Theme: Try And Stop Us
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series VII, Cycle B
Call To Worship
God lives in us! All of us! Together we are given the gift of scripture, and together we may interpret that living word! What can stop us from taking hold of new life, transformed life, real life? Nothing. Nothing at all.
Collect
Lord, with the help of your Spirit we will run alongside chariots. Within the pages of scripture we will recognize you and the part you have played in our lives! We know that this day and every day you have a plan for our lives. Wrench us away from our comfort zone so we might come to the intersection of circumstance and opportunity. What is to prevent us from becoming your living will? Look! Here is living water! With you we have nothing to fear. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
God of discernment, how can we truly plumb the depths of your wisdom without a guide? We praise you for the gift of your community of faith! Help us to trust each other as we walk together through Bible study, trusting not to one expert but to the Spirit who calls us to share together the wisdom of our experiences. Amen.
Hymns
Wade In The Water
Praise God From Whom (Dedication Anthem, Boston Handel and Haydn Society Collection, 1830, otherwise known as Mennonite Old 606)
Good Night And Good Morning
Fifth Sunday Of Easter
Second Lesson: 1 John 4:7-21
Theme: Litmus Test
Call To Worship (1 John 4:10-12)
One:
In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
All:
Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.
One:
No one has ever seen God;
All:
if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.
Collect
God, we have never seen you. God, we always see you, reflected in the eyes of this congregation, when all are present, all are welcome, all are loved. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
If we do not love each other, then what will the world think of the Lord of love? If we who claim to witness in his name succumb to contentions, stupid controversies, bickering, prejudice, racism, exclusion, nastiness, name calling, backstabbing, if we who claim Jesus as our Lord denigrate other believers and pull down our pastors, work against our leaders and chase away our newcomers, silence our children, discourage our youth, belittle the young adults, ignore the seniors, if we who claim the title of Christian do these things and worse, then can we blame the world for rejecting Christ -- or Christ for rejecting us? Let us live by the law of love. Let us live in love. Let us err on the side of love. There is no fear in love. We do not fear, but love. Amen.
Hymns
Come, Let Us All Unite And Sing: God Is Love!
Blest Be The Tie That Binds
They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love
Fifth Sunday Of Easter
Gospel Lesson: John 15:1-8
Theme: Pruning In Season
Call To Worship (Deuteronomy 4:39)
So acknowledge today and take to heart that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.
Collect
Lord, you are the vine, we are the branches. We take our life from you. If we bear fruit in this world it is from the nourishment we receive from your Spirit, which gives life. Bless us in our gathering today, as we seek to draw others into this blessed relationship you have granted to us. These things we pray in your mighty name. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
I want to stretch, to grow, to bud, to bear fruit and bow down laden with the grapes that will produce the wine of communion. How I fear pruning, but it is only when you, holy vinedresser, challenge me to lop all those things which distract me from your kingdom that I will really grow. May all the praise and glory be yours, Almighty God. Amen.
Hymns
I Am The Vine, You Are The Branches
Revive Us Again
Amazing Grace
God lives in us! All of us! Together we are given the gift of scripture, and together we may interpret that living word! What can stop us from taking hold of new life, transformed life, real life? Nothing. Nothing at all.
Collect
Lord, with the help of your Spirit we will run alongside chariots. Within the pages of scripture we will recognize you and the part you have played in our lives! We know that this day and every day you have a plan for our lives. Wrench us away from our comfort zone so we might come to the intersection of circumstance and opportunity. What is to prevent us from becoming your living will? Look! Here is living water! With you we have nothing to fear. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
God of discernment, how can we truly plumb the depths of your wisdom without a guide? We praise you for the gift of your community of faith! Help us to trust each other as we walk together through Bible study, trusting not to one expert but to the Spirit who calls us to share together the wisdom of our experiences. Amen.
Hymns
Wade In The Water
Praise God From Whom (Dedication Anthem, Boston Handel and Haydn Society Collection, 1830, otherwise known as Mennonite Old 606)
Good Night And Good Morning
Fifth Sunday Of Easter
Second Lesson: 1 John 4:7-21
Theme: Litmus Test
Call To Worship (1 John 4:10-12)
One:
In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
All:
Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.
One:
No one has ever seen God;
All:
if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.
Collect
God, we have never seen you. God, we always see you, reflected in the eyes of this congregation, when all are present, all are welcome, all are loved. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
If we do not love each other, then what will the world think of the Lord of love? If we who claim to witness in his name succumb to contentions, stupid controversies, bickering, prejudice, racism, exclusion, nastiness, name calling, backstabbing, if we who claim Jesus as our Lord denigrate other believers and pull down our pastors, work against our leaders and chase away our newcomers, silence our children, discourage our youth, belittle the young adults, ignore the seniors, if we who claim the title of Christian do these things and worse, then can we blame the world for rejecting Christ -- or Christ for rejecting us? Let us live by the law of love. Let us live in love. Let us err on the side of love. There is no fear in love. We do not fear, but love. Amen.
Hymns
Come, Let Us All Unite And Sing: God Is Love!
Blest Be The Tie That Binds
They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love
Fifth Sunday Of Easter
Gospel Lesson: John 15:1-8
Theme: Pruning In Season
Call To Worship (Deuteronomy 4:39)
So acknowledge today and take to heart that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other.
Collect
Lord, you are the vine, we are the branches. We take our life from you. If we bear fruit in this world it is from the nourishment we receive from your Spirit, which gives life. Bless us in our gathering today, as we seek to draw others into this blessed relationship you have granted to us. These things we pray in your mighty name. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
I want to stretch, to grow, to bud, to bear fruit and bow down laden with the grapes that will produce the wine of communion. How I fear pruning, but it is only when you, holy vinedresser, challenge me to lop all those things which distract me from your kingdom that I will really grow. May all the praise and glory be yours, Almighty God. Amen.
Hymns
I Am The Vine, You Are The Branches
Revive Us Again
Amazing Grace
