Description
John 31:31-35
In the gospel passage, we read that Jesus was glorified and God has been glorified in him. Prior to His departure, Jesus gave the disciples a new commandment, that they love one another. Just as Christ has loved them, they should also love one another in that same way. It is through living out this Christ-like love, that we, like the original disciples, will glorify God. We have been charged to glorify God through our words and actions, and therefore bear fruit in His name. Later in John we read, “The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one … so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (17:22-23). Does your life glorify God? If not, what can you do to bring glory to his mighty name?
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
Stronger
Ben Fielding & Reuben Morgan, ©2007 Hillsong Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
All The Earth Will Sing Your Praises
Paul Baloche, ©2003 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music
Holy Spirit
Bryan Torwalt & Katie Torwalt © 2011 Capitol CMG Genesis (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Jesus Culture Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
With High Delight Let Us Unite
ELW 368; LBW 140; LSB 483; LW 134
Behold A Host Arrayed in White
ELW 425; LBW 314; LSB 676; LW 192; NCH 296
Come Thou Fount of Ev’ry Blessing
BH75 12,13; BH 91 15, 18; CH 11; CHH 16; EH 686; ELW 807; HS98 876; HWC 2; HPW 4; HFG 318; HLC 28; HGP 9; HSP 16; LBW 499; LWB 686; NCH 459; PH 356; RH 11; STTL 51; WC 45; UMH 400; WAR 68; WHM 30; WIS 62
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor It is a joy to gather today as one people in Christ to worship our Lord and give glory to His name. We celebrate in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit!
ALL Amen!
Opening Prayer
Pastor Mighty and Everlasting God, In the midst of a troubled world, you put into motion the Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection which altered the life of humanity forever. When your Son, Jesus, rose from the dead, the hope of eternal life became a reality for all believers. This is such great news and such an incredible gift that we should respond by glorifying the name of Christ through our lives. As we sing, pray, and hear your Word today, may the Holy Spirit draw us closer to you and to our brothers and sisters in Christ.
ALL In the name of our Lord. Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
All Holy and Loving God, we know that you and your disciples and apostles found yourselves in the middle of crowds often. Many of them were confused and restless, broken and wounded, and some were filled with curiosity and questions. In the midst of all the people, you demonstrated compassion and love as well as forgiveness and humility.
We confess before you today that much of the time we are just like the people surrounding Jesus. We often hurt each other with our words and actions. We carry wounds and experiences from the past that prevent us from growing in the present. We don’t know show love to one another as Christ displayed to all.
Loving and grace-filled Lord, forgive us and renew our commitment to you—that we will live out the commandment to love one another as you have loved us. Give us the strength to make changes in our lives so that we will live in conformity to your will and bring glory to your name.
(silence for personal confession)
Pastor Know that your sins are washed away in the waters of baptism and removed through the blood of Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God who restores us and renews us daily.
ALL Amen!
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Acts 11:1-18
Peter brought the news of Cornelius’s conversion back to Jerusalem and the believers were shocked that Peter had eaten with Gentiles but after hearing the story,
they responded by praising God.
The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3 and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. 7 Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’ 8 “I replied, ‘surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’ 10 This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again. 11 “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.’ 15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said:‘ John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’17 So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” 18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”
