WORSHIP RESOURCES
Ordinary Time (Proper 5)
2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1
Renew the Inner Life
Additional Scriptures
1 Samuel 8:4-20, 11:14-15; Psalm 138; Mark 3:20-35; Doctrine and Covenants 163:3a-b
Preparation
This worship outline was planned in the Dominican Republic. The service includes elements that resonate in that culture and provides worshippers with a glimpse of the worshipping church beyond their own walls.
Welcome, Joys, and Concerns
Pastoral Prayer
Prelude
Praise Hymn
“like a child”
CCS 403
OR “As God Is Joy”
CCS 366
Welcome
Welcome in the name of Jesus Christ, who taught us how to live a full life. Our theme is “Renewing the Inner Life.” Jesus often spent time alone in prayer. We, too, with life so full of activities, need to take time and make a conscious effort to step aside and connect with our God and seek to renew our inner spirit.
Call to Worship
We give you thanks, O Lord, with our whole hearts.
We give thanks for your steadfast love and faithfulness.
On the day we called, you answered us,
you increased our strength of soul.
Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
—Psalm 138:1-2, 3, 8, adapted
Opening Hymn
“Speak O Lord”
CCS 66
OR “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
CCS 99
Invocation
Musical Response
Prayer for Peace
Light the Peace Candle.
Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 163:3a-b
Prayer
O God of Peace and Mercy,
We pray day by day for peace in our world.
We give you thanks for each new day.
When we do not live peace, grant us mercy.
When we cry out in our despair, grant us peace.
When we harden our hearts, grant us kindness.
Help us to pursue peace for all of creation. Amen.
Scripture Reading
2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1
Ministry of Music OR Congregational Hymn
“I Will Talk to My Heart”
CCS 168
OR “Holy Spirit, Teacher, Friend” Stanzas 1 and 3
CCS 181
Message
Based on 2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1
Disciples’ Generous Response
Statement
Through our offerings we join in making God’s work visible in the world. During this time of Disciples’ Generous Response, we focus on aligning our heart with God’s heart. Our offerings are 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.
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 Generosity Sing as the offering is received.
“God of the Ages”
CCS 7
OR “Take My Life That I May Be/Toma, oh Dios, my voluntad”
CCS 610
Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.
Testimony of Renewal
Ask a person to share a testimony of a time when they received renewal in their spiritual life.
Hymn of Blessing
“Bwana Awabariki/May God Grant You a Blessing”
CCS 660
Sing several times and encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.
OR “O Day of Peace”
CCS 380
Prayer of Pastoral Blessing
Gracious God,
Bless us in our walk as a people of faith. Allow us to see your pathways with trusting eyes and renewed hearts.
Give us courage to keep from the fear of change and resistance to transformation.
Live in us and give us strength to change those habits and customs that are not pleasing to you;
for only by drawing closer to you can we change and renew our lives for your purposes of peace, your shalom.
May our spiritual renewal deepen our relationship with you, with other people, and with creation.
We pray a blessing of peace upon this people.
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Congregational Unison Sending Forth Print or project for all to see.
We go forth to deepen our relationship with the Divine
and renew our interior life.
Every day, may we show goodness and love through our actions.
We go in peace.
Postlude
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SERMON AND CLASS HELPS
Year B—Letters
Ordinary Time (Proper 5)
2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1
Exploring the Scripture
Last week’s text laid the foundation for humble ministry as an extension of Christ’s light and presenting fortitude and faith as victorious over afflictions. In this week’s passage, Paul presents eternal life as the supreme reward for faithful service. Each preacher brings their preconceived notions of eternal life to this topic, interfering with a complete understanding of the text. Try to approach this passage with openness and curiosity.
Paul begins by referring to Psalm 116:10: “I kept my faith, even when I said, ‘I am greatly afflicted.’” Even when facing death, the Psalmist trusted in God, a condition familiar to Paul. Paul’s statement, “I believed and so I spoke,” unites what the Psalmist said with the act of keeping the faith (v. 13). It reinforces the idea of grit amid difficulties and reminds the Corinthians they have already affirmed their faith. Now they must act it out in actual circumstances.
Belief in the resurrection provides a basis for fortitude in life’s difficulties. It gives hope for eternal life and witnesses to others how powerful and transforming the Gospel can be. Faith results in proclamation. You cannot be both Christian and silent.
“So we do not lose heart” (v. 16). Despair and discouragement have no place in life as a disciple. Affliction prepares “us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all “ (v. 17). Just as we speak of a “weighty matter,” Paul speaks of the “weight of glory.” The Greek root of the word translated as “weight” means “load,” abundance, and authority.
In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul told the Corinthians God’s Spirit transforms believers step-by-step into an increasing likeness of Christ, “from one degree of glory to another.” Eternal glory, for Paul, has nothing to do with our restoration idea of the “three glories.” Nor does it mean an exalted position, power, achievement, or personality. Glory, for Paul, refers to the unity of crucifixion and resurrection – suffering in service results in new life in, and through, Christ.
Eternal glory, vast beyond measure, is the unfathomable mystery of resurrected life in the presence of the Lord, which is beyond Paul’s capacity to describe. If it can be understood and seen, then it isn’t eternal. Instead, it is only a counterfeit of God’s intents. Eternal glory is a mystery, unseen, unknowable, resident in the Divine presence alone.
The passage is a series of contrasts: the outer human being and the inner human being; afflictions limited to human existence and eternal glory; a destructible dwelling and the indestructible presence of God. As you share these contrasts, avoid the trap of dualistic thought that presents the body as evil and the spirit as good. Paul’s theology upholds the sanctity of the body and the embodiment of Christ in Jesus of Nazareth. However, he does stress the temporary nature of our human existence, compared with the permanence of salvation and resurrection.
Despite our preconceived notions, Paul never provides a clear, definitive picture of the afterlife. His journey is a walk of faith, trusting in God’s eternal presence and glory, which remains a mystery to be accepted rather than understood.
Central Ideas
- We trust God amid the disasters of life and speak boldly of our faith.
- Despair and discouragement have no place in life as a disciple.
- For Paul, glory refers to the unity of crucifixion and resurrection—suffering in service results in new life in, and through, Christ.
- Eternal glory is the unfathomable mystery of resurrected life in the presence of God.
Questions for the Speaker
- When have you trusted God and found God faithful under challenging circumstances?
- How can love and hope combat despair and discouragement? What resources do you go to when you feel discouraged?
- How can you translate the idea of suffering through service into an idea that speaks to those who feel they have no service or ministry to give?
- When have you glimpsed “eternal glory?” How important is that idea to you in your walk of faith?
- How can your congregation embody the resurrected life of Jesus Christ in mission?
SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY
Year B Letters
Ordinary Time, Proper 5
2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1 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 our 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: “God Weeps,” Community of Christ Sings 212, written by Shirley Erena Murray and composed by Mark Miller; “...till we change the way we love, God weeps.”
God of weeping, we ask forgiveness for our failure as humanity to care for all. Our hearts break for the abused, the hungry, the betrayed, the bleeding, and the crying.
We are grateful that you weep, bleed, and cry with the oppressed. We pray that we would have the courage to do the same. May we open our hearts to the pain of the world, that in doing so, we might help heal the world.
Help us listen, that our nervous, certainty-craving minds would be open to new understandings of Christ.
In the name of Jesus, the Way of peace. Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Body Prayer
Read the following to the group:
Today we are focusing on the Enduring Principle, Sacredness of Creation.
Our bodies are an amazing gift. Sometimes we don’t feel fully connected to our bodies. Our bodies often know things before we allow our mind to think them. When we pray with the movement of our whole body, we can receive different insight than just our normal prayer stance.
Read the following to the group:
I will show you the movements with some explanations. Then we will repeat the movements three times silently together.
We start with our hands in prayer pose (hands pressed together in front of you). This centers us.
We raise our arms high. This opens us to the all-encompassing love of God.
We put our hands on our hearts. This reminds us to listen to the voice within.
We open our hands in front of our bodies. This offers our love to others.
We lift our hands to the sky. This reminds us to open ourselves to all.
We bring our hands down. This helps us gather and bring all to our heart.
We bring our hands back to prayer pose. This brings us back to stillness and peace.
Repeat the movements three times.
Read the following to the group:
Bow to one another and say, “namaste” (I bow to you).
Sharing Around the Table
2 Corinthians 4:13—5:1 NRSVUE
But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture—“I believed, and so I spoke”—we also believe, and therefore we also speak, because we know that the one who raised Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and will present us with you in his presence. Indeed, everything is for your sake, so that grace, when it has extended to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For our slight, momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen, for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
For we know that, if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Paul lays the foundation for humble ministry as an extension of Christ’s light and the reassurance that fortitude and faith are necessary to overcome afflictions. At the heart of today’s passage is a word of hope. Paul claims that “we know that the one who raised Jesus will also raise us with Jesus, and will present us with you in his presence.”
Paul begins by referring to Psalm 116:10: “I kept my faith, even when I said, ‘I am greatly afflicted.’” Even when facing death, the psalmist trusted in God, a condition familiar to Paul. Paul’s statement, “I believed and so I spoke,” unites what the psalmist said with the act of keeping faith. It reinforces the idea of grit amid difficulties and reminds the Corinthians they already have affirmed their faith.
The question for the Corinthians, torn between multiple claims of authority, becomes, “Which path is the ‘right’ path?” Paul argues that the “right” path to becoming our best selves is by becoming our “true selves” (grounded in Christ and living into God’s perfect will). Although culture and society might suggest that signs of “success” include the presence of power and the absence of struggle and affliction, Paul suggests that “success” comes with the renewal of our inner nature into the likeness of Christ.
Glory, for Paul, refers to the unity of crucifixion and resurrection—suffering in service results in new life in and through Christ. Eternal glory, vast beyond measure, is the unfathomable mystery of resurrected life in the presence of the Lord, which is beyond Paul’s capacity to describe. If it can be understood and “seen,” then it isn’t eternal, but only a counterfeit of God’s intents.
Questions
- How can love and hope combat despair and discouragement?
- How have you experienced new life in your faith journey?
- How can you embody the life of Jesus Christ in mission?
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 256, “Tenderly, Tenderly, Lead Thou Me On”
Closing Prayer
Optional Additions Depending on Group
- Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
- Thoughts for Children
Thoughts for Children
Say: During the time Paul wrote letters to the Corinthians, Christians were facing persecution. This means they were being treated poorly because of their beliefs. Because Paul knew how they were being treated, in the words of today’s scripture, we read how he was trying to encourage them by inviting them to focus on God.
It’s OK to feel sad, scared, and hurt sometimes. Life is not always easy, and we shouldn’t ignore these feelings. However, when we are struggling, God wants to wrap us in God’s love. God doesn’t make bad things go away, but God does promise to be with us always, especially when things are hard.
I want you to stretch your arms out wide, as wide as you can. God’s love for you is bigger than this! Now, take your arms and wrap them tightly but gently around yourself as if you are collecting God’s love for you and bringing it to yourself in a big hug. Close your eyes and experience God’s love.
(Participants can think of responses to the following questions in their heads, or you can let them share them out loud).
Ask:
What does God’s love look like?
What does God’s love feel like?
What does God’s love taste like?
What does God’s love sound like?
What does God’s love smell like?
Say: Next time you are having a hard time, remember how much God loves you and that God is with you. Give yourself a big hug, just like the one you gave yourself just now, and remember what it is like to experience God’s love.