Additional Scriptures

Psalm 112:1–10; 1 Corinthians 2:1–16; Matthew 5:13–20

Prelude

During the prelude, project or print on poster board: “Be Still and Know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Invite silent focus on God.

Gathering Hymn

“Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow” CCS 54

OR “Gather Your Children” CCS 77

Welcome

Sharing of Congregational Joys and Concerns

Prayer of Blessing

Call to Worship

Leader: Praise the Lord!

People: Happy are those who delight in the Lord.

Leader: They will be blessed for generations.

People: Our lights shine in the darkness,

Leader: reflecting the righteousness of God.

People: We are gracious, merciful and honest.

Leader: They will be remembered for justice.

People: We can withstand adversity.

All: Praise be to God!

—Psalm 112:1–10, adapted

Congregational Hymn

“For Everyone Born” choose stanzas that connect with your group CCS 285

Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.

OR “Living Stones” CCS 279

OR “Come and Bring Light” choose stanzas that connect with your group CCS 287

Invocation

Response

Scripture Reading

Isaiah 58:1–12

Ministry of Music or Congregational Hymn

“For the Healing of the Nations” CCS 297

OR “Let Justice Roll Like a River” CCS 288

Sermon

Based on Isaiah 58:1–12

OR Small Group Discussion

Print or project these questions (based on Isaiah 58:1–12):

• From what might we fast?
• When might we fast as a spiritual practice?
• What are some ways to fast?
• Of what injustices are you aware today?

Prayer for Peace

Light the peace candle.

Dwelling in the Word: Poem — “The Result of Prayer”

1. First reading — let the words wash over you.
2. Second reading — what word or phrase catches your attention?
3. Final reading — how does this poem inform praying for peace each day?

The result of prayer is life.

Prayer irrigates the

earth and

heart.

—St. Francis of Assisi, interpreted by Daniel Ladinsky, Love Poems from God, Penguin, p. 54

Prayer

We come before you, Prince of Peace. We confess our sins, our faultfinding with others and with ourselves, our unpeaceful ways. Free us to focus our thoughts on you, listening for the inner peace of the Holy Spirit to guide our hearts, our community, and our world. In the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Disciples’ Generous Response

Generosity Reading

Reader 1: For, behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same God, for both food and raiment, for all the riches that we have of every kind?

Reader 2: Behold, even at this time, you have been calling on his name and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that you have begged in vain?

Reader 1: No, he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and caused that your hearts should be filled with joy … exceedingly great joy.

Reader 2: Now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that you have and are, grants to you whatever you ask that is right, in faith, believing that you shall receive, oh, then, how ought you to impart of the substance that you have, one to another?

—Mosiah 2:32–36, adapted

Statement

Formulate and share a statement based on responses to:

• How does our giving today help shine a light on injustice?
• What motivates you to give one to another?
• When does your generosity cause you to feel exceeding great joy?

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes

Closing Hymn

“Let Your Heart Be Broken” CCS 353

OR “Light Dawns on a Weary World” CCS 240

OR “Beauty for Brokenness” stanzas 1, 3, and 5 CCS 302

Sending Forth

Christ has no body now on earth but yours,

no hands but yours,

no feet but yours,

Yours are the eyes with which he looks out

Christ’s compassion to the world.

Yours are the feet with which he goes about

doing good;

Yours are the hands with which he is to bless…now.

—Teresa of Ávila

Postlude

Gathering

Welcome

Prayer for Peace

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

Loving God, we affirm the equal worth of all children as yours. We uphold children in privilege that they may grow as generous peacemakers. We uphold children in poverty and suffering; awaken us to systems that perpetuate harm, and stir us from complacency. We lament our damaged Earth and the burden our children will bear; awaken us to live within limits and create a better world for the generations. In their welfare resides our welfare; in our action resides their hope. Amen.

Spiritual Practice

Walking in the Light

During and after Epiphany, practice “Walking in the Light.” Quiet yourself and imagine walking a path of light. Offer the gift of light as prompts are read.

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

Pause 15 seconds.

May my family walk in the light of Christ.

Pause 15 seconds.

May my friend receive the gift of love and light.

Pause 15 seconds.

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

Pause 15 seconds.

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

Pause 15 seconds.

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

Pause 15 seconds.

Amen.

Invite sharing about the experience.

Sharing Around the Table

Isaiah 58:1–12 NRSVue

[Full passage included in source; summarize or read selections as needed.]

Context: After exile, returning elites encountered a poor remnant. Injustice and oppression persisted. People assumed fasting would restore favor, but God calls for justice, not performative piety. True fasting is to loose bonds, free the oppressed, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked. Those who live this fast become light and healing, guided by God as a watered garden, called “repairer of the breach.”

Questions

1. What would fasting from injustice, oppression, callousness, and selfishness look like in your life?
2. When has an act of justice or compassion led you closer to the Divine?

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 for ongoing small‑group ministries. Prayer (Epiphany season):

Revealing God, may we always be generous. You have gifted each of us with boundless grace and unending love. May our response be humble service to others, and may generosity be part of our nature. Amen.

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn

CCS 304, “Sometimes We Wait, Expecting God”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions Depending on Group

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Communion Scripture

Choose one: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Matthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–26; Luke 22:7–39.

Communion Statement

All are welcome at Christ’s table. Communion remembers Jesus’s life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence. In Community of Christ, it renews our baptismal covenant and forms disciples for Christ’s mission. Others may have different understandings. We invite all to partake in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.

Celebrate Christ revealed in blessing, healing, peace, and community. In preparation, sing CCS 527, “Bread of the World.”

Bless and serve bread and wine.

Thoughts for Children

Materials: basket of wooden blocks. Build two small structures 8–10 inches apart. Invite children to connect them using the remaining blocks.

Say: Isaiah spoke to people who felt separated from God. Actions that build connection include helping with heavy burdens, speaking kindly, feeding the hungry, healing the sick, caring for the poor and homeless.

When we do these things, we shine light in darkness, help others, and build healthy relationships between God, ourselves, others, and Earth.

Offer a brief blessing for serving others and building healthy relationships. Thank the children. If appropriate, invite them to take blocks to seats for quiet play during discussion.

Exploring the Scripture

Isaiah 58 critiques performative religion—fasting without justice—and calls for a life aligned with mercy, compassion, and communal repair. The prophetic voice exposes hypocrisy, insists on true fasting as liberation and care, and promises guidance and restoration. “Repairer of the breach” evokes rebuilding both physical ruin and social division; we are called to reconciliation and peacemaking.

Central Ideas

1. Faith is not a lever to control outcomes; “I was faithful, yet…” is a common but misguided stance.
2. God calls us to fast from injustice, oppression, callousness, and selfishness.
3. Acting with justice and compassion revitalizes community and deepens relationship with God.
4. Repairers of the breach bridge cultures and heal divisions through Christ-like love.

Questions for the Speaker

1. What symbols today could remind us of complicity in oppression and our need to repent?
2. When did you last fast? What form and what fruit?
3. When did an act of justice or compassion draw you closer to the Divine?
4. When have you been a repairer of the breach?

Focus Scripture Passage

Isaiah 58:1–12

Lesson Focus

Faith and true worship are more than traditions; God calls active repairers of justice who model peacemaking.

Objectives

The learners will…

• review personal meanings of fasting.
• explore three parts of Isaiah 58: faithlessness, faithful fasting, and “If…Then” promises.
• identify how the passage calls the congregation to respond faithfully in mission.

Supplies

• Bibles or printed Isaiah 58:1–12 (for small groups)
• Pens or pencils
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS)

Notes to Teacher

Read “Exploring the Scripture” for Isaiah 58:1–12 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: Old Testament, pp. 42–43.

Gather

15% of total time

• Form triads or pairs. Prompt: “Describe what ‘fasting’ means to you.” ~2 minutes each.
• Each group prepares one brief sentence to share with the whole.

Engage

35% of time

Divide Isaiah 58:1–12 among three readers: 1–5; 6–9a; 9b–12. Preface with Third Isaiah context (return from exile, ruined land, pious forms without justice). Listen for God’s direction toward right relationships.

Form three groups with assigned sections and questions:

Group 1 (1–5): How are people faithless/unrighteous in fasting? Where are we too comfortable or routine?

Group 2 (6–9a): Identify “faithful fasting.” How can our congregation engage it?

Group 3 (9b–12): Describe the “If…Then” promise. How does it meet our congregational context?

Respond

35% of time

Assign D&C passages to groups. Report key points and faithful responses. Offer concrete mission models.

D&C 163:4a: God weeps for unnecessary suffering; do not turn away. In their welfare is your welfare.

D&C 163:10b: Come with open minds and hearts; be vulnerable to divine grace.

D&C 165:3e: Unity in Diversity; relate in Christ-like love; full opportunity for giftedness.

Send

10% of time

Read D&C 163:10a: “Collectively and individually, you are loved with an everlasting love….” Create group affirmation statements naming gifts for mission.

Bless

5% of time

Sing or read “To Be Your Presence” CCS 351. Sending: “May God’s Spirit inspire you to see injustice and repair the breach as peacemakers for Christ’s mission. Amen.”

Focus Scripture Passage

Isaiah 58:1–12

Lesson Focus

When we work for justice, we walk closely with God and one another.

Objectives

The learners will…

• engage Isaiah 58 through Dwelling in the Word.
• identify selfish situations and brainstorm kinder alternatives.
• reflect on being reconcilers and justice advocates.

Supplies

• Bible
• Random props for skits
• Pens or pencils
• Candle and lighter
• Dwelling in the Word handout (end of lesson)

Note to Teacher

Read “Exploring the Scripture” for Isaiah 58:1–12 (Year B: Old Testament), pp. 42–43.

Gather

15% of time

Invite students to share times they advocated justice or stood up for beliefs.

Engage

35% of time

Introduce Isaiah’s context and hypocrisy critique; true fasting is lived equality and care. Practice Dwelling in the Word (three readings with reflection and responses).

Respond

35% of time

Create groups of 3–4. Brainstorm three scenarios where selfishness blocks kindness. Prepare two skits per scenario: the injustice as-is, and a justice/kindness alternative. Provide a prop to include. Perform skits.

Send

10% of time

Reflect on “repairer of the breach” (v. 12). Ask: How can you bring reconciliation and peace where needed?

Optional: Share a personal story of peacemaking; invite student stories.

Bless

5% of time

Light a visible candle. Close with prayer, challenging the class to spread kindness, love, and justice.

Focus Scripture Passage

Isaiah 58:1–12

Lesson Focus

God loves us unconditionally and blesses us. We respond as generous disciples who share love and gifts with others.

Objectives

The learners will…

• learn God’s expectations through Isaiah’s story.
• explore generous response as disciples in Community of Christ.
• brainstorm gifts of time, talent, treasure, testimony, and ways to use them.

Supplies

• Bible
• The Boy Who Cried Wolf (Hennessy/Kulikov) or equivalent version
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS)
• Paper (cut to fourths), crayons/markers, large paper, tape
• Butcher paper or whiteboard
• Bottle cap or lid per student; printed words “Time, Talent, Treasure, Testimony”
• Crayons, stickers, beads, Mod Podge, magnets, glue; trashcan

Notes to Teacher

Read “Exploring the Scripture” for Isaiah 58:1–12 (Year A: Old Testament), pp. 42–43.

Gather

15% of time

Read or tell The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Discuss honesty, promises, and attention‑seeking. Explain Israel’s confusion and self‑serving behavior.

Engage

35% of time

About fasting: clarify religious fasting vs. “being fast.” Reasons and practices. Share post‑exile context and motives. Read Isaiah 58:1–9a (adapted).

Post the Community of Christ mission statement in a big speech bubble. Give each child two small papers to draw/write one action matching the mission and one contradicting it. As a class, sort to poster or trashcan accordingly (idea adapted from worshipingwithchildren.blogspot.com).

Respond

35% of time

Share the “Discovery” story (clay balls with hidden gems) and discuss inner kindness vs. outer show. Build a T‑chart with TIME, TALENT, TREASURE, TESTIMONY and brainstorm concrete ways to share each.

Send

10% of time

Create a “TTTT” magnet: place the small “Time, Talent, Treasure, Testimony” circle into a bottle cap; decorate; pour Mod Podge (dries clear in ~1 week); later attach a magnet. Remind: God’s love moves us to honest, compassionate sharing.

Bless

5% of time

Sing “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” CCS 499.

Isaiah 58:1–9a (adapted for children)

[Include the provided adapted text as printed in the source for reading time.]