Follow Me

A couple of worship resources appropriate for September 16. One is based on a passage from the Book of Mormon, the other from the Inspired Version. Both are related to the appointed lectionary reading from Mark.

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A CALL TO WORSHIP

Adapted from 2 Nephi 1:71-76

Contemporary language:

Leader:      The holy Messiah sets us free—

All:            for he is filled with love and keeps his promises!

Leader:      For all who are burdened with guilt and remorse,

All:            he offers himself to be the sacrifice that reconciles them to God.

Leader:      He lays down his life: he gives up his body to be killed.

All:            But he takes his life back again through the power of the Spirit.

Leader:      Rising from death, he frees all from the power of death,

All:            for he pleads on behalf of all people.

Leader:      How important it is to tell everyone on earth

All:            about the mercy and love of the holy Messiah!

Traditional language:

Leader:      Redemption comes in and through the holy Messiah,

All:            for he is full of grace and truth.

Leader:      He offers himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law

All:            to all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

Leader:      He lays down his life according to the flesh,

All:            and takes it again by the power of the Spirit.

Leader:      He brings to pass the resurrection, being the first that should rise,

All:            inasmuch as he makes intercession for all who are born.*

Leader:      How great the importance to make known to the inhabitants of the earth

All:            the mercy and grace of the holy Messiah!

* Original: for all the children of men

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DISCIPLES’ GENEROUS RESPONSE

Adapted from Mark 8:36-40 IV (contemporary language)

Leader/Reader 1:

Jesus said:

Reader 2:

If you want to be my follower—

stop worrying about yourself,

pick up your cross,

and come with me.

All:  Jesus, I will follow you.

Reader 3:

If you want to save your life,

you must be willing to give it up for me.

If you are not willing to give up your life for me,

you will lose it.

All:  Jesus, I give you my life.

Reader 4:

What good would it do you

if you owned the whole world

but lost your soul?

What else could possibly be worth

as much as your soul?

All:  Jesus, I give you all that I own.

Reader 2:

Give up worldly things,

and do not be ashamed of me.

All:  Jesus, I want to take your name upon me

         and do your work.