Worship Tools

Worship Outline

Additional Scriptures 

Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67; Psalm 45:10-17; Romans 7:15–25a 

Prelude 

Welcome 

Call to Worship 

Leader: The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made. 

All:  All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you. They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and tell of your power, 

Leader: to make known to all people your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. 

All:  The Lord is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds. The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down. 

—Psalm 145:8–14 

Gathering Hymn 

“God Is Here!” CCS 70 

OR “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” CCS 99 

Invocation 

Response 

Testimony and Spiritual Practice 

Ahead of time, ask someone to share a testimony about a particular spiritual practice they engage in to help find rest for their soul. Possibly something a little different from reading the scriptures or prayer, such as poetry writing, dance, gardening, etc. Why does this person do this practice? How has it helped them to connect with God? If possible, have the person lead the group in this spiritual practice. 

Prayer for Peace 

Light the peace candle 

Sung Prayer: “When We Are Called to Sing” CCS 229 

Suggestion for singing:  

• Stanza 1: left side  

• Stanza 2: right side  

• Stanza 3: all 

Scripture Reading: Matthew 11:16–19, 25–30 

Ministry of Music OR Community Hymn of Confession and Centering 

“My Peace”  sing twice  CCS 149 

OR “Come and Find the Quiet Center” CCS 151 

Message 

Based on Matthew 11:16–19, 25–30 

Video 

“Frames” www.youtube.com 

Are you awake to the Holy Spirit stirring within you? 

Hymn of Response 

“As the Wind Song through the Trees” CCS 42 

OR “Lord, Prepare Me”  repeat several times  CCS 280 

Disciples’ Generous Response 

Scripture Reading: Doctrine and Covenants 163:9 

Statement 

True generosity is not a matter of moving money from one bank account to another. As disciples committed to Christ’s mission, our generosity is always in response to the growing revelation of God’s amazing grace. The true measurement of generosity is a measurement of the desire of our hearts. 

—Pathway to Abundant Generosity, Day 12, 17. 

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes 

Time of Community Prayer 

Ask participants to share personal joys and concerns and those of the worshipping community. Share together in prayer for these concerns. Be sure to include children and youth in this sharing and praying. Encourage participants to continue to uphold these concerns throughout the week in their private prayer time. 

Sending Forth Hymn 

“Peace Be with You”  sing twice   CCS 662 

OR “I Have Called You by Your Name” CCS 636 

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own. 

Benediction 

Response 

Postlude

Sacred Space: Small-Group Worship Outline

Gathering

Welcome

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

Prayer for Peace

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.

Light the peace candle.

Most gracious Creator,

We come this day seeking wisdom and the peace that only you can give. We are overwhelmed by images that portray anything but peace—thousands of faraway men, women, and children trudging on dusty roads and sleeping in train stations; people like us, weary beyond anything we have known, crying from hunger, frustration, and grief. All because life in their country of origin has become intolerable.

The nations where they seek to settle also fear for jobs lost to newcomers, competition for living space, and a change in what it means to be Hungarian, or German, or Austrian. The problem is not theirs alone, for we hear the same concerns where we live. So often, it is the voice of fear and misgiving.

Our politicians rant and compete for our favor, casting fearful images of how dreadful life will be if we fail to choose their leadership. We shake our heads and wonder how it came to be this way. Yet, in some ways, it always has been this way. Every age and generation has had its fears, its complex decisions to make, its stubborn failure to work together. And we don’t know where to turn.

Yet we do. You have promised us a peace that passes all understanding when we seek your wisdom and truly listen to the still, small voice within us. We know we cannot turn a blind eye to the world’s agonies. We must take a stand wherever we can for justice, for compassion. We must plant seeds of hope and grow deeds of blessing in our own communities.

Remove the fear from our hearts and teach us to listen to your voice as we form opinions, try to respond justly, and act rightly. Wherever we live, may we see you in others. Show us how to share in positive ways and not spread negativity, anger, and fear.

We ask for your blessing of peace and holy perception within us that we may embrace a world in need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

—Cheryll Shaft Peterman (adapted)

Spiritual Practice

Prayer for Peace

Read the following to the group:

For today’s Enduring Principle we are focusing on the Pursuit of Peace (Shalom). Shalom for Community of Christ is defined as, “Led by the Holy Spirit, we work with God and others to restore shalom to creation.” By naming our Prayer for Peace for loved ones, the world, countries, and even those we disagree with, we are focusing our hearts on relationship and reconciliation.

Read the following prayer for peace by St Francis of Assisi:

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

Amen.

Read the prayer again, having the group say each line after you say it.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

Amen.

Invite group members to share about the hope they have for peace and reconciliation in their lives. Close with the following prayer:

Peace be to this house, peace be to all relationships, peace be to all the world. Amen.

Sharing Around the Table

Matthew 11:16–19, 25–30 NRSVue

¹⁶ “But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another,

¹⁷ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
    we wailed, and you did not mourn.’

¹⁸ “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; ¹⁹ the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

²⁵ At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; ²⁶ yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. ²⁷ All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

—Matthew 11:16–19, 25–30 NRSVue

Jesus tells the people that God keeps reaching out to them by sending different kinds of messengers, and they have not been well received. John was called a recluse. Jesus spends time with people, and still they complain that he should have picked different people. Jesus was misinterpreted and ridiculed because his message countered cultural norms.

Jesus then thanks God for those who have received his message, those who are willing to give all for the kingdom of God.

Jesus invites the people to “Come to me.” Jesus specifically addresses those who are overworked and carrying heavy loads. In the crowd would be people who were poor, yoked by the conditions of political and religious oppression. Jesus invites them to be yoked to him and find relief and rest.

The scripture today reminds us of Jesus’ humanness as he expresses frustration at people’s lack of understanding and then grace as he welcomes people to come to him.

Questions

1. How does the message of Jesus differ from the messages of your culture or social group?
2. What part of Jesus’ message is hardest for you to hear?
3. How are you weary and in need of rest?

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 these ways 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 230, “Come to Me, O Weary Traveler”

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 bread and wine.

Thoughts for Children

Materials: two reusable grocery bags, multiple cans of food

Begin by putting a few cans of food in the bag.

Say: Today we are talking about burdens. I have a few cans of food in this bag. Is it a heavy burden or a light burden? Allow children to lift the bag to determine if it is heavy or light.

Add several more cans. Again ask, is this a heavy burden or light?

Finally, fill the bag with cans of food. Let the children try to lift the bag. Ask if it is heavy or light?

Say: When we have a heavy burden, we can ask for help, or we can give part of the burden away.

Can we give away some of the burden (the canned food) in this bag? To whom? Friends, family, maybe a food bank to feed the hungry?

Take some cans out and place them in the second bag.

Say: In this example, our bag was heavy with canned food. Sometimes our burdens are not things we carry on the outside but are things we carry on the inside. Sometimes we carry heavy burdens of sadness, worry, shame, or anger. When we try to carry these kinds of burdens for a long time, we become emotionally exhausted.

We can give our inside burdens to Jesus. We can ask Jesus to help carry these heavy burdens for us. This can help free us of our inside burdens and again be joyful and loving.

Thank the children for participating.

Sermon Helps

Exploring the Scripture

This passage opens with Jesus identifying comparisons people make between him and those with whom he has been associating. It is almost as if Jesus is saying he is tired of being accused because of guilt by association. As he responds, he tells the people God keeps reaching out to them by sending different kinds of messengers. John was accused of keeping to himself and was called a recluse. Jesus spends time with people and still they complain that he should have picked different people. The people were listening to one message and Jesus was sharing a different message; people ridiculed Jesus because his message was countercultural.

As the passage continues, Jesus’ mood changes sharply. Maybe Jesus decides you cannot please everyone so he thanks God for those willing to give all for the kingdom of God. He is the shepherd—the pastor—inviting people to him, to a place where they can begin to trust, and therefore know God. He senses each need people have but his message isn’t about fulfillment of every wish.

The spiritual journey is often neglected for more pressing priorities in people’s lives. In this portion of the passage, Jesus invites the people hearing the message, and even us today, to reframe what is pressing. His invitation is to “Come to me.” Jesus specifically addresses those who are overworked and carrying heavy loads. In the crowd that day, were people who were poor, yoked by the conditions of political and religious oppression. Jesus’ invited them to be yoked to him and find relief and rest.

The willingness to be yoked with Jesus requires vulnerability by each person to be open to God. It opens an understanding that each would be available for God’s purposes in their lives. To do that, they would need relief from the daily oppression they were living under so twice Jesus invites them to rest—for their physical needs and for their souls. Verse 28, is an invitation to a Sabbath rest, the rest that puts a person on the road to recovery. In that rest, they will experience the freedom Christ offers.

The scripture passage for today reminds us of Jesus’ humanness as he expresses his frustration at people’s lack of understanding, and then his grace as he welcomes people to come to him. We also often lack understanding, yet Jesus still welcomes us home with a wide embrace. Let us find comfort, peace, and strength as we come to Jesus this day.

Central Ideas

1. Jesus’ followers lacked understanding of his message, just as we often misunderstand his message.
2. Through his grace and mercy, Jesus still invites us to cast all our cares and concerns on him and find rest.
3. We are reminded of Jesus’ humanness as well as his grace, mercy, and love for us as we come weary and burdened and leave filled with peace and love.

Questions for the Speaker

1. What are some ways you have resisted resting and found yourself weary?
2. What are some ways you have rested in God and found yourself fully alive in God’s Spirit?
3. This passage is about giving life to our souls; what can you do to help give life as you serve with Jesus?
4. This passage is also about trust. How have you been vulnerable and available to God in your ministry this week?

Lessons

Adult Lesson

Focus Scripture Passage

Matthew 11:16–19, 25–30

Lesson Focus

Cultural trends often prevent disciples from understanding the message Jesus brings. The good news is that through his grace and mercy, Jesus invites us to learn from him, cast all our cares and concerns on him, and find rest.

Objectives

The learners will…

• confess times they have misunderstood the message of Jesus.
• reflect on what the message and ministry of Christ is.
• explore opportunities to yoke with Christ in ways that bring peace to others, as well as ourselves.

Supplies

• Bible
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS)

Notes to Teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Matthew 11:16–19, 25–30 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: New Testament (with focus on the Gospel according to Matthew), p. 89, available through Herald House.

Gather

Today’s passage speaks of being able to understand Christ’s message and finding, as well as offering, the peace it brings. Sing or read “Come Now, You Hungry” CCS 227. In small groups or as a larger group share your response to these questions.

• What part of this song speaks directly to you and why?
• What is the invitation for you today through the words of this song?

Engage

Read Matthew 11:16–19, 25–30.

In today’s passage Jesus is talking to the crowd. The disciples disappeared in verse one and do not reappear until chapter 12. The verses preceding today’s passage reveal John the Baptist has been imprisoned and sends messengers to ask if Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus responds they are to report what they see and hear—many people are healed, the dead raised, and the poor experience good news. He goes on to speak good things about John and ends with “Let anyone with ears listen!” (v. 15) According to verses 16–19, it appears no one in “this generation” has ears to listen. The generation to which Jesus refers is his own; Matthew writes as though it is his [Matthew’s]; and as we read it today, it is ours.

It seems that people were criticizing both John and Jesus for opposite offenses. The verses in between the ones for today continue Jesus’s frustration with those who have rejected him and his message. Discuss in small groups the following questions.

• What is the message of Jesus according to his response to John’s messengers?
• In what ways are disciples today listening to and living this message?

Jesus suddenly turns from the negative to the positive in verses 25–30. This section of this passage contains a prayer, a statement, and moral instruction. In the prayer, Jesus mentions the “infants,” people new in the faith. He is recognizing that there are a few people who have listened and are listening, trying to understand and follow his call. The “wise and intelligent” are the educated leaders of Israel, those who believe they have all the answers and have rejected Jesus as Messiah (Eugene Eung-Chun Park, Feasting on the Word: Year A, Vol. 3, eds. David L. Bartlett and Barbara Brown Taylor [Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011], 215–216).

Jesus remembers to give thanks to God who has revealed God’s nature and will through Christ. He closes by offering rest to those who are weary and burdened. He goes on to share that if we share his yoke, learning from him, we will find peace for our souls.

In pairs or small groups consider the following:

• Who are the “infants” in our generation, those who have listened and understood?
• Jesus offers us peace and rest for our souls. Share ways you have received, embodied, and shared the peace of Christ.

Respond

As we cast our cares upon God, we receive rest for our souls. This brings peace to our lives, the kind of peace only God can give. Community of Christ upholds Pursuit of Peace as one of its Enduring Principles.

• God wants shalom (justice, reconciliation, wellbeing, wholeness, and peace) for all creation.
• Jesus Christ, the embodiment of God’s shalom (peace), reveals the meaning of God’s peace in all aspects of life.
• The vision of Zion is to promote God’s reign on Earth, as proclaimed by Jesus Christ, through the leavening influence of just and peaceful communities.
• We courageously and generously share the peace of Jesus Christ with others.
• Led by the Holy Spirit, we work with God and others to restore peace (shalom) to creation.
• We celebrate God’s peace wherever it appears or is being pursued by people of good will.

—Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, p. 30

Discuss:

• Which parts of today’s scripture passage echo this Enduring Principle?
• With whom are you or your congregation working to restore peace?

Send

Respond to the following questions in small groups of two or three, or as a large group. Spend time in prayer with these questions as part of your personal spiritual practice in the coming week.

• Do I have ears to hear? Am I listening?
• What is the meaning of God’s peace in my life?
• How and with whom can I share peace and invitation this week?

Bless

Offer a closing prayer of gratitude for God’s generous love and grace; and for each one to receive, embody, and share the peace of Jesus Christ.

Youth Lesson

Focus Scripture Passage

Matthew 11:16–19, 25–30

Lesson Focus

All are invited to receive, embody, and share the peace of Jesus Christ.

Objectives

The learners will…

• discover tools to help lift and carry heavy objects.
• understand how Christ helps us carry burdens.
• discuss burdens they are carrying and how they can receive and share the peace of Christ.

Supplies

• Bible
• Variety of items which are not heavy and a couple that are heavy
• Picture of an automobile jack (optional)
• Picture of a yoke (end of lesson)
• Paper and pens, pencils, crayons, or markers

Note to Teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Matthew 11:16–19, 25–30 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year B: New Testament (with focus on the Gospel according to Matthew), p. 89, available through Herald House.

Gather

Gather a variety of items (heavy and light) for students to lift. Heavy items should be a challenge to lift without presenting a risk of injury to students.

• How strong do you think you are? Would you say that you are not strong at all, somewhat strong, or very strong?
•  How many of you think you could pick up this heavy item (select one)? How about another heavy item like this one (select one)? If you can lift these items, then you must be pretty strong.
• How many of you think you could lift a vehicle? Do you think that is possible? Many tools help lift things that we could not lift by ourselves. For example, to lift a car, you can use an automobile jack. (Show a picture, if possible.) If you put this jack under a car and pump the handle, you can easily lift a car!
• What other tools or techniques help us lift heavy objects?

Show a picture of a yoke and ask students if they know what it is and for what it is used. Tell the students it is a yoke and have them listen for how it is used in the scripture passage.

Engage

Invite students to take turns reading these verses from Matthew 11:16–19, 25–30.

People were comparing Jesus with John the Baptizer.

• What did people say about John and Jesus? (They criticized John for not eating and drinking, but they criticized Jesus for eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners.)
• Why was Jesus frustrated with this? (The people did not get who Jesus was or that his ministry was inclusive of all.)
• In verses 25–26 Jesus indicates that even children understand Jesus’s ministry better than adults at times. What examples have you seen of children and youth engaging in Christ’s mission?

Jesus expresses his frustration with the way people responded to his ministry, but then he offers gratitude for those who have come to know God through him. The final verses reveal Jesus’s ministry is full of compassion and mercy.

• How is yoke used in the final verses to demonstrate Jesus’s compassion? (It is described as a bond, keeping or tying people together.)
• How has someone demonstrated this kind of compassion for you?

Respond

Some of you may be carrying heavy burdens. Bullying, peer pressure, troubles at home or at school, and so much more might weigh you down. Some people are burdened by physical challenges. Maybe someone in your family is sick and you are worried about them. You may be having a hard time making passing grades in school. Whatever the burdens are in your life, some may be too heavy to handle by yourself. Well, guess what? You don’t have to! That is the wonderful message in today’s passage!

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” You don’t need to struggle with burdens that are too heavy for you. Scripture is full of promises to help us in times of trouble. These words of encouragement are just what we need to face the hard times that may come our way.

Invite one or more students to read Doctrine and Covenants 163:2a.

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.

• How does this passage compare with Matthew 11:28–30?
• How does Jesus embody God’s shalom? (His ministry was inclusive of all; he promoted justice for the marginalized; he promoted peace; he cared about those others did not care about.)
• What leads to God’s peace and all dimensions of salvation (personal, social, environmental)? (following Jesus, living like Jesus, promoting justice and peace for all, sharing the peace of Jesus, caring for the Earth and all creation)
• What examples do you see of people living and sharing the peace of Jesus?

Send

Does Jesus promise that, if we ask, God will take our troubles away? No, but God will help us. The challenge for us is to recognize God’s presence and Christ’s peace. In fact, some of our struggles may help us grow and become stronger. They may also help us learn to trust in Jesus. But when the load is too heavy, he will help us carry it—and no burden is too heavy for Jesus.

Provide each student with a piece of paper (conserve paper by distributing half sheets) and items with which to write, draw, or color. Have students make a T-chart on the paper. On the left side, have them list burdens (5–10) they carry. On the right side, list possible “yokes” (people, spiritual practices, Responsible Choices) that can make those burdens easier to carry.

Invite them to share one burden and yoke with the larger group.

Bless

Share this prayer to close your time together.

Eternal God, we are thankful that when we struggle under the load of life’s burdens, you are there to help us carry the load. Jesus showed us how to love one another and think of others, not just ourselves. Help us let go of the selfishness that weighs us down. Help us lift our spirits by putting the needs of others ahead of our own. Amen.

Children’s Lesson

Focus Scripture Passage

Matthew 11:16–19, 25–30

Lesson Focus

All are invited to receive and share the peace of Jesus Christ.

Objectives

The learners will…

• describe how it feels when Jesus helps us with our burdens or challenges.
• list ways to receive and share the peace of Jesus.

Supplies

• Bible
• Two “burdens” (large, bulky, or odd-shaped items) for children to carry on their backs while crawling
• Scripture puzzles: write the words of Matthew 11:28–30 and Doctrine and Covenants 163:2a on different colored paper and cut into puzzle pieces
• Lectionary Story Bible, Year A, by Ralph Milton, illustrated by Margaret Kyle (Wood Lake Publishing, 2007, ISBN 9781551455471) (optional)
• Object or symbol to represent the peace of Jesus
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS)

Notes to Teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Matthew 11:16–19, 25–30 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: New Testament, p. 89, available through Herald House.

Gather

Before class begins, prepare the space for the Gather and Engage activities. For the Heavy Burden Relay you will need two “burdens” (large, bulky, or odd-shaped items: hiking backpack, oversized plastic tub, large box, rolled-up rug, etc.) for children to carry on their backs while crawling. They should be difficult to carry, but not so heavy as to cause injury. Designate a starting and turning point for the relay. Prepare scripture puzzles (as described in Supplies) and hide the puzzle pieces around the room.

Greet children by name and welcome them into the class space.

Heavy Burden Relay

Form two teams and have them line up at the starting point. Give each team the “burden” the students are to carry on their backs, one at a time, while crawling to the turning point and back. If the “burden” falls off, the student must start again. Play until all children have a chance to carry their team’s “burden” to the turning point and back. Play the game again, but this time have each team designate one person to be Jesus. “Jesus” can help each person on their team carry the “burden,” so it does not fall off. See how much faster the game is completed when Jesus helps carry the burden.

Ask the children to describe how it felt to carry the burden alone and how it felt when Jesus helped.

Engage

Scripture Puzzle Search

Say: Today we will look at two scripture passages that illustrate how Jesus helps us with burdens or challenges in our lives. One is from Matthew in the New Testament, and the other is from the Doctrine and Covenants. Each passage has been cut into puzzle pieces and hidden around the room.

Tell each team which color to look for and have the teams find their puzzle pieces and put their passage together. When they have completed their scripture puzzle, have them read it aloud or read it yourself if children are younger.

For younger children, help each team create actions to accompany the reading of the passage. For older children, compare the two passages and discuss what is similar and what is different.

Ask how each passage relates to the Heavy Burden Relay.

These passages help us understand that God wants all people to experience the peace of Jesus (safety and inclusion; a freedom from stress, worry, or heavy burdens). As followers of Jesus, we receive the peace of Jesus, and we share the peace of Jesus with others.

Teach the children motions as they say the following:

Receive the peace of Jesus (bring hands together and place over your heart)

Share the peace of Jesus (extend hands outward and to your sides)

For younger children, read “Children Know This” from Lectionary Story Bible, Year A, pp. 150–151. For older children, read Matthew 11:16–19. Discuss the following questions.

• Why was Jesus frustrated? (People did not believe who he was or what he taught because he ate and drank like everyone else.)
• Why were people upset at Jesus? (He was friends with people they didn’t like or didn’t approve of.)
• What did we learn about Jesus by his eating and drinking like everyone else? (Jesus was human, just like us, and gave us an example of how God wants us to treat others.)
• What do children know that adults sometimes forget? (Jesus wants us to be kind and help everyone!)
• How did a child in this story help another person? (Abigail helped Thomas when he hurt his toe.)

Respond

Just as Abigail helped Thomas in the story, we can share the peace of Jesus by helping others. It doesn’t matter if we are young or old, small or big. Everyone can share the peace of Jesus!

How many ways can you share the peace of Jesus?

For younger children: Have each child act out how they can share the peace of Jesus with someone in their home, school, church, or community. Have the other children guess what they are acting. Allow each child to have at least one turn.

For older children: Give each child a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. Designate an amount of time (three to five minutes) and have them list as many ways of sharing the peace of Jesus with others as they can. Have students share their lists and see how many ideas were the same and how many unique ideas each child had.

Send

Read the passages again from the Scripture Puzzle Search. Recite again (with motions) what we learn from these passages.

Receive the peace of Jesus (bring hands together and place over your heart)

Share the peace of Jesus (extend hands outward and to your sides)

To share the peace of Jesus, we must first receive the peace of Jesus. Because there are aspects of justice included with Christ’s peace, sometimes this means we work for it or “fight” for it.

Form a circle on the floor. Select an object or symbol (any object you choose or prepare something in advance) to represent the peace of Jesus. Tell the students we are going to practice receiving and sharing the peace of Jesus. Begin with the following prayer; then allow a minute for quiet listening.

Dear Jesus, thank you for helping us when we are hurting, sad, or lonely. Help us when we need to stand up for someone and use our brave voices to support someone in need. Help us receive your peaceful presence as we are quiet and still.

After a moment of silence, have each child say something kind to the next person as they pass the object representing the peace of Jesus. Repeat as needed!

Bless

Sing “Prayer of Peace” CCS 164 with motions.