WORSHIP RESOURCES
Ordinary Time (Proper 22)
2 Timothy 1:1-14
Rekindle God’s Gift within You
Additional Scriptures
Lamentations 1:1-6; Psalm 137; Luke 17:5-10; Doctrine and Covenants 17:22a; 165:2a
Preparation
If you are meeting online or in a hybrid arrangement, remind online participants to have emblems ready for the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. They may also want small note paper, a writing utensil, and a Bible.
If you choose to do the Intergenerational Activity, you will need:
· Large, flat vertical surface such as a presentation board, easel, or wall
· Simulated logs drawn or attached to the surface to suggest a campfire
· Sticky notes in bright fire tones OR flame-shaped notes cut with room for writing
· If using cut flame shapes, tape will be needed to attach the notes
· Markers or pens
Prelude
Welcome and Call to Worship
Read from “When I Can Ache,” CCS 590.
Sharing of News, Joys, and Prayer Concerns
If this is your tradition and a prayer is offered aloud for concerns expressed, consider including the phrase, “We remember them constantly in our prayers night and day.” This is closely drawn from 2 Timothy 1:3, the focus scripture for today.
Hymn
“We Are Pilgrims on a Journey” CCS 550
OR “Rejoice, Ye Saints of Latter Days” CCS 81
OR “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” CCS 99
Spanish and French translations are at www.HeraldHouse.org/
products/newly-translated-songs-from-world-conference-2023-pdf-download?variant=45826935390481
Invocation
Original prayer or use this:
Light of the World,
Shine on our gathering today, on our singing and sharing.
Shine in our hearts. Rekindle our desires and gifts.
Let us be ready to say, “Shine through us wherever light is needed in your world.” Through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Response
Sharing the Scripture: Recognizing Mentors and Leaders
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-6
Recognition
A brief verbal or other recognition of those who provide mentoring and leadership.
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 1:7-14
OR
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-14
Perhaps combine this with the previous recognition.
Before reading aloud, tell the group they will have a chance to share a word or phrase that stands out to them. Then share 2 Timothy 1:1-14 orally and visually. The text could be displayed on a screen or printed and distributed. Invite online worshipers to view the slide or read in their own Bible. Invite the group to share just the word or two that seemed to shine for them.
Message
Based on 2 Timothy 1:1-14
OR
Intergenerational Activity: Rekindling Our Gifts
Supplies:
· Large, flat vertical surface such as a presentation board, easel, or wall
· Simulated logs drawn or attached to the surface to suggest a campfire
· Sticky notes in bright fire tones OR flame-shaped notes cut with room for writing
· If using cut flame shapes, tape will be needed to attach the notes
· Markers or pens
At least two notes will be needed per person. If your group is small and you have time, you may distribute three or four notes each. After notes and markers are distributed, share this invitation or something similar:
“Rekindle the gift of God that is within you…” 2 Timothy 1:6
As we explore today’s scripture, what has been stirring in you? Is there a call to recommitment? Is there a desire to brush up on an old skill? Would you like to try something new? Think quietly for a moment. Then write your gift on one of the notes. Invite online participants to write on their notes or enter responses in the online space provided for chats.
Pause.
On the other note(s), write a gift you see in another person here or online. Without naming the person, write a word or phrase that describes what the Spirit has kindled in them.
Pause.
When you are ready, come add notes, kindling, light to the campfire on the poster.
After notes have been added, the leader of this activity might read the words/gifts aloud. Conclude with: Our fire burns brighter with all our gifts rekindled.
Campfire Song
“We Are One in the Spirit” CCS 359
OR “Lord, Prepare Me” CCS 280
Prayer for Peace
Light the peace candle.
If your group does not already light a candle for the peace prayer, it would be meaningful to ‘kindle’ one today. The response of the People comes directly from 2 Timothy 1:2.
Responsive Peace Prayer
Leader: Author of Peace,
Write on our hearts the indelible call to be ‘pray-ers’ and makers of peace. We lift our prayers for families in turmoil and neighbors in distress.
People: Grace, mercy, and peace.
Leader: For the coworker in anguish and the friend in confusion.
People: Grace, mercy, and peace.
Leader: For the ones who lack resources and the ones who lack
respect.
People: Grace, mercy, and peace.
Leader: For the ones who lack confidence and the ones who live in
fear.
People: Grace, mercy, and peace.
Leader: And for all of us that we might be the ones who will rekindle
hope.
All: Grace, mercy, and peace. Amen.
Peace Hymn
“Come and Fill” Sing several times. CCS 235
OR “Let Our Earth Be Peaceful” CCS 371
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Scripture Reading: Luke 22:14-20
Statement of Purpose
From the very beginning, Community of Christ has been blessed by the words of Doctrine and Covenants 17:22a:
It is expedient that the church meet together often to partake of the bread and wine in remembrance of the Lord Jesus.
We gather today to remember Jesus and be reminded that we can always have
his Spirit to be with us. Expand these thoughts as time permits.
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.
Hymn of Preparation
“This Is a Day of New Beginnings” CCS 495
Use alternate Stanza 4 for Communion.
OR “For Bread Before Us Broken” CCS 524
OR “Bread of the World” CCS 527
Blessing and Serving of the Bread and Wine
Log in to Our Ministry Tools and search for Guidelines Lord’s Supper. If you have not used this library of resources, go to CofChrist.org/our-ministry-tools.
Disciples’ Generous Response
Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 165:2a
Statement
We are generous when we share our talents. Another opportunity to be generous with our treasure is before us.
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. On this Sunday as we share in the sacraments, our offerings are dedicated to Abolishing Poverty and Ending Needless Suffering. This is how God’s generous compassion grows more visible in tangible ways.
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).
Receiving and Blessing of Oblation and Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes
Hymn of Vision
“God Whose Grace Redeems Our Story” CCS 570
OR “Christ Has Called Us to New Visions” CCS 566
Sending Forth
Read or ask a soloist to sing CCS 654, “Go Forth.”
Postlude
SERMON AND CLASS HELPS
Year C—Letters
Ordinary Time (Proper 22)
2 Timothy 1:1–14
Exploring the Scripture
The second letter to Timothy is directed to Paul’s young traveling companion, now in charge of several congregations in Asia Minor. The letter provides encouragement, spiritual guidance, and practical suggestions for Christian leadership and in facing difficulties. We can read this letter as guidance to all young ministers beginning their service.
After greeting Timothy as “my beloved child” (v. 2), Paul recalls the young man’s tears, remembers him in prayer, and longs to see him. Paul offers thanks for Timothy and the living faith of his mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois. He already has mentioned his ancestors in the faith (v. 3), endorsing traditions passed from generation to generation. Eunice and Lois provided a strong foundation, an inheritance not to be taken lightly, but to be transmitted to others.
Paul urges Timothy to develop the ministerial gifts granted by the “laying on of…hands” (v. 6). The Hebrew scriptures mention the laying on of hands for consecrating Levitical priests and Moses’s successor, Joshua. In the Gospels, it is associated with healing or blessing. By Timothy’s day, it had come to represent the gift of the Holy Spirit in confirmation and ordination. The original fire of commitment must be kept alive and active through service, dedication, and faithful witness empowered by the Spirit.
Because Timothy had received the Holy Spirit, he had no reason to be afraid for himself or the church. God provides effective tools to combat fear: the power of the Holy Spirit, the love and grace of God, and inner self-discipline honed by walking daily with Christ. These tools may represent the gifts granted by the Spirit to Timothy at his ordination. In an early Christian creed (v. 9–10), God’s grace is proclaimed from the beginning of creation and made visible through the life and death of Jesus Christ.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit and the centrality of Christ can strengthen Timothy to share his witness boldly, without apology or embarrassment. He did not need to be ashamed of Paul’s imprisonment or public abuse since they resulted from a faithful witness. Nor should Timothy fear for Paul’s life. He can rely on God’s grace to be present in Paul’s suffering and any future persecution that Timothy might face.
God called Timothy for God’s purposes—not because of his capacities and skills, but because he was willing to respond and dedicate his gifts to God’s service. Paul’s calling was to share the gospel of new life with the Gentiles. Thus, he faces martyrdom for his faith. “But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust” (v. 12). The God who transformed him will continue to accept him in grace until “that day” (v. 12)—possibly the end times, or possibly the end of Paul’s lifetime.
Paul encourages Timothy to hold fast to apostolic teachings and the love of Jesus Christ. They are treasures worth guarding and sharing. The passage upholds a living faith, received from ancestors, testified by the Holy Spirit, and valuable in facing trials and difficulties. It still provides counsel and assurance to Christian leaders and followers. The Holy Spirit will help preserve the gospel truths and the continuity of faith, even in the face of martyrdom.
Central Ideas
- Our faith is built on the testimonies and teachings of our family and predecessors.
- God blesses us with tools to combat fear: power, love, and self-discipline in Christian practices.
- Paul challenged Timothy to witness boldly, without embarrassment or shame.
- The gospel principles and the love of Jesus Christ are treasures worth guarding and sharing.
Questions for the Speaker
- How deeply do you trust God’s faithfulness to be with you in all circumstances?
- When have you used the power of God, love, and self-discipline to combat fear?
- What keeps you from witnessing Jesus Christ? How much is based on fear and shame?
- How does your congregation share the gospel principles with others?
SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY
Year C—Letters
Ordinary Time (Proper 22)
2 Timothy 1:1–14
Communion
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.
Creating God, we trust in you. Guide your church and all people to become messengers of hope in a world with desperate need for peace and justice. May we, your faithful servants, sing praise and spread peace, blessed by your love and the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Being Present
Read the following aloud:
Ordinary Time can be a time to celebrate the beauty in everyday life. Pure joy can arise from taking genuine interest in all the tiny details of our ordinary life and turning them into a practice of awe and wonder.
Read the following aloud:
Today we are going to practice being present in this very moment with our bodies. We will sit and listen to what our bodies are doing and saying to us.
You may sit or stand in any position where you feel most comfortable in the room. We will take three deep breaths, steady our breathing, close our eyes, and slowly begin to scan our bodies from the top of our heads to our toes. Notice the different feelings and sensations we are experiencing in this very moment.
We will take three minutes to be present with our bodies. As we scan, I quietly will state when we have two minutes, and one minute remaining. I will ring the chime for the practice to begin and again at the end.
Ring the chime.
Wait one minute. Say: “Two minutes remaining.”
Wait one minute. Say: “One minute remaining.”
Ring the chime to signal the end of the practice.
Ask the participants to share what they noticed while being fully present with their body. Offer a prayer of gratitude for Ordinary Time.
Sharing Around the Table
2 Timothy 1:1–14 NRSVue
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,
To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.
Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace, and this grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day the deposit I have entrusted to him. Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.
The protégé of Paul, who is writing in Paul’s name, is encouraging Timothy and other leaders of the developing churches. The author wants Timothy to be confident in his faith, to not be ashamed for the gospel, and to protect the sound teachings of the gospel message he has learned from the stories of Jesus and the ministry of Paul.
Timothy is said to have sincere faith living in him. It is who he is. Nonetheless, his faith seems to be wavering, so Paul reminds him of the continuity of faith from his grandmother and mother. He is urged to rekindle, or fan the flame, of a spiritual gift he received through the laying on of hands, a gift of power, love, and self-discipline to aid in his calling of ministry as he boldly leads communities of Jesus followers.
Honor was important in Greco-Roman society. The Romans accorded Christianity low status as a new religion (unlike the ancient Jewish religion), with a crucified Christ who died in a manner reserved for the lowest members of society. A Christ-like living was difficult and shameful in this world for some disciples. Christians often experienced ridicule, social isolation, and physical abuse. While few details are provided regarding the suffering and shame, early writers assumed the original readers understood the experience that is cited. Timothy’s tears (v. 4) may signify his anguish and shame over Paul’s imprisonment and the suffering experienced by Paul and possibly other Christians.
Timothy is urged to join Paul in suffering and to remember the honorable “holy calling” of gospel proclamation, a gospel that brings life and immorality. The gifts of the Holy Spirit and the centrality of Christ can strengthen Timothy to share his witness boldly, without apology or embarrassment. Paul counsels the readers that Jesus “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light” (v. 10), turning shame to glory and death to life.
God called Timothy for God’s purposes, not because of his capacities and skills, but because he was willing to respond and dedicate his gifts to God’s service.
These passages ask Timothy to be confident in God’s power, to cling to the gospel, and “guard the good treasure entrusted to you” with the “help of the Holy Spirit living in us” (v. 14).
Questions
1. The Pauline author calls on individuals and the community to rekindle the gift of God that is within. How might this happen, and why might it be needed?
2. What keeps you from witnessing for Jesus Christ? How much is based on fear, timidity, or shame?
3. How does your congregation share the gospel principles with others?
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 628, “When Holy Ghost Shall Come in Power”
Closing Prayer
Optional Additions Depending on Group
· Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
· Thoughts for Children
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Scripture
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
—1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NRSVue
Communion Statement
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 may 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.
We share in Communion as an expression of blessing, healing, peace, and community. In preparation let’s sing from Community of Christ Sings (choose from below options):
· 516, “Coming Together for Wine and for Bread”
· 521, “Let Us Break Bread Together”
· 523, “As We Gather at Your Table”
· 526, “Is There One Who Feels Unworthy?”
· 528, “Eat This Bread”
· 532, “We Meet as Friends at Table”
Thoughts for Children
Materials:
- one piece of newsprint or poster board
- markers or crayons
- sheets of 8½ x 11 paper
Draw a large circle on a big piece of newsprint or poster board.
Hold up the paper with the circle so it is visible and accessible to the entire group.
Ask: How many people will fit in the circle? (Have children call out answers.)
Place the paper on the floor, circle side up, and have children try to fit as many people as possible inside the circle.
Ask: Is everyone in the circle? No, we drew our circle too small!
What shall we do? (Make a bigger circle.)
Have each person draw a line, top to bottom, on a regular-size piece of paper. Then ask for help arranging all the lines end-to-end on the floor to form a large circle.
Ask children to invite everyone into the circle. Keep adding lines until everyone fits.
Say: As disciples of Jesus, we invite others into the circle. Let’s make sure we always make room for others.
Thank the children for participating.