Worship Tools
Worship Outline
Additional Scriptures
Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22; John 3:14-21
Preparation
Review the Focus Moment drama. Choose people of any age to participate. It will need some preparation but can be done with just a brief overview of the actions before the service.
Prelude
Gathering Hymns
“Lord, You Have Brought Us” CCS 76
“O God of Vision” CCS 78
“Jesu, Tawa Pano/Jesus, We Are Here” CCS 71
Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.
Welcome
Call to Worship: Psalm 107: 1-3, 21-22
Hymn of Joy
“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” CCS 99
Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.
Translations into Spanish and French for this hymn can be found at: Herald House
OR “Now Sing to Our God” CCS 108
OR “Creator God We Sing/Cantemos al Creador” CCS 114
Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.
Invocation
Response
Lenten Reflection
As the disciples journeyed with Jesus there likely were times when things didn’t go the way they imagined, when detours forced them to make changes in both where they were going and what they were thinking. Our lives are also like that. Most of us have experienced detours too, perhaps abandoning a long-held dream, or facing life with limitations dictated by health challenges. This week consider where the detours have taken you. Do a mental check to see if you are still on the journey with Jesus.
Focus Moment Drama, based on Numbers 21:4-9
see script after the service outline
Ministry of Music OR Community Hymn
“When We Are Tested” CCS 453
OR “How Long, O God, How Long?” CCS 455
OR “Lord Jesus, of You I Will Sing/Jésus, je voudrais te chanter” CCS 556/557
Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10
Communion Message
Based on Ephesians 2:1-10
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Scripture: Mark 14:22-26
Hymn of Confession
“Is There One Who Feels Unworthy?” CCS 526
OR “O Lord, How Can It Be” CCS 529
OR “Let Us Break Bread Together” CCS 521
Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.
Blessing and Serving of the Bread and Wine
Pursue Peace
Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 102:11a-d
Ring a chime or bell and light the peace candle.
Sung Prayer for Peace Add an Amen at the end.
“For the Healing of the Nations” CCS 297
OR “O God of Every Nation” CCS 312
OR “Hevenu shalom alaychem/La paz esté con nosotros” repeat several times CCS 311
Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.
Disciples’ Generous Response
Statement
One of Community of Christ’s Enduring Principles is Grace and Generosity. It is described in the following words. Listen closely and you may hear echoes of today‘s scriptures.
God’s grace, especially as revealed in Jesus Christ, is generous and unconditional. Having received God‘s generous grace, we respond generously and graciously receive the generosity of others.
We offer all we are and have to God‘s purposes as revealed in Jesus Christ.
We generously share our witness, resources, ministries, and sacraments according to our true capacity.
—Sharing in Community of Christ, Exploring Identity, Mission, Message, and Beliefs, fourth edition, HeraldHouse.org, page 28.
OR Share this video and offer a brief statement on world hunger and oblation
Project the World Hunger Meditation video: YouTube
Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes
Lenten Examen: Meeting Challenges in New Ways
Lent invites us to slow down, and pay attention, making room for transformation. The Examen is a simple prayer practice reviewing the day or week with God, noticing what brought life, what was difficult, and where we might meet the challenges of life in new ways.
We trust that the Spirit is present in our joys and our challenges.
I invite you to pause for a moment, and take a few deep breaths, turning your attention inward as I ask these reflective questions:
What are you grateful for today? Notice the people, moments, and gifts that brought you life.
Invite God to help you look back on your day or week with honesty, compassion, and curiosity.
What moments were difficult, challenging, uncomfortable, or unexpected? What did they stir in you?
Where did you experience love, connection, courage, peace, or hope? Where did you see the Spirit at work?
Where might you have responded differently? What new way of meeting a challenge might be possible?
Release what you need to let go of: hurt, regret, fear, or old patterns. Allow grace in and the possibility of beginning again.
Offer the day ahead to God. Ask for openness to new possibilities and courage to meet whatever comes with love, compassion, and hope.
Prayer
God of new possibilities,
Help us see our lives with compassion and honesty.
Show us where new ways of responding are possible.
Help us release what no longer gives life and open us to your peace.
Give us courage to meet tomorrow with love, hope, and imagination.
Amen.
Hymn
“Lord, Whose Love” CCS 346
OR “To Be Your Presence” CCS 351
OR “Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love” CCS 367
Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.
Benediction
Postlude
Focus Moment Drama
Based on Numbers 21:4-9
Cast
- a few people of any age to represent a group of Israelites
- one person to represent Moses
- one narrator – could be from your online community
- two people seated at the front of the worship space or online who observe the drama and then converse about it
If worshiping only online, invite folks to pantomime the action in the texts as they are read. The narrator can be someone present or online.
Props needed if meeting in person
- a few toy snakes that are placed on the ground off to one side of the front of the worship space
- a pole with a toy snake attached to it that has been painted bronze and placed on the ground near the other toy snakes. Be sure to announce that the snakes are not real.
Action
When worshiping in person, the two people who will observe take their places. They might need a microphone to be heard later. Once in place, the character of Moses leads the other people up an aisle in the worship space to an area near the toy snakes. While they are walking, everyone but Moses mutters and complains about how hard this journey is: they don’t like the weird food that is the same every day, they complain about the lack of water when they need it, and so on.
When the characters are in place near the toy snakes, they stop walking. The narrator reads the part in quotes in Numbers 21:5. The people mumble in agreement. The narrator reads Numbers 21:6. While that is being read the crowd moves closer to the snakes and a few act as if they have been bitten, falling slowly to the ground.
The people who survive turn to Moses. The narrator reads the quote in Verse 7. Moses pantomimes praying. The narrator reads Verse 8. Moses picks up the pole with the bronze “serpent.” The survivors still pretend they are being bitten but immediately look at the bronze serpent and live. The people portraying the crowd and Moses leave the scene.
The two observers have a brief conversation commenting on how those folks did nothing but mumble and complain. They say times haven’t changed much, as even now people mumble and complain, with observers citing an example they know about. The conversation ends with one challenging the group with the question: Do we trust God?
Sacred Space: Small-Group Worship Outline
Gathering
Welcome
We join with other Christians who for many centuries have observed Lent as the forty days between Ash Wednesday and Easter, not counting Sundays. During Lent, we center our attention on Jesus as we remember his life and ministry. Lent also provides a means to sharpen our focus on our own lives in relationship to Jesus. And the Lenten season encourages us to turn away from whatever distracts or blocks our commitment to discipleship. May the season of Lent help us walk with Jesus, even though the path leads to the cross.
Prayer for Peace
Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.
Light the peace candle.
Spirit of wandering and rest, we come again to pray for peace. We know and trust your power. We know and trust that you provide what we need, just like you provided manna for the Israelites wandering the wilderness.
At times, the pursuit of peace feels like wandering in the wilderness. We do not know what lies ahead. We grow tired. We feel alone, yet in community. As we journey through this Lenten wilderness, remind us of your power. You are the Spirit of peace, and we humbly pray that you would invite us to join you in creating peace on Earth.
Grant us courage to continue walking into the wilderness, carrying your light to the world. In the name of Jesus, our Guide. Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Practice of Silence
Practicing silence may be difficult at first. The mind may run wild. Allow yourself grace in this practice. We will begin when I ring the chime. We will be silent for five minutes. I will ring the chime again to conclude our time of silence.
Remember to breathe deeply. Focusing on each breath can help quiet the mind. Become aware of your surroundings; notice how the air feels on your skin; trust that you are in the presence of the Holy—fully surrounding and embracing you. Allow your inner conversations to stop for a while. Be fully present with the One who is fully present with you.
Ring the chime to begin.
Wait five minutes.
Ring the chime to conclude the period of silence.
Ask: How does it feel to be present with God in silence?
Adapted from A Guide for Lent
Sharing Around the Table
Ephesians 2:1–10 NRSVue
2 You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. 3 All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, doing the will of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else, 4 but God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— 9 not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we may walk in them.
—Ephesians 2:1-10 NRSVue
Often used during Lent, this text is faithful to Paul’s understanding of God and God’s gift to humankind realized through Jesus Christ. The Ephesian letter is a rich reflection on the path of transformation experienced by those who follow Jesus. Although the setting of the message is first-century Greek culture, it contains timeless truths for every generation of disciples, regardless of their frame of reference.
The author candidly describes the reality of life “before,” from the viewpoint of one who has experienced coming alive in Christ. Today’s passage offers a bold look at the reality of the world into which we are born. It sincerely recognizes the struggles, challenges, and suffering inherent in life. Those things connect all of us.
Amid the world’s reality, the God of mercy and grace extends boundless love and grace through Jesus Christ. We were raised (resurrection) with him to experience transformation from despair to being “made…alive together with Christ” through grace.
The message is clear. God’s gift is given freely in love. It is not given in response to anything we do ourselves. The good works we do as faithful followers of Christ naturally flow into our actions as we embrace all the dimensions of Christ’s salvation. Good works become our way of life.
This journey of redemption affects individual and community life. Coming alive in Christ brings healing and wholeness into our personal lives, allowing us to see the world’s ills. As we embody Christ in our new life of good works, we are empowered to effect transformation and change in our families, cities, and nations. During Lent, this passage provides a lens for looking inward and outward and reflecting on life before Christ and life after, life with and in Christ.
Questions
- How have you experienced or witnessed God’s merciful love amid weakness, struggle, or temptation in a way that transformed despair into becoming alive in Christ?
- When have you been inspired to do something good as a response to God’s grace and love in your life?
- How are good works an expression of being made alive in Christ, bringing healing ministry of transformation to our world?
Sending
Generosity Statement
Beloved Community of Christ, do not just speak and sing of Zion. Live, love, and share as Zion: those who strive to be visibly one in Christ, among whom there are no poor or oppressed.
—Doctrine and Covenants 165:6a
The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response.
The offering prayer for Lent is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response:
Ever-present God, forgive us when we are less than loving, less than hope-filled, less than you have created us to be. Your mercy and grace are always with us. May we find strength in your presence, and may we respond to your love with generous spirits. Amen.
Invitation to Next Meeting
Closing Hymn
Community of Christ Sings 227, “Come Now, You Hungry”
Closing Prayer
Optional Additions Depending on Group
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
—1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NRSV
Communion Statement
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”
Blessing and serving the bread and wine.
Thoughts for Children
Materials: cards with this prayer:
Lord, We pray in hope for the day all people are treated with kindness and respect. Amen.
Today in the season of Lent we prepare for Easter. Many people observe Lent by fasting, or giving something up until Easter. Others pray, read scripture, or do things that help them be better disciples.
Each Sunday during Lent we are talking about something we can do to prepare for Easter.
Ask the following questions. (Help the children form answers. Affirm all responses.)
- What does it mean when you are kind to someone? How do you feel when someone is kind to you?
- How does it feel when someone is not kind to you?
- Kind words help people feel good, happy, loved. Some people don’t hear kind words very often. As disciples we can help people feel the love of Jesus by being kind and using kind words. We can sit with someone who is eating lunch alone. We can smile and be kind to others on the playground. What else can we do? (Encourage responses.)
Today we have a prayer that reminds us to use kind words. (Hand out prayer cards.) Place the prayer on your mirror, and when you brush your teeth each morning you can ask God to help you share kindness with others.
Read the prayer aloud.
Lord, We pray in hope for the day all people are treated with kindness and respect. Amen.
Sermon Helps
Exploring the Scripture
The letter to the Ephesians, traditionally credited to Paul, is considered by most scholars to have been written by followers of Paul. Often used during Lent, it is a significant text faithful to Paul’s understanding of God and God’s gift to humankind realized through Jesus Christ. The Ephesian letter is a rich reflection on the path of transformation experienced by those who follow Jesus. Although the setting of the message is first-century Greek culture, it contains timeless truths and poignant connections for every generation of disciples, regardless of their frame of reference.
The author candidly describes the reality of life before, from the viewpoint of one who experienced coming alive in Christ. The world’s ways and succumbing to the passions and desires of the flesh result in a living death. These can be revealed in countless ways. Some we control, and others we don’t. For example, circumstances or choices hold us captive to ourselves or society. No condemnation is intended in this part of the passage.
The passage offers a bold look at the reality of the world into which we are born (vv. 1–3). There is a sincere recognition of the struggles, challenges, and suffering inherent in the human condition. We are all connected by that condition. Beyond that, the systemic nature of power and potential negative effect on human life is named and called into account.
Amid the world’s reality, the God of mercy and grace extended boundless love and grace through Jesus Christ. We were raised (resurrection) with him to experience transformation from living death to being “made…alive together with Christ” (v. 5), saved by grace.
The message is clear. God’s gift is given freely in love. It is not given in response to anything we do ourselves to earn it through “works” (v. 9). The good works we do as faithful followers of Christ naturally flow into our actions as we embrace all the dimensions of Christ’s salvation. Good works become “our way of life” (v. 10).
This journey of redemption affects both individual and community life. Coming alive in Christ brings healing and wholeness into our personal lives, allowing us to see the world’s ills. As we embody Christ in our new life of good works, we are empowered to effect transformation and change in our families, cities, and nations. During Lent, this passage provides a lens through which we can look inward and outward, and reflect on life before Christ and life after, life with and in Christ.
Central Ideas
- We are made alive in Christ through God’s great love and become doers of Christ’s redemptive work.
- We experience the already-but-not-yet hope of redemption found in the resurrection through God’s gift of mercy and love.
- God’s gift is shared freely, not as a reward for good works. Good works flow out of life in Christ.
Questions for the Speaker
- What forces in our world today affect a living death in people and communities?
- How have you experienced or witnessed God’s merciful love amid weakness, struggle, or temptation in a way that transformed death into becoming alive in Christ?
- How are good works an expression of being made alive in Christ and bringing healing ministry of transformation to our world (as individuals and as a community of faith)?
Lessons
Adult Lesson
Focus Scripture Passage
Ephesians 2:1–10
Lesson Focus
We Respond with Purpose to God’s Gift of Salvation.
Objectives
The learners will…
- compare concepts about doing “good works.”
- practice directed meditation.
- illustrate responding to God’s grace with purposeful actions.
Supplies
- Images and photos (from newspapers, magazines, free downloadable pictures) showing “before” and “after” effects. For example, haircuts or personal makeovers; winter and spring gardens; renovations; city or oceanside scenes during gentle rain and after a massive storm. Before class, arrange them on poster board or a bulletin board.
- Printed copies of Ephesians 2:1–10 for everyone (end of lesson)
- Pens and pencils
- Candle or votive light and lighter or a battery-powered candle
Note to Teacher
In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Ephesians 2:1–10 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year B: New Testament (with focus on the Letters), pp. 56–57, available through Herald House.
Gather
Direct people’s attention to the pictures you have displayed without identifying any kind of theme. Allow a minute or two for people to view the images, then ask the following questions:
- What theme seems to be depicted in the images?
- How are the “before” and “after” images alike? How are they different?
The writer of today’s focus scripture from Ephesians uses concepts of “before” and “after” often in this short passage. For today our “before” is most likely our unfamiliarity of this text and our “after” will be a new understanding of greater theological concepts and why they are important to us.
Engage
Distribute printed copies of Ephesians 2:1–10 to each class member and pens or pencils as needed.
Briefly explain the different opinions about the authorship of this letter. A Bible commentary can provide pertinent information about why some scholars think a follower of Paul, rather than Paul himself, may have written it. Make the point that the authorship is secondary to the message.
As was seen in the images we looked at earlier, not everything in “before” and “after” comparisons is positive. Point out a few examples of each.
Invite each person to read Ephesians 2:1–10 in unison along with you one verse at a time, pausing after each one. As they are reading, ask them to look for places where the writer uses concepts of before and after. Those words aren’t used directly but the intent is discernible. Ask them to reread each verse silently during the pauses and underline those instances.
- In this text, which type or types of before and after scenarios were used? (Positive: God made us alive again through Christ; Negative: sin leads to death.) Cite other examples.
- In the text what can you identify as features of one’s life before becoming aware of God’s grace?
- What in the text explains the motivation for doing good works?
- Why do you think people often believe that doing good works is needed to reconcile them to God?
- What is the basis for salvation as understood by the author of Ephesians?
Respond
The author lists three generic things that entrap each of us at different times. Ian S. Markham labels them this way: sin, Satan (evil), and self. (Feasting on the Word, Year B, Volume 2, 2008, p. 110)
- Our actions (sin) can lead to spiritual death.
- Evil can be any external force that enslaves us; for example, extensive debt, addictions; unjust social realities.
- Our own self-preservation or desires often keep the focus on ourselves.
Discuss:
- What does the author of Ephesians tell readers that can change our actions, free us from external forces, and change our focus?
- If we believe with the author that God created us for good works as a response to God’s saving grace, what might that be like in the life of our congregation? In our own lives?
Directed Meditation
Explain that you will direct the group in a focused meditation that may help draw them into a reflective time for self-examination. Allow a moment of silence after each meditation prompt.
Light a candle or votive. Invite attendees to sit comfortably. Then suggest they begin to pay attention to their breathing, trying to gradually control it so that the exhale is a little longer than the inhale. Invite them to close their eyes or soften their gaze as they look at the candle, still concentrating on their breathing.
Read Ephesians 2:3b “…we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else.”
Invite them to silently name something in their own life that was an internal or social struggle that distorted what they knew to be God’s will for them.
Pause
Invite them to reflect on these words:
We are recipients of a remarkable gift from God—the gift of absolutely everything. The goal is a transformed life (one created for ‘good works,’ v. 10), which God has created in Christ Jesus.
—Ian S. Markham, Feasting on the Word, Year B, Volume 2, 2008, p. 114
Pause
Invite them to imagine God speaking words of love to them, that God has a vision of who they can be and what they can do if they accept that love.
Pause
Invite them to open their minds to that vision and think about it.
Pause
Invite them to open their eyes and for everyone to refocus their gaze on the candle in the room while breathing normally.
Send
Invite a moment of sharing about their meditative experience if they are comfortable doing so.
- What new insight did they have?
- What feeling(s) were strongest during the experience?
- How might the experience help them in choosing to try to live the life God has envisioned?
Bless
The Enduring Principle, Responsible Choices, states:
God gives humans the ability to make choices about whom or what they will serve…. Human choices contribute to good or evil in our lives and in the world…. We are called to make responsible choices within the circumstances of our lives that contribute to the purposes of God.
—Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, 2018, p. 30
Share the following benediction:
May you be blessed to understand what God has done for humankind and be blessed to accept and respond to that which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. Amen.
Ephesians 2:1–10, NRSVue
1 You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. 3 All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, doing the will of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else, 4 but God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— 9 not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we may walk in them.
Youth Lesson
Focus Scripture Passage
Ephesians 2:1–10
Lesson Focus
God’s love brings new life.
Objectives
The learners will…
- compare concepts about doing “good works.”
- practice directed meditation.
- illustrate responding to God’s grace with purposeful actions.
Supplies
- Images and photos (from newspapers, magazines, free downloadable pictures) showing “before” and “after” effects. For example, room remodel; winter and spring gardens; city or oceanside scenes during gentle rain and after a massive storm. Before class, arrange them on poster board or a bulletin board. Avoid images of people that may send unhealthy messages about culturally idealized body images.
- Printed copies of Ephesians 2:1–10 for everyone (end of lesson)
- Pens and pencils
- Candle or votive light and lighter, or a battery-powered candle
Note to Teacher
In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Ephesians 2:1–10 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year B: New Testament (with focus on the Letters), pp. 56–57, available through Herald House.
Gather
Direct attention to the pictures displayed without identifying any kind of theme. Allow a minute or two for the class to view the images, then ask the following questions:
- What theme seems to be depicted in the images?
- How are the “before” and “after” images alike? How are they different?
- When have you experienced a “before and after” moment in your life?
- Was this experience positive (new hairstyle, bedroom remodel, removal of braces from teeth, weight loss, muscle gain, etc.)? Was it negative (weight loss or hair loss due to sickness, injury, other loss)?
The writer of today’s focus scripture from Ephesians uses concepts of “before” and “after” often in this short passage. For today our “before” is most likely our unfamiliarity of this text and our “after” will be a new understanding of greater theological concepts and why they are important to us.
Engage
Distribute printed copies of Ephesians 2:1–10 to each class member and pens or pencils as needed.
As we saw in the images we looked at earlier, not everything in “before” and “after” comparisons is positive. Point out a few examples of each.
Invite the class members to follow along as you read Ephesians 2:1–10 one verse at a time, pausing after each verse. Ask them to look for places where the writer uses concepts of before and after. Those words aren’t used directly but the intent is discernible. Ask them to reread each verse silently during the pauses and underline those instances.
- In this text, which type or types of before and after scenarios were used? (Positive: God made us alive again through Christ; Negative: sin leads to death) Cite other examples.
- In the text what can you identify as features of one’s life before becoming aware of God’s grace?
- What in the text explains the motivation for doing good works?
- Why do you think people often believe that doing good works is needed to reconcile them to God?
Respond
Directed Meditation
Explain that you will direct the group in a focused meditation that may help draw them into a reflective time for self-examination. Allow a moment of silence after each meditation prompt.
Light a candle or votive. Invite them to sit comfortably. Ask them to pay attention to their breathing, trying to gradually control it so that the exhale is a little longer than the inhale. Invite them to close their eyes or soften their gaze as they look at the candle, still concentrating on their breathing.
Read Ephesians 2:3b “…we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else.”
Invite them to silently name something in their own life that was an internal or social struggle that distorted what they knew to be God’s will for them.
Pause
Invite them to reflect on these words:
We are recipients of a remarkable gift from God—the gift of absolutely everything. The goal is a transformed life (one created for “good works,”), which God has created in Christ Jesus.
—Ian S. Markham, Feasting on the Word, Year B, Volume 2, Westminster John Knox Press, 2008, 114
Pause
Invite them to imagine God speaking words of love to them, that God has a vision of who they can be and what they can do if they accept that love.
Pause
Invite them to open their minds to that vision and think about it.
Pause
Invite them to open their eyes and for everyone to refocus their gaze on the candle in the room while breathing normally.
Send
Invite a moment of sharing about their meditative experience if they are comfortable doing so.
- What new insight did they have?
- What feeling(s) were strongest during the experience?
- How might the experience help them in choosing to try to live the life God has envisioned?
- What questions did the experience raise for them?
Bless
The Enduring Principle, Responsible Choices, states:
God gives humans the ability to make choices about whom or what they will serve…. Human choices contribute to good or evil in our lives and in the world…. We are called to make responsible choices within the circumstances of our lives that contribute to the purposes of God.
—Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, 2018, p. 30
Invite someone to end class with a prayer.
Ephesians 2:1–10, NRSVue
1 You were dead through the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. 3 All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, doing the will of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else, 4 but God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us 5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— 9 not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we may walk in them.
Children’s Lesson
Focus Scripture Passage
Ephesians 2:1–10
Lesson Focus
God’s great love brings new life.
Objectives
The learners will…
- understand God’s love for all people despite our differences.
- discuss the gift of God’s grace and mercy through the gift of Jesus.
- explore God’s nature to forgive.
- share gifts of good news with someone in the congregation.
Supplies
- Pennies (both shiny and new and old or dirty) enough for each child
- Clear glass or jar, vinegar, salt, and a spoon
- Board or poster paper and markers
- Colored construction paper and markers or crayons
- Optional: stickers, glitter, scissors, paint
- Children’s Bible
- Community of Christ Sings (CCS)
Notes to Teacher
In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Ephesians 2:1–10 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year B: New Testament (with focus on the Letters), pp. 56–57, available through Herald House.
Prior to the start of class, fill a clear glass 2/3 full with vinegar. Stir in enough salt until it is no longer soluble, and it clumps up at the bottom of the glass. Set out the pennies so that everyone in the class can view.
It’s best to move the class outside or to a well-ventilated area for the activity in the Respond section.
Gather
Invite the class to look at the display of pennies. Explain that each one is worth one cent. Some pennies are shiny and new; others are old and tarnished, but each one is worth the same amount. This is how it is with God. We are all different (ages, sizes, skin colors, abilities, backgrounds). We all make decisions; some decisions are good, and some are bad. Despite our poor decisions, God knows our worth. While a penny is worth one cent, we are priceless to God who loves us unconditionally.
Explain that the vinegar solution represents God’s love. Place one of the dirty pennies in the glass. Allow everyone to watch as the dirt from the penny washes away and becomes shiny and clean. It is through God’s love that we are made new.
Engage
Today’s scripture passage is from a letter written to the people of the church in Ephesus. The author wrote reminding them of the great love God has for them and for all people. God loves us so much that God sent Jesus to teach us and show us the way. We can’t do anything to earn God’s love or grace. It is truly a gift from God.
Read Ephesians 2:8-10 from a Children’s Bible: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what God has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.”
Discuss:
- What do you think grace means? (God’s favor given freely, without merit)
- What does mercy mean? (the act of withholding deserved punishment)
- Do we do anything to earn God’s grace and mercy? (No) Is there anything we can do to lose God’s grace and mercy? (No)
- According to Paul, in whom are we created and what are we created to do? (We are created in Christ Jesus for good works.)
- For older children: What is the overall message Paul is trying to convey in this letter? Formulate a summarizing sentence as a class and write it on a white board or poster paper so everyone can see.
Respond
God’s grace and mercy is truly a gift. The author of Ephesians was trying to tell everyone about this awesome gift through his letter to the church people of Ephesus. Today we are going to make cards to give to someone at our church to share the good news.
Pass out the colored construction paper and markers. Have each child select a piece of paper to be their card. Fold it in half. On the inside write the summarizing sentence that is posted on the board or poster and sign their name. Then allow time for children to decorate this extra special gift with the supplies provided.
Send
As a reminder of God’s great love, lead children in the spiritual practice “Embraceable You.”
Take three, deep, peaceful breaths.
- Stand up straight, feet apart, arms at your sides.
- As you take another deep breath, raise your arms and hug yourself. Lower your arms as you exhale. Repeat.
- Now take a deep breath as you raise your arms high above your head, open your arms to God’s love like the sun shining on you, stretch your arms up and out, receive God’s love. Lower your arms as you exhale. Repeat.
- Take a deep breath as you raise your hands and frame your face. Smile as big as you can, turn your head to each side so your smile can be seen by the whole universe. Lower your hands as you exhale. Repeat.
- Take one more deep breath, raise your arms and hug yourself. Lower your arms as you exhale.
Sharing:
- How do you feel when you hug yourself?
- How do you feel when you open yourself to God’s love like the sun shining on you?
- How do you feel when you smile at the whole universe?
This week: Remember to love and care for you! Share your smile and God’s love with others and the whole universe.
—adapted from All Things are Spiritual
Bless
Sing together “God Forgave My Sins in Jesus’ Name” CCS 627.
Tell the children to give their card to someone at church who is not part of their family.
