
Additional Scriptures
I Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14; Psalm 111;
John 6:51-58; Doctrine and Covenants 161:1b
Preparation
Today’s theme has three critical components. These include focusing on spiritual living, singing psalms, making music to the Lord, and giving thanks. A worship center could include elements or symbols involving spirituality, singing, and thankfulness.
Prelude
Welcome, Joys, and Concerns
Provide a vision for the worship service as a time of sharing. The scripture for today calls worship participants to continue to explore their Christian lifestyle and what it means to be imitators of God. By taking practical steps to accept the necessary changes we must make, changes needed within the worshipping community as well. Using the themes of imitators, community, singing, and thankfulness, this service will provide an opportunity to lift our voices in song.
Call to Worship Responsive Reading
Leader: Give thanks to the Lord with your whole heart.
People: Great are the works of the Lord!
Leader: God’s righteousness endures forever.
People: The Lord is gracious and merciful.
ALL: Holy and awesome is God’s name. God’s praise endures forever!
—Psalm 111:1-4, 9-10, adapted
Hymn of Invitation
“Great and Marvelous Are Thy Works”
CCS 118
OR “Herr, du mein Gott/You Are My God”
CCS 12
Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.
Invocation
Response
Dwelling in the Word: Ephesians 5:15-20
Song
“Praise the Source of Faith and Learning” Stanza 1
CCS 174
OR “Let My Spirit Always Sing” Stanza 1
CCS 269
Testimony 1
Ask someone to share a story about a time when they were wise, making the most of the time.
Song
“Praise the Source of Faith and Learning” Stanza 2
CCS 174
OR “Let My Spirit Always Sing” Stanza 2
CCS 269
Testimony 2
Ask someone to share a story about a time when they were filled with Spirit.
Song
“Praise the Source of Faith and Learning” Stanza 3
CCS 174
OR “Let My Spirit Always Sing” Stanza 3
CCS 269
Testimony 3
Ask someone to share a story about a time when they were blessed by singing and making melody to the Lord…
Song
“Praise the Source of Faith and Learning” Stanza 4
CCS 174
OR “Let My Spirit Always Sing” Stanza 4
CCS 269
Testimony 4
Ask someone to share a story about a time when they found themselves giving thanks to God…
Disciples’ Generous Response
Hymn of Offering
“Take My Gifts and Let Me Love You”
CCS 609
OR “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me”
CCS 581
Testimony
Ask someone to share a story about a time when they were filled with the spirit of giving.
Statement
During the Disciples’ Generous Response, we focus on aligning our heart with God‘s heart. Our offerings are more than meeting budgets or funding mission. Through our offerings we can join in making God’s work visible in the world.
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,
If your congregation is meeting online, remind participants they can give through CofChrist.org/give or eTithing at eTithing.org (consider showing these URLs on screen).
Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes
Prayer for Peace
Light the Peace Candle.
Prayer
Spirit of searching,
It is challenging to keep searching for and working for peace. It is difficult to live out your command to love one another. It is difficult not to. God, be with us in our exhaustion that comes from traveling the noble river of peace. May we feel your comforting and energizing presence.
The tides ebb and flow, and the seasons do, too. Our quest for peace must not. We must persist. Help us to go on loving, to go on pursuing peace. When it feels like we‘ve said the same thing, we‘ve fought the same fight, and we‘ve forgiven the same wrongs over and over, open our ears to your call. May we be willing to abandon our small boats in the pursuit of peace. Draw us to the lakeshore, to the community that quests alongside us.
In the name of Jesus, who is the wind in our sails. Amen.
—Tiffany and Caleb Brian
Closing Hymn
“How Many Times We Start Again”
CCS 560
OR “Called by Christ to Love Each Other”
CCS 577
Benediction
Sending Forth: Doctrine and Covenants 161:1b
Postlude
SERMON AND CLASS HELPS
Year B—Letters
Ordinary Time (Proper 15)
Ephesians 5:15–20
Exploring the Scripture
The simplicity of today’s lectionary passage can lull the preacher into a superficial, feel-good message about song and thanksgiving. Looking deeper, one discovers layers of meaning intended to enrich life as a disciple and challenge Christians to stay true to the teachings of Christ.
Verses 8 through 14, preceding today’s passage, remind Christians they are “children of the light.” The light of Christ shines through their lives and makes them visible to others. “Be careful then how you live…” because others are watching to see if following Christ makes a difference in your life (v. 15). Ephesians was written mainly to converts from Roman and Greek gods, contrasting the old ways of behaving and new life in Christ. Our passage must be read considering that transformation.
Wisdom is equated with “making the most of time, because the days are evil” (v. 16). Christ’s followers believed his return was imminent, and he would usher in the last days. Jewish apocalyptic thought predicted evil days of persecution, conflicts, wars, and natural disasters. The letter calls Christ’s followers to use wisely the few days they have been given and hold true to the values that epitomize Kingdom-living. Whether the evil days refer to the end times or a specific moment, disciples recognized the urgency of working while there is yet day.
The wise understand the will of the Lord: “thy kingdom come; thy will be done…” Which will triumph, God’s will or human will? We think today in either-or, but in the first century world, it could be both-and.
Greek and Aramaic had a verb tense that has dropped out of use, called the middle voice. The subject and the object of the verb acted cooperatively in the middle voice, to create action. English comes closest to a middle voice when we say, “Let us take counsel together.” To understand the will of the Lord is to align our human will with God’s in collaboration toward a common goal. Those who are wise understand God invites humans into cooperative action to bring about transformation and new life.
In verses 18–19, joyful celebrations of song, thanksgiving, and praise arise from the promptings of the Holy Spirit, not from artificial stimulation. It was not uncommon in Greek and Roman rituals to use wine to heighten religious fervor. Those who had taken part in such celebrations in their previous life would recognize the subtle reference to human-induced ecstasy.
Christian worship, however, arises in the heart, is inspired by the Spirit, and finds expression in praise and gratitude to God “at all times and for everything” (v. 20). This is the standard by which to measure the authenticity of Christian worship and celebration. Does it praise God and recognize God’s blessing in everything? If not, something is amiss, either in motive, execution, intent, or process.
Music can unite our reasoning ability with our emotional life, touching memories, creating vision, and intensely challenging us to act. As we sing in worship or in secular gatherings, this text reminds us to direct the melody of our hearts toward thanksgiving to God, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Central Ideas
- We are called to live as children of the light, leading exemplary lives that make visible the Christ within.
- Regardless of the difficulties or evils of life, Christ’s followers make the most of the precious and limited time given us.
- The Holy Spirit inspires genuine worship, not from human efforts to create spiritual fervor.
- Thanks and praise to God for everything always is the standard by which to measure the authenticity of Christian worship and celebration.
Questions for the Speaker
- What old ways need to be transformed in your own life, to make Christ’s light more visible in the world?
- When have you suddenly been intensely aware of the preciousness of one moment? What was it like? How did it transform your day?
- Which hymns or songs deeply touch your heart during worship? How do they turn your attention away from yourself and toward praise of God?
- When have you been aware of human efforts to manufacture spiritual ecstasy in worship? What are the guidelines Community of Christ provides for avoiding artificial spiritual manifestations?
SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY
Year B Letters
Ordinary Time, Proper 15
Ephesians 5:15–20 NRSVUE
Gathering
Welcome
Ordinary Time is the period in the Christian calendar from Pentecost to Advent. This period is without major festivals or holy days. During Ordinary Time we focus on discipleship as individuals and a faith community.
Prayer for Peace
Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.
Light the peace candle.
Today’s Prayer for Peace is inspired by the hymn, “You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore,” Community of Christ Sings 582, by Cesáreo Gabaráin.
You need my hands, my exhaustion,
Working love for the rest of the weary—
A love that’s willing to go on loving.
Spirit of searching, it is difficult to keep searching and working for peace. It is difficult to live your command to love one another. It is difficult not to. God, be with us in our exhaustion that comes from traveling the noble river of peace. May we feel your comforting and energizing presence.
The tides ebb and flow, and the seasons do, too. Our quest for peace must not. We must persist. Help us to go on loving, to go on pursuing peace. When it feels like we’ve said the same thing, we’ve fought the same fight, and we’ve forgiven the same wrongs over and over, open our ears to your call. May we be willing to abandon our small boats in the pursuit of peace. Draw us to the lakeshore, to the community that quests alongside us.
In the name of Jesus, who is the wind in our sails. Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Receiving with Gratitude
Enduring Principles are a foundation of Community of Christ. Today we are focusing on Grace and Generosity. The first thing we do in this life is receive. Our first breath is a gift we receive. The spiritual practice for today is in breath-prayer form. During the prayer we use words to breathe in and words to breathe out. Today we will be breathing in receive life and breathing out thank you.
Slowly read the following:
Sit with relaxed posture and close your eyes. We will spend three minutes in breath prayer.
Breathe in a regular, natural rhythm.
As you breathe in, receive life. As you exhale, thank you.
Breathe in and out, focusing on what you are breathing in and what you are exhaling.
Watch the time for three minutes. Urge participants to continue the breath prayer the full three minutes.
When time is up, ask the following questions for a short group discussion:
- What is one thing you are grateful for in this moment?
- How do you feel about receiving?
After the discussion, say:
Thank you, God, for another day. Thank you for the opportunity to connect with others, to receive and to give to one another. Amen.
Sharing Around the Table
Ephesians 5:15–20 NRSVUE
Be careful, then, how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to one another, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians was written mainly to converts from Roman and Greek gods, contrasting the old ways of behaving and new life in Christ. Our passage must be read while considering that transformation. Looking deeply in this section on Christian conduct and identity, one discovers layers of meaning intended to enrich life as a disciple and challenge Christians to stay true to the teachings of Christ.
No one wants to be thought of as foolish. Wisdom, self-understanding, and purposeful living are recommended here, especially since early Christians had a sense of urgency because they thought the end of time was imminent. Christians needed to be vigilant and join Christ’s work to transform Earth. They needed to focus on what builds the body and be careful how they lived. Others were watching to see if Christ made a difference in their lives and systems of oppression.
Here joyful celebrations of song, thanksgiving, and praise arise from the promptings of the Holy Spirit, not from artificial stimulation. It was not uncommon in Greek and Roman rituals to use wine to heighten religious fervor. Those who had taken part in such celebrations in their previous life would recognize the subtle reference to human-induced ecstasy. Christians are urged to avoid debauchery, any excess that leads to loss of self-control.
Instead, they are counseled to be filled by the Spirit and worship God through praise and gratitude “at all times and for everything.” This is the standard by which to measure the authenticity of Christian worship and celebration. Does it praise God and recognize God’s blessing in everything? If not, something is amiss—in motive, execution, intent, or process.
Music often is vital to a worship experience because it can unite our reasoning, shape our heart, and open ourselves to the Spirit, touching memories, creating vision, and intensely challenging us to act. As we sing in worship or secular gatherings, this text reminds us to direct the melody of our hearts toward thanksgiving to God, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Questions
- In your faith journey have you been influenced more by general principles or detailed policies?
- How do you exercise wisdom?
- Which hymns or songs deeply touch your heart during worship? How do they turn your attention away from yourself and toward praise of God?
Sending
Statement of Generosity
Beloved Community of Christ, do not just speak and sing of Zion. Live, love, and share as Zion: those who strive to be visibly one in Christ, among whom there are no poor or oppressed.
—Doctrine and Covenants 165:6a
The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response.
The 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 170, “In the Crossroads of This Moment”
Closing Prayer
Optional Additions Depending on Group
- Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
- Thoughts for Children
Thoughts for Children
You will need:
- various types of bread
Display various types of bread and ask people to identify them.
Say: When making bread, varying ingredients and differing quantities of ingredients create different types of bread. Give examples (like wheat flour or white flour; cinnamon or pumpkin).
The loaves are different textures, sizes, colors, and shapes, resulting in an endless variety of bread from around the world.
Jesus Christ, the Bread of life, uses differences to create a song of the diverse creation. Our voices are loud, soft, brassy, gentle, melodious, raucous, strong, clear, shrill, warm, flat, bright, and deep. Regardless of our differences, we all can sing to the Lord.
Adapted from “Scripture Based Focus Moments”