Additional Scriptures

Psalm 40:1–11; 1 Corinthians 1:1–9; John 1:29–42

Preparation

For “Opportunity for Service,” set several large basins or bowls on front tables with washcloths over the rims and towels beside them.

Prelude

Welcome

Call to Worship

We come to see the Christ, living and serving among us! Let us come and meet Christ, the One who calls us, our Light, our Example, our Savior!

—John 1:29–39a, adapted

Hymn

“Called by Christ to Love Each Other” CCS 577

OR “Jesus’ Hands Were Kind Hands” CCS 585

Prayer of Adoration

Disciples’ Generous Response

Scripture: Doctrine and Covenants 163:9

Statement

As we desire to give to fulfill God’s vision of shalom, God’s grace continues to teach us how to receive and give. Each act of generosity grows our capacity to give—materially and spiritually. Whole‑life generosity broadens when and how we give, and increases both capacity and desire.

—Choose Generosity: Discovering Whole‑Life Stewardship, Herald House, p. 117

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

Prayer for Peace

Light the peace candle.

Prayer

God our Light, attune us to your mission and longing that all may know your peace. Forgive our apathy and inattentiveness. Open our inner eyes to your dream of welcome and provision for the least. Strengthen our hands and hearts to invest in what makes for peace. Bless our desire to serve as we spread your healing balm in a broken world. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Hymn

“Come and Bring Light” choose relevant stanzas CCS 287

OR “Lord, Make Us Instruments” CCS 364

Moment of Confession

Offer silent time for prayers of confession.

Opportunity for Service

Invite all ages to come forward. Each person washes the hands of the person behind them and dries them. Provide quiet music. Invite reflection on Christ’s example of service.

Ministry of Music or Congregational Hymn

“Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love” CCS 367

Encourage multilingual singing.

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

The Spoken Word

Based on Isaiah 49:1–7

Hymn of Embodiment

“Let Justice Roll like a River” CCS 288

OR “Let Your Heart Be Broken” CCS 353

OR “Let Justice Flow Down” CCS 286

Prayer of Empowerment for Service

Hymn

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

OR “Go Now Forth into the World” CCS 646

Sending Forth

May you go in peace, commissioned to serve in the name of the Risen Christ. Amen.

—Doctrine and Covenants 162:8c

Postlude

Gathering

Welcome

Prayer for Peace

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

Guided prayer: Draw the circle wider to include loved ones, those we struggle to accept, all nations, and all creation. Fill the circle with forgiveness, mercy, compassion, and peace. May we live without excluding borders, honoring interdependence and shalom. Amen.

Spiritual Practice

Walking in the Light

Invite silence and visualization of a path of light. After each line, pause ~15 seconds:

May my loved ones be embraced in God’s light.

May my family walk in the light of Christ.

May my friends receive the gift of love and light.

May my acquaintances sense the presence of light through our interactions.

May the one with whom I am in conflict be surrounded by the light of Christ.

May my community be blessed by the eternal light of God’s love and grace.

Amen.

Invite brief sharing.

Sharing Around the Table

Isaiah 49:1–7 NRSVue

[Read the passage.]

Reflection: The servant is called and named from the womb—by grace, not merit. Despite feelings of futility, the servant remains steadfast; God expands the mission beyond Israel to all nations. Likewise, we are called beyond inadequacy into deeper discipleship, to manifest God’s light widely.

Questions

1. How are you sensing God’s call in your life?
2. Where have you felt inadequate in living your calling?
3. How has God encouraged hope amid doubt?

Note: If using “Thoughts for Children,” allow children to share how God loves them here.

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

Offering basket available for ongoing small‑group ministries. Prayer:

Revealing God, may generosity flow from your boundless grace and unending love. Shape our response into humble service. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn

CCS 267, “We Wait in Hope for the Lord”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Communion Scripture

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NRSVue

Communion Statement

All are welcome at Christ’s table. Communion remembers Jesus’s life, death, resurrection, and presence. In Community of Christ, it renews our baptismal covenant and forms disciples for mission. Receive it as blessing, healing, peace, and community. In preparation sing CCS 520, “God Extends an Invitation.”

Bless and serve bread and wine.

Thoughts for Children

Materials: paper, pencils.

Ask: How did you get your name? Why are names important? Share many names for God (Holy One, Healing Presence, Source of Joy, Great “I Am,” Gentle Shepherd, Mother‑Father God, etc.).

Write your name down the page and list things God loves about you for each letter (acrostic). Share at the end of Sharing Around the Table.

Exploring the Scripture

Isaiah 49:1–7 presents a dialogue between God and the servant (Israel). Named from the womb, formed to speak truth, hidden until God’s revealing, the servant confesses futility yet trusts God’s verdict. God enlarges the mission: not just restoring Israel, but being a light to the nations. Christians see Christ as the model servant, and the church as a prophetic people called to global restoration.

Central Ideas

1. God knows and calls from the beginning into covenant purpose.
2. We strive with God, yet grace and purpose persist.
3. Our response aims at God’s glory, not our own.
4. We are called to spread the good news of God’s revelation in Jesus Christ.

Questions for the Speaker

1. When have you been called to respond with trust and faith?
2. When have you struggled with God, and how did grace meet you?
3. What will you do today and this week to bring glory to God?
4. How do you summarize the good news of God’s revelation in Jesus Christ?

Focus Scripture Passage

Isaiah 49:1–7

Lesson Focus

God names and calls the Servant from the womb to bring light to all nations.

Objectives

The learners will…

• remember the origins of one’s name,
• explore the Second Servant Song (calling from the womb),
• discern D&C 163:1–3 for mission,
• identify actions to restore healthy and righteous relationships.

Supplies

• Bible
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS)

Notes to Teacher

Read “Exploring the Scripture” for Isaiah 49:1–7 (Year A: Old Testament), pp. 36–37.

Gather

15% of time

Pairs or triads: share how you were named.

Engage

35% of time

Share background: servant songs, Jacob/Israel story, named and called from the womb, honest struggle, renewed trust.

Discuss D&C 163:1:

• What “divine blessing” is in our name Community of Christ?
• How does our name declare identity, calling, future?

Respond

35% of time

God enlarges the servant’s purpose to light the nations (v. 6). Read D&C 163:2–3 and discuss:

• What do relationally and culturally incarnate peace pathways look like?
• Describe a community embodying generosity, justice, peacefulness. How will we create this in our congregation?

Send

10% of time

Read D&C 163:2b. Identify 1–2 specific actions this week to restore relationship(s) with God, self, others, or Earth.

Bless

5% of time

Sing “I Have Called You by Your Name” CCS 636.

Focus Scripture Passage

Isaiah 49:1–7

Lesson Focus

The Servant’s Mission

Objectives

The learners will…

• connect the Second Servant Song to civil rights leadership,
• examine the servant’s role,
• build a civil rights timeline (contextualize for your country as needed),
• evaluate servant actions via D&C 165.

Supplies

• Bible
• Flip chart and markers
• Civil rights timeline resources
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS)

Notes to Teacher

Read “Exploring the Scripture” for Isaiah 49:1–7 (Year B: Old Testament), pp. 36–37.

Gather

15% of time

Sing/read/watch “The Servant Song” CCS 550. Discuss the servant’s character and actions.

Engage

35% of time

Introduce the Second Servant Song and Jacob/Israel background. Read Isaiah 49:1–7 (MSG) and identify images and meanings. Name God’s expansion of mission to “light for the nations.”

Respond

35% of time

Discuss “working for nothing” yet persisting. On Racial Justice Day, create a U.S. civil rights timeline (or your context) using resources like Civil Rights Trail and Civil Rights Museum. Connect servant themes with leaders (e.g., MLK Jr.).

Send

10% of time

Read D&C 165:3a–e. Discuss links to servant imagery, improving oneness in community, and actions that may face peer disagreement—how to justify them in Christ-like love.

Bless

5% of time

Invite a class member to close with prayer.

Focus Scripture Passage

Isaiah 49:1–7

Lesson Focus

We fail at times, but diligence and faith help us grow as disciples and servants.

Objectives

The learners will…

• trace the servant’s developing understanding in Isaiah 49,
• learn about the Mission Initiative “Develop Disciples to Serve,”
• hear from congregation members about discipleship,
• define being a servant of Jesus.

Supplies

• Candle and lighter
• Famous Failures worksheet
• Interview Questions handout
• Newspaper classified ads; markers
• Bible; Community of Christ Sings (CCS)

Notes to Teacher

Read “Exploring the Scripture” for Isaiah 49:1–7 (Year A: Old Testament), pp. 36–37.

Gather

15% of time

Riddle and candle object lesson: one small light fills the room. Sing “This Little Light of Mine.” Connect to being “a light for all nations.”

Engage

35% of time

Share successes and failures. Do “Famous Failures” matching. Read Isaiah 49:1–7 in parts with simple summaries: called from the womb; felt efforts failed; God enlarges the mission to the world; God’s glory is the aim.

Respond

35% of time

Explain Community of Christ mission and “Develop Disciples to Serve.” In pairs, interview congregants about serving as disciples and developing gifts. Report back.

Send

10% of time

From observations, list servant traits. Create a fun “Help Wanted: Willing Servant” ad over classifieds, naming prayer, empathy, generosity, etc.

Bless

5% of time

Close by singing “Make Me a Servant” CCS 597.