WORSHIP RESOURCES
Ordinary Time (Proper 9)
2 Corinthians 12:2-10
My Grace Is Sufficient
Additional Scriptures
2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10; Psalm 48; Mark 6:1-13
Prelude
Share and Care
Greetings and Welcome
The presider should prayerfully read all four of the lectionary scriptures several times and prepare a statement of welcome, including an overview of the scripture and theme of the day. An example:
Welcome to this sacred time. We come in response to the invitation issued through God’s grace. We come to find our place at the table.
Paul uses an unlikely group of words in the scripture for his letters today: boast, thorn, torment, weakness, power, strong, and grace. It’s a puzzling combination of words that don’t seem to go together. The most important are the last three: power, strength, and grace.
In the scripture, Paul testifies that God’s grace gives him strength in Christ that is sufficient to make him strong despite his weakness. Power to overcome weakness—physical, mental, spiritual—is God’s gift of grace. Power that is sufficient to meet the needs of our time and place. Power to respond to Jesus’s call on our lives.
This conviction is expressed in our Enduring Principle of Grace and Generosity. We are challenged to pay attention not to our weaknesses and challenges but to God’s strength that is given us through God’s grace. We are moved to praise God. The psalmist must have experienced grace and lifted his voice in praise recorded as Psalm 48, which we will hear inviting us to worship.
Hymn of Calling
“Jesus Is Calling"
CCS 578
OR “Lord, Prepare Me” Sing twice.
CCS 280
OR “Leftover People in Leftover Places"
CCS 275
Call to Worship: Psalm 48:1-2, 8-14
Hymn of Praise
“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty"
CCS 101
Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.
OR “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise"
CCS 13
OR “Je louerai l’Éternel/Praise, I Will Praise You Lord"
CCS 115
Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.
Invocation
Response
Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10
The presider and speaker should consider ways the scripture verses can be made most meaningful to listeners. For example, a projected or printed image of the scripture text for all to see. Consider using more than one reader.
Focus Moment
Invite a volunteer to help illustrate the Focus Moment. Ask them to hold a hymnal.
Strength to meet our needs is God’s promise. How much strength is that? Is it enough to lift a table? A chair? A book? Five books? Twenty-five books? Easy, right?
Add four more books. Still easy?
Continue adding books until holding them it is still possible but somewhat difficult.
You have just enough strength to hold the books you have, right?
We don’t have to prove God’s promise by lifting things. God sees the need and God’s grace is sufficient, it is enough. In fact, God’s power is strongest when we feel weakest. For example, when you are tempted to do something you shouldn’t and feel too weak to say no, pray for God’s help. God’s promise is that you will have the strength you need and experience Christ’s peace.
Prayer for Peace
Light the Peace Candle.
Prayer
God of grace,
You are all powerful and you promise strength for us when we are weak. How often we misunderstand your promise and think that you want our side to win—in games, in elections, in war—because we pray for victory. Guide us in your ways of peace, we pray. Our prayer is that you will help us find those peace pathways and motivate us to live in them. Help us find the energy and enthusiasm in peaceful cooperation similar to what we find in competition and conflict. Help us recognize the value of human life in the other—whether she is a competitor, or he is an enemy.
We make these petitions in the name of your son, the prince of peace. Amen.
—Steve Bolie
Peace Hymn
“Amazing Grace”
CCS 19
OR “Christ Has Changed the World’s Direction”
CCS 356
OR “Called by Christ to Love Each Other”
CCS 577
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Communion Message
Communion Hymn
“Into My Heart” Sing several times.
CCS 573
Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.
OR “In the Singing”
CCS 519
OR “God, Whose Grace Redeems Our Story”
CCS 570
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 the Bread
Blessing and Serving of the Wine
Consider reading the combined prayer and serve the emblems simultaneously with the server of the wine following the server of the bread.
For guidelines on the Lord’s Supper, including online participation, see CofChrist.org/our-ministry-tools.
Disciples’ Generous Response
Hymn of Awareness
“I Am Standing Waiting” CCS 298
OR “Brothers and Sisters of Mine” CCS 616
OR “Nimwebo Ba Yahweh” CCS 613
If this song is unfamiliar, sing along with the vocal recording found on Community of Christ Sings Audio Recordings, available from HeraldHouse.org.
Statement
Explanation for visitors: For more than twenty-five years, Community of Christ has used the term Disciples Generous Response in place of offertory. It emphasizes that our offerings are our response as disciples to a generous God. Mission tithes may be designated for worldwide mission or local mission. Undesignated contributions or loose change on Communion Sundays are used to help with the Mission Initiative to Abolish Poverty, End Suffering.
Scripture Reading: Luke 4:18–19
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
Closing Hymn
“Arise, Your Light Is Come"
CCS 635
OR “Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises"
CCS 656
Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.
OR “Redeeming Grace"
CCS 497
Sending Forth: Read “Go Forth" CCS 654
Postlude
SERMON AND CLASS HELPS
Year B—Letters
Ordinary Time (Proper 9)
2 Corinthians 12:2–10
Exploring the Scripture
Many scholars who study 2 Corinthians find evidence that the manuscript combines several letters Paul wrote, not just one. Dramatic changes in tone and content occur, without transition or explanation, like the sudden change between chapters 9 and 10. Chapters 2 and 7 refer to a painful letter Paul sent.
Chapters 10:1–13:10 may be part of that letter. Paul writes about the challenges to his authority as an apostle. He notes the ways his ministry and teaching have been misrepresented by people both within the Corinthian church and in the larger Christian community. These themes flavored some of his previous correspondence, but his defense reveals how painful the accusations have been to him personally.
Boasting was an acceptable practice in the Greek world. Those who had acted for the city or provided a service to their community were often boastful. But some boasting was extreme and exaggerated. It’s clear from the preceding verses that one charge against Paul was he boasted too much.
Paul justified his boasting, within limits, and his testimonies of grace by arguing they point to God, not himself. In contrast, the super-apostles who mislead the Corinthians with a different Jesus boasted of human accomplishments and spiritual visions. In chapter 11, Paul compared himself to the super-apostles and listed the persecutions and trials he faced to bring good news to the Greek Christians.
In Chapter 12, Paul stooped to competing with his detractors by sharing an ecstatic revelation and called himself a fool in the process. He described a “person in Christ” (probably himself) who experienced a remarkable vision 14 years previously (v. 2). He was “caught up to the third heaven” and heard truths too sacred to be spoken (vv. 2–4).
The third heaven was Paradise, the most sacred realm, closest to God. Paul offered this as a testimony of God’s grace and a credential for apostolic authority but avoided giving details that might draw attention to himself rather than God. Personal revelations are less important than the central revelation of Jesus Christ as Savior, Redeemer, and Lord. Focusing on personal mystical experiences could lead to the glorification of Paul, not Christ; therefore, he refused to linger on it.
Also, the miraculous vision is offset by a “thorn” in his side, preventing him from taking pride in receiving direct revelation (v. 7). Scholars debate the nature of this thorn. Was it an illness, such as epilepsy or depression; a disability, such as poor eyesight; a speech impediment; or one person who opposed and persecuted him? We don’t know. But the thorn in his flesh continued to create difficulties for him throughout his ministry. Paul’s hearers know about it, for he doesn’t explain it. Difficulties and persecutions are far more common in his ministry than visions.
God turned his weakness into a strength, and he boasted of it because “whenever I am weak, then I am strong” (v. 10). It prompted him to greater faithfulness and endurance. Just as Christ experienced persecution and suffering because of his ministry, Paul faced opposition, judgment, and affliction. God takes such suffering and transforms it into redeeming power that attracts new followers and expands the gospel message.
Central Ideas
- Paul defended himself against accusations of boasting and spiritual arrogance by focusing on God rather than himself.
- Paul assured the Corinthians that he experienced personal spiritual revelations but avoided elaborating or lingering on them.
- Afflictions and persecution were more common in Paul’s life than mystical experiences.
- God is with us during our misfortune. How we face our weaknesses can provide faithful testimonies that transform others.
Questions for the Speaker
- When have you faced accusations of pride, arrogance, and self-centeredness? How did you handle it? How did your faith help you?
- When do you share personal mystical experiences with others? To what extent? What are the benefits and faith-building motivation for sharing?
- How have you taken part in Christ’s suffering and death because of your faith journey?
- How can you talk about God’s strength in weakness without implying suffering is a blessing given by God as a test?
SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY
Year B Letters
Ordinary Time, Proper 9
2 Corinthians 12:2–10 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, “Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley,” Community of Christ Sings 452, African American Spiritual.
“We must walk this lonesome valley;
We have to walk it by ourselves.
Oh, nobody else can walk it for us;
We have to walk it by ourselves.”
God of paradox, we live in community, we long for community, and we work for peace in community. Yes, we are many, and yet we are one. Empower us in community that we would stride with confidence into our lonesome valleys, knowing even as we walk on solitary paths in pursuit of peace, our friends walk with us. And the peace we walk toward is worth the price.
May we lean into these uncomfortable lonesome paths of peace with the assurance that our community waits for us, and that you, God, are ever-present.
In the name of Jesus, who walks ahead, beside, and within us. Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Praying for Peace
For today’s Enduring Principle we are focusing on the Pursuit of Peace, or shalom. In Community of Christ we follow the impress of the Holy Spirit to “work with God and others to restore shalom to creation.” As we pray for loved ones, nations, the world, and even those with whom we disagree, we focus our hearts on restoration, relationships, and reconciliation.
The following prayer was written by St Francis of Assisi:
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
Amen.
Read the prayer again. Invite the group to repeat each line as you read it.
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith.
Amen.
Sharing Around the Table
2 Corinthians 12:2–10 NRSVUE
I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows—was caught up into paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
Scholarship suggests 2 Corinthians combines several of Paul’s letters into just one. Paul writes about the challenges to his authority as an apostle. He notes the ways his ministry and teaching have been misrepresented by people within the Corinthian church and in the larger Christian community. These themes flavored some of his previous correspondence, but his defense reveals how painful the accusations have been to him personally.
Boasting was acceptable in the Greek world. Those who had acted for the city or provided a service to their community often were boastful. But some boasting was extreme and exaggerated. One charge against Paul was that he boasted too much. Paul justified his boasting “within limits” and his testimonies of grace by arguing that they pointed to God, not himself. In contrast, the super-apostles who mislead the Corinthians boast of human accomplishments and spiritual visions. Paul offers a testimony of God’s grace and his credentials for apostolic authority but avoided giving details that might draw attention to himself rather than God.
Paul writes of a “thorn” in his side. Scholars debate the nature of this thorn: an illness, a disability, a speech impediment, perhaps a person who opposed and persecuted him? We don’t know. But the thorn in his flesh continued to create difficulties for him throughout his ministry.
God turned Paul’s weakness into a strength. God takes such suffering and transforms it into redeeming power that proclaims the gospel message.
Questions
- When have you faced accusations of pride, arrogance, and self-centeredness? How did you handle it?
- How can you talk about God’s strength in weakness without implying that suffering is given by God as a test?
Sending
Generosity Statement
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 258, “Shall Tribulation or Distress”
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
Peace is like a light that shines wherever there is need.
Let’s take three deep, peaceful breaths together.
Imagine peace inside of you that shines like a light. What color is it?
Now think of someone you care about, a family member or friend.
Take a deep breath. When you breathe out, imagine sending your light to them. See them become peaceful, too.
Think of someone you don’t see often.
Take another deep breath. When you breathe out, picture the person receiving your light of peace. See the person become peaceful.
Think of someone you feel grumpy toward.
Take a deep breath. When you exhale, send your light of peace to the person. See it surround the person. See the person smile and receive peace.
Now picture the whole world.
Take a deep breath. As you exhale, send your light of peace to the whole Earth.
Pay attention to what you see and hear as Earth and all the people of the world experience peace.
When you are ready, open your eyes.
Ask: What color was your light of peace?
How did it feel to send peace to someone you care about?
Was it easy or hard to send peace to someone you feel grumpy toward? Why do you think that is?
What did you see or hear when Earth was full of the light of peace?
Adapted from Book Club Resource