Generosity Cycle Worship Suggestions
November 10, 2024
Mark 12:38-44
Can We Calculate Our Giving?
Preparation:
For the past four weeks, the gathered community has been asked to write thoughts related to creating a communal statement of generosity. This week a draft of the statement will be presented. You can find instructions for each week at this link (insert link here). This week is the fifth week of the Generosity Cycle. The focus is on Respond. You can find information about the Generosity Cycle at (insert link here).
Prelude
Welcome and Call to Worship
Welcome to our worship service. Today, we gather to reflect on the boundless generosity that God has poured into our lives. In every sunrise that graces the morning sky and in every breath that fills our bodies, we witness the generosity of a loving and compassionate Creator. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the countless blessings that surround us, both seen and unseen.
This is the fifth week of the Generosity Cycle which calls us to respond to this amazingly abundant generosity of God through active participation. Our worship theme is Can We Calculate our Giving? God’s love knows no bounds. No amount of time, talent, treasure or testimony can possibly account for that limitless grace and compassion.
For the past four weeks we have been working on our communal statement of generosity. Today we will get a chance to see how our words, thoughts, ideas and prayerful consideration have come together to reflect our shared heart of generosity. While we may not be able to match God’s endless love, we can be beacons of generosity that shine brightly in a world that often yearns for compassion. Hopefully our shared statement of generosity will help guide us in that effort.
May our worship today be a reflection of God's immeasurable generosity and an inspiration for us to live out that generosity in our daily lives.
Our steps are made firm by the Lord
when he delights in our way;
though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong,
for the Lord holds us by the hand.
I have been young and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
They are ever giving liberally and lending,
and their children become a blessing.
Depart from evil, and do good;
so you shall abide forever.
For the Lord loves justice;
he will not forsake his faithful ones.
(Psalm 37:23-28)
Hymn of Gratitude
“Now Thank We All our God”
CCS 131
or “For the Beauty of the Earth”
CCS 130
Opening Prayer
Scripture Reading
Mark 12:38-44
Children’s Focus Moment
Read “No Matter What” by Debi Gliori
Synopsis: This is a story of a little fox who is in a bad mood, and is worried that its mother won’t love it forever. In this book, we see a clever and resourceful mother prove to her child that a parent’s love is limitless-no matter what! This book treats the familiar subject of childhood worries in a fresh, original and inventive way.
Discussion and questions:
- Today’s theme is Can We Calculate Our Giving? What do those words mean? (Answers vary.)
- What it means to me that there are some things that we can calculate, like how much money we spend, but there are lots of things that we have no idea about—like how much we give to people, how much people give to us, and how much love there is that goes between people.
- Large loved Small no matter what, we call that unconditional love. Do you love someone like that?
- What does it mean to love someone like that?
- Do you need a reason to love someone?
- What do you feel like when you are loved? How does it make you feel?
- Do you know someone who hasn’t felt loved at times? How do you think they feel? What can you do you help them feel loved?
Centering Moment
In the quiet hush of a sun-kissed morning, Sarah found herself perched on the edge of a weathered wooden bench, nestled beneath the sprawling branches of an ancient oak tree. The gentle rustle of leaves overhead seemed to carry whispers of centuries past, creating a sacred canopy for her thoughts. As the warmth of the sunlight bathed her face, she couldn't help but reflect on the boundless generosity she believed flowed from the very heart of the universe.
With closed eyes, Sarah took a deep breath, inhaling the fragrance of blossoming flowers nearby. In that moment of stillness, she felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the countless gifts bestowed upon her. The sun, a radiant symbol of God's generosity, painted the world in hues of gold and amber. The air she breathed, a silent reminder of the invisible threads that connected every living being in a dance of existence.
Sarah marveled at the intricate details that spoke of a compassionate Creator. The delicate balance of ecosystems, the rhythmic pulse of tides, and the symphony of birds all seemed to sing a chorus of gratitude for the abundance that flowed from a loving, abundantly generous God.
With a heart brimming with appreciation, Sarah whispered her own prayer of thanks, acknowledging the countless blessings that marked her journey.
Take a moment now to whisper your own prayer of thanks for a God that blesses abundantly. (pause)
God's abundant generosity is a constant, ever-flowing river of love. Amen.
Hymn of Reflection
“For the Fruit of All Creation”
CCS 132
or “All Things Bright and Beautiful”
CCS 135
Reflection Time
Over the past 5 weeks, we have worked together on building a statement of communal generosity. The pastor team (or whichever group has been working on the statement) have worked to take your ideas and thoughts and put them into a statement of generosity that speaks to our shared hearts as a congregation/group.
Here is a draft of that statement: (read the statement that has been prepared with the input from the congregation)
(Ask the congregation/group to take some time and think quietly to themselves, get with a partner, or get with 3-4 people and discuss the draft of this communal statement of generosity)
(Post these questions on a slide or easel board)
How do you feel about this statement? Does it capture what you have found in your heart to be true when it comes to generosity in this congregation/group?
(Feel free to discuss as a congregation by having people share their answers out loud.)
Hymn of Consecration
“Take My Life and Let It Be”
CCS 608
or “This is My Song”
CCS 389
Morning Message: Based on Mark 12:38-44
Disciples’ Generous Response
Items needed: (give each person a piece of paper with the questions: How do you feel about the communal statement of generosity? Does it capture what you have found in your heart to be true when it comes to generosity in this congregation/group?)
Generosity seems like a straightforward idea. Being generous should be easy. But that’s not always the case. Our own perceptions and values sometimes don’t match with others. Sometimes our actions don’t reflect what is in our heart. Sometimes our fears of scarcity get in the way of compassion for others.
Our communal statement of generosity helps shape our words and actions. It should help us make real what we feel in our hearts. It should help us be a beacon of generosity that shines brightly in the world. So, take another look at the statement. Is there anything you would want to change?
Once you’ve written your answers down, please place them in the offering baskets/plates when they are passed.
(allow 3-4 minutes for this activity)
Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes
Closing Hymn
“Make Us O God A Church That Shares”
CCS 657
or “With a Steadfast Faith”
CCS 649
Benediction
Sending Forth (Doctrine and Covenants 163:9)
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. Break free of the shackles of conventional culture that mainly promote self-serving interests. Give generously according to your true capacity. Eternal joy and peace await those who grow in the grace of generosity that flows from compassionate hearts without thought of return. Could it be otherwise in the domain of God, who eternally gives all for the sake of creation?
Postlude