WORSHIP RESOURCES
Ordinary Time (Proper 22)
Mark 10:2-16/10:2-14 IV
The Kin-dom of God Belongs to Children
Additional Scriptures
Job 1:1; 2:1-10; Psalm 26; Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12;
Doctrine and Covenants 163:2a
Preparation
Today’s scripture is an opportunity to include the Sacrament of Blessing of Children. Suggested placement would be after the Message. If offering the sacrament, include in the Message the background and meaning of this sacrament.
Prelude
Welcome
The Kin-dom of God belongs to children and so we welcome you to this worship as a little child.
Scripture Reading: Mark 10:13-16
Call to Worship: Psalm 26:2-3, 8
May you be welcomed this day as a little child. May you be blessed.
Hymn of Innocence
“Gather Your Children"
CCS 77
OR “like a child"
CCS 403
OR “Peace Child"
CCS 402
Opening Prayer
Prayer Response
Prayer for Peace
Scripture for Peace: Doctrine and Covenants 163:2a
Light the Peace Candle.
Statement
Around the world, children are disproportionately impacted by poverty. According to UNICEF, one in six survives on less than $1.90 USD per day. As of 2019, 426 million children lived in conflict zones and 69 percent of all children, some 1.6 billion, lived in conflict-affected nations. What will we do to welcome these children into the kin-dom of God? What actions will we take as individuals and as a congregation to bless children?
A Child’s Prayer for Peace
I’m hungry God. My village has no fresh water, we search for food, we have no school. I’m scared, God. Soldiers kidnap and fight, torture and kill. Who will rescue us? I know of this word: peace. How will it come to me, God? Who are you sending for me? Amen.
Hymn of the Children
“I Am Standing Waiting"
CCS 298
OR “Jesus Loves Me"
CCS 251
Focus Moment
Explain the work of organizations like Outreach International in combating child poverty and the causes of injustice in our world that lead to conflict. In advance, print one of the posters from Outreach International and invite children or others in the congregation to help you place it somewhere it will be seen. See Outreach-international.org/how-to-help/faith-communities.
The Message
Based on Mark 10:2-16, especially Verses 13-16
Add the Blessing of Children Sacrament here, if desired.
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Hymn of Sacrament
“Bread of the World”
CCS 527
“O Lord, How Can It Be”
CCS 529
Communion Scripture: Mark 14:22-25
Communion Talk
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
“Eat This Bread” Sing twice.
CCS 528
Blessing and Serving of the Bread and Wine
For guidelines on the Lord’s Supper, including online participation, see CofChrist.org/our-ministry-tools.
Disciples’ Generous Response
Statement
Together we are called to recognize and respond to God’s blessing and share generously to our true capacity. Building the kin-dom of God requires a response of whole-life stewardship that blesses the lives of everyone in community. We read in Acts how the early Christians in Jerusalem sold their possessions and lived with all things in common. Each week, we have opportunity to respond to this ideal through the Disciples’ Generous Response. As a Communion tradition in Community of Christ, all loose offerings today will also go to the oblation fund to address suffering and poverty.
During this time of Disciples’ Generous Response, we focus on aligning our heart with God’s heart. Our offerings are about more than meeting budgets or funding mission. We can tangibly express our gratitude to God through our offerings, who is the giver of all.
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. Together we reach out to children around the world and welcome everyone to God’s kin-dom.
If your congregation is meeting online, remind participants they can give through CofChrist.org/give or eTithing.org (consider showing these URLs on screen).
Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes
Hymn of Sending Forth
“Go My Children, with My Blessing"
CCS 650
OR “Strong, Gentle Children"
CCS 233
OR “Bwana Awabariki/May God Grant You a Blessing”
CCS 660
Sing several times. Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.
Prayer of Benediction
Response
Postlude
SERMON AND CLASS HELPS
Year B—Letters
Ordinary Time (Proper 22)
Mark 10:2–16
Exploring the Scripture
Today’s passage can be divided into two parts. Mark 10:2–12 is about marriage and divorce. Mark 10:13–16 deals with the blessing of little children. Since Mark’s Gospel is short enough to read at one sitting, read today’s passage in the setting of the whole Gospel of Mark. Mark begins with Jesus proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14– 15). This contrasts with the bad news of Caesar and the unjust Roman Empire, and Herod and his brutal Galilean and Peraea kingdom. (John is arrested and eventually killed by Herod.) Jesus has already warned twice of his impending crucifixion at the hands of the authorities in Jerusalem (Mark 8:31, 9:30–31).
In the preceding chapter, Peter, James, and John saw the transfigured Jesus (Mark 9:2–8). It is a mountaintop experience. But they came down the mountain only to enter a valley. The other disciples could not cast out a demon from a child and then all of them argued about who was the greatest among them (Mark 9:14–29, 33–34).
The kingdom of God has a different view the disciples still do not fully understand. To help the disciples, Jesus talks about service not domination, and then takes a little child, puts it among them, and holding it in his arms says: “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me…” (Mark 9:37). So, today’s passage should be read in the frame of reference of God’s kingdom where its citizens take the lowest place to serve and children are blessed and welcomed. Peter, James, and John’s mountaintop experience is not meant to promote them but to strengthen them to serve the least. They are not to expect to be rulers, with the power to dominate and kill, but to be servants. God’s kingdom is different from the kingdoms of this world.
Next, we will examine the first part of today’s passage which addresses marriage and divorce (Mark 10:2–12). Jewish law only allowed men to divorce their wives who were powerless to launch such action (Deuteronomy 24:1–4). In Jesus’ day husbands could divorce their wives for little cause, leaving the women destitute. By quoting the original intents of God in creation (Genesis 1:26–27 and 2:24) Jesus seeks to correct the then Pharisaic understanding of marriage and divorce. Women and men are both made in the image of God. Women are not objects or property that can be discarded. Rather women are persons of equal dignity to men, made in the likeness of the supreme personal being, the Divine.
Jesus is saying marriage is different in the kingdom of God. Extending the teaching from the preceding chapter, husbands and wives should not dominate or abuse each other. Rather they should serve and bless one another. Finally, nothing and no one should separate two joined by God.
The second part of the passage—on the blessing of children (Mark 10:13–16)—follows naturally after verses on marriage. Marriage of parents should be faithful, loving, and committed. This is the biggest blessing possible to give a child. Children, like women, were powerless and marginalized in the first century. These two stories remind us of Jesus’ concern for both groups. Marriage, family, and society in the kingdom of God are to be child-centered with men and women of equal dignity and worth. The kingdom is a safe place for all children.
God has joined us together in the covenant of baptism. Let nothing separate us. Let us be a congregation that treats all humans with dignity and is a wonderful place for children.
Central Ideas
- Marriage equality and the dignified treatment of women and children are expected in the kingdom of God.
- Marriages and congregational life are lived in the setting of Jesus’ teaching.
- Jesus reminds us to be a blessing to children in our congregation and neighborhood.
Questions for the Speaker
- Marriage and divorce are very sensitive topics. How can we preach on this passage without people feeling condemned or judged?
- How do we equip priesthood, especially priests, to bring loving ministry to families having trouble?
- Do we encourage all priesthood members who can conduct the sacrament of marriage to help couples with premarital classes to prepare them for marriage? (For instance, see the FOCCUS Inventory which is often used in Community of Christ in the English-speaking world.)
- How can our congregation be a place of blessing for all marginalized people, especially children?
SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY
Year B Letters
Ordinary Time, Proper 22
Hebrews 1:1–4; 2:5–12 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, “Till All the Jails Are Empty,” Community of Christ Sings 303, by Carl P. Daw Jr.
...in classroom, church, and office,
in shops or on the street;
in every place where people thrive or starve or hide or meet:
God has work for us to do.
Servant God, sometimes we forget that you serve as often as you lead. You are the lawyer working to make the system just. You are the teacher empowering the timid youth. You are the kind coworker standing up for the ignored new employee. You are the scientist working for a more sustainable future. You are the volunteer unlocking the doors and cleaning the floors. You arrive early and stay late. You see beauty and wonder in it all!
When we grow tired of working for peace, remind us that seeds crack before they sprout into tiny leaves, which take many sunrises and sunsets to grow and to produce fruit. Open our eyes to see the beauty in the work, that we would be energized to do your good and beautiful work of bringing peace to our world!
In the name of the One who sows seeds with us, Jesus. Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Unity
Our Enduring Principle for this week’s spiritual practice is Unity in Diversity. Not one person on Earth is exactly like another. We all are shaped by our culture, genetics, upbringings, families, experiences, beliefs, etc. One thing we all have in common is that we all are divinely made. Unity in Diversity is respecting the differences while honoring the Divine in all voices.
But God has so arranged the body…that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.
—1 Corinthians 12:24–26 NRSV
Think over the past week. Who showed compassion for when you felt sad or were suffering? Who rejoiced with you in good things?
Invite people to share.
Whom do you know who has endured suffering this week? How were you able to share this burden with them?
Who has had cause to rejoice this week? How have you celebrated with them?
Invite people to share.
Offer a short blessing of unity and close with “Amen.”
Sharing Around the Table
Hebrews 1:1–4; 2:5–12
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
…Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. But someone has testified somewhere,
“What are humans that you are mindful of them
or mortals that you care for them?
You have made them for a little while lower than the angels;
you have crowned them with glory and honor, subjecting all things under their feet.”
Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying,
“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.”
The book of Hebrews begins by stressing the divinity of Jesus Christ and his role as God’s Son. Christ is God’s heir, creator of the universe, reflecting God’s glory and the “imprint of God’s very being.”
Here we find the divine Christ (superior to the angels) balanced by the human Christ (a little lower than the angels). The paradox corrects the portrait of Christ that appears untouchable and unsympathetic to the everyday problems of human existence. Yet he, too, has suffered, been humiliated, experienced death, and therefore, becomes approachable.
Jesus “sanctifies” his followers, transforming our flaws and brokenness into holiness. Christians, who receive sanctification, call God “Father,” “Mother,” or “Parent.” Thus, Jesus called his followers “brothers and sisters,” confirming the capacity of ordinary people to have the same relationship with God that Jesus had. Through Christ, we are united to God and one another as a spiritual family.
Questions
- How is the imprint of God visible in your life?
- Are you more comfortable with Christ’s divinity or humanity?
- How do you find Christ “approachable?”
- How would you describe your relationship with 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 20, “God Within God Around”
Closing Prayer
Optional Additions Depending on Group
- Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
- Thoughts for Children
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
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 NRSV
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 (select one):
515 “In these Moments We Remember”
516 “Coming Together for Wine and for Bread”
521 “Let Us Break Bread Together”
525 “Small Is the Table”
528 “Eat This Bread”
Thoughts for Children
You will need:
- simple puzzle printed on cardstock and then cut
As participants sit, give each a piece of the puzzle. Tell them to hold onto it until a little later.
Say: Today’s scripture explores different ways God speaks to us. In Community of Christ, we believe in something called Continuing Revelation. This means we believe God still is speaking to us today. One way we discern what God is saying is in consultation with community. This means that we don’t assume we have God’s full message on our own. Instead we recognize that we are part of a prophetic people who work together to understand God’s words. It’s almost like putting together a puzzle. Each of us has a different piece to contribute, but it takes all of us working together to get the full picture.
Ask: Do you think we all can work together to complete this puzzle and see what God wants us to know?
Work together to complete the puzzle, all participants contributing their pieces. Once it is all together, the puzzle reveals a message of love.