Description
John 15:9-17
Jesus imparted a message to His disciples emphasizing the importance of love within their community. He encouraged them to love one another sacrificially as He loved them. These words ring true today. We must foster a community of selfless love, breaking down the barriers of division and hatred. By actively demonstrating God’s boundless love through acts of kindness, understanding, and genuine care for one another, we become more like Christ and can experience His boundless love that transforms us to be more like Him.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
Pastor / Worship Leader
Blessings, beloved congregation! Today, we gather under the name of Almighty God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. We come with open hearts, ready to explore the richness of His transforming Word.
Worshipers
We open our hearts before the Lord and in expectancy, we wait on Him.
Time of Praise and Worship
House of the Lord
Jonathan Smith | Phil Wickham, © 2020 Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
Cashagamble Jet Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Phil Wickham Music (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC]) Simply Global Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC]) Sing My Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC])
Way Maker
Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu, © 2016 Integrity Music Europe (Admin by Capitol CMG Publishing)
Great Things
Jonas Myrin, Phil Wickham, © Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Son of the Lion (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Phil Wickham Music (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC]) Simply Global Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC]) Sing My Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC])
[Traditional Options]
Dear Christians, One And All Rejoice
ELW 594; LBW 299; LSB 556; LW 353
God Loves Me Dearly
LSB 392
The Day of Resurrection
BH 91 164; EH 210; ELW 361; HWC 226; HLC 168; LBW 141; LSB 478; LW 133; NCH 245; PH 118; WC 247; UMH 303; WAR 298; WHM 261
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
I invite you to open up your hearts and minds to the Lord today. Whatever has filled your month, your week, your morning- lay it down before the Lord now and give it to Him. Allow His Holy Spirit to fill you with His love, peace, and joy. Let’s pray.
Worshipers
We go before the Lord in prayer.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Heavenly Father, You are gracious and mighty. We are filled with awe of Your majesty and gratitude for the gift of this community. Today as we gather in worship, we ask that we would experience the depth of Your Word and the transformative power of Your Holy Spirit.
Worshipers
In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
As we stand before the Lord, let us take a moment to confess our sin and seek His forgiveness.
Worshipers
(Pause for a moment of reflection and prayer.)
Pastor/ Worship Leader
Merciful God, we confess.
Worshipers
We confess that we have fallen short of Your glory. We have held in our heart’s prejudices, built invisible walls out of protection or fear, and have failed to recognize and live out Your boundless love in our lives. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us to live as instruments of Your peace.
Pastor / Worship Leader
We find complete forgiveness and redemption in Christ alone, who knows no bounds, and cleanses us of all unrighteousness.
Worshipers
We are forgiven by the blood of the Lamb! We are washed clean and renewed.
Pastor/ Worship Leader
Thank You, Lord.
Worshipers
In the name of the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Acts 10:34-48
Peter visited the household of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and declared that God shows no partiality and accepts all who fear Him and do what is right. The Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius and all his household, confirming that salvation is extended to not only the Jews, but the Gentiles, too.
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 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.
