Worship Tools

Worship Outline

Additional Scriptures

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

Preparation

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

Prelude

Welcome

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

Hymn of Praise

“Source and Sovereign, Rock and Cloud” CCS 4

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

OR “Bring Many Names” CCS 5

Morning Prayer

Sung Response

“Be Still” CCS 156

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

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

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

Prayer for Peace

Light the peace candle

Focus Moment

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

Prayer for Justice and Peace

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

Scripture Reading or Drama

Exodus 3:1-15

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

Ministry of Music or Community Hymn

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

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

OR “God of the Ages” CCS 7

Morning Message

Based on Exodus 3:1–15

Disciples’ Generous Response

Scripture Reading: Romans 12:9–13

A Time of Reflection

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

Questions for Reflection 

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

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

Statement

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

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

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

Hymn

“God, Whose Grace Redeems Our Story” CCS 570

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

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

OR “Sing a New World into Being” CCS 576

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

Benediction

Sending Forth: Doctrine and Covenants 162:8c

Postlude

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Moses at the Burning Bush

Three readers: narrator, Moses, God

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

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

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

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

God: “Moses, Moses!”

Moses: “Here I am.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

—based on Exodus 3:1–15

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

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

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

—Gail Shurtleff

Spiritual Practice

Loving Kindness Blessing

Read the following to the group:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sharing Around the Table

Exodus 3:1–15 NRSVue

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

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

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

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

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

—Exodus 3:1–15 NRSVue

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

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

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

Questions

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

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 595, “While Moses Tended Jethro’s Sheep”

Closing Prayer

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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 the bread and wine.

Thoughts for Children

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sermon Helps

Exploring the Scripture

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

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

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

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

Central Ideas

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

Questions for the Speaker

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

Lessons

Adult Lesson

Focus Scripture Passage

Exodus 3:1–15

Lesson Focus

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

Objectives

The learners will…

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

Resources

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

• International Bible Commentary, Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1998
• Any lectionary commentary series for Year A, 2019-2020

Supplies

• Bibles or handouts of Exodus 3:1–15
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS)

Notes to Teacher

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

Gather

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

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

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

Engage

Background

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Narrator (all the verses not in quotes)

Moses

The Lord, God

Discuss:

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

Respond

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

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

Send

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

Bless

Sing or read “The Summons” CCS 586.

Youth Lesson

Focus Scripture Passage

Exodus 3:1–15

Lesson Focus

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

Objectives

The learners will…

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

Supplies

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

Note to Teacher

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

Gather

Leader Wanted

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

Engage

A Shepherd, a Bush, and a Call to Serve

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

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

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

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

Respond

I Am Who I Am

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

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

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

—Doctrine and Covenants 165:1b

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

—Doctrine and Covenants 165:2a

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

—Doctrine and Covenants 164:6a

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

—Doctrine and Covenants 164:9a

Jesus Christ, the embodiment of God’s shalom, invites all people to come and receive divine peace in the midst of the difficult questions and struggles of life. Follow Christ in the way that leads to God’s peace and discover the blessings of all of the dimensions of salvation.

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:2a

Going Deeper: The Potential in the Basket

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

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

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

Send

Reluctant Servant—All Are Called

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

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

All Are Called

• God graciously gives people gifts and opportunities to do good and to share in God’s purposes.
• Jesus Christ invites people to follow him by becoming disciples who share his life and ministry.
• Some disciples are called and ordained to particular priesthood responsibilities and ministries for the sake of the community, the congregation, and the world.
• We respond faithfully with the help of the Holy Spirit, to our best understanding of God’s call.

—CofChrist.org/enduring-principles

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

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

O………………

S……………….

E………………

S………………

Bless

Sending Forth

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

—Doctrine and Covenants 164:9e

Children’s Lesson

Focus Scripture Passage

Exodus 3:1–15

Lesson Focus

All are called by God.

Objectives

The learners will…

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

Supplies

• Bible or Lectionary Story Bible, Year A, by Ralph Milton, illustrated by Margaret Kyle (Wood Lake Publishing, 2007, ISBN 9781551455471)
• Clear plastic cups
• Red, orange, and yellow tissue paper
• Glue
• Battery-operated tea lights
• Permanent markers

Notes to Teacher

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

Gather

Tell the children some riddles:

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

Engage

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

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

Discuss:

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

Respond

Burning Bush craft

Give each child a clear plastic cup and strips of red, orange, and yellow tissue paper. Children can spread glue on the inside of the cup and glue the tissue paper inside, letting some of it hang out the top of the cup. Then have children draw a tree or bush on the outside of the cup with a permanent marker.

When they place a battery-operated tea light inside, the cup will appear to glow like fire. (For craft details, see “Burning Bush Craft for Kids” by Beth Gorden at www.123homeschool4me.com)

Send

One of the Enduring Principles of Community of Christ is All are Called. We believe God gives all people special talents and gifts, and that we are all called to follow Jesus and share our special talents and gifts with the world.

When Moses heard God’s voice in the burning bush, Moses argued a little. He didn’t think he was good enough and he didn’t think he knew the right words to say. Moses had to trust that God knew best, and God was calling him to do something important.

Discuss times when the children have been called to do something, but it made them nervous. You can also share a personal experience of yours. Remind children of last week’s scripture passage from Psalm 56:3: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

Moses followed God’s directions, even when he was feeling afraid.

Play a game of “Follow the Leader” to remind everyone that we are all called to follow God in our own unique way.

Bless

Turn off the lights in the room and have children turn on their tea light candles. Invite a child or several children to offer a prayer.