WORSHIP RESOURCES
Second Sunday after the Epiphany
Ordinary Time
Racial Justice Day
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Many Gifts, One Spirit
Additional Scriptures
Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 36:5-10; John 2:1-11;
Doctrine and Covenants 147:5a; 163:2
Preparation
Give a copy of the Gifts of the Spirit template found at the end of the service to each participant, along with writing utensils. Consider setting up a table with crayons, markers, stickers, and other supplies for those who want to decorate their sheet during the service.
Prelude
Share and Care
Welcome
Call to Worship: Psalm 36:5-10
Hymn of Praise
“Praise with Joy the World’s Creator” CCS 57
OR “God, We Gather as Your People” CCS 274
OR “Summoned by the God Who Made Us” CCS 330
Invocation
Response
Prayer for Peace
Light the peace candle.
Hymn of Peace
“Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands” Stanza 1 CCS 309
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 54:10
Hymn of Peace
“Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands” Stanza 2 CCS 309
Scripture Reading: John 14:27
Hymn of Peace
“Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands” Stanza 3 CCS 309
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:14, 17
Hymn of Peace
“Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands” Stanza 4 CCS 309
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 52:7
Hymn of Peace
“Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands” Stanza 5 CCS 309
Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 163:2
Peace Prayer
O holy One,
Grant us a strong testimony of Jesus, the peaceful One. Empower us to
share generously and compassionately our witness, ministry, sacraments, and community life. Be with us in moments of reconciliation and restoration so that we can dwell in right relationships with you, ourselves, others, and creation. May we proclaim and demonstrate the gospel of peace. In Christ’s name. Amen.
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Focus Moment: Our Gifted Community
Distribute copies of the paper with gifts of the Spirit and writing utensils to each participant. See the end of the service for the template. For those who appreciate creating colorful pieces, provide crayons, markers, stickers, and so on that can be used to decorate the sheet throughout the service.
Let us consider our community. On the sheet, find a gift of the Spirit from today’s scripture placed on each page, along with some blank pages. As you consider those in this community write the names of people on the page that represent a gift the person has. There might be more than one person written on a page. Add gifts of the Spirit you identify to the blank areas.
Allow time to complete the sheet.
Questions to Discuss
In pairs, small groups, or all participants. Print or project the questions for all to see.
- Are there names on every page? Why do you think that is?
- What do your pages have to say about this community? Is the community very gifted in certain areas and not so much in others?
- What is the importance of communities having diverse gifts?
Ministry of Music
“Holy Presence, Holy Teacher” CCS 601
OR “Holy Spirit, Come, Confirm Us” CCS 505
Message
Based on 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Hymn of Reflection
“According to the Gifts” CCS 591
OR “If by Your Grace I Choose to Be” CCS 587
Disciples’ Generous Response
Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 147:5a
Statement
All that we are and all that we have are gifts from God. We seek to share generously what we have received as an act of faith and thanksgiving for all that God has provided. With Jesus Christ as our model, we are called to use all our gifts—time, talent, treasure, and testimony—in service to God and others.
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 Spirit’s Gifts
“Though the Spirit’s Gifts Are Many” CCS 334
OR “With Gifts That Differ by Your Grace” CCS 328
Responsive Closing Prayer
Leader: Many gifts, one Spirit,
All: Many songs, one voice.
Leader: Many reasons, one promise,
All: Many questions, one choice.
Leader: O God, we pray for unity,
All: give guidance from above.
Leader: In our differences unite us
All: in the circle of your love.
Leader: O God, remind us
All: we are not alone.
Leader: Help us learn to love one another,
All: show us ways to understand.
Leader: We are members of one family,
ALL: growing strong by joining hands.
Leader: Take our many ways of working,
ALL: blend the colors of each soul
Leader: into the beauty of a rainbow.
ALL: Give us life, Lord, make us whole.
Amen.
—© Allen Pote Used with permission.
SERMON AND CLASS HELPS
Year C—Letters
Second Sunday after the Epiphany (Ordinary Time)
1 Corinthians 12:1–11
Exploring the Scripture
The beginning of the passage reads like Paul is a frustrated leader. He is writing to the Christian community in Corinth, which is having a hard time being a community. About twenty years have passed since the crucifixion of Jesus, and the churches in Corinth are “in a mess.” The people are meeting in homes, allowing the opportunity for different messages and beliefs, all under the banner of being Christian.
Paul is writing to his community as an apostle to unite the people, recognizing Jesus as Lord. He needs the people to hear that everything we do, as Christians, is aligned with Jesus as Lord. He does this by insisting there is Unity in Diversity. There are various gifts, various ways to serve, and various ways to worship.
Paul’s message is for us now as a global church. In 2004, members at an International Leaders Meeting created the document, “We are One, We Are Many.” It was read during the World Conference. It says:
We are Community of Christ and we are walking the path together. We sing “joy” in thousands of congregations. We say “hope” in scores of languages. We proclaim peace in almost 60 nations. We are one and we are many. We are diverse, yet we are community, for we belong to Christ.
—Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th edition, Herald House, pp. 68–75
We recognize and celebrate the many ways to proclaim Jesus is Lord. Paul’s message is as relevant today as it was for the Corinthians. We more easily can communicate with others, yet we continue to find ways to separate ourselves from others. 1 Corinthians 12:1–11 calls us back into relationship with those from whom we may be separated.
Central Ideas
- In our diversity, all belong to Christ.
- We value each person’s faith journey and find strength in our differences.
- We are one; we are many.
Questions for the Speaker
- How can we celebrate diversity?
- How can understanding our differences bring us together as Community of Christ?
- How has your relationship with Christ grown by listening to and hearing another person’s story?
SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY
Year C—Letters
Second Sunday after the Epiphany (Ordinary Time)
1 Corinthians 12:1–11
Gathering
Welcome
The season after Epiphany includes the weeks between Epiphany and Transfiguration Sunday.
Prayer for Peace
Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.
Light the peace candle.
Author of shalom, we do not feel ready, though we yearn for peace here and now. It may not seem like it is our time, yet we know you provide. You have revealed your greatness to us, and now it is time for us to be mirrors of your peace in the world, reflecting hope in the desolate places, shining peace in lonely corners.
There are so many divisions in our world; divisions that make peace seem like a dream. We remember today that you love each and every person: the young and old, wealthy and poor, free and captive, kind-hearted and cruel, and every person between. And just as you love us all, you also have hopes for peace for us all. You can make this dream a reality.
You, who can turn water into wine;
You, who can turn the forsaken into the delighted;
You, who are peace;
You are with us. May we be mirrors of your peace.
In the name of Jesus, the Worker of miracles.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Dwelling in the Word
I will read a scripture aloud. As you hear it, allow the words, images, or phrases to come to mind. Try not to focus on them. Let them rest with you. After a moment of silence, I will read the scripture a second time. As you hear it again, pick a character in the scripture and see the scripture through that lens.
Read John 2:1–11 NRSVue:
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the person in charge of the banquet.” So they took it. When the person in charge tasted the water that had become wine and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the person called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee and revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.
Pause. Read the scripture again. Invite group members to respond to these questions:
- What images and thoughts came to your mind while listening to this scripture?
- What insights came to you as you looked at the scripture through the lens of your chosen character?
Sharing around the Table
1 Corinthians 12:1–11 NRSVue
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be ignorant. You know that when you were gentiles you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says “Let Jesus be cursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.
Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit, and there are varieties of services but the same Lord, and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of powerful deeds, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
Paul sounds frustrated. He is writing to the Christian community in Corinth. About twenty years have passed since the crucifixion of Jesus, and the folks in Corinth are “in a mess.” All kinds of messages and beliefs are being shared, all under the banner of being Christian. Paul is concerned not only about the questionable teachings being passed around Corinth, but about the divisions they are creating in the community.
Paul is writing as an apostle to his community to unite the people around the centrality of Christ. He reminds them that others learn about Christianity by watching the community’s behaviors, listening to what is said, and watching how Christians treat each other. He insists on unity in the body of Christ, respecting the gifts, skills, and contributions of one another.
Paul’s message also speaks to us today, as a global church. In 2004, members at an International Leaders meeting created the document, “We are One, We Are Many.” It contains these words:
We are Community of Christ, and we are walking the path together. We sing “joy” in thousands of congregations. We say “hope” in scores of languages. We proclaim peace in almost 60 nations. We are one, and we are many. We are diverse, yet we are community, for we belong to Christ.
—Sharing in Community of Christ,
4th edition, pp. 68–75
Paul’s message is as relevant today as it was for the Corinthians. Be reconciled one to another. Treat each other with respect, compassion, and kindness.
Questions
- How would you feel if your gifts, ministry, ideas, or practices were discounted by some in your own community?
- When have you discounted or disrespected someone else’s gifts, ideas, ministry, or practices?
- Describe the differences between tolerating differences, accepting differences, and embracing differences? Where do you fall when encountering different worship, music, prayer, or spiritual-formation experiences?
- How has your spiritual experience deepened by participating in worship, fellowship, or service projects with those from a culture unlike your own?
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.
The offering prayer for Epiphany is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response.
Revealing God, may we always be generous. You have gifted each of us with boundless grace and unending love. May our response to that love and grace be humble service to others, and may generosity be part of our nature. Amen.
Invitation to Next Meeting
Closing Hymn
Community of Christ Sings 623, “Tell Me the Story of Jesus”
Closing Prayer
Optional Additions Depending on Group
- Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
- Thoughts for Children
Thoughts for Children
Materials:
- Two or three unsliced loaves of bread or rolls different in shape, size, color.
Display types of bread. Ask the children to identify the different types of bread.
Say: When making bread, varying ingredients and differing quantities of ingredients create different types of bread. Give examples (like wheat flour, gluten-free flour, or white flour, cinnamon or pumpkin).
The loaves are different textures, sizes, colors, and shapes, but each is wonderful and tasty.
They were created with love, and all have nutritious value. One is not better than the other.
In the same way, God created people to look different, each with different gifts, but all with equal value.
We are all different, but we’re equal in the sight of God.
We celebrate the differences in how God has created each person just as we celebrate that we are of equal worth to God.
Break the bread in chunks and invite everyone to share in eating the bread (with parental permission).
Thank the children for participating.
Adapted from: CofChrist.org/common/cms/resources/Documents/Focus-moments.pdf