Description
The Love Command
John 15:9-17
The greatest commandment that Jesus not only modeled on earth but also gave to us to follow is to, “Love each other as I have loved you.” We bear the fruit of the Spirit when we love like He did. The world will know Jesus by the way we live our lives. Let us remain in Jesus, glean from His love, and in return lay down our lives for our fellow friends, family, and yes, even strangers so that the world will know Jesus. Let us love each other as Christ commanded us to do.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Pre-service options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
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)
Forever Reign
Jason Ingram & Reuben Morgan, ©2009 SHOUT! Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Sony/ATV Timber Publishing (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC) Windsor Hill Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC) West Main Music (Admin. by Sony/ATV Sounds LLC)
Friend Of God
Israel Houghton & Michael Gungor, ©2003 Integrity’s Praise! Music/Vertical Worship Songs
[Traditional Options]
This Joyful Eastertide
BH 75 124; EH 192; ELW 391; LBW 149; LSB 482; LW 140; NCH 232; RS 598; WOV 676; WAR 308
Thee Will I Love My Strength My Tower
LBW 502; LSB 694; LW 375
Come, My Soul, With Every Care
LSB 779; LW 433
Invocation
Pastor/Worship Leader speaks
Pastor I lovingly welcome you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!
ALL By the name of Jesus we are unified and made whole.
Pastor Let us be known by the love of Christ
ALL Amen!
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor/Worship Leader speaks
Pastor Loving Lord, you invite us into relationship with you to experience a love unlike any other. But you don’t tell us to keep that love to ourselves. Instead you command us to love others with the same love you showed us. Your love is deep, wide, without borders, and relentless. Teach us to love like you. In Jesus’ name we pray,
ALL Amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Jesus, you carried the weight of the world’s sins and shame when you hung on the cross.
Your body was broken, and your blood was spilled for the sake of saving the world.
ALL We are sinners in need of saving.
Pastor Why do we forget? Why do we not remember the greatness of your sacrifice?
ALL Why do we keep on sinning?
Pastor Even Paul said he kept doing the things he knew he shouldn’t. And yet, the power of
Your resurrection screams, “You are forgiven! You are set free! You are redeemed! I
love you!”
ALL We repent of our sins. We turn the other way and walk toward your love.
Pastor We come to you running, and with open arms you accept us. Thank you for your love.
ALL Jesus, thank you for your love.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Acts 10:34-48
As Peter spoke the Gospel to those gathered in the Centurion’s house, the Holy Spirit came upon the Jews and the Gentiles. Peter ordered that they would be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism35 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.
