Additional Scriptures

Psalm 147:12-20; John 1:1-18; Ephesians 1:3-14 

Preparation 

Distribute 3×5 cards and something to write with to each person as they enter to be used during the Disciples’ Generous Response Activity. 

Prelude 

Gathering Song 

“Many and Great” CCS 3 

OR “I Will Sing, I Will Sing” CCS 112 

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own. 

Welcome and Scripture of Invitation 

Doctrine and Covenants 161:1 

Consider having this read from a balcony or the back of the sanctuary. Remember to use a microphone so all can hear online and in the sanctuary. 

Call to Worship 

Leader: Christ is risen! 

People: Praise be to God! 

Leader: Thus we believe that God is God of life, not of death. By faith we share in eternal life even now. 

People: Praise to the God of our lives and all life! 

Leader: The gospel is the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ: forgiveness of sin, and healing from separation, brokenness, and the power of violence and death. 

People: Praise be to God! 

Leader: This healing is for individuals, human societies, and all of creation. 

People: Praise be to God and to our Lord Jesus Christ! 

Leader: Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing! 

People: Praise be to God! 

Leader: The forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that were lavished on us. 

People: Praise God for the gift of restored life! 

Leader: With all wisdom and insight God has made known to us the mystery of God’s     will, so that we, who set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of God’s           glory! 

All: Praise and glory to God, our hope! 

—Community of Christ Basic Beliefs, and Ephesians 1:3–12, adapted 

Opening Hymn               

“Earth and All Stars” CCS 102 

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own. 

OR “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!” CCS 105 

Prayer for Peace 

Light the peace candle. 

Prayer 

God of peace, 

As we are together, praying for peace, let us be truly with each other: 

• Let us pay attention to our breathing. Let us be relaxed in our bodies and our minds.
• Let us be at peace with our bodies and our minds. . . 
• Let us be aware of the source of being common to us all and to all living things.
• …let us fill our hearts with our own compassion – towards ourselves and towards all living beings.
• Let us pray that we ourselves cease to be the cause of suffering to each other.
• Let us plead with ourselves to live in a way which will not deprive other beings of air, water, food, shelter, or the chance to live.

With humility, with awareness of the existence of life, and of the sufferings that are going on among us, we pray for the establishment of peace in our hearts and on earth. Amen. 

—“Meditations,” by Thich Nhat Hanh in Earth Prayers, p. 381 

Scripture and Testimony 

Ask each person sharing a testimony to read the scripture selection preceding his or her sharing. 

Jeremiah 31:7–9 

Testimony of Transformation: How has God led you to gladness? 

Jeremiah 31:10–11 

Testimony of Transformation: How has being a Christian brought you hope? 

Jeremiah 31:12-14 

Testimony of Transformation: When have you felt God’s bounty through others? 

Disciples’ Generous Response 

Activity 

Invite the congregation to write on cards sorrows or sufferings they carry with them. As they bring their offerings forward to be received, have them leave the cards in a basket to signify that they choose not to be bound by them anymore. Then, have assistants give each one a small token of joy—a hug, smiley face sticker, or flower—as a sign of the joy that comes from generous service and response to God in our lives.  

Play meditative music during the Activity. 

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes 

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper 

Invitation to Communion 

Communion Talk 

Communion Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 

Hymn of Preparation 

“I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” CCS 31 

OR “O Lord, How Can It Be” CCS 529 

Blessing and Serving of the Bread and Wine 

Pastoral Prayer 

Include praying for the concerns and needs represented by the cards submitted in the Disciples’ Generous Response Activity. Perhaps bring the basket of concerns to be “prayed over.” The person praying should not read the individual cards but base the prayer on more general pastoral needs. 

Hymn 

“Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises” CCS 656 

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own. 

OR “Now Let Our Hearts Within Us Burn” CCS 658 

OR “God Forgave My Sin in Jesus’ Name” CCS 627 

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own. 

Sending Forth 

Read “This Is a Day of New Beginnings,”  stanzas 1 and 4 CCS 495. End with “Go in peace.” 

Postlude 

Gathering

Welcome

Prayer for Peace

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.
Light the peace candle.

Radiant God, we come into your presence grateful for the light you have brought into the world; breathe your spirit into our very beings. May your love shine from within us as evidence that you continue to bless your creation with possibility and peace.

Pause.

Illuminating One, as we experience that light within us, help us radiate your love and light to those around us. May our friends, families, coworkers, and neighbors become aware of your light that emanates from within them as well, redeeming brokenness and creating peace.

Pause.

Light of the world, extend ever-increasing brightness within this circle of self and friends to those who live all around the world. We remember all nations, including Nigeria, the country we pray for today. In places of darkness and hopelessness, may rays of your saving light break through and provide the way to hope and peace.

Pause.

Holy One, who created darkness and light, bless all your creation with the energy your light produces. Continue to sustain all forms of life—seen and unseen, for the welfare of your beloved creation. May the entire Earth be at peace.

Pause.

May the One who spoke light into darkness and substance out of the void hear our prayers. May the circle of light in which we live be enlarged to encompass all that was, and is, and is to be. Amen.

Spiritual Practice

Praying Liturgical Prayer

Give each person a copy of the prayer. Invite the group to read the prayer aloud with you.

Light of life, you came in flesh,
born into human pain and joy,
and gave us power to be your children.
Grant us faith, O Christ, to see your presence among us,
so that all of creation may sing new songs of gladness
and walk in the way of peace. Amen.

—Vanderbilt Divinity Library

Sharing Around the Table

Jeremiah 31:7–14 NRSVue

“I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow” (Jeremiah 31:13). These are surprising words coming from Jeremiah, who is not typically regarded as a happy or particularly encouraging prophet. In fact, so unyielding is Jeremiah’s usual brand of rebuke and doomsday preaching that an entire style of sermonizing called the “Jeremiad” is named after him.

After spending 40 years warning his people that disaster was coming, this section, known as the “little book of consolation,” shines like a light piercing through a raging storm. In this passage, God promises to refashion and rebuild a fractured and exiled people. Joy overtakes grief, singing replaces weeping. The destruction and death sounded elsewhere by Jeremiah is here reversed to proclaim healing and new life. This “little book of consolation” offers a much-needed moment of respite—a breath—as it addresses a community reeling from the consequences of trauma.

Traumatic violence imprints itself on individuals and communities, particularly those most discriminated against in society. Remarkably, God’s vision for the restoration of Israel is more than a return to the old ways, but instead a refashioning of society to include the lame and blind who were excluded from coming before God in their former society. Not only will young women dance and men of every age rejoice, but the most vulnerable members of society will return to Israel as well. In this reconciliation, everyone will share in the joy and abundance of life. God proclaims a restored life of wholeness (shalom), characterized by justice, harmony, and peace, that is communal as much as it is individual.

The question of communal salvation raises the issue: Who in our communities is not yet singing joy? Who has been left behind? Think of people living in exile around the world today due to war and foreign occupation. Think of those in our society who are neglected or marginalized because of their differences of color, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, or religion. Think of those who have experienced the trauma of violence.

Along with Jeremiah, it is easy to despair over our society being a far cry from what is envisioned in this passage. But let us drink deeply from words of hope: “I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.” During this Christmas season, may we offer our own “little book of consolation” to a troubled world, bringing tidings of comfort and joy to the wounded and the neglected.

Questions

1. How have you felt the reassuring love of God during troubling times?
2. If Jeremiah were writing today, who do you think would be included in his “little book of consolation”?
3. Jeremiah’s writings offer words of comfort and hope. In what ways can you share the ministry and message of Jesus to offer comfort and hope in our present age of war, violence, and marginalization?

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.

God of Love and Light,

In this season of hope, love, and joy, may the peace of your son Jesus be made real in the world. May our hearts, minds, hands, and resources be useful in the cause of bringing your light where there is darkness and your love where there is despair, anger, fear, and suffering. May our offerings be used toward your purposes we pray.

Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn

Community of Christ Sings 430, “When the Present Holds No Promise”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God with us, was born on Christmas Day; leading the walk in the way of truth; showing us how to love and serve one another. In the birth of Jesus, we recognize God’s great love. In the sacramental act of sharing Communion, we remember the gift of Jesus Christ to our world.

As we celebrate and remember the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day, our experience of being together as we share in Communion is an expression of blessing, healing, peace, and community.

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.

In preparation let’s sing hymn 515 from Community of Christ Sings, “In These Moments We Remember.”

Blessing and serving bread and wine.

Thoughts for Children

The Gifts of Christmas

Note: Check with parents prior to Thoughts for Children to make sure they are ok with their child receiving a brownie (or another sweet treat).

Materials:

• Tray of brownies or another sweet treat
• Napkins

Show participants a tray of brownies (or other sweat treats).

Ask: What happens when I give these brownies away? (I will have less. I will run out of brownies. Affirm all answers.)

Say: Wouldn’t it be great if I had a tray of brownies that never ran out? No matter how many brownies I gave away, I would always have more to give!

Today is the second Sunday after Christmas. Remember, even though the celebration of giving and receiving gifts may be over, the season of Christmas is not over. Christmas lasts from Christmas day until Epiphany on January 6—12 whole days. During this time, we continue to celebrate the gifts that Jesus brings into the world.

Ask: Does anyone remember what they are? [Joy, Hope, Love, Peace]

Say: What’s really cool about these gifts is that they are like a never-ending tray of brownies. Even when we give them away, we still have them. Sharing joy, hope, love, or peace with someone else doesn’t mean less joy, hope, love, or peace for us. It means more joy, hope, love, and peace for the world!

Last time we were together we shared these gifts with everyone who was with us. But there are many people in the world who have never been given the gifts of joy, hope, love, and peace. Just like I plan to share a brownie with you, we can plan to share joy, hope, love, and peace with everyone we meet.

[Give participants a brownie and napkin.]

Say: As you eat your brownie, think about the different ways you can share joy, hope, love, and peace in the world.

Exploring the Scripture

Jeremiah was a prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel (sometimes referred to as Ephraim) during the time of the Babylonian conquest. The people who were taken to Babylon as captives despaired of ever returning to Israel. Jeremiah viewed the conquest as God’s punishment on the people for failing to obey God’s commandments. They had not helped those who were poor. They had ignored the most vulnerable people among them or had treated them unjustly. In many of the passages, he prophesied Jerusalem’s destruction and God’s vengeance on Judah, and on all nations that refused to turn to God.

For centuries, the people had believed that God gave them the land of Israel and Judah as part of their covenant with God. Their identity as a people was connected to the land. They also believed God was attached to the land. Thus, exile was doubly difficult. They were separated from their homeland and all they loved. They thought they no longer enjoyed God’s protection and care, which they believed was limited to the boundaries of the land God had given them. But destruction, oppression, and exile are not God’s last word. In chapters 30 to 32, Jeremiah’s words of hope are collected in a set of scripture passages that scholars call the Book of Consolation. Our scripture passage for today contains part of those consoling words. Today’s reading assures the people that God will bring Israelites from every nation and restore them to their homeland. There will be celebrating and thanksgiving.

Imagine the comfort they felt as they heard and thought about Jeremiah’s promises! God will lead them back to their land! God will care for them as a shepherd cares for the flock. God will watch over “the blind and the lame” and the pregnant (v. 8). The people of Israel will enjoy rich harvests and bountiful blessings, as if they lived in a cultivated garden, with plenty of water. What a great promise in a desert land! God will turn their mourning into dancing and their sorrow into gladness. Such is the future God has in mind for them.

Note the specific words of salvation in verse 11: ransomed and redeemed. Both of those words refer to the ancient practice of paying a fee to reclaim a possession or to free people who were sold into slavery because they could not pay their debts. Jeremiah uses these words to create an image of the Israelites as possessions belonging to the Babylonians. God will pay the fee to bring them home because he loves them like a father loves his firstborn child (v. 9).

As we read these verses today, the images of prosperity and homecoming bring promise and hope. Which of us has not lost our way, wandering from our true home in the heart of God? At times, we feel like exiles in a strange land. Even the most faithful have moments when God seems far off, anchored in a land of blessing and bounty that we left long ago. But the vision of hope is sure! There will be a homecoming and the land of faith and covenant will be restored. God’s strength and will are mightier than the forces of division. Whatever difficulties we face in our lives, like the ancient Israelites, we will rejoice in God’s goodness. We have a Divine Parent who cares for us and calls us beloved (see v. 3).

Central Ideas

1. God is with us wherever we are, even when we feel we have left God far behind us.
2. No matter how far we wander or how lost we feel, God will bring us home.
3. God loves us with an everlasting love that is beyond our understanding.
4. God’s future will restore everything and we will rejoice in the kingdom God prepares for us.

Questions for the Speaker

1. When have you felt like an exile in a strange land?
2. How has God repeatedly brought you home to faith, covenant, and forgiveness?
3. What can we do to join God in the act of restoration and renewal for those who are exiled around us.

Focus Scripture Passage

Jeremiah 31:7–14

Lesson Focus

God Provides

Objectives

The learners will…

• explore trauma of separation.
• discover hope.

Supplies

• Bible
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS)

Note to Teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Jeremiah 31:7–14 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year C: Old Testament, pp. 31–32, available through Herald House.

Gather

Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)

Read together “When Senseless Violence,” CCS 205 verses 1–3.

• Share a time when a senseless tragedy or event called you to question your faith in God.

Read CCS 205 verse 4.

• Where did you find hope?

Offer a prayer of gratitude.

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

Read Jeremiah 31:7–14 together.

In Christian tradition, the prophet Jeremiah is sometimes referred to as “the weeping prophet.” His ministry occurred when Judah was in turmoil through the collapse of Jerusalem in 587 BCE and the beginning of the Babylonian exile. Jeremiah was not exiled during this time but speaks to those who remained in Judah and Israel whose families, friends, and neighbors have been taken away and for whom the sense of loss is severe. Additionally, many ancestors from the deported tribes of Israel were connected to their former life only in memory, tradition, and hope.

Jeremiah chapters 1–29 speak to judgment, despair, anger, exile, and death. Chapter 30 brings a shift of focus: hope is rekindled, God will restore the lost and create a new covenant that would surpass all other covenants. Mourning will turn to joy, there will be gladness instead of sorrow, and the people will be blessed beyond measure. When all seems impossible, God’s grace will abound.

Discuss:

• Who in your life, your family, or your faith community has been lost because of bad choices or circumstances beyond their control?
• How has this impacted you or those around you?
• How do you find hope in God’s promise?

Respond

Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time)

In their eleven years of marriage, Amy and Juan had four children, a home, car, and jobs. Juan was a hard worker, and the family was secure. Then U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) began rounding up undocumented immigrants to deport back to Mexico. Juan had started the process to become a U.S. citizen, been scammed out of $10,000 by his lawyer, and was saving up to try again. Before he could apply, the threat of ICE coming for him frightened him, so he fled back to Mexico for safety. His wife and children followed but found living circumstances intolerable.

Amy moved back to her home in the U.S. with two of the four children. The “red tape” (excessive bureaucracy or adherence to rules) was intense; she was unable to fight the decree that split the family. After three years of struggle to survive in her home state and with her husband in Mexico, Amy and Juan divorced. The children remain divided in two countries as well.

A family rendered apart by legal means and the suffering that follows is all too common. This is a single example of inequities in society that cause separation, heartache, and loss of relationship.

Discuss:

• Identify examples of separation and division that create turmoil and pain in our world.
• As a disciple of Christ, how are we called to respond?
• How do you understand God’s vision for wholeness in your community?

Send

Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)

Read Doctrine and Covenants 163:4a below.

God, the Eternal Creator, weeps for the poor, displaced, mistreated, and diseased of the world because of their unnecessary suffering. Such conditions are not God’s will. Open your ears to hear the pleading of mothers and fathers in all nations who desperately seek a future of hope for their children. Do not turn away from them. For in their welfare resides your welfare.

Sometimes life experiences do not have happy endings. However, there is still hope as disciples of Jesus Christ engage in the world to relieve suffering, bring hope, and love unconditionally.

• This week spend time considering the plight of brothers and sisters in the larger world. How might you make a difference?
• Explore volunteering at a helping agency that addresses needs in the community and beyond. How might you be an advocate for the “Amys and Juans” in our world?

Bless

Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)

Jeremiah promises that God will turn mourning into joy! Have each class participant share a statement of hope and joy as a closing prayer.

Focus Scripture Passage

Jeremiah 31:7–14

Lesson Focus

Hope is in God’s redemptive love.

Objectives

The learners will…

• explore what hope means to the class.
• uncover the hopeful message of the first hearers of today’s focus passage.
• write words of hope to someone who needs it most.
• be reminded that despite our faults, God still loves us and calls us to love others.
• remember the Enduring Principle, Worth of All Persons.

Supplies

• Paper
• Sticky notes (or small precut pieces of paper)
• Colored pencils (or crayons, markers, pens)
• Bible

Note to Teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Jeremiah 31:7–14 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year C: Old Testament, pp. 31–32, available through Herald House.

Gather

Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)

Pass out paper and colored pencils. Ask the class to remember a time when they attended a celebration.

• What did you celebrate?
• Why were you celebrating?
• Who attended the celebration?
• What emotions did you feel?

Ask the class to create an image of the celebration they remembered. The image could be a drawing of the event, abstract art with colors from the party, or symbols representing activities that occurred at the celebration.

Note

If needed, provided examples of celebrations they may have attended: a wedding, baby blessing, celebration of life, birthday party, grand opening, holiday tradition.

After the class has had time to create their art, offer an opportunity for classmates to share their celebration experiences and art.

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

Ask: How do you define hope? Allow time for the class to share their perspectives on hope.

Explain: Today’s scripture passage comes the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah, written during the time of the Babylonian exile. To Jeremiah, God’s people experienced exile because they failed to obey God’s commandments. Specifically, they failed to care for the poor and treated the most vulnerable of their community unjustly. Jeremiah frequently spoke of Jerusalem’s ruin; however, God’s love is more powerful than anything else. God heard the cry of God’s people. Our passage today focuses on words of comfort and hope amid loss. There is a time of celebration, and that time is coming soon.

Read Jeremiah 31:7–14.

Remind the class these words were delivered to people who had experienced exile, anguish, and loss. Ask the class what the overall feeling is of the scripture passage.

Pass out the sticky notes. Explain to the class that you will read Jeremiah 31:7–14 again. This time have them write three words or phrases that represent hope.

Read Jeremiah 31:7–14.

Allow time for each student to share their words and why they chose them.

Ask: Imagine you were the ones in exile. How might hearing the words you chose lift you out of a hopeless situation?

Respond

Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time)

Our scripture text from Jeremiah are words of comfort from part of something scholars call the Book of Consolation. To console is to comfort or support. The Israelites are given hope during a hopeless situation. Specifically, our passage depicts a party in which the world has never known including the best food, with singing and dancing! Prosperity and hope abound! Despite the Israelites’ misfortune of their own doing, God is promising liberation from their suffering.

Pass out paper and a pen to each person.

There are people we know who are struggling. The pressures of our modern society can be crippling. We don’t often hear words of encouragement or affirmation, as much as we need it. The words Jeremiah shares with the Israelites were words that were desperately needed. Who do you know who needs God’s loving words of hope? Do you know an overworked teacher, a lonely friend, a supportive coach, or an estranged parent? Identify someone specific in your life. Have students write a letter of hope and encouragement to that person. Have them include at least one of the words or phrases they chose during the scripture reflection.

Note to Teacher

You are encouraged to also write a letter that may serve as an example.

Send

Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)

If there is one important lesson to be understood it is this: Hope is rooted in God’s redemptive love.

In Community of Christ, we believe God continues to guide and speak to us today (Continuing Revelation), helping us to be our best selves for the kingdom of God on Earth, here and now. Though we are all made in the image of God, we are not perfect. Just like how the Israelites mistreated those who were the most vulnerable, sometimes we mistreat others as well. As disciples we are called to overcome our shortfalls and work toward being good stewards of humankind and creation. Even when we struggle to do what’s right, God’s redemptive love for us brings us hope to be our best selves. In everything we do may we remember we are all children of God and treat others as the same. In this we must uphold the Enduring Principle, Worth of All Persons.

Worth of All Persons

• God views all people as having inestimable and equal worth.
• God wants all people to experience wholeness of body, mind, spirit, and relationships.
• We seek to uphold and restore the worth of all people individually and in community, challenging unjust systems that diminish human worth.
• We join with Jesus Christ in bringing good news to the poor, sick, captive, and oppressed.

Ask: How will you show hope to someone who needs it?

Challenge each student to give the letter of encouragement to the person for whom it was written.

Bless

Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)

Ask each student to choose from one of the three words or phrases they reflected on during the “Engage” activity. Invite them to get comfortable. Guide them through a simple breath prayer. Every time they take a deep breath with you have them silently repeat that word or phrase. Repeat several times. At the end, remind them that God’s encouraging words can help us feel calm, at peace, and deliver hope when it is needed most.

Focus Scripture Passage

Jeremiah 31:7–14

Lesson Focus

God will comfort us in times of sorrow.

Objectives

The learners will…

• hear a verse of comfort from the prophet Jeremiah.
• create comfort squares.
• learn about the Enduring Principle Continuing Revelation.

Supplies

• Fleece or felt squares, 2 in x 2 in / 5 cm x 5 cm, enough for each child to have two squares
• Fleece or felt crosses, smaller than 2 in / 5 cm tall
• Fabric glue
• Optional: thread or embroidery floss and needles for each child
• Large paper, dry erase board, or chalkboard and markers or chalk
• Bible

Note to Teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Jeremiah 31:7–14 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year C: Old Testament, pp. 31–32, available through Herald House.

Gather

Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)

Play a game of opposites. The teacher says a word, and students act out the opposite. For example, if the teacher says, “sad,” the children pretend to be happy. Other examples can include shout or whisper, smiling or frowning, straight path or curvy path, hungry or full. Our scripture passage today has lots of opposites in it. It is about God promising God’s people that God will comfort them in times of sorrow and will turn their sadness into joy.

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

Explain to children that Jeremiah was a prophet. He was sharing God’s words of promise with the Israelites. The Israelites had been taken to Babylon as captives. In other words, they had to leave the land they loved, even though they didn’t want to. They were worried they would never get to return home. They were afraid. In today’s scripture passage, Jeremiah is telling them that God will help them. God will bring them back to their homes and there will be celebrating and thanksgiving.

Read Jeremiah 31:7–14. As you read, invite children to notice the promises God is describing. If they hear a promise, they can raise their hand and you can write the promise on a large piece of paper or a board. Possible ideas include:

• God will lead them back to their land.
• God will care for them as a shepherd cares for the flock.
• God will watch over the blind, the lame, and the pregnant.
• The people of Israel will enjoy rich harvests and bountiful blessings, as if they lived in a cultivated garden, with plenty of water.
• God will turn their mourning into dancing and their sorrow into gladness.

Ask children to imagine how it must have felt to the Israelites to hear these promises. Invite them to share about a time when they felt scared or alone in a new place, like the Israelites. What helped them feel better? Remind children that when we have difficult times in our lives, God is always with us and will help us and comfort us.

Respond

Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time)

Make comfort squares. These are small, soft squares of fabric with crosses on them. Children can hold their comfort squares when they feel upset and be reminded of God’s love for them. The scripture passage from Jeremiah was a passage of comfort for the Israelites. These squares can be a reminder of God’s words of comfort.

Give each child two fleece or felt squares and a felt cross. Invite them to use fabric glue to put the two squares together, one on top of the other. Then glue the cross to the front. Optional: children can use embroidery floss and thread to sew the two pieces of fabric together instead of using the fabric glue.

If fabric and glue are not available, be creative! What materials could children use to create a comfort item? Perhaps they could paint a smooth stone to use as a “worry stone,” or weave some soft ribbon together to make a “comfort ribbon.”

—Comfort Square concept and photo used with permission from April Fiet

Send

Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)

One of Community of Christ’s Enduring Principles is Continuing Revelation. This means we believe God is always revealing God’s will to us. In other words, God is telling us what God wants us to hear, if we are willing to listen. In our scripture passage today, Jeremiah was a prophet. He was specially chosen to listen carefully to what God wanted the people to hear. Then Jeremiah shared that with the people. In this case, God wanted them to hear that they were going to be OK, and that God was going to take care of them. God told them their sorrow would turn to joy. What are some ways we can listen to God today? Invite children to share their ideas. Possible responses might include:

• Prayer
• Scripture study
• Classes
• Music
• Modern-day revelation including the Doctrine and Covenants (You might need to explain to children that the Doctrine and Covenants is a book of scripture that is growing over time, as God reveals new direction and words of inspiration to the church.)

Bless

Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)

Reread the verse from Jeremiah 31:13: “I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.”

As a class, think of actions that match the verse. For example, put your arms up for the word “joy,” hug yourself for the word “comfort,” and point to your smile for the word “gladness.” Then recite the verse several times using actions to help children remember the verse