WORSHIP RESOURCES

Ordinary Time (Proper 26)

Luke 19:1-10

Welcome Jesus

 

Additional Scriptures

Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4; Psalm 119:137-144; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12; Doctrine and Covenants 162:7a; 163:9 

Preparation

This is the third week of the Generosity Cycle, which focuses on discovering God’s blessings in community, and the third principle of a Disciple’s Generous Response: Align Heart and Money. Find information about the Generosity Cycle at CofChrist.org/generosity-cycle. Find information about the Six Principles of a Disciple’s Generous Response at CofChrist.org/our-beliefs.

Provide a large writing surface and markers for the All Saints’ Day activity. Make sure everyone can see the finished product.

For the Focus Moment, project or print the scripture story with fill-in-the-blanks: Sermons4kids.com/activities/zacchaeus-meets-jesus-3.

Be sure to include the copyright© notice on any projection or handouts of the image.

For the Disciples' Generous Response—Object Lesson, every worshiper needs a piece of paper and pen or pencil, as well as a clear plastic bowl filled with water and a small, medium, and large rock.

Prelude

Hymn Celebrating All Saints’ Day

            “For All the Saints”     CCS 331

            OR “God of All Time”     CCS 270

All Saints’ Day

November 1 is designated on the Christian calendar as a time to remember the saints—all faithful disciples, past and present, who have shared their time, talents, testimony, and treasure with the Christian community, so that all could be blessed. Who has been a treasured person for you who mentored and companioned you on your Christian journey? This can be disciples from ancient times through the present. Spend a moment reflecting on their effect on you.    Pause.

Let’s surround ourselves with these saints by writing their names, initials, or descriptors, like “friend,” on the large surface provided. 

Allow time for people to come forward to write their names on the surface provided. Make allowance for those who find it difficult to move. Make sure they are included.

We Continue in Worship

We are welcomed this day by All the Saints as displayed here. Our theme today is Welcome Jesus, and our scripture is from Luke 19:1-10. It is the story of Zacchaeus, a tax collector who, despite his societal position, was touched by the love and acceptance of Jesus Christ. As a result of this encounter, Zacchaeus’s heart was moved to share generously with those in need.

Just like Zacchaeus, we are called to embrace a spirit of generosity in our lives. In a world often marked by self-interest and materialism, we strive to emulate the example set by Christ, who gave selflessly and abundantly. Today is also the third week of the Generosity Cycle where we focus on Share Generously, the fourth principle of a Disciple’s Generous Response. It reminds us that tithing is a spiritual practice. It is a gift of thanksgiving to God in response to God’s generous gifts to us. When we share our tithes, the church can spread joy, hope, love, and peace around the world so others can experience God’s generosity, too.

As we worship together today and share in Communion, may our hearts be opened to the story of Zacchaeus and our eyes to the One who calls us to commit all that we are and all that we have to build the peaceable kingdom.

Scripture Lesson: Luke 19:1-10

 

Hymn of Invitation                

“All Are Welcome”       Stanzas 1, 3, and 5    CCS 276

OR “God, We Gather as Your People”          CCS 274                                                   

Prayer of Invitation

Response

Focus Moment

Project or print the scripture story with fill-in-the-blanks: Sermons4kids.com/activities/zacchaeus-meets-jesus-3

            Include the copyright © notice on any projection or handouts of the image.

            Ask a teenager to lead the worshipers through the exercise until the story is complete.

Ministry of Music or Congregational Hymn

            “Welcome Jesus, You Are Welcome”     CCS 277

Message

Based on Luke 19:1-10

Disciples’ Generous Response

Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 162:7a

Statement

As we practice whole-life stewardship, we use what we need to provide a healthy, well-balanced life for ourselves and our families. We make sure that we keep and use only what we need so we can give our best back to God. Whole-life stewardship is not just about first-fruit giving. It is about first-fruit living.”

—Choose Generosity: Discovering Whole-Life Stewardship

Give each worshiper a piece of paper and have them fold it in half. On the top half of the paper, have participants write the first bill they pay or the first thing they spend their money on every month and why. On the bottom half of the paper, have everyone write the last bill they pay or the last thing they spend their money on every month and why. Allow time for reflection or sharing with a partner around the question: “Is the order in which we pay our bills an accurate reflection of our priorities?”

The following is from President Steve Veazey: “The body of Christ transcends local, social, economic, cultural, and national boundaries. As Apostle Paul, speaking to the Corinthians, put it, ‘…it is a question of fair balance between your present abundance and their need.’”

We should not get tied to specific methods or procedures for collecting and distributing Mission Tithes. What is important is how we develop disciples who are intentional about their stewardship and understand that financially supporting Christ’s mission is both an individual and communal opportunity…”

—Choose Generosity: Discovering Whole-Life Stewardship

Focus Moment

This demonstration shows the effect of our collective giving—the ripple effect:

·       Place a clear, plastic bowl of water on a table.

·       Allow children to sit closer to where the demonstration will take place.

·       Throw a small rock into the water, then a medium rock and then a large rock. After each time throwing one size of rock, ask worship participants to share what they observed.

·       Now throw all the rocks into the water at the same time.

·       Ask the group: “How do our individual gifts grow when they are shared in community?”

·       Let children participate by sharing what they saw as the rocks were thrown into the water. 

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 of Oblation, Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

            Generous God,

            Bless our giving and receiving.

            Each of us can do our part—

            giving for the sake of giving,

            flowing from a generous heart. Amen.

                        —Danny Belrose, “Can We Calculate Our Giving,” CCS 617, Stanza 2.

Receiving of Oblation, Local, and Worldwide Mission Tithes

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Sung Prayer for Peace

            Add an Amen to the end of the song.

Light the peace candle.

            “In the Singing”     CCS 519

            OR “In These Moments We Remember”   CCS 515

Communion Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:26-29

Find Meaning in Communion

Ask one or two people to share testimonies about the meaning and importance of Communion in their lives.

OR

Offer a short talk on the meaning to be found at the Communion table.

Invitation to Communion

All are welcome at Christ’s table. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a sacrament in which we remember the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ. In Community of Christ, we also experience Communion as an opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant and to be formed as disciples who live Christ’s mission. Others might have different or added understandings within their faith traditions. We invite all who participate in the Lord’s Supper to do so in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.

Blessing and Serving of Bread and Wine

Pastoral Prayer

            Focused on hospitality and welcoming all who are seeking a spiritual home.

Closing Hymn

            “Lord Prepare Me”          Sing twice.         CCS 280

OR “May the God of Hope/Dios de la Esperanza”    CCS 652

Sing at least twice. Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.

Sending Forth: Doctrine and Covenants 163:9

Postlude

 

 

SERMON AND CLASS HELPS

Year C—Letters

Ordinary Time (Proper 26)

Luke 19:1-10

The story of Zacchaeus is one of many stories that speak to the mission Jesus proclaimed in Luke 4:18–19. Luke continues his central theme that Jesus is the one who is sent to express God’s salvation for all people. Simply, Jesus is the one who saves. But even more, Jesus’ mission becomes clearly directed to the poor and outsiders who need to hear about God’s love and acceptance for them. The story of Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus focuses on one who is an outcast among his people. It is a story that reflects the Enduring Principle Worth of All Persons. Redemption and salvation transform the life of Zacchaeus and release in him radical generosity for the welfare of others.

As the chief tax collector, Zacchaeus was likely one of the most despised people in town; despised because he profited by collecting taxes from the Jews for the Roman government. Jews who worked for the invaders, the occupying Romans, were viewed as traitors. Tax collectors often took advantage of the citizenry in ways that had a crushing impact on their lives and continued the cycle of poverty.

In his enthusiasm to meet Jesus, Zacchaeus puts his self-image at risk as he runs ahead of the crowd and climbs a tree. Grown men typically do not run or climb trees. Why was he willing to make a spectacle of himself? Zacchaeus is yearning for something more in his life than what he had. The story reaches a critical point of tension when both Zacchaeus and Jesus make themselves vulnerable to each other when Jesus makes the public statement that he will go to Zacchaeus’ home. This is a powerful moment when Jesus lives his mission as he engages in a relationship with one considered a sinner.

In this expression of love and acceptance, Zacchaeus encounters the divine redemption and grace Jesus reflects. The wealthy, but empty life Zacchaeus lived is transformed and a new expression of radical generosity is born. The one who contributed to oppressing the Jews is now living generously and engaging in acts of justice for the poor. His life-changing discovery with Jesus breaks open Zacchaeus’ heart and genuine generosity flows.

The custom of providing voluntary compensation was to return the original amount plus 20 percent. Compulsory compensation called for doubling the original amount. But Zacchaeus would do more. He would return four times the amount. Instead of giving 10 percent, Zacchaeus offers 50 percent of his wealth.

This story is a living example of Jesus’ mission that made it possible for people to experience healing, wholeness, and a new way of belonging. The story challenges the social mindset that having money is what makes one happy, or is a sign of success. It is about God’s grace and acceptance, which make it possible for all people to discover their fullest potential in Christ. When we live from this place of growing awareness, our generosity is released and we join in the mission Jesus lived for us. And when all people discover who they are in Christ, then salvation in all of its dimensions—present and future, social and spiritual—has the potential to become real.

Central Ideas

1. Jesus’ willingness to be in relationship with Zacchaeus, even when Zacchaeus was considered a sinner by the people, allowed Zacchaeus to become vulnerable to the emptiness in his life and experience the blessings of radical generosity.
2. Salvation in its multiple dimensions—present and future, social and spiritual—is what Zacchaeus encountered when Jesus called him down from the tree.
3. Justice for those who are poor and disadvantaged was the mission Zacchaeus committed his life to as Jesus lived his mission into the heart of Zacchaeus.

Questions for the Speaker

1. How has your encounter with God’s grace released in you a radical generosity that you have extended to others?
2. How do members in your congregation model Christ’s mission?
3. What different dimensions of salvation have people in your congregation or community experienced?
4. This story highlights at least three Enduring Principles: Grace and Generosity, Worth of All Persons, and Blessings of Community. How are these Enduring Principles expressed and modeled by your congregation?
5. How does forgiveness free your generosity?
   

 

 

SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY 

Year C—Letters

Ordinary Time (Proper 26)

2 Thessalonians 1:1–4, 11–12

 

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.

O Lord, our God, we come before you with praise and thanksgiving for the beauty of your world. We are humbled at the infinite mercy and grace that you bestow on us as part of your creation. You see worth in each of us. Forgive us when we do not live up to the potential you have entrusted to us.

Help us be more mindful of the needs of those around us—needs that we can meet as your hands if we will take the time to seek you and be willing to move in faith. We pray that we might be instruments of peace in a troubled world. We pray for the leaders of all nations—that they may desire peace, that they may be enlightened to ways that can bring peace, that they set aside greed and self-interest.

We ask that your love and joy might touch our souls. We lift our prayers around the world for renewed courage, for greater strength, and an endowment of your Spirit that our discipleship might be a positive influence. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

Spiritual Practice

Giving Thanks

We will spend several minutes in the spiritual discipline of gratitude. There are many aspects of our lives, communities, and Earth for which we are grateful. As I say each one aloud, we will spend a few moments in silent gratitude, and then I will move to the area of gratitude. After the last one I will close our practice of gratitude by saying, “Amen,” aloud. Find a comfortable position. You may close your eyes if you wish. We will begin:

Gracious God, we offer gratitude for:

Teachers who helped me learn and grow. (Pause for silent reflection.)

Writers and composers of the hymns I love to sing. (Pause for silent reflection.)

People in my community who inspired and mentored me. (Pause for silent reflection.)

Family and friends who walked with me. (Pause for silent reflection.)

Close by saying, “Amen.” Invite group members to share how they experienced this practice of gratitude. Thank everyone for participating.

Sharing Around the Table

2 Thessalonians 1:1–4, 11–12 NRSVue

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are enduring.

To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of his call and will fulfill by his power every good resolve and work of faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Second Thessalonians was written to console a Christian community facing crisis. The people suffered from persecution and needed encouragement. The letter begins with the author, alleged to be Paul, offering a salutation and a prayer of thanksgiving and blessing. Our scripture lesson comes from this section of verses.

Paul gives thanks for how faith is growing in the fellowship and for the loving care the disciples show one another. It is an answer to the prayer in 1 Thessalonians 3:12, when Paul says “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all…”

Despite common hardship and struggle, the community has been bound together, showing spiritual maturity and resilience, expressed through deeper faith and abundant love. This is the fruit of Paul’s witness of Christ, and he is proud and honored. He sees great progress and lives transformed.

After some harsh verses (5–10), which speak of judgment against those who inflict suffering on believers (not part of our scripture lesson), the author suggests that suffering is a way of making the letter readers worthy of God’s coming kingdom, and that God, “by his power,” plays a role in making the disciples worthy.

It is God who enables believers to accomplish their desires, intentions, and plans, their “good resolve and work of faith.” Through God’s power, intentions can become actions, and plans can become realities. It is God, the redeeming Son, and the gift of grace that make believers worthy of the kingdom.

Though grace is an unmerited gift, Paul and his companions continue to pray that God will make the believers more fully know God’s generous love, and that they will respond through the kind of lives to which they are called by God. The prayer is for faithful followers to fulfill God’s call to live the teachings of Jesus Christ and witness of their faith.

Questions

1.     If you were going to write a letter to your congregation, how would you greet the faithful? What themes would you introduce?

2.     How might growing faith and increased love for one another be expressed in a contemporary congregation?

3.     In your congregation, or elsewhere, have you seen people brought together in more loving relationships when confronted with difficulties or hardships? Did you sense God’s presence?

4.     Do you find any verses in today’s scripture useful in understanding the church’s purpose and mission? In understanding individual discipleship?

 

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 455, “How Long, O God, How Long?”

Closing Prayer

 

Optional Additions Depending on Group

·       Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

·       Thoughts for Children

 

Thoughts for Children

Materials:

• plain, white, paper plates.
• crayons or pencils

In today’s scripture Paul says he is thankful for his sisters and brothers in Christ and offers a prayer of thanksgiving for them.

Many nations and cultures have a time of Thanksgiving. It is a way to show gratitude to God for a fine harvest, for plenty to eat, for all the blessings we have received in the past year.

We are grateful for the blessings God has provided for us, so today we are going to make a gratitude plate.

Give each child a paper plate and crayons or a pencil. Ask them to call out some things they are most thankful for: Parents, favorite food, a special friend, a pet.

Have them write their name on the plate and then draw a picture of one thing they are thankful for.

Plan a time later in the gathering for children to share what they have drawn.

Thank the children for participating.