Description
John 15:9-17
A lot is made from this word “love”. It is associated with feelings and emotions. It is hailed as essential in relationships. Movies portray it, singers sing about it, artists paint portraits of it, and books explain how to keep it. In John 15, Jesus gives a powerfully small sermon on what it means to remain in God’s love. The discussion is moved away from feelings and emotions to actions and sacrifice. Learning what it means to love God and love others comes into sharper focus as we learn more about this complex word: love.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]
Time of Praise and Worship
Because He Lives (Amen)
Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Ed Cash, Gloria Gaither, Jason Ingram, Matt Maher, & William J. Gaither, © 2014 S. D. G. Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Sixsteps Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Worship Together Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Hanna Street Music (Admin. by Gaither Copyright Management) Alletrop Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Open Hands Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Music Publishing)
Jesus Loves Me
Ben Glover, Chris Tomlin, & Reuben Morgan, © 2014 9t One Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Ariose Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) S. D. G. Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Sixsteps Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Worship Together Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Forever
Chris Tomlin, ©2001 Worshiptogether.Com Songs
[Traditional Options]
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
BH 75 58; BH 91 208; CH 648; CHH 517; EH 657; ELW 631; HWC 92; HFG 21; HLC 5; HGP 3; HSP 24; LBW 315; LSB 700; LW 286; NCH 43; PH 376; RH 34; STTL 507; WC 558; UMH 384; WHM 94; WIS 16
Come, We That Love the Lord
BH 75 505; BH 91 524; CH 416; CHH 707; ELW 625; HWC 555; HFG 550; HLC 275; HGP 414; HS 160; LSB 669; NCH 382; RH 635; STTL 389; WC 596; UMH 733; WOV 742; WHM 525; WIS 325
Christ, The Word of God Incarnate
LSB 540
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor Almighty God, we begin this service with prayer and praise.
ALL Praise be to God.
Pastor You have shown us that love is more than an emotion. It is a reflection of who You are and Your relationship with us.
ALL Praise be to God, our maker and redeemer.
Pastor It is a perfect love that, when we remain in it, leads us to bear fruit. It is a fruit that is sweet because it is fed by the relationship we have with You.
ALL Praise be to God, for His mercy endures forever.
Pastor It is a love that teaches us how to love others just as You have loved us. We pray that we can live a life that reflects this love, both now and forever.
ALL Praise be to God with all our heart, soul, and mind.
Opening Prayer
Pastor: Almighty God, You have told us that “greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). And You have demonstrated this by Your own glorious deed of sacrificing Your only-begotten son so that those who believe in You may dwell in Your house forever. We delight in Your ways and in Your love. And we know that as we remain in You, we are empowered to carry out Your command to love one another just as You have loved us. We give You praise for Your boundless love and infinite majesty. All glory be Yours now and forever.
ALL AMEN!
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Lord, we have not loved You with all our heart, soul, and mind.
ALL Lord, forgive us.
Pastor We have not loved others as You have loved us.
ALL Lord, forgive us.
Pastor Our sins have caused us to cut ourselves off from the Vine instead of bearing fruit.
ALL Lord, forgive us.
Pastor We are sincerely sorry for how we have treated Your love. We now turn to You and seek forgiveness for all of our failings.
(pause for silent reflection)
Pastor This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:10). It is through this sacrifice that I, by virtue of my office and by the command of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, announce the forgiveness of all of your sins. May this great gift of forgiveness abide with you!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Acts 10:34-48
What does the early church do with all of the Gentile converts coming to faith? Eventually, it will be a question for the Jerusalem Council to resolve in Acts chapter 15. But for now, Peter starts coming to the conclusion that God’s grace is for everyone and that He doesn’t play favorites among His creation. The Holy Spirit was being generously poured out on believers from every background.
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[a] and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
