Good News About Jesus Brings Joy
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series VI, Cycle B
People: The Lord is king and he rules the nations.
Leader: Future generations will speak of the Lord to the coming generations.
People: People not yet born will be told, "The Lord saved his people."
Collect
O Lord, our God, we thank you for those who shared the gospel with us and opened our hearts and minds to your saving grace. Keep us ever mindful that each generation must receive the Good News of Jesus, and they cannot understand unless it is explained by those who have found the joy of the gospel themselves. May we be instruments of that sharing through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Heavenly Father, we have missed many opportunities to tell others of your saving love by both word and deed. Often we have made the gospel unattractive by failing to live lives of joy and compassion. We acknowledge our responsibility for sharing the Good News about Jesus, and ask that, empowered by your Spirit, we may be used by you to bring others into the fellowship of those who put their trust in you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"I Come With Joy"
"Come, We That Love The Lord"
Fifth Sunday Of Easter
Second Lesson: 1 John 4:7-21
Theme: God Is Love
Call To Worship
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.
Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Come, let us worship the God of love.
Collect
O God of love, we give you thanks for showing your love for us by sending your Son to live among us so that we might have life through him. In gratitude we dedicate ourselves to living in ways that show forth your love for all people. We pray, too, that we may be worthy messengers so that we may be part of a world where all people learn to live together in harmony and peace as brothers and sisters. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
God of love, we know that we should love one another, but we are quick to take offense. Retaliation is our first reaction, rather than forgiveness. Pardon our offenses, Lord, and help us to love one another even as Christ loves us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Sing Praise To God Who Reigns Above"
"Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee"
Fifth Sunday Of Easter
Gospel Lesson: John 15:1-8
Theme: Stay Connected
Call To Worship
Jesus is the real vine, and we are the branches. Unless we stay connected we will wither and dry up.
Come, let us worship God, the gardener who cares for the vine and the branches!
Collect
God of all seasons, we know that in springtime our gardens need tending; we come to you that we might be pruned in order to bear fruits of the spirit that will bring a mighty harvest for your kingdom. We know that without you we can do nothing, so keep us close to you, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord of the vineyard, we wish to be healthy branches bearing much fruit, but we resist the pruning that would insure a bountiful harvest. Remove from us, we pray, the suckers that would sap our strength. Keep us united to you that we may not be led astray by false promises that bear no fruit for your kingdom. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Hymns
"God Of Grace And God Of Glory"
"Blest Be The Dear Uniting Love"
Leader: Future generations will speak of the Lord to the coming generations.
People: People not yet born will be told, "The Lord saved his people."
Collect
O Lord, our God, we thank you for those who shared the gospel with us and opened our hearts and minds to your saving grace. Keep us ever mindful that each generation must receive the Good News of Jesus, and they cannot understand unless it is explained by those who have found the joy of the gospel themselves. May we be instruments of that sharing through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Heavenly Father, we have missed many opportunities to tell others of your saving love by both word and deed. Often we have made the gospel unattractive by failing to live lives of joy and compassion. We acknowledge our responsibility for sharing the Good News about Jesus, and ask that, empowered by your Spirit, we may be used by you to bring others into the fellowship of those who put their trust in you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"I Come With Joy"
"Come, We That Love The Lord"
Fifth Sunday Of Easter
Second Lesson: 1 John 4:7-21
Theme: God Is Love
Call To Worship
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.
Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Come, let us worship the God of love.
Collect
O God of love, we give you thanks for showing your love for us by sending your Son to live among us so that we might have life through him. In gratitude we dedicate ourselves to living in ways that show forth your love for all people. We pray, too, that we may be worthy messengers so that we may be part of a world where all people learn to live together in harmony and peace as brothers and sisters. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
God of love, we know that we should love one another, but we are quick to take offense. Retaliation is our first reaction, rather than forgiveness. Pardon our offenses, Lord, and help us to love one another even as Christ loves us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Sing Praise To God Who Reigns Above"
"Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee"
Fifth Sunday Of Easter
Gospel Lesson: John 15:1-8
Theme: Stay Connected
Call To Worship
Jesus is the real vine, and we are the branches. Unless we stay connected we will wither and dry up.
Come, let us worship God, the gardener who cares for the vine and the branches!
Collect
God of all seasons, we know that in springtime our gardens need tending; we come to you that we might be pruned in order to bear fruits of the spirit that will bring a mighty harvest for your kingdom. We know that without you we can do nothing, so keep us close to you, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Lord of the vineyard, we wish to be healthy branches bearing much fruit, but we resist the pruning that would insure a bountiful harvest. Remove from us, we pray, the suckers that would sap our strength. Keep us united to you that we may not be led astray by false promises that bear no fruit for your kingdom. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Hymns
"God Of Grace And God Of Glory"
"Blest Be The Dear Uniting Love"
