Call to Worship - (Abingdon
2013 and Dorothy McRae-McMahon)
Sing joyful songs to
God! Alleluia! We are Easter people!
God has worked
miracles! Jesus is our joy!
Sing joyful songs to
God! Alleluia! We are Easter people!
God’s love for us
lasts forever. Jesus makes us into friends.
Sing joyful songs to
God! Alleluia! We are Easter people!
Alleluia! Even the
ends of the earth see the saving power of our God.
The sea roars with
joy, and the floods clap their hands. Trumpets sound and horns celebrate with
song!
Alleluia! The Holy
Spirit falls upon all who hear the word of God.
When God shows such
generosity, how can we withhold our love?
Alleluia! Jesus has
extended to all people the friendship of our God.
We were strangers and
then servants, but now we are God’s friends.
Hymn TIS 168: “Sing
a new song, sing a new song...” A new song denoting a
new life, starting now.
Opening prayer
Holy God, you make us
Easter people— a people transformed by the resurrection of your Son, Jesus.
Your first and final word to us is Love. You reach out to us, offering joy and
wholeness. Yet we often greet your resurrection by grieving at the tomb,
doubting the good news we hear, or quaking in fear as we hide in our upper
rooms. Still, you call us deeper into Easter, answering our resistance with
your loving presence. You claim us as your friends. As we gather now to
worship, teach us once more to abide in your love, that our joy may be
complete. Amen.
A Prayer of
Confession
Lord Jesus Christ,
you reach across every boundary, even death itself, and draw us into loving
intimacy with you.
Forgive us for
resisting your love. You call us your friends, yet we act like minor
acquaintances or even strangers. You send us into the world to proclaim your
love, yet we gape in astonishment when you include all people in your love.
The light of your
resurrection conquers the darkness in our lives, yet we act as if your love is
a burden.
Give us Easter lives,
we pray, for you alone have the power to save us. Amen.
Declaration of
Forgiveness
Jesus promises, “You did not choose
me. I chose you.” We know that we are God’s children, raised to new life with
Christ. Abide in the saving love of Jesus Christ.
Thanks, be to
God! We then exchanged the sign of the peace.
Hymn TIS 236: “Jesus’ hands were kind
hands”
Rev. John was focusing on Jesus’ view of his
disciples and us as his friends. Kindness makes
friends.
Rev. John was focusing on Jesus’ view of his
disciples and us as his friends. Kindness makes
friends.
There followed the
Communion, the intent of
which was summed up in these word. This has
been no ordinary meal. It has been one in which
we have been fed and nourished with the life of
Jesus, our crucified and risen Lord. May we go
from this table, refreshed and eager, to share that life with others. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen
which was summed up in these word. This has
been no ordinary meal. It has been one in which
we have been fed and nourished with the life of
Jesus, our crucified and risen Lord. May we go
from this table, refreshed and eager, to share that life with others. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen
The Service
of the Word
Preaching on the reading John 15: 9-17, Rev. John focussed on our friendship with Jesus.
Preaching on the reading John 15: 9-17, Rev. John focussed on our friendship with Jesus.
This friendship was
expressed in the hymns and in the Communion meal. Rev. John
reminded us that
Jesus said to his disciples and therefore to us: "I do not call you
servant
any longer . . . I
have called you friends."
We are servants and
apostles but we are friends. Meals are share by friends. In meals we
offer
hospitality to each other - we extend care to each other. However the
Communion
meal fed and
nourished us in a way quite different from our daily meals.
The men’s group had
sung “Amen” sealing in voice the experience we all have in the
Communion but also in
fellowship with each other and in prayer with God.
After such
experiences whether physical or spiritual we feel refreshed to start anew. This
is
what we can do for
each other in friendship.
Rev. John pointed out
that in calling his disciples friends, Jesus was doing something quite
revolutionary by way
of imagining our relationship God. Friends care for each other and
show love to each
other in all its forms and if we don't we aren’t being obedient to Jesus’
teaching. Rev. John
went on to say that sometimes we want to take control and modify that
command.
Think of the times
when we think someone does not deserve our love or isn't one of us. As
Rev. John said, Jesus
said “you are all my friends”.
We might make
mistakes but we are drawn back. So when others offend us, we must
remember that God
accepts them and so must we. We must look on others as Jesus does.
For myself, I know
that I can be a pain in the neck but God draws me back and so do my
friends.
Rev. John told us
that we are to love others in their best bits and their not so good bits. It's
not how we feel about
each other. It's a matter of following Jesus Christ. We are defined by
our behaviour in
obedience to Jesus.
As we live our lives
must point to the one who leads us.
It has been said that
we should walk a mile in another person’s shoes. We are all living the
same life. Think of
the mistakes we all make. This of the times we unwittingly give offence.
Think of the times we
lash out because we are hurt or feel threatened. Our friends take us
back. God welcomes us
with open arms.
That's the way we
must live
Space remaining does
not allow all the hymns or prayers.
Benediction
The whole creation
celebrates God’s victory of love. Live lives of victorious faith.
When God shows such
generosity, how can we withhold our love?
Jesus abides in the
love of God. Abide in God’s love every day of your lives.
When God shows such
generosity, how can we withhold our love?
Jesus calls you his
friends. Carry the friendship of God to everyone you meet.
When God shows such
generosity, how can we withhold our love? Amen.
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