Mga Kasangkapan sa Pagsamba

Balangkas ng Pagsamba

Karagdagang mga Kasulatan

Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c; Matthew 16:21–28; Romans 12:9–21

Paghahanda

Display artists’ depiction of the burning bush or provide a coloring page of the burning bush for children to complete before the service and display these pages.

Paunang Salita

Maligayang pagdating

Call to Worship: Psalm 105:1-4, 45c

Himno ng Papuri

“Source and Sovereign, Rock and Cloud” CCS 4

OR “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” CCS 13

OR “Bring Many Names” CCS 5

Morning Prayer

Tugon sa Pag-awit

“Be Still” CCS 156

Have a quartet sing this in the manner indicated in the Performance Notes at the bottom of the hymnal page.

OR “Santo, santo, santo/Holy, Holy, Holy”  repeat at least two times   CCS 159

Hikayatin ang mga kalahok na kumanta sa mga wikang iba sa kanilang sarili.

Panalangin para sa Kapayapaan

Sindihan ang kandila ng kapayapaan

Sandali ng Pagtutuon

Tell the story of Harriet Tubman, an African American born into slavery, who helped lead the Underground Railroad as she felt God called her to do. An excellent resource is the children’s storybook, Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford, Hyperion Books; ISBN: 139780786851751.

Prayer for Justice and Peace

Share the text of “Creator of the Intertwined,” CCS 344, as a prayer. End with an Amen.

Scripture Reading or Drama

Exodo 3:1-15

Enact scripture with a narrator and voices for the parts, perhaps in a Reader’s Theatre format. See script after this service.

Ministri ng Musika o Himno ng Komunidad

“God the Sculptor of the Mountains,” stanza 2 CCS 21 and then move directly to

“While Moses Tended Jethro’s Sheep,” stanza 1 CCS 595

OR “God of the Ages” CCS 7

Mensahe sa Umaga

Based on Exodus 3:1–15

Mapagbigay na Tugon ng mga Disipulo

Scripture Reading: Romans 12:9–13

A Time of Reflection

Think of a time when you received someone’s generosity in a way that surprised or overwhelmed you. It might have been a gift you had wanted for a long time, one that always seemed beyond your reach, or it might have been a gift of a person’s time or presence. Maybe it was a gift of money, or perhaps someone paid your way to an event or for an opportunity.

Questions for Reflection 

This can be silent reflection or processed in small groups or the full group. Print or project the questions for all to see.

• What was your immediate response?
  • Did the gift change your path or your outlook on life?
  • What do you think motivated the giver?

Pahayag

Such giving and receiving expresses giving from the heart. It stirs our deepest passions to give and receive this way. This is reflective of God’s generosity. We are called to “imitate God’s generosity.”         

—based on Of Water and Spirit, Herald Publishing House, p.84

Pagpapala at Pagtanggap ng Lokal at Pandaigdigang mga Ikapu ng Misyon

Himno

“God, Whose Grace Redeems Our Story” CCS 570

Hikayatin ang mga kalahok na kumanta sa mga wikang iba sa kanilang sarili.

Translations into Spanish and French for this hymn can be found at: www.heraldhouse.org

OR “Sing a New World into Being” CCS 576

OR “I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me” CCS 581

Bendisyon

Pagsusugo: Doktrina at mga Tipan 162:8c

Postlude

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Moses at the Burning Bush

Three readers: narrator, Moses, God

Position readers in different locations in the worship space or use Reader’s Theatre format.

Narrator: Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law. He led the flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush. He looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said,

Moses: “I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.”

Narrator: When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush,

God: “Moses, Moses!”

Moses: “Here I am.”

God: “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground. I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”

Narrator: And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. Then the Lord said,

God: “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people out of Egypt.”

Moses: “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

God: “I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.”

Moses: “If I come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?,’ what shall I say to them?”

God: “I Am Who I Am. Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you’: This is my name forever, and this my title for all generations.”

—based on Exodus 3:1–15

Sagradong Espasyo: Balangkas ng Pagsamba para sa Maliliit na Grupo

Pagtitipon

Maligayang pagdating

Ang Karaniwang Panahon ay tumatakbo mula Pentekostes hanggang Adbiyento. Ang bahaging ito ng kalendaryong Kristiyano ay walang mga pangunahing kapistahan o mga banal na araw. Sa Karaniwang Panahon, nakatuon tayo sa ating pagiging disipulo bilang mga indibidwal at bilang isang komunidad ng pananampalataya.

Panalangin para sa Kapayapaan

Magpatunog ng kampana o chime nang tatlong beses nang dahan-dahan.
Sindihan ang kandila ng kapayapaan.

Eternal Peacemaker, God of creation, you have trusted each of us with so much power and potential, and yet at times our vision falls short.

This day we seek to turn our hearts to you to plead for strength. We are seeking hearts filled with the desire for peace, hearts filled with the vision of the lamb and the lion being led by little children. Let our hearts be led to actions that will create a world where all will understand their worth as souls.

We seek for all persons to lay down their books of violence, switch off media that glorifies human suffering. We seek to establish a new place on the Earth you allow us to inhabit. We seek to enable all to live in harmony and curb the evil of climate change, which will lead to further poverty and destruction. We hope for more understanding from many who need to see peace in new ways. We ask for this vision in our hearts and minds. Amen.

—Gail Shurtleff

Espirituwal na Pagsasanay

Pagpapala ng Mapagmahal na Kabaitan

Basahin ang sumusunod sa grupo:

The Enduring Principle we are focusing on today is the Worth of All Persons. This principle states: “We seek to uphold and restore the worth of all people individually and in community, challenging unjust systems that diminish human worth.” By practicing a Loving Kindness blessing we remind ourselves of the Worth of All Persons.

For our blessing I’ll say a phrase, and you may repeat the words in your mind. Now, take a few moments to quiet yourself. Close your eyes.

Read the following to the group: Give the words of the meditation time to resonate in your heart and mind.

May I be blessed with loving kindness. May I be blessed with health. May I be blessed with true happiness. May I be blessed with peace.

Pause. Think of someone who is beloved to you. Visualize the person as you pray. You may insert the person’s name into the prayer in your mind.

May my beloved be blessed with loving kindness. May my beloved be blessed with health. May my beloved be blessed with true happiness. May my beloved be blessed with peace.

Pause. Now think of a close friend. Visualize the person as you pray:

May my friend be blessed with loving kindness. May my friend be blessed with health. May my friend be blessed with true happiness. May my friend be blessed with peace.

Pause. Think of someone with whom you are in conflict or has harmed you. Visualize this person. Breathe deeply and lovingly pray this blessing:

May the one who harmed me be blessed with loving kindness. May the one who harmed me be blessed with health. May the one who harmed me be blessed with true happiness. May the one who harmed me be blessed with peace.

Pause. Think of Mother Earth and all creation. Visualize all creation. Breathe out love in your blessing to all of creation.

May Mother Earth be blessed with loving kindness. May Mother Earth be blessed with health. May Mother Earth be blessed with true happiness. May Mother Earth be blessed with peace.

Pause. Invite people to share their thoughts, emotions, images as they experienced this time of blessing.

Pagbabahagi sa Paligid ng Mesa

Exodus 3:1–15 NRSVue

3 Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness and came to Mount Horeb,^[a] the mountain of God. ² There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. ³ Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight and see why the bush is not burned up.” ⁴ When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” ⁵ Then he said, “Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” ⁶ He said further, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

⁷ Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, ⁸ and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. ⁹ The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. ¹⁰ Now go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” ¹¹ But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” ¹² He said, “I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

¹³ But Moses said to God, “If I come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” ¹⁴ God said to Moses, “I am who I am.”^[b] He said further, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ” ¹⁵ God also said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord,^[c] the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you’:

These verses express a lot of what Community of Christ believes about the relationship between God and the Hebrews (or Israelites). God has compassion for their suffering. God journeys with them and calls leaders to release them from bondage and oppression. God promises to stay with them in their suffering and victories. The God of the Israelites is the awesome and indescribable divine existence. God shares God’s name, YHWH, which in English is “I am.” Many English translations use “the Lord” in place of the Holy Name. We see Moses is a key figure in the story, but this passage reminds us that God’s activity is at the heart of the story.

This is my name forever,
and this my title for all generations.

—Exodus 3:1–15 NRSVue

Moses was Hebrew by birth but was an adopted son of an Egyptian princess. He lived in two worlds as a prince and as a son of slaves. Earlier in the story, Moses killed an Egyptian guard to protect a Hebrew slave, then fled into the wilderness. He eventually became a shepherd, and this is when God reaches out to him in the form of a burning bush that never burns up. Moses must answer the call, turn toward the bush, and take off his shoes to acknowledge the sacredness of this event.

God expresses compassion for the Hebrews and calls Moses into action. Moses twice responds with serious doubts about filling this calling. In later verses he tries to decline three more times. Each time, YHWH answers Moses’ hesitation by assuring him of divine faithfulness. Moses becomes a heroic figure for the Hebrews as he reluctantly accepts his call from YHWH.

This passage from Exodus has important parallels for present-day people of the Living God. Our lives appear ordinary, with minimal significance in the world. However, when we are willing to turn our attention to the Divine Presence, we, too, have important work to fulfill that will benefit the world. God is steadfastly confident of Moses and each one of us. In our hesitation, God assures us that we do not journey alone because of God’s awesome, indescribable, steadfast faithfulness.

Mga Tanong

1. How have you sensed the Sacred in your life?
2. When have you felt called to some meaningful but difficult work? How did you respond? Looking back on that experience, what would you have told yourself then that would have been helpful to know?

Nagpapadala

Pahayag ng Pagkabukas-palad

Ang mga tapat na disipulo ay tumutugon sa lumalaking kamalayan sa masaganang pagkabukas-palad ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng pagbabahagi ayon sa mga naisin ng kanilang mga puso; hindi sa pamamagitan ng utos o pamimilit.

—Doktrina at mga Tipan 163:9

May available na offering basket kung nais ninyong suportahan ang patuloy na mga ministeryo sa maliliit na grupo bilang bahagi ng inyong bukas-palad na tugon.

Ang panalanging ito ng pag-aalay ay hinango mula sa Bukas-palad na Tugon ng Isang Disipulo:

Diyos ng aming mga alagad, Habang aming nilalakbay ang mundo ng utang at konsumerismo, tulungan mo kaming mag-ipon nang matalino, gumastos nang responsable, at magbigay nang bukas-palad. Sa ganitong paraan, nawa'y makapaghanda kami para sa hinaharap at lumikha ng mas magandang bukas para sa aming mga pamilya, kaibigan, misyon ni Kristo, at sa mundo. Amen.

Imbitasyon sa Susunod na Pagpupulong

Pangwakas na Himno

CCS 595, “While Moses Tended Jethro’s Sheep”

Pangwakas na Panalangin

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Mga Opsyonal na Dagdag Depende sa Grupo

• Komunyon
• Mga Saloobin para sa mga Bata

Sakramento ng Hapunan ng Panginoon

Banal na Kasulatan ng Komunyon

Pumili ng isang talata na babasahin mula sa seleksyong ito: 1 Corinto 11:23–26; Mateo 26:17–30; Marcos 14:12–26; Lucas 22:7–39.

Imbitasyon sa Komunyon

Lahat ay malugod na tinatanggap sa hapag ni Kristo. Ang Hapunan ng Panginoon, o Komunyon, ay isang sakramento kung saan inaalala natin ang buhay, kamatayan, muling pagkabuhay, at patuloy na presensya ni Hesukristo. Sa Komunidad ni Kristo, nararanasan din natin ang Komunyon bilang isang pagkakataon upang panibaguhin ang ating tipan sa binyag at mahubog bilang mga disipulo na namumuhay ayon sa misyon ni Kristo. Ang iba ay maaaring may iba o karagdagang pag-unawa sa loob ng kanilang mga tradisyon sa pananampalataya. Inaanyayahan namin ang lahat ng nakikilahok sa Hapunan ng Panginoon na gawin ito sa pag-ibig at kapayapaan ni Hesukristo.

Tayo ay nakikibahagi sa Komunyon bilang pagpapahayag ng pagpapala, paggaling, kapayapaan, at komunidad. Bilang paghahanda, ating awitin mula sa Community of Christ Sings (pumili ng isa):

• 515, “Sa Mga Sandali Nating Inaalala”
• 516, “Pagsasama-sama para sa Alak at para sa Tinapay”
• 521, “Magkasama Tayong Maghati-hati ng Tinapay”
• 525, “Maliit ang Mesa”
• 528, “Kainin Mo ang Tinapay na Ito”

Bless and serve the bread and wine.

Mga Saloobin para sa mga Bata

Say: Today’s scripture story is one of many times in the Bible when God called someone by name and asked the person to do something. In this story, God spoke from a burning bush and called Moses to free the Israelites. Other times, God’s voice has come as a whisper in the night, a loud roaring wind, or through Jesus. Regardless of how God called, God knew each person he called and didn’t abandon them.

Do you think God knows your name? Affirm all answers.

Has God ever called you to do something? Affirm all answers.

Say: God knows each of us by name. In one Community of Christ hymn we are told that God has gifted each of us and calls us each by name. We also are told that God will not abandon us.

Turn to the person sitting next to you and say his or her name. (If you don’t know it, find out!) Pause to listen to everyone calling one another’s names. Pause.

Say: Today, listen for God’s call and be prepared to answer, “Here I am.”

Mga Tulong sa Sermon

Paggalugad sa Banal na Kasulatan

These 15 verses of Exodus confirm a basic understanding of the interrelation between the Israelites and God. God has compassion for their suffering. God journeys with them and calls leaders to release them from bondage and oppression. God promises to stay with them in their suffering and victories. The God of the Israelites is the awesome and indescribable divine-existence of past, present, and future. God self-identifies as “I AM WHO I AM” as represented by the tetragrammaton, YHWH. Many English translations use “the Lord” in place of YHWH. Although Moses is the protagonist of the Book of Exodus, these 15 verses focus on YHWH’s nature and interrelation with God’s people.

Moses fits a familiar model of significant figures in the Hebrew Bible. His early life is one of struggle and an unlikely prelude to his becoming a person of significance. After being introduced in Exodus 2, we find Moses living the life of a lowly shepherd tending his father-inlaw’s flock at Mount Horeb in Exodus 3. He describes himself as “an alien residing in a foreign land” (Exodus 2:22) because he was in self-exile for killing an Egyptian guard. Before the murder, Moses was the adopted son of an Egyptian princess. He lived in two disparate worlds as a prince and as a son of slaves. He was born a Hebrew slave and was saved from execution by the wily actions of his mother and sister. His significance is not fully recognized from self-initiation but as a call of God.

Exodus 3:1 describes Mount Horeb as the “mountain of God.” The name implies a desert. On this mountain desert, also the location where he later receives the Law, Moses encounters YHWH. The angel of the Lord appears in a burning bush that is not consumed. Only when Moses chooses to “turn aside and look at this great sight” (v. 3) does he hear God’s call and recognize he is on holy ground. YHWH expresses compassion for the Israelites and calls Moses into action. Moses twice responds with serious doubts about filling this calling (in later verses he tries to decline three more times). YHWH answers Moses’ hesitations by assuring steadfast divine faithfulness. Moses becomes a heroic figure for the Israelites as he reluctantly accepts his call from YHWH.

Exodus 3 has important parallels for present-day people of the Living God. Our lives may appear ordinary, with minimal significance in the world. However, when we are willing to turn our attention to the Divine Presence, we, too, have important work to fulfill to benefit the world. In our hesitation, God assures us we do not journey alone because of God’s awesome, indescribable, steadfast faithfulness.

Mga Pangunahing Ideya

1. Paying attention to burning bushes causes us to recognize we are on holy ground.
2. God’s hope is for compassion and freedom from oppression.
3. God’s steadfast presence empowers Moses to serve despite his reluctance.

Mga Tanong para sa Tagapagsalita

1. When has God’s presence powerfully caught your attention?
2. When have you tried to confine God?
3. How does God continue to assure you that you are not serving alone?

Mga Aralin

Aralin para sa Matanda

Sipi ng Banal na Kasulatan na Nakatuon

Exodus 3:1–15

Pokus ng Aralin

All are called; God chooses some for a divine commission.

Mga Layunin

Ang mga mag-aaral ay…

• review the narrative of Moses as an adult that led to his first experience on the mountain.
• describe theophany.
• compare Moses’ calling to our personal experiences of being called.

Mga Mapagkukunan

Bilang panimula sa banal na kasulatan ng Lumang Tipan, maaaring makatulong ang mga sumusunod na sanggunian:

• International Bible Commentary , Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1998
• Anumang serye ng komentaryo ng leksyonaryo para sa Taon A, 2019-2020

Mga Kagamitan

• Bibles or handouts of Exodus 3:1–15
• Ang Komunidad ni Kristo ay Umaawit ( CCS )

Mga Tala para sa Guro

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Exodus 3:1–15 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: Old Testament, p. 105, available through Herald House.

Magtipon

The compilers of the book of Exodus used bits and pieces of stories of ancestors and history to trace a pattern that revealed God’s divine presence in choosing people to assist in God’s work of liberating, preserving, and molding a people of God, as God had promised.

In today’s passage, we will remember the call of the unlikely hero, Moses, to be an agent of liberation.

Sing the swing version of “When Israel Was in Egypt’s Land” CCS 294 or sing or read stanza 1 of CCS 293.

Makipag-ugnayan

Background

The theory that Moses was the sole author of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Torah or Pentateuch) has largely been questioned due to what appears to be a merging of diverse strands of similar stories: some feature genealogical family trees attributed to a Priestly source (P); and some feature a mixture of what have been labeled J (Yahwist) and E (Elohist) sources based on their reference to God (Yahweh–the Y in German is a J) and Elohim. Whatever the source, the stories of ancient ancestors recorded in Genesis are a composite of legends, myths, and remembered traditions to help the Hebrews better understand God’s invisible, guiding hand throughout their history. In the story of Jacob preparing to meet up with Esau after many years apart, we see how the blessing Jacob stole became legitimate as he tried to follow divine directive to return to the land of his ancestors.

Briefly review the narrative (summarized below) that leads to today’s focus scripture in Exodus 1:8—2:10.

Moses grew up as a privileged member of the Egyptian ruler’s family but also had been brought up to know his own people, the Hebrews. One day he saw firsthand how terrible was their oppression, and he committed murder to protect some of his people. That made his own people afraid of him. But he also ended up in trouble with Pharaoh (that is what the J source called him) and fled to the land of Midian. He continued to act to intervene where he saw injustice, and the result was an invitation to dwell with a priest and his daughters, one of whom was given to him in marriage. He lived in Midian with his family for many years.

Finally, the King of Egypt (the title used by the E source)—who had sought to have Moses killed—died. But the Hebrews continued to be severely oppressed and cried out to God for help. It was at this point that Moses reentered the story.

Ask class members to briefly tell what they remember about Moses’ experience as a shepherd for his father-in-law when he took the flock beyond the wilderness to a mountain.

After hearing a few responses, invite them to compare what they remember to the scripture itself as it is read.

Recruit three volunteers to read Exodus 3:1–15.

Narrator (all the verses not in quotes)

Moses

The Lord, God

Talakayin:

• What is the first thing that stood out to you when hearing this text today? Why?
• The burning bush was a theophany (a manifestation of God that is tangible to the human senses). Why would Moses have reacted with fear?
• What was the divine commission that Moses was given?
• This is the first time God’s name “I Am” is used. In a world where multiple gods were worshiped, discuss the significance of “I Am.”
• What is the primary theme of this text? How was it a continuation of the compiled story affirming God’s covenant with the Hebrew ancestors to be a people with a purpose and to be a people of the land of promise?

Tumugon

Being called by God to mission, in whatever form that might be, may stir up emotional reactions, both positive and negative. In the next chapters of Exodus, which you might want to read this week, we learn that Moses was reluctant to tackle the job and offered many excuses for not accepting it.

• Tell about an experience you had when you were asked to take on a task that you felt was too hard or too far outside your comfort zone.
• If you have received a priesthood call, tell about your initial reaction to that call.
• Moses was summoned into divine presence unexpectedly. How might we better prepare for such encounters with the Triune God?
• The authors of Exodus tell a story to shape a people in faith and commitment. How do you see that happening in Community of Christ today?

Ipadala

One of Community of Christ’s Enduring Principles is All Are Called. As you think about today’s scripture text, put yourself in Moses’ sandals. If you were called as he was, what would be your answer? Briefly explore that question with one other person.

Pagpalain

Sing or read “The Summons” CCS 586.

Aralin sa Kabataan

Sipi ng Banal na Kasulatan na Nakatuon

Exodus 3:1–15

Pokus ng Aralin

God empowers us to serve God despite our weaknesses and fears.

Mga Layunin

Ang mga mag-aaral ay…

• explore the scripture passage about Moses’ call to serve God and the Israelites.
• discover words to define God.
• analyze the Enduring Principle All Are Called and how it includes each learner.

Mga Kagamitan

• Bibliya
• Sharing in the Community of Christ,4th Edition, Herald House, 2018
• Doctrine and Covenants 163, 164, and 165
• Two pieces of chart paper and markers OR one piece of chart paper and sticky notes and pens
• Brown paper cutouts of feet or sandals
• Plain paper and pens

Paalala sa Guro

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Exodus 3:1–15 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year B: Old Testament, p. 105, available through Herald House.

Magtipon

Leader Wanted

God made a promise to Abraham that if the Israelites (Abraham’s family and descendants) would serve God, God would bless them with prosperity and many blessings. The Israelites had lived in Egypt since the days of Joseph. They thrived and multiplied. Joseph died and a new pharaoh came to power. The pharaoh was threatened by the growth and size of the Israelite population. Pharaoh made slaves of them forcing them to construct new cities for the Egyptians. The Israelites were suffering under those conditions, but they were faithful to God, and God was faithful to them. God heard their suffering. In today’s lesson, God finds a reluctant leader, one of their own, to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. What if God contacted you to complete a project like this? Discuss.

Makipag-ugnayan

A Shepherd, a Bush, and a Call to Serve

The Book of Exodus is the story of Moses’ life. There was trouble in Egypt when he was born. His own mother, who became his nurse in Pharaoh’s home, trained him in God-things. His Egyptian mother, Pharaoh’s daughter, trained him in Egyptian wisdom and learning.

Moses lived 40 years in Egypt before he went to the land of Midian to become a shepherd for a man named Jethro. There he married and had a family. Moses was much older, but he was happy, comfortable with his life, and did not want new adventures. Have you ever made excuses to avoid doing something?

Read Exodus 3:1–15 to learn about the turning point in Moses’ life. Then discuss the questions.

• What is the setting? Note that Moses will return to this place.
• What is unusual that catches Moses’ attention?
• Whom did Moses find there?
• Who is the first to speak in the passage?
• What does this speaker want to be called?
• What did God ask Moses to do?
• Why did Moses need to take off his sandals?
• What is holy ground? Have you ever heard that term before? Where?
• How did Moses respond to God and the call to serve?
• Why is Moses’ life story important to us?

Tumugon

I Am Who I Am

Distribute markers to each learner. On a large sheet of chart paper have each learner write words to define God. (The teacher may want to give each learner a sticky-note to write their definitions and then have the learners share as they put it on the wall.)

Return to today’s scripture passage and reread Exodus 3:6, 13, 14, 15 one at a time and discuss each verse. Add to the definition list if needed. Continue reading from Doctrine and Covenants scriptures below, discussing and adding to the chart words that help define God.

As a spiritual venture, boldly follow the initiatives into the heart of God’s vision for the church and creation. Then, in response to growing insight about God’s nature and will, continue to shape communities that live Christ’s love and mission.

—Doctrine and Covenants 165:1b

Free the full capacity of Christ’s mission through generosity that imitates God’s generosity.

—Doctrine and Covenants 165:2a

As revealed in Christ, God, the Creator of all, ultimately is concerned about behaviors and relationships that uphold the worth and giftedness of all people and that protect the most vulnerable.

—Doctrine and Covenants 164:6a

Beloved children of the restoration, your continuing faith adventure with God has been divinely led, eventful, challenging, and sometimes surprising to you. By the grace of God, you are poised to fulfill God’s ultimate vision for the church.

—Doctrine and Covenants 164:9a

Si Hesukristo, ang sagisag ng shalom ng Diyos, ay inaanyayahan ang lahat ng tao na lumapit at tumanggap ng banal na kapayapaan sa gitna ng mahihirap na tanong at pakikibaka ng buhay. Sundan si Kristo sa daan patungo sa kapayapaan ng Diyos at tuklasin ang mga pagpapala ng lahat ng aspeto ng kaligtasan.

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:2a

Going Deeper: The Potential in the Basket

Baby Moses was found in a basket nestled in the reeds near the bank of the Nile River. Little did Moses’ mother, his sister, or the daughter of Pharaoh know of the potential within that tiny life. When a baby is born, there is potential for many things. People, events, learning, and decisions mold that potential for many years. Moses was called by God for an immense task, to lead the Israelites from slavery out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. This land was promised by God to Abraham on the condition that the people would serve God who promised to be with them.

• What might God be calling you to do?
• Are you preparing?
• How can you serve God?

(Make footprint or sandal cutouts of brown paper for learners to write what they will do and who they will ask for help.) Invite them to put the footprints or sandals in their Bibles.

Ipadala

Reluctant Servant—All Are Called

Moses was a reluctant servant. He stuttered and did not think the Israelites would follow his leadership. Pharaoh would laugh in his face. But God called him and promised to be with him. Moses was empowered to serve despite his reluctance because of God’s steadfast, faithful presence. Moses returned to Egypt to lead the Israelites to freedom.

God calls all of us. Read the Enduring Principle All Are Called.

Lahat ay Tinatawag

• Buong-kabaitang binibigyan ng Diyos ang mga tao ng mga kaloob at pagkakataon upang gumawa ng mabuti at makibahagi sa mga layunin ng Diyos.
• Inaanyayahan ni Hesukristo ang mga tao na sumunod sa kanya sa pamamagitan ng pagiging mga disipulo na nakikibahagi sa kanyang buhay at ministeryo.
• Ang ilang mga disipulo ay tinawag at inoordenan sa mga partikular na responsibilidad at ministeryo ng pagkasaserdote para sa kapakanan ng komunidad, ng kongregasyon, at ng mundo.
• We respond faithfully with the help of the Holy Spirit, to our best understanding of God’s call.

—CofChrist.org/enduring-principles

Think about how God is calling you. Maybe it is to serve at a food pantry, maybe it is to visit the elderly, maybe it is to be a good friend or a good listener. Write a sentence beginning with each letter in the word “Moses.” Each sentence should be a challenge to yourself about how you will respond to God’s call.

My first challenge is to pray for God’s strength each day.

O………………

S……………….

E………………

S………………

Pagpalain

Pagpapadala

The challenges and opportunities are momentous. Will you remain hesitant in the shadows of your fears, insecurities, and competing loyalties? Or will you move forward in the light of your divinely installed call and vision?

—Doctrine and Covenants 164:9e

Aralin ng mga Bata

Sipi ng Banal na Kasulatan na Nakatuon

Exodus 3:1–15

Pokus ng Aralin

All are called by God.

Mga Layunin

Ang mga mag-aaral ay…

• hear the Bible story of Moses at the Burning Bush.
• explore the Enduring Principle of All Are Called.

Mga Kagamitan

• Bibliya o Kwento ng Leksyonaryong Bibliya, Taon A , ni Ralph Milton, iginuhit ni Margaret Kyle (Wood Lake Publishing, 2007, ISBN 9781551455471)
• Clear plastic cups
• Red, orange, and yellow tissue paper
• Pandikit
• Battery-operated tea lights
• Permanent markers

Mga Tala para sa Guro

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Exodus 3:1–15 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: Old Testament, p. 105, available through Herald House.

Magtipon

Tell the children some riddles:

• If I drink, I die. If I eat, I am fine. What am I? (fire)
• What kind of man can never enjoy a blazing fire? (a snow man)
• I am not alive, but I grow; I don’t have lungs, but I need air; I don’t have a mouth, but water kills me. What am I? (fire)
• What can’t be burned in fire, nor drowned in water? (ice)
• Can you guess what our scripture passage is about today? (fire)

Makipag-ugnayan

When Moses was a baby, his mother put him into a basket and placed the basket in a river to save his life. He was found by the Egyptian princess. He was raised as an Egyptian. As Moses grew older, he realized how poorly the Hebrew people were treated in Egypt. He also learned that he was Hebrew.

Read “Moses Goes Back to Egypt” in Lectionary Story Bible, Year A, on pages 194–195, or read Exodus 3:1–15.

Talakayin:

• What did God tell Moses to do?
• How did Moses feel about this call?
• Did he feel like he was ready and able?
• What excuses did Moses make? (I don’t know how to talk very well. Couldn’t someone else do it? What will I tell them?)
• What was God’s response? (I will be with you.)

Tumugon

Burning Bush craft

Bigyan ang bawat bata ng isang malinaw na plastik na tasa at mga piraso ng pula, kahel, at dilaw na tissue paper. Maaaring lagyan ng mga bata ng pandikit ang loob ng tasa at idikit ang tissue paper sa loob, hayaang nakalaylay ang ilan dito sa ibabaw ng tasa. Pagkatapos, ipadrowing sa mga bata ang isang puno o palumpong sa labas ng tasa gamit ang isang permanenteng marker.

Kapag naglagay sila ng tea light na pinapagana ng baterya sa loob, ang tasa ay magmumukhang kumikinang na parang apoy. (Para sa mga detalye ng paggawa, tingnan ang “Burning Bush Craft for Kids” ni Beth Gorden sa www.123homeschool4me.com )

Ipadala

Isa sa mga Pangmatagalang Prinsipyo ng Komunidad ni Kristo ay ang Lahat ay Tinatawag. Naniniwala kami na ang Diyos ay nagbibigay sa lahat ng tao ng mga espesyal na talento at kaloob, at tayong lahat ay tinawag upang sumunod kay Hesus at ibahagi ang ating mga espesyal na talento at kaloob sa mundo.

Nang marinig ni Moises ang tinig ng Diyos sa nagliliyab na palumpong, medyo nakipagtalo si Moises. Inisip niya na hindi siya sapat na mabuti at sa palagay niya ay hindi niya alam ang tamang mga salitang sasabihin. Kailangang magtiwala si Moises na alam ng Diyos ang pinakamabuti, at tinatawag siya ng Diyos upang gumawa ng isang bagay na mahalaga.

Talakayin ang mga pagkakataon kung kailan tinawag ang mga bata para gumawa ng isang bagay, ngunit kinabahan sila dahil dito. Maaari mo ring ibahagi ang iyong personal na karanasan. Ipaalala sa mga bata ang sipi mula sa banal na kasulatan noong nakaraang linggo mula sa Awit 56:3: “Kapag ako ay natatakot, inilalagak ko ang aking tiwala sa iyo.”

Sinunod ni Moises ang mga utos ng Diyos, kahit na natatakot siya.

Maglaro ng larong “Sundan ang Pinuno” upang ipaalala sa lahat na tayong lahat ay tinawag upang sumunod sa Diyos sa ating sariling natatanging paraan.

Pagpalain

Patayin ang mga ilaw sa silid at pabuksan sa mga bata ang kanilang mga kandila na may tea light. Anyayahan ang isang bata o ilang bata na mag-alay ng panalangin.