Description
John 17:20-26
As we look at the content of Jesus’ prayer, it is very apparent that his use of the word “one” four times in the first four verses was intentional. His greatest desire is that his disciples and other believers would be one, thus unified in their Christian faith. He states the comparison to his oneness with God, the Father and people as the example for unity between believers. If Christians are in union with God and Christ, they can live in union with other believers. There is awesome power when people are united as one. The Church—the body of Christ—is where we see this unity or at times, disunity, lived out. As people, we have our differences, yet the unity or oneness Jesus speaks of here is not based on who we are, but rather on who God is. The big question is this: “Can we love others as Christ loved us in spite of our differences?”
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
Let God Arise
Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Ed Cash, © 2006 worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Everlasting God
Brenton Brown & Ken Riley, ©2006 Thankyou Music
Love The Lord
Lincoln Brewster, ©2005 Integrity’s Praise Music
[Traditional Options]
O God of Mercy, God of Light
ELW 714; LBW 425; LW 397; LSB 852
O Perfect Love
BH 5 395; BH 91 512; CH 458; HWC 533; HFG 530; HLC 529; LW 253; PH 533; RH 630; WC 388; UMH 645; WAR 610; WHM 574; WIS 500
We All Believe In One True God
ELW 411; LW 374; LSB 953/954; LW 213; PH 137
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor We have joined together today as one people in Christ to worship the one, true God made known in the three in one. We celebrate in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit!
ALL Amen!
Pastor God of all creation, in the midst of a broken world, you orchestrated the events of Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection which changed humanity forever. When your Son, Jesus, rose from the dead, the hope of eternal life for all believers was born. This is such great news and we cannot bear the thought of not sharing it. For all believers in Christ, we have that common hope and promise that draws us together and unites us as one. As we sing, pray, and hear your Word today, may the Holy Spirit draw us closer to you and to one another.
ALL In the name of our risen Lord. Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
All Holy God and compassionate Jesus,
We know that you and your disciples and apostles found yourselves in the midst of crowds often. Many of them were confused and restless, broken and wounded, and some were filled with curiosity and questions. They were like sheep without a shepherd and therefore there was no unity. 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 crowds. 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. Our curiosities do not develop into commitments. We find ourselves looking for love and acceptance in all the wrong places.
Loving and grace-filled Lord, forgive us and renew our commitment to you—that we may be one—united in belief, love, and service in your name. Give us the strength and power to change areas of our lives that are barriers to unity with others in the body of Christ – the Church.
(silence for personal confessio
Pastor Know that your sins are washed away in the waters of baptism and removed through the blood of Jesus Christ. We give hearty thanks to God who restores us and renews us daily.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Acts 1:12-26
Peter is speaking to the believers about Judas’s end and the appropriateness of finding a replacement.
12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. 15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters, the Scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas, who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number and shared in our ministry.” 18 (With the payment he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: “‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “‘May another take his place of leadership.’ 21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” 23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
