Worship Tools

Worship Outline 1

Additional Scriptures 

Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45; Matthew 20:1–16; Philippians 1:21–30  

Prelude 

Welcome 

Gathering Hymn 

“Uyai Mose/Come All You People” CCS 84 

Sing three times. Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own. Can be sung along with the vocal recording found on Community of Christ Sings Audio Recordings available from Herald House. 

OR “Called to Gather as God’s People” CCS 79 

Unison Mission Prayer

print or project for all to see 

God, where will your Spirit lead today? 

Help me be fully awake and ready to respond. 

Grant me courage to risk something new  

And become a blessing of your love and peace. Amen. 

Response 

Disciples’ Generous Response 

Statement 

Can you think of people you know who always seem to exude a spirit of joy—a genuine spirit of celebration that spills over onto you? You want to be near a person like that. 

One woman I know does that for me. Every time I see her, she smiles at me as though she is absolutely delighted to see me and hear whatever I have to say. She has lots of reasons to see life differently. She has health challenges. She is aging. I once commented to her, “Every time I see you, you brighten my world. You always seem to have such a positive attitude.” She said, “You know what? Every morning when I wake up, I think, ‘I’m so glad to be alive!’” 

Gratitude is not just for those few times in life when everything is perfect and in order, when problems have gone or been tucked out of view. Gratitude transforms everyday life itself. It provides us with a new vision of God’s world and our place in it. It shapes us into a fully embraced and lived sense of belatedness. It enables us to declare, with authenticity, “I’m so glad to be alive!” 

We can get caught up in our lives focusing on what we do not have. 

—Based on Let the Spirit by Donna Sperry, p. 16 

Pose the questions: 

• What are you grateful for? 

• What things has God gifted you in your life? 

Facilitate a discussion with participants. 

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes 

Ministry of Music OR Community Hymn 

“Christ, You Call Us All to Service” CCS 357 

OR “My Gratitude Now Accept, O God/Gracias, Señor” CCS 614/615 

Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own. 

Scripture Reading: Exodus 16:2-15 

Focus Moment 

Story and Activity 

“What Is It?” story and activities based on Exodus 16:2–15 at Sermons4Kids.

OR “Our Daily Bread” at Sermons4Kids.

Hymn of God Providing 

“Golden Breaks the Dawn” CCS 185 

OR “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” CCS 11 

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own. 

OR “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” CCS 16 

Sermon 

Based on Exodus 16:2–15 

Hymn of Response 

“I, the Lord of Sea and Sky” CCS 640 

OR “As God Is Joy” sing at least twice  CCS 366 

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own. 

Translations into Spanish and French for this hymn can be found at Herald House.

Prayer for Peace 

Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 161:3c 

Light the peace candle 

Prayer 

Father-Mother God, 

Our hearts are broken by the events of our day. Wherever we look, we see violence—violence through hunger, abuse, economic policies, and war. Yet while we seem empathetic toward those who are suffering, we are not yet angry enough to work toward a solution. 

Make us more aware that mere thoughts are insufficient to address the needs of the world in which we live. Help us to see that we all can be more involved in the activities of life—involved to the degree that we elect those government officials who will worry more about human dignity than reelection; involved to the degree that we will not give a minute’s rest to elected officials through aggressive action demanding their efforts toward solutions. 

Restore our relationships, O God—our relationships with ourselves, our relationships with one another, and our relationship with you. For we acknowledge that it is only through right relationships that we will truly understand what is meant by peace. We recognize that peace is a lifestyle that must be continually nurtured. We affirm that such a lifestyle is what each of us wants. Grant that we may do so through your power and wisdom. Grant that we may become a people of peace for your glory, O God. 

Bless us now as we seek to understand; as we work toward fulfilling your purpose in us; as we strive to live lives of wholeness and righteousness. In the name of God, the Creator; God, the Redeemer; and God, the loving Presence amid life. Amen. 

—Steven Shields 

Hymn of Sending Forth 

“God Be with You Till We Meet Again” CCS 664  

OR ”Send Me Forth” CCS 651  

Sending Forth 

Notice today where divine grace is already pouring forth. The sun rises each day without being asked. The underlying rhythms and relationships hold the fabric of our lives together. Sometimes we forget to see the natural generosity that spills over throughout our days—of the planet, the people we love, the Sacred Presence in all moments, the kindness of strangers we encounter, and the gifts we carry within. You have been given life. Go, and be vulnerable to divine grace today. 

—Daily Bread, Spiritual Practice, 28 September 2018, adapted 

Postlude 

Worship Outline 2

Additional Scriptures 

Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45; Matthew 20:1–16; Philippians 1:21–30  

Prelude

Welcome

Welcome to Heritage Day. You are invited to open yourselves to a spiritual awakening as we worship together in community. Invite the Holy Spirit to awaken your soul to your Creator who continually reveals God’s-self to you.

Call to Worship

Leader: Be respectful of tradition…listen attentively to the telling of the sacred story,

People: for our story of scripture and faith empowers and illuminates.

Leader: Listen carefully to your own journey as a people,

People: for it is a sacred journey.

Leader: Community of Christ, your name, given as a divine blessing,

People:  is our identity and calling.

Leader: Discover your future,

People: we will become a blessing to the whole creation.

Leader: The Temple calls the entire church

People: to become a sanctuary of Christ’s peace.

 —Doctrine and Covenants 161:5, 162:2, 163:1, 8c, adapted

Opening Hymn                 

“Rejoice, Ye Saints of Latter Days” CCS 81

Prayer for Peace     

Light the peace candle                                                                                                      

As we unite in prayer today with people around the world, we seek just and peaceful communities on all continents that nurture and uphold the worth and dignity of all persons. Will you pray with me:

Eternal God,

We thank you for this beautiful world in which we live and for the blessings it offers to us in our daily lives. As we attempt to look more perceptively at the marvels of the universe, may we become even more aware of your presence, your power and your capabilities. Help us to seek to develop a greater sense of peace and appreciation in our lives and greater depth of faith in you, our God.

Enable us to find more often the courage to let others know that we really do believe in Jesus and what a strength and difference that makes in our lives. May we continue to develop in our lives more of the love, patience, forgiving nature, care, and concern that we see in the life of Christ. May we ever be grateful for the peace that comes as a blessing—a peace that so often passes understanding.

In our better moments, we want the Holy Spirit to move and motivate us so that we may become more willing to give more worthwhile service and to seek for spiritual guidance in our moments of decision-making. Help us appreciate more fully how blessed we are. Encourage us to continue to share with others some of the God-given gifts, which make life so wonderful and so worthwhile. This we pray in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Response

Old Testament Reflection: Exodus 16:2-15

 Tell this story of bread from heaven from a children’s story Bible 

 OR read the scripture

Ministry of Music or Community Hymn

“Put Peace into Each Other’s Hands” CCS 309

Verse 3 through 5         

OR “I, the Lord of Sea and Sky” CCS 640

Verse 3

Homily

Based on Exodus 16:2-15

Our Heritage Through Song

Introduction

Our church has a rich tradition of continuing revelation. We can follow each generation’s understanding of God’s call and invitation by reading and singing the texts of their hymns, and by hearing their past stories and journeys. Singing our way through the history of our church’s continuing awakening to God’s Invitation is the mode for the remainder of our worship. Please join with us in making a joyful noise to our God!

Reading

In Richard Clothier’s book 150 Years of Song Hymnody in the Reorganization, 1860-2010 [Herald House, 2010] he said, “The theology of a body is not only expressed but in some degree shaped by the hymns it sings.” Pay attention to the songs we sing today. How do they express who we were then? How did they shape who we are today? 

Brother Clothier’s book was also helpful in putting together this service. It provided a complete list of all the hymnals used by both the 1830 church and the 1860 reorganization. Because of time constraints, we will sing just a few songs from a few of those hymnals. Much of the commentary shared on each hymn also comes from Brother Richard’s book.

Reading

In the preface of our 1835 collection of sacred hymns selected by Emma Smith, it says, “In order to sing by the Spirit, and with the understanding, it is necessary that the church of the Latter Day Saints should have a collection of sacred hymns adapted to their faith and belief in the gospel…” There are two songs from this first collection that we still sing in Community of Christ today, The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning, and our next song, Redeemer of Israel which likens the trials of the early Saints to the tribulation of the children of Israel, and affirms that “the kingdom is ours, and the hour of redemption is near.” From 1832, let us sing Redeemer of Israel.

1835 – A Collection of Sacred Hymns for the Church of the Latter Day Saints Selected By Emma Smith

“Redeemer of Israel” CCS 388

Verses 1 and 4

Reading

The melody of this next hymn may be familiar to some of you as, “Shall We Gather at the River,” a tune popular in American in the late nineteenth century. In the Reorganized Church it became instead, “Shall We Gather Home to Zion.” This new text was written by a man who was converted, baptized, and ordained an elder on the same day! How’s that for responding to God’s Invitation? T.W. Smith went on to serve as a missionary for the new church. He became an apostle and accepted assignments as far away as Australia. “After being stricken with paralysis, he finally returned to Independence, the city to which he had longed to gather.” “Yes, we’ll gather home to Zion, our beautiful, our beautiful Zion! Gather with the saints home to Zion, and be saved in the Kingdom of God.

1889 – Saints Harmony                                        

“Shall We Gather Home to Zion” The Hymnal (Gray) 579

Verses 1 and 3

Reading

We turn to author, Vida E. Smith and her musician cousin, Audentia Smith Anderson who created a hymn based on Jeremiah 6:16:

Thus saith the Lord, ‘Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein.’

After hearing a sermon based on this scripture, Vida immediately began pondering what it meant. By the end of the worship service the hymn text was complete. Audentia composed the tune we still sing today.

1903 – Zion’s Praises

 “The Old, Old Path” CCS 244

Reading         

Our next hymn, found in serval early hymnals, including this 1933 Saints Hymnal, became an important hymn for the church because of its special role in General Conferences, before they were called World Conferences. As Richard Clothier explains, “For a number of years, this hymn, with its key line, ‘I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord,’ was sung at the end of the conferences, when the appointee assignments were read and the missionary ministers filled the stage of the Auditorium. These were emotional moments because during those years, the assignments had not previously been disclosed, either to the church or the ministers themselves.” Put yourselves in their shoes. What must they have felt as a chamber filled with 3000 fellow disciples sang alongside them as a sending forth—as a recognition of their acceptance of God’s invitation?

1933 – The Saints Hymnal

“I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go” The Hymnal (Gray) 582

Verses 1 and 2

Reading

Of the many contributors to the 1956 hymnal, Roy “Doc” Cheville may have been the most revered and influential. A professor at Graceland College, Cheville helped shape an evolving understanding of the concept of Zion – not just a particular location but a beacon to the world.  Cheville’s ministry always emphasized doing which he demonstrated with enthusiastic song leading. To this day, many remember singing along with “Doc” Cheville. 

1956 – The Hymnal

 “Send Forth Thy Light, O Zion” CCS 622

Verses 2 and 3

Reading

In the preface to the 1981 Hymns of the Saints we learn that its committee was very much aware that “the range of musical taste in the church had widened considerably during the previous two decades” as had “sensitivity to the sanctity of personhood.” The committee was also challenged to generally choose hymns that reflected the new 1978 Policy for Inclusive Language approved by the First Presidency for all church publications. One resulting hymn which became a new favorite of the church was “Now in This Moment” with the text of the stanzas written by venerable, lifelong disciples, Barbara and Richard Howard. “God’s love assures us through the unknown, God’s grace sustains us, we’re not alone.”

1981 – Hymns of the Saints

“Now in This Moment” CCS 96

Reading

“The texts and tunes in this hymnal represent the diversity and global nature of Community of Christ. This resource speaks clearly to the context of human life using metaphors and rhythms of the 21^st century and the church’s place in contemporary society.” These words from the foreword to our current hymnal help prepare us to sing songs, like our next one, “For Everyone Born.” With the imagery and the hope of a place at the table, with clean water, bread, shelter—a safe place for growing—for everyone, this song became a favorite of the U.S. church even before this 2013 hymnal was published. I invite you to sing this as God’s Invitation to you to be creators of justice, joy, compassion, and peace.            

2013 – Community of Christ Sings

“For Everyone Born” CCS 285   

Verses 1 and 5

Disciples’ Generous Response                

Share your personal testimony on Why I Give.

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes                                       

Sending Forth

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

Closing Hymn

The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning CCS 384

Verse 1

Benediction           

Young Adult: Living God, we pray that we will be aware of your Spirit pouring out upon all people at every time in history, and through every generation.

Child: Help us to imagine your future!

Youth: Awaken in us your vision for the world as it can be!                                                           

Older Adult: Dream within us your dream of peace and wholeness for every person at every stage of life as we respond to your unfolding mission throughout time.

All: Amen

Postlude

Sacred Space: Small-Group Worship Outline

Gathering

Welcome

Ordinary Time runs from Pentecost to Advent. This part of the Christian calendar is without major festivals or holy days. During Ordinary Time we focus on our discipleship as individuals and as a faith community.

Prayer for Peace

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.

Light the peace candle.

Eternal Intelligence, by the power of your Word you created everything, from the smallest particle to the largest galaxy, from the tiniest speck of life to the largest animal, from the smallest seed to the largest trees. We are in awe of your creative power. At the same time, we are humbled by our part in your creative process, from physical inventions to life itself.

Today we pray we may be creators and not destroyers. We have the opportunity to create goodwill or ill will between individuals and between nations. Inspire in us the desire to be creators of goodwill. Help us to prefer commonality over differences, compromise over stubbornness, justice over injustice, and peace over conflict. Forgive us when our creativity fails us, and we resort to anger and violence.

The peace of Christ is our home and our goal. We live in Christ’s peace even as we are challenged to live into Christ’s peace. Help us make the peace of Christ our greatest desire. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

—Steve Bolie

Spiritual Practice

Discernment through Contemplative Prayer

Read the following to the group:

Enduring Principles are a foundation of Community of Christ. Today we focus on the Enduring Principle of Responsible Choices.

We find stories in the scriptures of people reflecting on their history and seeing God’s hand in all of it. When we pause to discern God’s existence in our lives, we can sense the divine presence. Recognizing God’s presence can help us as we discern Responsible Choices in our lives. One way to help us discern is through contemplative prayer.

Read the following to the group:

Contemplative prayer is a method of meditation used by Christians to sit in silence with God. This prayer helps us experience God’s presence within us. When we become quiet and listen to our heart, we can discern where God is calling us.

Choose a word as a symbol of your intent to open yourself to God’s presence. Sit comfortably with your eyes closed and repeat your word slowly and silently. When you become aware of thoughts, physical sensations, or emotions, allow them to pass from your mind and return gently to your word.

We will continue this practice for three minutes.

Ring a chime to start the meditation.

After three minutes, ring a chime to end the meditation.

Read the following: Now we will sit in silence for three minutes. Notice what thoughts and images come into your awareness.

Ring a chime to end the silence.

Invite the group to share thoughts and reflections about this practice. 

Sharing Around the Table

Exodus 16:2–15 NRSVue

The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day. In that way I will test them, whether they will follow my instruction or not. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather on other days.” So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your complaining against the Lord. For what are we, that you complain against us?” And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening and your fill of bread in the morning, because the Lord has heard the complaining that you utter against him—what are we? Your complaining is not against us but against the Lord.”

Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the Israelites: ‘Draw near to the Lord, for he has heard your complaining.’ ” And as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the Israelites, they looked toward the wilderness, and the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. The Lord spoke to Moses, “I have heard the complaining of the Israelites; say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread; then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’ ”

In the evening quails came up and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.

—Exodus 16:2–15 NRSVue

Today’s passage gives another example of how quickly the Israelites forgot God’s faithfulness to them and reminds us of how the same is true of us.

When the Israelites came to the shore of the Red Sea, the Egyptian soldiers were advancing on them. They cried out to the Lord in fear. After God delivered them from the Egyptians, a celebration of God’s goodness ensued. Then they came to Marah, where the water was bitter. Again the people complained, and again God provided. In this passage the people are hungry, and again they complain against Moses. But Moses makes it clear that their issue wasn’t with him; their complaint was against God.

As is the case in our present-day relationships (with God and others), trust does not come easily. Rather, it is the result of patterns and rhythms of consistency and faithfulness, like that which God shows to the Israelites. Time and again, God hears the cries of the people and provides for their needs—albeit, not in the ways they might hope for or expect (such as sending a fine flaky substance like frost on the ground rather than sending a wagon full of bread).

The rhythms of promise, provision, compassion, and faithfulness are present here and throughout the Exodus story. If we pay careful attention, we also will see they are present in our journey with God.

Questions

1. When has someone walked with you in ways that built trust, provided stability, or showed great compassion for you?
2. How might you walk with someone else to provide a compassionate, stable presence?
3. What rhythms and patterns (observances, sacraments, spiritual practices) do you incorporate in your life to deepen your relationship with God?

Sending

Generosity Statement

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.

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:9

The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response.

This offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response:

God of our discipleship, As we navigate our world of debt and consumerism, help us to 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

CCS 240, “Light Dawns on a Weary World”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on the Group

•  Communion
• Thoughts for Children

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Communion Scripture

Choose one scripture to read from this selection: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Matthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–26; Luke 22:7–39.

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 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”

Bless and serve bread and wine.

Thoughts for Children

Materials: individual bags of M&Ms or Skittles (Skittles are best if you have kids with allergies), two pieces of paper, one with the number 1 written on it and the other with the number 2, tape

Before beginning your worship, tape the papers on opposite sides of your meeting space.

Begin by playing Would You Rather. Children will stand in the center of the room until you read a “Would you rather…” question. Once the question has been read, children will go stand by number 1 or number 2, depending on which option they choose. The statements begin silly, but as play continues participants will be asked to choose between wants and needs.

Would You Rather Questions

• Would you rather 1—never eat a cupcake again, or 2—eat only cupcakes for the rest of your life?
• Would you rather 1—be able to drink only water and have it always be clean, or 2—be able to drink whatever you want but always have a bug in it?
• Would you rather 1—have unlimited access to all the music you want, or 2—any movie you want?

For older kids:

• Would you rather 1—lose all of your money and valuables, or 2—lose every picture you ever have taken?
• Would you rather 1—have the newest iPhone as soon as it was released for free but always be hungry, or 2—always have enough to eat but have only flip phones?
• Would you rather 1—get to meet any celebrity you wanted but have to live without shelter, or 2—have a safe home but be ignored by anyone famous?

Say: What was difficult about choosing between the options? Affirm all answers.

What is the difference between a want and a need? Affirm all answers.

Say: In today’s scripture story, as the Israelites journeyed in the wilderness, they weren’t always comfortable and didn’t have everything they wanted. However, God continuously provided for their needs. The Israelites complained about their discomfort rather than being grateful for what they had. It is important for us to practice gratitude.

Open a small bag of Skittles or M&Ms onto a plate. Allow each child to pick one piece of candy. To eat the candy, they must share one thing they are grateful for that related to the color of their piece.

• Red: Name a PERSON you are grateful for.
• Blue: Name a PLACE you are grateful for.
• Green: Name a FOOD you are grateful for.
• Orange: Name a THING you are grateful for.
• Yellow: Name ANYTHING OF YOUR CHOICE you are grateful for.

Give each child a small bag of Skittles or M&Ms.

Sermon Helps

Translated from Spanish

Exploring the Scripture

God brought the Israelites out of Egypt after 430 years of slavery. God led them by the roundabout way of the wilderness and went before them always guiding them. Throughout the whole experience the people complained, but God’s presence never left them.

God hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he pursued the escaping Israelites. When the Israelites came to the shore of the Red Sea, the Egyptian soldiers were advancing on them. They cried out to the Lord in fear. But they murmured before Moses, and he told them, “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still” (Exodus 14:14). God did it—God divided the sea, the Israelites went across on dry ground, and the Egyptians drowned. Afterward, the Israelites held the Lord in awe and they believed in the Lord.

Then they came to Marah where the water was bitter, and again the people complained (Exodus 15:23–25). But God told Moses what he had to do, he obeyed, and the water became drinkable, and everyone could drink. Then the people were hungry, and again they complained against Moses; remembering when in Egypt they were not hungry (Exodus 16).

To reach the Promised Land the Israelites first had to cross the desert. They saw the hand of God in their favor, but they continued to complain. They quickly forgot God’s faithfulness.

They complained against Moses and Aaron, who were the leaders. However, Moses made it clear their complaint was against God (v. 8).

Perhaps they did not want to die in Egypt and did not want to die in the desert either. They just wanted food to satisfy their hunger. Anyone of us who misses a meal and goes hungry can understand their plight. God responded to the food complaint in much the same way as previous complaints. This time God promised Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven” to feed them (v. 4). God sent manna and quails. However, Israel still did not obey what God commanded.

In the New Testament, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray (Matthew 6:11). The inspiration for that prayer may have come from this daily bread provided for the Israelites in the desert. In John 6:31–33, after feeding 5,000 people, Jesus reminded the crowd that their ancestors had eaten manna in the desert. It was written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” He told them it was not Moses who gave the people bread from heaven, but “my Father” (v. 32). When the crowd asked Jesus to give them that bread always (John 6:34), Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35). Do you see the analogy between the manna of the desert, the bread of heaven and Jesus Christ as the bread of life? The manna was white, perhaps reflecting purity and holiness, and sweet as honey. Jesus Christ is God’s gift, given to us freely, which reflects God’s grace and generosity

Central Ideas

1. The bread God provided was not processed or a product of a bakery in the desert; it came straight from God to the people.
2. God is always the same. God continues to let people go free from slavery. God was the redeemer of Israel and sent Jesus with the mission to release the captives and oppressed (Luke 4:18–20).
3. The Israelites blamed Moses and Aaron. Complaints and murmurings by God’s people continue today as in the past. Sometimes we complain and blame our leaders for everything that happens in the country, community, or church.

Questions for the Speaker

1. How have you seen God providing bread, victories, and protection in your life?
2. When have you felt persecuted and faced “the sea” like Israel? When have you thought your end was imminent? How have you seen the hand of God acting in your favor?
3. Israel was not obedient to God’s commands. How important is it in our lives to obey God’s direction?
4. Seeing God’s generosity providing bread to God’s people, how do you and your congregation live out our Enduring Principle of Grace and Generosity?

Lessons

Adult Lesson

Focus Scripture Passage

Exodus 16:2–15

Lesson Focus

God is benevolent in feeding us physically and spiritually.

Objectives

The learners will…

• review the narrative of manna in the desert.
• discuss Jesus as the bread of life.
• discern God’s benevolence and generosity in our time.
• explore the contemporary call to be a covenant people.

Resources

For background into Old Testament scripture the following resources may be helpful:

• International Bible Commentary, Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1998, 426
• Feasting on the Word, Year B, Vol. 3, Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009, 290–295.
• Any lectionary commentary series for Year A, 2019-2020.

Supplies

• Bibles or copies of Exodus 16:2–15
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS)

Notes to teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Exodus 16:2–15 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: Old Testament, pp. 109–110, available through Herald House.

Gather

Think of a time when you experienced receiving the gift of generosity in any form. Think about how and why that occurred. Briefly share with one other person what you recall about that experience.

Engage

Today’s focus scripture passage is one of those familiar texts about which we may have preconceived ideas. When we read it or hear it, it may bring to mind images of fearful people wandering in a wilderness, worried about the next meal, regretting having left the familiar life, even a life of servitude. In this text the Israelites were discouraged and upset and needed help. God responded.

Ask for a few volunteers to read Exodus 16:2–15 aloud while others follow along in Bibles or the printed handout.

• We may judge those wandering Israelites rather harshly for what seems to be their doubt about the future the farther they traveled from Egypt. What might be a different interpretation of what they were experiencing?
• According to the scripture passage, what was the test God gave to the people? Why?
• In what way was God’s plan of salvation at work among the Israelites?
• Why does it seem we need constant reminders of the goodness of God?
• In Christianity, Jesus has been called the bread of life. How does that relate to what is conveyed in this narrative?

Respond

The testing part of the narrative (when God instructed how and when to gather quail and manna and to take only what they needed) was a type of loose covenant. It foreshadowed what would become the covenant at Mount Sinai.

In our contemporary lives we may not think much about covenant, other than the ones we make at baptism or marriage. Consider the following selected verses from modern-day counsel found in Doctrine and Covenants 164:9 (emphasis added).

Beloved children of the Restoration…by the grace of God, you are poised to fulfill God’s ultimate vision for the church.

When your willingness to live in sacred community as Christ’s new creation exceeds your natural fear of spiritual and relational transformation, you will become who you are called to be. The rise of Zion the beautiful, the peaceful reign of Christ, awaits your wholehearted response to the call to make and steadfastly hold to God’s covenant of peace in Jesus Christ.

This covenant entails sacramental living that respects and reveals God’s presence and reconciling activity in creation. It requires whole-life stewardship dedicated to expanding the church’s restoring ministries, especially those devoted to asserting the worth of persons, protecting the sacredness of creation, and relieving physical and spiritual suffering.

Discuss:

• The Doctrine and Covenant text names a covenant of peace in Jesus Christ. What do you think that means?
• How might God generously bless us when we wholeheartedly respond to the call to make and steadfastly hold to God’s covenant of peace in Jesus Christ?
• How has God already blessed you in your attempts to respond?

Send

Susan E. Vande Kappelle has written…

God’s benevolence never ends. The Father and the Son send the Holy Spirit to provide the power for people to believe and the impetus to share the knowledge they have received…the Spirit informs the believers, nourishes and sustains them with the bread of life, and sends them into the world with the knowledge of the bounty of God’s goodness that can be shared with others.

—Feasting on the Word, Year B, Vol. 3, Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009, 294

God sent quail and manna to feed the Israelites on their journey. The Holy Spirit has been sent to spiritually feed us on our journey of discipleship.

Invite class members to take one minute to silently think about how they have experienced God’s benevolence when open to being fed by the Holy Spirit. Ask them to talk with one other person about how they can share that knowledge so that others might in turn become aware of God’s blessings in their own lives.

Bless

The Communion hymn “In These Moments We Remember” CCS 515, captures the essence of being fed by spiritual manna. Invite the class to read or sing it together.

Youth Lesson

Focus Scripture Passage

Exodus 16:2–15

Lesson Focus

Trust God to provide and be grateful.

Objectives

The learners will…

• recognize how God provided for the Israelites.
• reflect on how God provides for them.
• practice giving thanks for the blessings in their lives.

Supplies

• Bible
• Bag of marshmallows and Teddy Grahams (or some other food to represent manna and quail) Note: Be aware of food allergies.
• Props for different roles in the scripture (optional)
• Multicolored pick-up sticks (or multicolored toothpicks or multi-colored candies)
• Copies of Gratefulness Challenge, one per learner (end of lesson)

Note to teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Exodus 16:2–15 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year B: Old Testament, pp. 109–110, available through Herald House.

Gather

Begin class by playing Would You Rather. Students will stand in the center of the room until you read a “Would you rather…” question. Once the question has been read, learners will either go to the left or the right side of the room depending on whether they chose option 1 or option 2 as their answer. The statements begin silly but as the play continues, participants will be asked to choose between wants and needs.

• What was difficult about choosing between the two options?
• What is the difference between a want and a need?

Would You Rather Questions:

• Would you rather never eat a cupcake again or only eat cupcakes for the rest of your life?
• Would you rather be able to drink only water and have it always be clean or be able to drink whatever you want but always have a bug in your drink?
• Would you rather have unlimited access to all the music you want or any movie you want?
• Would you rather lose all your money and valuables or all of the pictures you have ever taken?
• Would you rather have the newest smart phone as soon as it is released for free but always be hungry or would you rather always have enough to eat but only have an older flip phone?
• Would you rather get to meet any celebrity you wanted but live without shelter or have a safe home but be ignored by anyone famous?

Engage

Share with learners that as the Israelites journeyed in the wilderness, they weren’t always comfortable and didn’t have everything they wanted. However, God continuously provided for their needs. Assign class members a role in today’s scripture story. If you brought props, such as a staff for Moses, pass those out before you begin reading. Additionally, whoever is playing God will need the bag of marshmallows and Teddy Grahams.

Roles:

• Moses
• Aaron
• God
• Congregation of Israelites—remaining participants

Explain to the group that they will be performing a spontaneous drama. This means that as you read, they will have to act out what you are saying. For example, the beginning of the scripture passage explains that the whole congregation of Israelites complained. When you read this sentence, pause to allow time for those playing the part of the Israelites to complain. When God provides quail or manna in the story, pause and have the person playing God throw marshmallows and Teddy Grahams around and have the Israelites collect and eat the food. It is ok for this to be a little silly as they perform.

Ask:

• Why were the Israelites complaining?
• Why did God instruct the people to gather only enough food for one day? Why did God test them in this way?
• Can you think of a way that God has provided for you in your life?
• How can you intentionally practice gratitude when you feel like complaining?

Respond

This activity will give the group an opportunity to practice gratitude.

The goal of the game is to end with the most pick-up sticks. There will be six rounds with more sticks in play during the final round just as more food was available to the Israelites on the sixth day. Don’t use up all the sticks before the final round. In between each round, the students will share something for which they are grateful for every stick they collected, based on its color. They can’t repeat something they have said before and can’t repeat something a classmate has said. Encourage students to be specific so that they don’t run out of responses too quickly. For example, if the first person to respond says they are grateful for their mom, then no other student can say that. However, if the first person to respond says they are grateful for their mom Carole, another student has an opportunity to share that they are grateful for their mom Jane. If a participant cannot think of something to say that is not a repeated response, they must return all the sticks they collected that round to the middle of the room for others to collect in the next round.

At the beginning of each round, participants must have two hands on a wall in the classroom. Once you throw the sticks to the center of the room and yell “manna,” the students may run to the middle and grab as many sticks as they can before returning to the wall. When all the sticks are collected for a round have each student share what they are grateful for before starting another round of play.

Stick Colors:

Color 1: Name a PERSON you are grateful for.

Color 2: Name a PLACE you are grateful for.

Color 3: Name a FOOD you are grateful for.

Color 4: Name a THING you are grateful for.

Color 5: Name ANYTHING OF YOUR CHOICE you are grateful for.

Ask:

• Why do you think you had to return sticks when you couldn’t think of something to be grateful for?
• What makes it difficult to be grateful sometimes in life?
• How can we remember to be grateful to God for what God provides even in those difficult moments?
• How does having an attitude of gratitude change our outlook on life?

Send

Invite students to participate in a gratefulness challenge throughout the week and be prepared to share their results in class next week. If you want, offer a prize next week to the individual who completed the most elements of the challenge. Give each learner a Gratefulness Challenge! page. Regardless of whether they participate, encourage them to look for ways to be intentionally grateful each day.

Bless

Offer a prayer of thanksgiving. Before you pray, mention that you will include some silence in your prayer. Encourage learners to speak what they are grateful for into this silence.

Gratefulness Challenge!

Throughout the week, pay attention to how God is blessing your life. Bring a picture or object to answer each of these prompts.

Find something you are grateful for…

• In nature
• At your house
• That makes a beautiful sound
• That smells amazing
• That has been difficult for you
• That tastes good
• That you would want to share with others
• That you recently discovered or learned
• That has words on it
• That makes you feel strong
• That makes you laugh
• That makes you cry
• That represents your country or culture
• That is random

Children’s Lesson

Focus Scripture Passage

Exodus 16:2–15

Lesson Focus

The Hebrew people were hungry, and God provided food in an unexpected way. God provides to those who ask and trust in the Lord.

Objectives

The learners will…

• list the two ways God provided food for the starving Hebrew people.
• relate their lives to the feelings the Hebrew people felt so long ago.
• learn that God provides, even in the most unexpected ways.
• explore the Enduring Principle of Grace and Generosity.

Supplies

• Bible or Lectionary Story Bible, Year A, by Ralph Milton, illustrated by Margaret Kyle (Wood Lake Publishing, 2007, ISBN 9781551455471)
• Scented candle or air freshener that smells like food (for example: apple pie, Christmas cookie, gingerbread maple, popcorn, and so on)
• Sticky notes and pencils (enough for each child)
• Biscuit and honey for each child (be sensitive of food allergies)
• Optional: Napkins or plates
• Small paper cups (one for each child)
• Large bag of M&M’s® or similar candy

Notes to teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Exodus 16:2–15 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: Old Testament, pp. 109–110, available through Herald House.

Gather

Prior to arrival, prepare the classroom by making it smell like some type of delicious food either by using a scented candle or air freshener or by baking or cooking something nearby so that the smell wafts into the classroom. The smell should be very noticeable and stimulate most people’s salivary glands. As students walk into the classroom, engage in conversation with them about how good it smells. Give them the opportunity to guess what it smells like. The more discussion, the better. The purpose of this activity is to make the kids feel hungry or at least feel a desire for food.

Engage

Explain that today’s scripture lesson continues with the Hebrew people after they crossed the Red Sea and got away from pharaoh and his army.

Begin reading the excerpts below of Exodus 16:2–15, and from “I’m So Hungry!” page 206 in the Lectionary Story Bible, Year A. Stop at various points in the story to ask the discussion questions below.

Read:

“It’s such a long way,” Miriam sighed.

“I know,” said Aaron. “It’s hot in the daytime and cold at night. And I’m so hungry.”

“So am I,” said Miriam. “But there’s no food anywhere.”

The Hebrew people hadn’t eaten anything for days.

Stop and ask the following questions:

• Have any of you felt hungry before?
• How long have you gone without food?
• What does it feel like to be really hungry?
• Have you ever complained about being hungry?

Continue reading:

The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the fleshpots and ate our fill of bread; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

Stop and ask the following questions:

• Why did the Hebrew people want to go back to Egypt where they were slaves?
• Do you think the Hebrew people were justified in their complaints?
• The Hebrew people begin blaming Moses. How do you think Moses will answer?

Continue reading:

“God doesn’t want you to die…God got us out of Egypt. God will give us food. Trust God! Please!”

Sure enough, in the evening, a whole flock of birds flew into their camp. They were quail, a bird that looks like a small chicken. They make a funny “cwa-ka-koo” kind of noise. When you cook them, they taste really good.

So the people caught the quail and cooked them for food. They said, “Thank you, God, for sending the quail.”

Stop and ask the following questions:

• What did Moses tell the Hebrew people to do?
• Why is it sometimes hard to trust in God when things seem hopeless?
• How did God feed the starving Hebrew people?

Continue reading:

In the evening quails came up and covered the camp; and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the layer of dew lifted, there on the surface of the wilderness was a fine flaky substance, as fine as frost on the ground. When the Israelites saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.

After finishing the story, ask these final questions:

• Aside from the quail, what else did God give the Hebrews for food? (manna)
• What did it taste like? (biscuit with honey)
• Where did it come from? (from God, it was growing on plants and the ground)

Respond

Grace and Generosity is one of the nine Enduring Principles of Community of Christ. God’s grace means that we are loved exactly as we are. We do not have to do anything to earn God’s love; we are loved just as we are. God’s grace is also “steadfast love,” which means God’s love will always be with us. (For more information on the Enduring Principle of Grace and Generosity, see Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, p. 28 or Of Water and Spirit, Facilitator Guide, pp. 50–51.)

Ask:

• How did God show grace (steadfast love) to the Hebrew people?
• Did the Hebrew people “deserve” the miracle of food God provided?
• When has someone shown you grace?

Give everyone a small paper cup. Explain that God’s love is so great for us that it fills us up, even when we don’t deserve it. That is called “grace.” Walk around the classroom, filling each cup with candy.

Then explain that because God loves us, we can love others. That is called “generosity.” Tell the kids they have 30 seconds to get rid of as many pieces of candy as possible by putting them into the cups of others. If they knock over a cup, they must put all the candy that spilled out into their own cup.

After 30 seconds, compare each child’s cup. The cups will probably have almost the same amount of candy in them as when they started. Explain that being generous with our own things results in blessings of our own. During the game you didn’t stop to think: “Do they deserve this candy?” or “Should I save some for myself?” You just gave unconditionally. That is the kind of love God has for us and expects us to give to others.

Send

When the Hebrew people asked God and stayed faithful, God provided food. The food wasn’t at all what anybody ever expected, but it nourished their bodies just the same. God always provides—not always in the way we expect.

Pass out a sticky note and pencil for each child. Help them each write on their sticky notes: “Ask and we shall receive.” Once completed, tell each child to post their sticky note somewhere around the church building. As the children are posting their sticky notes, set out a biscuit with honey on the table in front of each child’s seat so that when they’ve returned, they each have some “manna” to eat.

Bless

Gather the class into a circle. Begin a circle prayer with the following prompt:

God, you are so good!

You always provide us with everything we need.

Thank you for giving me _____________.” (Ask each child to fill in the blank.)

Amen!