Glory be to God in the world around us: in sun and shade, day and night, and the rhythms of the seasons. Glory be to God! Glory be to God in the community in which we live: in love and laughter, sorrow and joy, and the patterns of human living. Glory be to God! Glory be to God in the way we live our lives: in giving and sharing, thanking and knowing, and all that makes us Jesus’ disciples. Glory be to God! Glory be to God in the world: in the search for justice and peace, and all that makes us one human family. Glory be to God! Glory be to God in the smallest of things: in tiny creatures, fleeting moments, the smallest seed of faith new-growing. Glory be to God! Glory be to God in greatness and majesty: in the tallest mountains, the highest clouds, the awesome dance of the whole cosmos. Glory be to God! Glory be to you, O God, now and forever. Amen
Opening Prayer
Lord of the Sabbath, welcome us into your silence: no requirements, no expectations, only heart meeting heart. Lord of the Sabbath, we take your forgiveness and hope and lay down our burdens. We seek your silence. When we find it help us to linger there with you. As silence sinks into our souls, help us to pause in your serenity, feel the comfort of your presence, rest a while in your peace. Amen.
Song of Praise Psalm 136 Words: Mwalimu Glenn T. Boyd Tune: KIHAYA
Give thanks unto the Lord for God is ever good. Amen, Alele, Allelujah! God is the God of gods, God is the Lord of lords. Amen, Alele, Allelujah! Our God alone does wonders, God made the earth and stars. Amen, Alele, Allelujah! God made the sun for day, and moon and stars for night. Amen, Alele, Allelujah! God frees us from oppression, gives life to every creature. Amen, Alele, Allelujah! Give thanks unto the Lord, the God of earth and heaven. Amen, Alele, Allelujah!
Psalm 1 Common English Bible
The truly happy person doesn’t follow wicked advice, doesn’t stand on the road of sinners, and doesn’t sit with the disrespectful. Instead of doing those things, these persons love the LORD’s Instruction, and they recite God’s instruction day and night! They are like a tree planted by streams of water, which bears fruit at just the right time and whose leaves don’t fade. Whatever they do succeeds.
That’s not true for the wicked! They are like dust that the wind blows away. And that’s why the wicked will have no standing in the court of justice— neither will sinners in the assembly of the righteous. The LORD is intimately acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked is destroyed.
Song of Praise Like a Tree Beside the Waters Words: James F. D. Martin Tune: HYFRODEL
Like a tree beside the waters, nurtured by your loving care, We, O God, your sons and daughters, your enduring witness bear. In each passing generation may your voice of love be heard. Bless, we pray, this congregation with your holy, living Word.
Like a tree beside the river, drawing life from holy streams, Fill us with your love forever, recreate our hopes and dreams. Through the storms of life sustain us by the wisdom of your grace. May the changing of the seasons find us in your warm embrace.
We beside the living waters, drink from your eternal life. Give to all, your sons and daughter, faith that rises over strife. O Living God, most glorious, strengthen us for life today. By the hope of timeless promise guide your church upon the Way.
Prayer for Others
Choral Anthem Eden’s Song by Mark Schweizer
A memory of Eden stirs and walks within the warmth of spring; it whispers ev’ry hope God has to Life Eternal, listening.
Stretch past the gloom of winter’s grey, unfurl by faith and not by sight; to touch the light of length’ning day that calls thee forth to green delight.
The work thou hast for me begun, shall by the grace be fully done; forever mercy dwells with thee; O Lord, my God, abide with me.
John 17:6-11a, 16-19 reflection by Rev. Jeffrey Vickery
Common English Bible
[Jesus said] “I have revealed your name to the people you gave me from this world. They were yours and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. This is because I gave them the words that you gave me, and they received them. They truly understood that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. “I’m praying for them. I’m not praying for the world but for those you gave me, because they are yours. Everything that is mine is yours and everything that is yours is mine; I have been glorified in them. I’m no longer in the world, but they are in the world, even as I’m coming to you….”
“They don’t belong to this world, just as I don’t belong to this world. Make them holy in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. I made myself holy on their behalf so that they also would be made holy in the truth.”
Prayer of Thanksgiving Thank you, God for constant love. Please help our church family grow deeper and deeper in your love. Amen.
Song of Response Sent by the Lord Words: Cuban oral tradition Tune: Cuban traditional
Sent by the Lord am I; my hands are ready now to make the earth the place in which the kingdom comes.
The angels cannot change a world of hurt and pain into a world of love, of justice and of peace. The task is mine to do, to set it truly free. Oh, help me to obey; help me to do your will.
Sending Out
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, In the name of Christ. Amen.
Closing Song Blest Be the Tie Words: John Fawcett Tune: DENNIS (Nägeli)
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
When we are called to part, it gives us inward pain; but we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.
This glorious hope revives our courage by the way; while each in expectation lives and waits to see the day.
Permission to print the words and lead lines to the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with license #A-724755. All rights reserved. All writings have been used by permission from the posting sites or authors.
As the elements give life, soil and air, sun and rain providing nurture, We wait for growth; we hope for new life. With restless impatience that counts the minutes, wanting it now, We wait for growth; we hope for new life. With steady patience, trusting roots buried deep in the ground, We wait for growth; we hope for new life. With ceaseless work, the strenuous effort of trying to make a difference, We wait for growth; we hope for new life. With unforced hope, living in anticipation of days yet to come, We wait for growth; we hope for new life. In effort and expectation, in work and rest, in doing and being, We wait for growth; we hope for new life.
Opening Prayer
Holy God, you call us together to reflect on your Word and our life in your world. Be with us now as we hum along to the music, as we pray together, as we listen to the scripture readings, that we may hear your voice and understand your way. This we pray through Jesus, the Christ. Amen.
Song of Praise Sing out Earth and Skies by Marty Haugen
Come, O God of all the earth: Come to us, O Righteous One; Come and bring our love to birth: In the glory of your Son. Sing out, earth and skies! Sing of the God who loves you! Raise your joyful cries! Dance to the life around you!
Come, O God of wind and flame: Fill the earth with righteousness; Teach us all to sing your name: May our lives your love confess. Sing out, earth and skies! Sing of the God who loves you! Raise your joyful cries! Dance to the life around you!
Come, O God of flashing light: Twinkling star and burning sun; God of day and God of night: In your light all are one. Sing out, earth and skies! Sing of the God who loves you! Raise your joyful cries! Dance to the life around you!
Come, O God of snow and rain: Shower down upon the earth; Come, O God of joy and pain: God of sorrow, God of mirth. Sing out, earth and skies! Sing of the God who loves you! Raise your joyful cries! Dance to the life around you!
Come, O Justice, Come, O Peace: Come and shape our hearts anew; Come and make oppression cease: Bring us all to life in you. Sing out, earth and skies! Sing of the God who loves you! Raise your joyful cries! Dance to the life around you!
Psalm 98 Common English Bible
Sing to the Lord a new song because he has done wonderful things! His own strong hand and his own holy arm have won the victory! The Lord has made his salvation widely known; he has revealed his righteousness in the eyes of all the nations. God has remembered his loyal love and faithfulness to the house of Israel; every corner of the earth has seen our God’s salvation. Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth! Be happy! Rejoice out loud! Sing your praises! Sing your praises to the Lord with the lyre— with the lyre and the sound of music. With trumpets and a horn blast, shout triumphantly before the Lord, the king! Let the sea and everything in it roar; the world and all its inhabitants too. Let all the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains rejoice out loud altogether before the Lord because he is coming to establish justice on the earth! He will establish justice in the world rightly; he will establish justice among all people fairly.
Song of Praise Jesu, Jesu Fill Us with Your Love Tune: CHEREPONI, Ghanaian Folk Song
Refrain: Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love, show us how to serve the neighbors we have from you.
Knelt at the feet of his friends, silently washing their feet, Jesu, you acted as a servant to them. Refrain
Neighbors are rich and poor, varied in color and race, neighbors are near and far away. Refrain
These are the ones we should serve, these are the one we should love; all these neighbors to us and you. Refrain
Loving puts us on our knees, showing our faith by our deeds, serving the neighbors we have from you. Refrain
Kneel at the feet of our friends, Silently washing their feet, this is the way we should live with you. Refrain
Prayer for Others
Choral Anthem If Ye Love Me by Carson P. Cooman
If ye love me, keep my commandments, and I will pray the father, and he shall give you, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you forever, even the Spirit of truth.
If ye love me, keep my commandments. If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 15:1-8 Common English Bible
[Jesus said,] “As the Father loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete. This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you. No one has greater love than to give up one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I don’t call you servants any longer, because servants don’t know what their master is doing. Instead, I call you friends, because everything I heard from my Father I have made known to you. You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you could go and produce fruit and so that your fruit could last. As a result, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. I give you these commandments so that you can love each other.
Reflection on the Gospel Rev. Tonya Vickery
When I was a child, my Aunt Evelyn gave me a little yellow colored card which had a poem on it along with a tiny wooden cross glued to the paper. My house burned the summer before my junior year of high school, so I no longer have the card. But thanks to the internet, I a picture of one and here’s what it said.
I carry a cross in my pocket A simple reminder to me Of the fact that I am a Christian No matter where I may be.
This little cross is not magic Nor is it a good luck charm It isn’t meant to protect me From every physical harm.
It’s not for identification For all the world to see It’s simply an understanding Between my Savior and me.
When I put my hand in my pocket To bring out a coin or key The cross is there to remind me Of the price He paid for me.
It reminds me too to be thankful For my blessings day by day And to strive to serve Him better In all I do and say.
So I carry a cross in my pocket Reminding no one but me That Jesus Christ is Lord of my life If only I’ll let him be.
The card made an impression on me teaching me many things which became foundational to my faith.
First, I learned that when you see a cross, it should remind you that you are always a Christian and you should always act like one. To my child’s mind the cross meant, “You had better behave and if you don’t you will get in trouble.” I was too chicken to break the rules, so behaving wasn’t hard for me. And, there definitely were not any tempting misbehaving behaviors to do.
Secondly, the poem taught me that the cross is not magic. I watched cartoons as a child and a regular Saturday morning one was Scooby Doo. It was not unusual for the Scooby Doo gang to run into vampires. But no worries, Velma always had a cross at the ready to ward them off. We all knew that was just a story, it was a tall tale that vampires would run away from crosses. As I got older and watched different movies, I could readily see that a cross didn’t amount to a hill of beans when used on Friday the 13th. Anyhow, this idea that the cross is not a magical “weapon” helped me to understand early on that bad things can happen to everyone, whether you are a Christian or not.
The poem also taught me not to turn the cross into a badge of honor. I learned that we don’t “wear” a cross to brag to the world of our position or title or religion. The poem reinforced the idea that a Christian is to be humble and that being a Christian doesn’t make me better than everyone else.
Lastly, the poem taught me that on the cross Jesus paid a price for me therefore I should be grateful and work hard to serve God. As a child, I liked pleasing people, so it was easy for me to want to please God. I was at the ready to serve God however God wanted me to serve. Growing up in the USA, I also strongly believed that if you work hard, you will reap a great reward. The more you put into something, the more you get out of it. Now the idea of “Jesus paying a price for me” made sense because I saw grownups had to pay for a lot of things in life. If you wanted a new dress, or a new pair of shoes, you had to pay for them. My mama loved to shop which meant as a child I spent a lot of time in department stores and malls. I figured the phrase, “Jesus paid a price for me” meant Jesus thought I was good enough to buy. I watched mama spend a lot of time deciding which was best to buy. However, as a child I’m not sure I ever thought about or asked anyone who Jesus was paying. I heard more phrases like, “Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe,” or “Jesus died so I could live,” but I never remembering thinking about who Jesus was paying. You see, I didn’t grow up in a religious culture that said God was angry and Jesus had to pay the price for all the bad things I had done. Somehow instead, I had this idea that Jesus was rescuing me, helping me not choose the bad things of life. And the rescuing cost Jesus a lot.
Over the course of 2,000 years, the cross has become for us a symbol of the Christian narrative of salvation. It is grounded in the theology that Jesus laid down his life for us, died on a cross in order to save us.
Years ago one of our local preachers at the Easter sunrise service shared with us his belief that Jesus had to die on a cross for it to matter. If Jesus had died of old age, then his death would not have mattered. If Jesus had died from an infection while travelling around Galilee, his death would not have mattered. If Jesus’ life and ministry was cut short by a stroke or heart disease, then his death would not have mattered. Any other way of dying would have been something other than a sacrificial death, any other way of dying would have been something other than Jesus willing to die, choosing to die, offering to die. Any other death would have not been laying down one’s life for one’s friends.
If you are like me, there are times when I look at the cross and I wonder about our interpretation of its meaning. Sometimes we polish the cross up. We wrap it in silver or gold or bronze. Sometimes we even wear a decorative image of it around our necks. I have lots of “cross” jewelry–a simple silver one given to me upon my ordination to the gospel ministry, a rose gold colored one my Aunt Bobby gave me at my ordination, a silver colored one with a blue stone that one of our youth years ago bought at Disney as gift for me, I used to have gold cross earrings, I also have a very, very old golden cross pendant that came from my Grandma Easterly’s family. It is interesting how some of those cross pendants are meaningful and some of them are just jewelry items. You know what I mean. For some people a cross pendant is just wardrobe accessory along the same lines as the buddha in my Aunt Almedia’s house. It was a decorative piece in the den. Think about how we print the cross on a t-shirts. We put the cross on bumper stickers. Some people turn the cross into an instrument of hate and violence. I will never understand what a few of you may have seen with your own eyes, how a group of white people who called themselves the kkk turn the cross into a message of violence and hate against black people. What message of “salvation” does oppression or personal adornment mean for the cross?
A simple wooden cross stands in our churchyard on the edge of the cemetery. It’s presence proclaims among the graves the great hope we have through Christ Jesus. Jesus suffered and died. God raised Jesus from the grave. Jesus has ascended into heaven and that is where we will join him one day.
A brass cross stands on our communion table every Sunday. During Lent we tend to exchange it for the rustic wooden one that Ron made for us. But we always have a cross on our communion table. Placed on that particular table the cross echoes the words of Jesus, “This is my body, broken for you. This is my blood, shed for you…” Like the cross on the yellow card in my pocket, the cross on the table reminds us.
How ironic it is that you and I have pledged our lives to a crucified savior. Those two words “crucified” and “savior” only work together when enacted by the Divine. Nothing or no one else could be crucified and save. Crucifixion was the Roman’s answer to how to deal with people who rebelled against Rome. Crucifixion was public, out there for everyone to see what would happen to you if you didn’t follow the rules and if you tried to overthrow those in charge. It was torture. It was shameful. It was humiliating. It was cruel. Even the words of Deuteronomy say, “Anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse.” (21:23)
But Jesus’ death on a cross firmly says, “Hope comes from being defeated. Suffering and death do not have the last word.” The crucifixion of Jesus was a wrongful outrageous death, but it became God’s critique over and against dark and harmful powers. You see, the worst can happen. The most honest and honorable people can be falsely accused. The right ways can be abandoned. The weak turned over to oppressors. The kind and compassionate can be hated. The gentle can be brutally murdered. But none of that is greater than the hope we have in God through Jesus Christ. Suffering and death do not have the last word. Life is meaningful even in the face of death. Hope can remain alive in the midst of defeat and powerlessness.
The words of Jesus found in John 15 come just two pages in your printed Bibles before Jesus is arrested. Jesus is about to lay down his life for his friends. Jesus is about to show us the fullness of God’s love for us. Jesus is about help us understand clearly that suffering and death do not have the last word. Jesus is getting ready to show us that hope can remain alive in the midst of defeat and complete powerlessness. As Jesus prepares us for the defeat, what does he say?
First, Jesus reminds us that he loves us. And Jesus wants us to have the same kind of joy in life that he has and he wants it to be full and complete. In fact, Jesus wants our joy to be filled to the brim! Not just a little joy. Not just enough to get you by. But Jesus wants you to have complete joy.
Second, our relationship together with Christ is on-going. This is not a one-time event, meaning when Jesus has left the scene, when Jesus is no longer apparent to our eyes, our relationship is still happening. Jesus says, “I chose you.” But it a choosing that is ongoing. It is better understood perhaps by saying Jesus chose us and keeps on choosing us. Jesus says, “I appointed you” and it is the same perpetual idea as the choosing. The appointing never stops. Jesus appointed us and keeps on appointing us. And just like the choosing and the appointing, we are to bear fruit and keep on bearing fruit. (For a better understanding about bearing fruit, go back and listen to last week’s sermon.) You see, this relationship with God through Jesus Christ is not a checklist of things to be done, it is a way to be and it is ongoing all the time.
Third, Jesus calls us friends! We are not bond servants–working to pay off a debt. We are not employees of Christ–working a job to earn the pay check called eternal life. We are not paid workers–reaping success because we are doing what Christ says. We are Christ’s friends. We are Christ’s associates. In other words, we are in this life together through the thick and thin. We are friends for life–a bond that cannot be broken even by death.
Fourth, Jesus reminds us that this is not a solo “job.” We are in this all together. And we are to love one another. If we haven’t learned anything this far in our Sundays after Easter, it is this. We are to love one another. In fact, Jesus commands us to do so. How do we maintain that love for one another? You can list all the many things that break down relationships, they are easy to spot after they have torn things apart. But what are the things that keep that relationship of love going?
We have it easier than any other group out there. For our love for God through Jesus Christ is the source of our love for one another. Our love for God through Jesus Christ is the source of our love for one another. Let me say it this way. We love one another because Christ loves us and we love Christ. The 4th chapter of 1 John shares the same idea but says it quite bluntly. You may recall these words, “Those who say, I love God,” and hate their brothers or sister cannot love God.” And earlier in the chapter we read, “If we love one another, God lives in us, and God’s love is perfected in us.” Again, “Those who love God must love their brother and sister also.”
This love for one another is woven deeply into our lives because it comes from God above. Our love for one another is a discipline, a habit that is perfected over time through our love for God and our care and concern for each other.
So you can imagine what happens to our love for one another when our love for God grows. Our love for each other grows too. Now this doesn’t mean I’m not going to drive you crazy. This doesn’t mean that we will never have a spat or never disagree. This doesn’t mean that our relationship with one another will be perfect. But it should mean that at all times, we love one another through the thick and the thin, just as Christ loves us.
I pray that our church family will continue to embody the love of God for everyone as we continue growing our love for one another!
Amen.
Prayer of Thanksgiving Thank you, God for constant love. Please help our church family grow deeper and deeper in your love. Amen.
Song of Reponse Help Us Love Each Other Words: Fred Kaan Tune: AURELIA
Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us; teach us as sister, brother, each person to embrace. Be present, Lord, among us and bring us to believe We are ourselves accepted and meant to love and live.
Teach us O Lord, Your lessons, as in our daily life we struggle to be human and search for hope and faith. Teach us to care for people, for all, not just for some; to love them as we find them, or as they may be come.
Let your acceptance change us, so that we may be moved in living situations to do the truth in love, to practice your acceptance until we know by heart the table of forgiveness and laughter’s healing art.
Lord, for today’s encounters with all who are in need, who hunger for acceptance, for righteousness and bread, we need new eyes for seeing, new hands for holding on; renew us with Your Spirit; Lord, free us, make us one!
Sending Out
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, In the name of Christ. Amen.
Closing Song Blest Be the Tie Words: John Fawcett Tune: DENNIS (Nägeli)
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
When we are called to part, it gives us inward pain; but we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.
This glorious hope revives our courage by the way; while each in expectation lives and waits to see the day.
Permission to print the words and lead lines to the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with license #A-724755. All rights reserved. All writings have been used by permission from the posting sites or authors.
When flowers bloom in the desert, Christ is risen! Alleluia, Alleluia! When enemies sit around tables and talk about peace, Christ is risen! Alleluia, Alleluia! When people stand up for what is right in the face of great evil, Christ is risen! Alleluia, Alleluia! When, despite hardship and struggle, people sing and dance, Christ is risen! Alleluia, Alleluia! When prison bars are shattered by the cry of “Freedom!” Christ is risen! Alleluia, Alleluia! When in our wounded and broken world, life triumphs over death, peace over war, hope over fear, freedom over captivity, love over hate, Christ is risen! Alleluia, Alleluia!
Opening Prayer
Almighty Creator God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name this morning; through Christ our Sovereign. Amen.
Song of Praise Praise God for Easter Flowers Words: Carl Dixon Tune: DARWALL’S 148th
Praise God for Easter flow’rs that cover all the earth, their vibrant glowing colours, a promise of new birth. Praise God for all his love and care, his glory displayed everywhere.
Praise God for morning dew that sparkles all around, with myriad shimmering hues refreshing thirsty ground. Praise God for all his love and care: his glory displayed everywhere.
Praise God for risen life with each and every breath; and praise the living Christ who conquers fear and death. Praise God for all his love and care: his glory displayed everywhere.
Psalm 22:25-31 Common English Bible
I offer praise in the great congregation because of you; I will fulfill my promises in the presence of those who honor God. Let all those who are suffering eat and be full! Let all who seek the Lord praise him! I pray your hearts live forever! Every part of the earth will remember and come back to the Lord; every family among all the nations will worship you. Because the right to rule belongs to the Lord, he rules all nations. Indeed, all the earth’s powerful will worship him; all who are descending to the dust will kneel before him; my being also lives for him. Future descendants will serve him; generations to come will be told about my Lord. They will proclaim God’s righteousness to those not yet born telling them what God has done.
Song of Praise What Wonderous Love is This Words: Cluster of Spiritual Songs, 1823 Tune: WONDROUS LOVE
What wondrous love is this, O my soul! O my soul? What wondrous love is this! O my soul? What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul, To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.
To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing, To God and to the Lamb I will sing, To God and to the Lamb who is the great I Am, While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing, While millions join the theme, I will sing.
And when from death I’m free I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on, And while from death I’m free, I’ll sing on. And while from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be, And through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on, And through eternity I’ll sing on.
Prayer for Others
Choral Anthem Christ the Vine by Robert J. Powell
Christ, the vine, and God, the gardener, we, the branches bearing fruit. We can bring forth shoots of promise when our lives in Christ take root.
Christ, the fruit from Jesse springing, you fulfilled the prophet’s trust. And you pray that we, your body, will fulfill your trust in us.
Christ, may we submit to pruning that we bear more grapes for wine. Help us, when we’re overburdened, draw new strength from you, the vine.
You invite us to be partners, growing Spirit’s fruit anew. Keep us one in love together: you in us, and we in you!
John 15:1-8 Common English Bible
[Jesus said,] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vineyard keeper. He removes any of my branches that don’t produce fruit, and he trims any branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit.You are already trimmed because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch can’t produce fruit by itself, but must remain in the vine. Likewise, you can’t produce fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, then you will produce much fruit. Without me, you can’t do anything.If you don’t remain in me, you will be like a branch that is thrown out and dries up. Those branches are gathered up, thrown into a fire, and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.My Father is glorified when you produce much fruit and in this way prove that you are my disciples.”
Reflection on the Gospel Rev. Jeffrey Vickery
Prayer of Thanksgiving Thank you, God for constant love. Please help our church family grow deeper and deeper in your love. Amen.
Song of Reponse Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song Words: Carl P. Daw, Jr. Tune: BRIDEGROOM (Cutts)
Like the murmur of the dove’s song, like the challenge of her flight like the vigor of the wind’s rush, like the new flame’s eager might: Come, Holy Spirit, come.
To the members of Christ’s body, to the branches of the Vine, to the church in faith assemble, to our midst as gift and sign: Come, Holy Spirit, come.
With the healing of division, with the ceaseless voice of prayer, with the pow’r to love & witness, with the peace beyond compare: Come, Holy Spirit, come.
Sending Out
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, In the name of Christ. Amen.
Closing Song Blest Be the Tie Words: John Fawcett Tune: DENNIS (Nägeli)
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
When we are called to part, it gives us inward pain; but we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.
This glorious hope revives our courage by the way; while each in expectation lives and waits to see the day.
Permission to print the words and lead lines to the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with license #A-724755. All rights reserved. All writings have been used by permission from the posting sites or authors.
For birds making their nests, for eggs and chicks: Thank you, God, for spring. For young rabbits hopping in the fields, for tadpoles swimming in the pond: Thank you, God, for spring. For bright spring flowers in the garden, for fresh green leaves on the tree: Thank you, God, for spring. For longer days to play outside, for warm sunshine on our face: Thank you, God, for spring. For Jesus dying to show us love, coming alive again on Easter Day and bringing new life to the world: Thank you, God, for spring. Amen
Alleluia! Christ is risen. Christ is risen, indeed. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Opening Prayer
God of new life, whose buds grow in days of darkness to open into increasing light, accept our thankfulness for the beauty of springtime. Give us patience to wait for the flowering and the fruit. Give us joy in the harvest of your generosity. Teach us to respect and care for the earth and for the whole creation, that infused with hope and expectation, we may take our place in your plan to reconcile all things in heaven and on earth through the example of Christ, your Word made flesh, whose love restores and unites. Amen.
Song of Praise The Silent Witness of the Heavens Words: Janet Pybon Tune: BEGINNINGS (Young)
The silent witness of the heavens tells of the glory of the Lord. Vast galaxies of constellations declare God’s power with one accord.
The crimson hues of fiery sunsets and dawn-flushed clouds at morning’s light, the lightning flash, the clap of thunder speak of God’s majesty and might.
The tiger prowling through the jungle, the darting flash of hummingbird, the snake that slithers through the desert tell of God’s power without a word.
The giant redwoods in the forest, the grandeur of the mountain’s height, the myriad life-forms in the ocean speak of God’s mystery and might.
Creator God, whose power we worship, teach us to know our proper place, to recognize the claims and value of all, not just the human race.
Oh, help us act as proper stewards, and understand your gift’s true worth; to make the necessary changes, that will protect our precious earth.
Psalm 23 Common English Bible
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff– they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long.
John 1:11-18 Common English Bible
[Jesus said,] “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away–and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason, the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
Song of Preparation Come Find the Quiet Center Words: Shirley Erena Murray Music: Swee Hong Lim
Come and find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead, Find the room for hope to enter, find the frame where we are freed; Clear the chaos and the clutter, clear our eyes that we can see All the things that really matter, be at peace, and simply be.
Silence is a friend who claims us, cools the heat and slows the pace, God it is who speaks and names us knows our being, touches base, Marking space within our thinking, lifting shades to show the sun, Raising courage when we’re shrinking, finding scope for faith begun.
In the Spirit, let us travel, open to each other’s pain, Let our loves and fears unravel, celebrate the space we gain; There’s a place for deepest dreaming, there’s a time for heart to care, In the Spirit’s lively scheming there is always room to spare!
Prayer for Others
Choral Anthem The Good Shepherd by Zebulon M. Highben with RESIGNATION and ST. COLUMBIA
My sheep hear my voice and they follow me; I know them; I give them eternal life. My sheep hear my voice and they follow me.
I am the good shepherd of all. My Shepherd, you supply my need; Most holy is your name. In pasture green you make me feed
Beside the living stream. You bring my wand’ring spirit back when I forsake your ways, And le me, for your mercy’s sake, In paths of truth and grace.
1 John 3:16-24 Common English Bible
This is how we know love: Jesus laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17But if someone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but refuses to help—how can the love of God dwell in a person like that?
18Little children, let’s not love with words or speech but with action and truth. 19This is how we will know that we belong to the truth and reassure our hearts in God’s presence. 20Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts and knows all things. 21Dear friends, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have confidence in relationship to God. 22We receive whatever we ask from him because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23This is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love each other as he commanded us. 24Those who keep his commandments dwell in God and God dwells in them. This is how we know that he dwells in us, because of the Spirit he has given us.
Reflection on the Scriptures Rev. Tonya Vickery
Listen to the sermon from our 2pm service and/or read below.
Creating a World Where No One Fears Evil
Psalm 23 resonates with me in a multitude of ways. It brings to mind many, many memories. When I was a child, my Grandma Easterly prayed these words while tornadic winds roared over the house in southern Illinois. They brought us comfort. Those striking words, “Even though…I will fear no evil.” It was hard to lean into that proclamation while I sat on the couch with a pillow over my head! “Even though…I will fear no evil.” “Even though … [fill in the blank with whatever darkness threatens you, or the world right now], even though,…. I will fear no evil.”
Imagine with me, a world where no one fears evil, a world where no one is afraid. A place where there is no fear of violence, no fear of poverty, no fear of oppression. Imagine, a world where there is no fear from forced labor, slavery, human trafficking, domestic violence. Imagine a world where there is no fear from battle grounds, killing fields, hunger, thirst. Imagine a world where there is no fear of those in authority.
Even though . . . I will fear no evil.
The children of Myanmar come to mind. Try to be a child while living under a military coup and you have friends who have been shot dead by the militants. Evil. The children of Brazil who are hungry. Their leaders have shunned the virus and plowed ahead and it is the people who suffer from economic loss and death. Evil. But come closer to home. What about children and youth who live in Arkansas? State lawmakers are working hard, working hard to limit the rights of trans children and youth. They are even considering penalizing parents and doctors who might seek or provide gender-affirming medical care. Here we go again. A state in our United States entertaining the idea of legislating the right to treat another human being as something lesser and they sugar coat it in religious language. Evil. We remember that fight from 2017 in our own state when some lawmakers tried to restrict which bathrooms transgender people could use. A system meant to protect bullies and shuns and shames.
Despite the audacity of others, despite the arrogance, despite the lack of compassion, despite the powerful opposition, as Christians we are called to create a world where no one fears evil. I’m hoping the teachings from the John’s this morning can help us learn how to better create and bring about that kind of world where no one fears evil. That’s God’s kind of world, on earth as it is in heaven.
God loves us.
First, let’s talk about us. I just have to ask this morning, does God love us? Yes.
Does God love you? Oh yes!
Well, how do you know that God loves you?
We have seen how much God loves us: creating the world, the universe, creating us; giving us life and an invitation to live together with God forever, never separated. But not everyone feels or knows the love of God so easily.
A former member had the hardest time understanding and believing that God loved them. I always struggled to find a word or a phrase to help bridge the gap that they felt. And I never could come up with a good replacement or idea for the word “love.” Their story wasn’t unique. It has happened and does happen in many others as well. For what had separated them from knowing that God loved them, was the fact that they were gay.
They were older than me. They grew up in the 60’s and in the south. Even when I was growing up in the 70’s and 80’s in the south, a love for someone of your same gender was not to be acknowledged, not to be thought about, it wasn’t natural, it wasn’t right. It was a desire and persuasion that was not to be entertained or even spoken of. To society, it was not normal. But religion took that idea further. Religion said, it wasn’t how God created things to be. So it was seen as a fault and a sin. It was seen as the person’s fault and something they could change.
I cannot imagine living for decades under the weight of such a burden, a burden put on me by other people’s opinions, a burden laid on me under the guise of it being my “fault.” I cannot imagine who I am being considered a disappointment to God. I can imagine what I do disappointing God, but who I am? And this is how our church member felt. It takes years to overcome all those years you have believed yourself to be a disappointment to God. That “God loves us” was a concept that others could celebrate and find hope in, but an idea with which our church member struggled.
But the blessing came in how you, their church family just kept on showing God’s love throughout the years over and over again. And when we slipped up and didn’t show God’s love, we owned the mistake and tried to make it right. And for years we have worked to be a blessing to others. We have worked to create a safe space within the community of Christ for any one of us to wrestle or struggle with our hardest moments without being judged or shunned or ridiculed. We have been so faithful towards this that we ended up without realizing it creating a space where our church member could “come out” while standing at church’s pulpit. It is a day I will never forget, that one would share such a personal moment. It speaks of how we have taken to heart the need we have for “sanctuary” and we have generously givine that opportunity to others. A true sanctuary for everyone in all times. And God took our feeble efforts and used them to help another of us come to know that God does love them.
So, if you are not sure if God loves you, or if God can love you, then stick around with us for a little bit at least. We are not perfect, far from it. We are not all wise and always understanding, but we hope that we are living and sharing the love of God which is for every, every one. It doesn’t have to be earned, It is not a reward for good actions either. The love of God is just there for all of us because God truly loves us.
Our greatest calling is to love one another.
Now, here’s a good place to talk about others. What do you do with that blessed gift of God’s love which is showered upon you at all times and in all circumstances? What do we do with the love of God? Jesus loves me this I know. Well, good for you. Now what are you going to do?
God loves you, yes. But it’s not just about you. God’s love should be moving us beyond ourselves. God’s love isn’t meant to just make you feel better about yourself. God’s love isn’t meant to just make your day brighter and more cheery. God’s love isn’t just meant to make you a better person. God’s love isn’t meant to make you. God’s loves is meant for the world. Remove the mirrors that cause you to look only at yourself. God’s love is for the world. God doesn’t love just you. God loves the world. God doesn’t love you more than God loves someone else. God loves the world.
Perhaps our greatest calling in the here and now is to love one another. I’m not referring to love that is condescending. It is not a love that comes from pity. It is not a love that comes from feeling sorry for you. It is not a love that is required because you need it. It is not a love that I give to you because I have to. It is not a love that I offer to you because you didn’t have it before. When our purpose for loving someone else is because they are lesser than we are, then we have it all wrong.
It’s like the people that live by that phrase, “love the sinner, but not the sin.” Do they really love the sinner? Calling someone a sinner seems to indicate that they have a problem which you don’t have. And you can love them despite of their fault. How many times did our church member receive this kind of love. I don’t appreciate your life style — your choice of who to love — but I will love you anyway. Yeah, right. It is that word, “but” that devalues things. If you have to make an excuse for someone so as to love them, then it probably isn’t love.
God doesn’t invite us to tolerate one another. God doesn’t ask us to deal with one another. God calls us to love one another. God’s love is the same for me as for you as for the other. God doesn’t love the Pentecostal Christian more than the Vowed Atheist. God doesn’t love George Floyd more than Derick Chauvin. God loves the world.
Now, God teaches us through the writings of 1 John that we are not to love in word and speech, but we are to love in truth and action. We just don’t talk about love. But we do love. And right off the bat, 1 John says, you don’t refuse to help. If you have resources and another person is in need, you help. We need to busy creating a world where no one fears evil.
Last time I checked, all of us are sporting the majority color of skin–white. Last time I checked, all of us were Christians. Did you know that there is not a single piece of legislation in our nation that has been passed without the support of the white Christian community? I learned this yesterday at the annual gathering of the Alliance of Baptist. That means, if white Christians don’t support something, it ain’t going to happen in our country. Now that’s a shame, a real shame. But there it is. Take note of the power that you have. See it as a responsibility.
Last time I checked, all of us were appreciated by our community. Last time I checked, none of us were being held under suspicion by the authorities. Last time I checked, we all had access to opportunities for education and for work. That means that you and I, all of us, we don’t have to be afraid to show up in the face of evil. We don’t have to be afraid of losing our lives, our social standing, our jobs, our friends, or our church family. If we are going to work about creating a world where no one fears evil, then you and I have better start showing up in the face of evil, naming it for what it is, and tearing down the foundations upon which it stands. Don’t back off. It is wearisome work, but until evil is dismantled, then the world is going to have a hard time knowing and feeling and accepting the love of God.
We tore down that evil for our church member years ago. We provided a safe space where they could come out in the presence of God and God’s people. Now, we have more work to do. We need to keep on working to create the safe places where all can come to worship, to grow, and to know the love of God. But it will take us showing up in the face of evil. And some of you are really good at showing up in people’s faces. Use that gift of boldness in the name of the one in whom you believe, in the name of Jesus, and yes be co-creators with God in bring back that world where no one has to fear any more.
To God be the glory in all that we endeavor to do! Amen.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Thank you, God for constant love. Please help our church family grow deeper and deeper in your love. Amen.
Song of Response Holy Spirit, Go Before Us Words: Elizabeth Smith Tune: AUSTRIAN
Holy Spirit, go before us, every mind and heart prepare for good news of life in Jesus, for the joyful hope we share. Gently lead the lost to safety, gently teach them Wisdom’s way, till they come to seek you gladly, till we find the words to say.
Holy Spirit, come and help us, give us words to Speak of Christ. Teach us how to tell all people: deepest darkness can be light! Help us tell how faithful God is, and how Jesus sets us free; take our words and make them gospel so that many may believe.
Holy Spirit, stay to show us how to serve as Christ served us. May our words of love be grounded in love’s actions, first and last. Your good news is news of justice, and the strong befriend the weak in your service, till compassion builds the peace the nations seek.
Sending Out
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, In the name of Christ. Amen.
Closing Song
Blest Be the Tie Words: John Fawcett Tune: DENNIS (Nägeli)
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
When we are called to part, it gives us inward pain; but we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.
This glorious hope revives our courage by the way; while each in expectation lives and waits to see the day.
Permission to print the words to the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with license #A-724755. All rights reserved. All writings have been used by permission from the posting sites or authors.
We are blessed beyond measure! For God, who created this world and all that is in it, listens to us in our distress and answers us when we call. God fills our hearts with joy! So, let us put our trust in God and celebrate today the wonder of God’s glory revealed in and through the risen Christ.
Alleluia! Christ is risen. Christ is risen, indeed. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Opening Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, the light of your love shines on, illuminating the places where you are present. As the bewildered disciples pondered the stories of your appearance, you penetrated the darkness of their fear and doubt with your word of peace. You showed them the appalling marks of evil pierced on your hands and feet. You opened their minds to understand why you had to die to defeat such evil and death. Increase our understanding, we pray, and open our minds and hearts to receive you, Lord. Speak your word of peace to us and let your love shine on any dark areas in our lives. May this worship which we offer in your name be a worthy response to your love and your sacrifice for us. Amen.
Song of Praise Now the Green Blade Rises Words: JMC Crum Tune: NOEL NOUVELET
Now the green blade rises from the buried grain, What that in the dark earth many days has lain; Love lives again, that with the dead has been; Love is come again like wheat arising green.
In the grave they laid him, love by hatred slain, thinking he would never wake and live again, Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen; Love is come again like wheat arising green.
Forth he came at Easter like the risen grain, Jesus, who for three days in the grave had lain; Raised from the dead, the living Christ is seen; Love is come again like wheat arising green.
When our hearts are wintry, grieving or in pain, Jesus’ touch can call us back to life again; Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been; Love is come again like wheat arising green.
Psalm 4 Common English Bible
Answer me when I cry out, my righteous God! Set me free from my troubles! Have mercy on me! Listen to my prayer! How long, you people, will my reputation be insulted? How long will you continue to love what is worthless and go after lies? Know this: the LORD takes personal care of the faithful. The LORD will hear me when I cry out to him. So be afraid, and don’t sin! Think hard about it in your bed and weep over it! Bring righteous offerings, and trust the LORD! Many people say, “We can’t find goodness anywhere. The light of your face has left us, LORD!” But you have filled my heart with more joy than when their wheat and wine are everywhere! I will lie down and fall asleep in peace because you alone, LORD, let me live in safety.
Prayer for Others
Song of Response There is a Balm in Gilead Words: African American Spiritual Tune: BALM IN GILEAD
Refrain: There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole. There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.
Sometimes I feel discouraged and think my works in vain, But then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again.
Refrain
If you cannot preach like Peter, if you cannot pray like Paul, You can tell the love of Jesus and say, “He died for all.”
Refrain
Celebration of the Ordination as Deacon
In our Baptist tradition, each one of us serves the Lord and we are equally capable of doing so. We do not practice any kind of hierarchy in the church for we are all one in Christ Jesus. As we work to better serve the Lord, we call out nine members from our church family to take up the role of intentionally caring for us, the body of Christ. We call these members “deacons,” which means “one who serves.” When a member answers this call to serve us as a deacon for the first time, we set aside time in our worship to honor their acceptance, express our gratitude, and commit to pray for them as they follow the Spirit. Pre-pandemic, we would be invited to come before the member, set our hands upon their head, and offer our prayers and blessings. This time during our service we will write those prayers and blessings on paper. (You are welcome to email your prayers and blessings to the church and they will be forwarded to the deacon.)
1 Peter 4:8-11 Common English Bible
Above all, show sincere love to each other, because love brings about the forgiveness of many sins. Open your homes to each other without complaining. And serve each other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s diverse gifts. Whoever speaks should do so as those who speak God’s word. Whoever serves should do so from the strength that God furnishes. Do this so that in everything God may be honored through Jesus Christ. To him be honor and power forever and always. Amen.
Reaffirming the Call to Serve One Another
In the presence of God this afternoon, will you recommit yourself to the work and responsibility of serving one another? I will.
Will you be faithful to pray, to read and study the Scriptures, to support the church spiritually and materially, to seek the will of God for the church, and to foster unity in the body of Christ? I will.
Will you do your best to live in accordance with the teachings of Christ, so that you may be a witness of God’s love for everyone? I will.
Will you seek the glory of the Lord Christ in all things? I will. May the Lord uphold us with divine grace in our service to one another. Amen.
Anthem Hear Me When I Call Composer: Richard Shephard
Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: Thou hast set me at liberty when I was in trouble. Have mercy upon me and hearken to my prayer. Lord lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Amen.
Luke 24:36b-48 Common English Bible
While they were saying these things, Jesus himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”They were terrified and afraid. They thought they were seeing a ghost.
He said to them, “Why are you startled? Why are doubts arising in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet. It’s really me! Touch me and see, for a ghost doesn’t have flesh and bones like you see I have.” As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. Because they were wondering and questioning in the midst of their happiness, he said to them, “Do you have anything to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish. Taking it, he ate it in front of them.
Jesus said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law from Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. He said to them, “This is what is written: the Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and a change of heart and life for the forgiveness of sins must be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. Look, I’m sending to you what my Father promised, but you are to stay in the city until you have been furnished with heavenly power.”
Reflection on the Gospel Rev. Jeffrey Vickery
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Thank you, God for constant love. Please help our church family grow deeper and deeper in your love. Amen.
Song of Faith Christ is Our Peace Words: Shirley Erena Murray Tune: PEACE
Christ is our peace, Christ is our health, He the true Word, His the true wealth – Gifts to be shared by the simple and poor: Peace in your land, peace at your door.
Peace in your mouth, peace in the hands Open to truth, to love’s demands: Those who would go with Christ also must bleed – Bright is the flower, burst is the seed.
Who work for peace find the true wealth, Who heal the hurt find their own health – Peace will flow on through the hearts that believe: This may we know, thus may we live.
Sending Out
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, In the name of Christ. Amen.
Blest Be the Tie Words: John Fawcett Tune: DENNIS (Nägeli)
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
When we are called to part, it gives us inward pain; but we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.
This glorious hope revives our courage by the way; while each in expectation lives and waits to see the day.
Acknowledgements
The opening prayer was written by Moria Laidlaw. Used by permission. The hymns were sung by our Mindy accompanied by Tonya on piano. The anthem was sung by Elizabeth, Laura, Mindy, and Tonya.
Permission to print the words to the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with license #A-724755. All rights reserved. All writings have been used by permission from the posting sites or authors.
It was evening on the first day of the week. The disciples were meeting together behind locked doors because they were afraid. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”Then he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. They rejoiced. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.” And said, “As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
Let our rejoicing be heard far and wide as we witness to our belief in the risen Lord.
Alleluia! Christ is risen. Christ is risen, indeed. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Song of Praise O Sons and Daughters Let Us Sing Words: Joean Tisserand; J.M. Neale, trans. Tune: O FILII ET FILIAE (French, 15th century)
O sons and daughters of the King, whom heavenly hosts in glory sing, today the grave has lost its sting. Alleluia!
When Thomas first the tidings heard that some had seen the risen Lord, he doubted the disciples’ word. Lord, have mercy!
At night the apostles met in fear; among them came their Master dear and said, “My peace be with you here.” Alleluia!
“My pierced side, O Thomas, see, and look upon my hands, my feet; not faithless but believing be.” Alleluia!
No longer Thomas then denied; he saw the feet, the hands, the side. “You are my Lord and God!” he cried. Alleluia!
How blest are they who have not seen and yet whose faith has constant been, for they eternal life shall win. Alleluia!
Opening Prayer
We worship you today, O God. We rejoice in the word of the gospel where John declares that he has written his gospel to confirm and strengthen our belief that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that in believing, we might have life in his name. We worship you, O God, with praise and thanksgiving for that gift of life made possible through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Strengthen and confirm our belief in Jesus in this time of worship here today. May we know the blessings of your peace within us and the breath of your Spirit upon us. We offer this prayer and our worship in Jesus’ name and for his sake. Amen
Psalm 133 Common English Bible
Look at how good and pleasing it is when families live together as one! It is like expensive oil poured over the head, running down onto the beard— Aaron’s beard!— which extended over the collar of his robes. It is like the dew on Mount Hermon streaming down onto the mountains of Zion, because it is there that the Lord has commanded the blessing: everlasting life.
Song of Praise How Good It Is Words: Ruth Duck Tune: DOVE OF PEACE (Southern Harmony, 1854)
How good it is, what pleasure comes, When people live as one. When peace and justice light the way The will of God is done. The will of God is done.
True friendship then like fragrant oil Surrounds us with delight; And blessings shine like morning dew Upon the mountain height, upon the mountain height.
How good it is when walls of fear Come tumbling to the ground. When arms are changed to farming tools, The fruits of life abound, the fruits of life abound.
What quiet joy can bloom and grow When people work for peace. When hands and voices join as one That hate and war may cease, that hate and war may cease.
Prayer
We gather here as a fellowship of people who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord. One of the major marks of our fellowship is the sense of joy we experience as we gather to worship God, to give thanks for Jesus Christ, and to witness to the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Yet, we admit that there are times when we feel afraid, abandoned, and lonely; when faith leads to doubt and questions rather than a sense of joy or peace of mind. Lord Jesus Christ, unlike those first disciples, we cannot touch you or see you, and so it is all too easy to become downcast and given to despair.
Forgive us when, like the disciples, we find the truth of Easter hard to believe. Come to us, risen Christ, come through the closed doors of our hearts and minds and take away our fears and doubts; Come to us, risen Christ, breathe on us and fill us with the joy and peace of your presence. Bless us all as people who have not seen you, but who believe that you are truly the risen Christ, Son of God. Amen
Anthem A Gaelic Blessing Composer: Roland E. Martin
Deep peace of the running wave to you. Deep peace of the flowing air to you. Deep peace of the quiet earth to you. Deep peace of the shining stars to you. Deep peace of the gentle night to you. Moon and stars pour their healing light on you. Deep peace of Christ, the light of the world to you. Deep peace of Christ to you.
John 20:19-31 Common English Bible
Listen to the gospel being read and/or read below
It was still the first day of the week. That evening, while the disciples were behind closed doors because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.”After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you don’t forgive them, they aren’t forgiven.”
Thomas, the one called Didymus, one of the Twelve, wasn’t with the disciples when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”
But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, put my finger in the wounds left by the nails, and put my hand into his side, I won’t believe.”
After eight days his disciples were again in a house and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus entered and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand into my side. No more disbelief. Believe!”
Thomas responded to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus replied, “Do you believe because you see me? Happy are those who don’t see and yet believe.”
Then Jesus did many other miraculous signs in his disciples’ presence, signs that aren’t recorded in this scroll. But these things are written so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, God’s Son, and that believing, you will have life in his name.
Reflection on the Scriptures Rev. Tonya Vickery
Listen to the sermon and/or read below. The sermon was recorded live from our 2pm outdoor service, so there is definitely wind noise. 🙂
Jesus’ death was traumatic. It was real. It was on display for everyone. Lifted up on a cross, high above, everyone could see his suffering and his death. As news of his crucifixion and inevitable death was shared throughout Jerusalem, no one would have doubted it for they saw it with their own eyes. It was believable because countless others had suffered death by crucifixion from the government.
But when Mary Magdalene shares the good news that she has seen the risen Lord, people have a hard time believing it. Even though a couple of disciples run out to the tomb, look in, and find it empty, they still doubt Mary’s word that Jesus has risen from the dead. For them, the empty tomb is a source of disappointment instead of affirmation, and a seed for growing fear instead of great rejoicing. The trauma from the reality of Jesus’ death only allowed them to deduce that his body has been stolen. Fear saturated their opinions, ideas, and choices. Fear of what the authorities and bandits had done to Jesus, led them to lock themselves away apart from whatever might be out there to harm them.
It was a different kind of lockdown than what we have been experiencing over the past year. But in many ways we can identify with the fear of the disciples. We too feared the unknown. We have had to stay at home to stay alive. We have been separated from one another and still are–six feet apart. The unpredictable, invisible to the eye, wafting through the air, living on surfaces? Virus, we were able to shut out of our lives until we knew more about it. But don’t forget that fear we had 12 months ago. Fear of what might happen. Fear of the unknown, the unpredictable, and the uncontrollable.
Our sister church in Brazil, Igreja Batista da Algeria, they don’t have the protection of vaccination which has been afforded to us. On Tuesday night Pastor Vando sent me a message via WhatsApp. He asks us to pray for the church and for their country. You may have seen it on the news, but on Tuesday alone, Pastor Vando said 4200 Brasilians died from COVID. In one day, 4,200 people died. Their president is very much in control, but does not care about the people. The government has not worked to make their country a safe place to live in the midst of a deadly viral pandemic. Our sisters and brothers of Igreja Batista da Algeria, I imagine they still live in that fear that we lived in just a short time ago. They are suffering. Do you remember the fear you had of going out? Of what you might bring back to your home, to your family, to your friends? Our sister church in Brazil, they are still living through many things which have been alleviated for us. We are slowly rising above our fears as we learn more and more and especially as the vaccine becomes available to everyone. But do remember our sister church in Brazil and how they continue to grow their faith separate from each other. The fear brought by this pandemic shares similarities to the fear the disciples felt after Jesus died. We know very well that faithful living during times of great fear is difficult. But we claim the promise that nothing separates us from the love of God in Christ Jesus–not even our fears.
Even as our fear lessens, we are starkly reminded during recent days of what trauma looks like. We know what death looks like. We know what a traumatic death looks like. We now know what it is like to see someone die under the hands of the authorities. If you have watched any of the trial of the death of George Floyd or seen any of the newsclips, you have seen the effect a needless death has on bystanders. The women at the foot of the cross, the disciples at a distance, the Roman soldier, they were all bystanders to the traumatic death of Jesus. How wrenching it was during Holy Week to hear the testimonies of bystanders who felt helpless, angry, and afraid as Mr. Floyd suffered and died. We have also seen the grief of parents in Myanmar. Their children killed by soldiers who needlessly and for no reason at all have shot them to death. We have seen what we only thought we would see in movies, Americans chanting to hang an elected official, Mike Pence. When I saw those images, I couldn’t help but think of the crowd that was stirred up against Jesus chanting, “Crucify him.”
The gospel story this morning show us how Jesus responded in the midst of fear, trauma, and doubt. God responds to such threats with peace and forgiveness.
On the evening of what we now call Easter, Jesus appeared before the disciples even though they were behind locked doors. What did he say to them? Look at verse 19. Look in the last phrase of the verse. Jesus says, “Peace be with you.” Now look down at verse 21. Jesus again says, “Peace be with you.” Eight days later, Jesus’ followers are still afraid. Imagine I would be too. Jesus comes and goes. So they still lock themselves in the room together. And again Jesus comes. What does Jesus say to them this time? Look with me at verse 26. Jesus says again, “Peace be with you.”
Before Jesus died and was resurrected, Jesus talked with his disciples about peace. It is recorded in John 14. If you have your Bibles, turn back there with me. Look at verse 27. Jesus says these words to his followers, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t troubled or afraid.” Turn a few pages and look at chapter 16. Here Jesus highlights the contrast between the peace he offers and the peace the world offers. Beginning in verse 31 Jesus says, “Now you believe? Look! A time is coming—and here it is—when each of you will be scattered to your own homes and you will leave me alone. I’m not really alone, for the Father is with me. I’ve said these to you so that you will have peace in me. In the world you have distress. But be encouraged! I have conquered the world.”
The betrayal and death of Jesus must have made the disciples feel just like the writer of Lamentations. In 3:17-18 the lamenter shares, “My soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is. My future is gone, as well as my hope from the LORD. My suffering and homelessness are bitterness and poison. I can’t help but be depressed. And all I can do is wait, for surely the faithful love of the LORD has not ended. Surely, God’s compassion isn’t through.”
Oh how that empty tomb, Jesus’ numerous appearances before he ascends into heaven, his words to the disciples and to the world, “Peace be with you. My peace be with you,” these things tells us loud and clear that God’s compassion is not through. The faithful love the LORD has not ended. In the word, we have distress, but in Christ, we have peace. The peace we share does not come from the world. It is not created by human plans or designs. Any type of peace the world affords us is just temporary and can change abruptly. The peace that sustains, that grounds, that makes a difference, is the peace which comes from God through Jesus Christ. “Have peace in me,” Jesus says to us. Jesus invites us to share in God’s peace. You see, just as the lamenter writes, the LORD is our portion. We have a hope that does not disappoint.
The second posture the gospel story encourages in us when we face fears, disappointments, and betrayals, is that of forgiveness. We clearly read that Jesus did not hold it against Thomas that he was having a hard time believing that Jesus was truly alive, risen from the dead. Jesus didn’t come back to scold Thomas. Think back to what Jesus called Peter when Peter tried to convince Jesus that he need not go to Jerusalem and die. Jesus called him Satan. “Get behind me Satan.” But there is no language like that here. When Jesus appears to Thomas, he says to him, “No more disbelief. Believe!” However, this is not the setting within the passage where we read about forgiveness. Jesus doesn’t say here, “I forgive you for having a hard time believing.” No, Jesus speaks of forgiveness in regards to the relationships we have with one another and with God well before Thomas is in the room.
Think back to when Jesus comes to John to be baptized. John says of him, “Look! The lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!” In the New Testament letter 1 John, it is written, “Everyone who practices sin commits an act of rebellion, and sin is rebellion. You know that Jesus appeared to take away sins….” Now here at the end of John’s gospel, Jesus appears to the disciples after the resurrection and breathes the Spirit of God into us and upon us. Why? so that we might forgive anyone’s sin. That’s a tall order. That’s a lot to expect from us. But there it is. We are called to forgive. We are empowered by the Spirit of the Holy One to have the courage, the compassion, and the care to forgive. Jesus came to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins. Now we step into those shoes and share those possibilities with the world.
The good news of Jesus firsts highlights some bad news. There is something wrong with each and every one of us. The world is a broken place. It is not the way God intended it to be nor created it to be. Our lives are broken too. We do not live the way God intends us to live, nor do we embody what God created us to be. We are falling short of what we could be in Christ Jesus. Every day we do things, say things, think things, that separate us from God and hurt our neighbors and harm the world. Some of those things are big and easy to spot, and some of them are little and hidden from others and even easy for us to turn a blind eye to. But as we have been reminded through the scripture passages of the Lenten season, God will not respond to a broken world again by destroying it and starting over. Just as we celebrate on Easter that Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead, defeating death not only for himself but for all of us, we also celebrate that in Christ Jesus our sins are forgiven. Those things that separate us from God, they are forgiven. The forgiveness God showers upon us brings us back to life, raises us up again, never giving up on us. It is a forgiveness Christ calls us to share with others.
We have life in Jesus’ name, a life that has the blessing of peace upon it. A life that is brought about and sustained by a forgiveness that is to be shared. May we live the life we have been given to the fullness of the glory of God. Thank you, thank you for caring about God today to come and worship whether at home or in person this afternoon, and thank you for hearing the word of God and how we are to live our lives in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Thank you, God for constant love. Please help our church family grow deeper and deeper in your love. Amen.
Song of Faith Faith Will Not Grow On Words Alone Words: Vernon Griffiths Tune: DUNEDIN
Faith will not grow from words alone, from proofs provided, scripture known; our faith must feel its way about, and live with question-marks and doubt.
The pattern Jesus showed, we share: life comes through death, hope through despair. God is made known in brokenness, and faith feeds on God’s emptiness.
The church still tells how Jesus came through death to glorious life again – the strangest story! Yet, may be, our faith will thrive on mystery.
Faith takes the little that we know, and calls for hope, and tells us: Go! Love and take courage, come what may; Christ will be with us on the way.
Sending Out
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, In the name of Christ. Amen.
Blest Be the Tie Words: John Fawcett Tune: DENNIS (Nägeli)
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
When we are called to part, it gives us inward pain; but we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.
This glorious hope revives our courage by the way; while each in expectation lives and waits to see the day.
Acknowledgements
The prayers were written by Moria Laidlaw. Used by permission. The hymns were sung by our Mindy accompanied by Tonya on piano. The anthem was sung by Ally, Elizabeth, Laura, Mindy, and Tonya.
Permission to print the words to the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with license #A-724755. All rights reserved. All writings have been used by permission from the posting sites or authors.
Sunrise at the beach this morning during our Easter sunrise Zoom service. Photo provided by the Cooks.
Invitation to Worship Today we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Today we are invited to commit or recommit our lives to live the way of Jesus Christ. We renew our commitment to study, to fellowship, to share meals, and to pray together. We renew our commitment to resist evil, and when we do fail, to repent and return to the Lord. We renew our commitment to proclaim the good news of God’s love through Jesus Christ and to be an example of that good news. We renew our commitment to serve Christ in all persons and to love others as ourselves. We renew our commitment to strive for justice and peace among all peoples, and respect the dignity of every human being.
Come let us worship!
Easter Proclamation
Alleluia! Christ is risen. Christ is risen, indeed. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth. But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Beloved One, Jesus Christ our Savior; Christ is the true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken away the sins of the world. By Christ’s dying, death has been destroyed, and by Christ’s rising to life again, everlasting life abounds.
Alleluia! Christ is risen. Christ is risen, indeed. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Song of Thanksgiving Jesus Christ is Risen Today Tune: EASTER HYMN Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739
Jesus Christ is risen today! Alleluia! All creation join to say: Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high: Alleluia! Sing, O heav’n, and earth reply: Alleluia!
Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia! fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia! Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia! Christ has opened paradise. Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia! where, O death, is now thy sing? Alleluia! Dying once, he all doth save, Alleluia! where they victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Sing we to our God above. Alleluia! Praise eternal as God’s love. Alleluia! Praise God now, God’s might confess, Alleluia! Holy Trinity we bless. Alleluia!
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, who through Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of Christ’s resurrection, may be raise from the death of sin by your lifegiving Spirit; through Jesus Christ, our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Song of Praise This, This is the Day Composer: Brian Howard
This, this is the day that the Lord has made. This, this is the day that the Lord has made. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Great, great is the name, of the Lord our God. Great, great is the name of the Lord our God. Great is the name of the Lord our God; we will rejoice and be glad in him. Great is the name of the Lord our God; we will rejoice and be glad in him!
Sing, sing out his praise throughout the land. Sing, sing out his praise throughout the land. Sing out his praise throughout the land; now is the kingdom of God at hand. Sing out his praise throughout the land; the kingdom of God is at hand!
Trust, trust in the Lord, all you who sing. Trust, trust in the Lord, all you who sing. Trust in the Lord, all you who sing, giving thanks and praise in ev’rything. Trust in the Lord, all you who sing, giving thanks and praise in ev’rything!
Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24 Common English Bible
Give thanks to the Lord because he is good, because his faithful love lasts forever. Let Israel say it: “God’s faithful love lasts forever!”
The Lord was my strength and protection; he was my saving help! The sounds of joyful songs and deliverance are heard in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s strong hand is victorious! The Lord’s strong hand is ready to strike! The Lord’s strong hand is victorious!”
I won’t die—no, I will live and declare what the Lord has done. Yes, the Lord definitely disciplined me, but he didn’t hand me over to death.
Open the gates of righteousness for me so I can come in and give thanks to the Lord! This is the Lord’s gate; those who are righteous enter through it.
I thank you because you answered me, because you were my saving help. The stone rejected by the builders is now the main foundation stone! This has happened because of the Lord; it is astounding in our sight! This is the day the Lord acted; we will rejoice and celebrate in it!
Prayer for the Church
God, Protector of the widow, the orphan, and the stranger – in a world where many know despair, you raised your Son Jesus to give hope for humanity and renewal to the earth. Continue to strengthen and unify your Church in its struggles against the forces of death in the world, where violence against creation and humanity obscures the hope of the new life you offer.
Silence is kept.
This we pray in the name of the Risen Lord and in the power of the Spirit. Amen.
Anthem Sweet the Morning Words and music: Pat Mayberry Arranger: David Kai
Sweet the morning, deep was the dawning, the stone was rolled away. Angels spoke to tell them the story, the soldiers ran away. And outside the empty tomb, blessed silence filled the air. And their hearts were filled with a joy and love to feel Holy there.
Refrain: Hallelujah, Christ is risen today, there’s a new light shines within. Ev’ry heart rejoice, lift up ev’ry voice. This is resurrection day. Hallelujah, Christ is risen today, there’s a new light shines within. Ev’ry heart rejoice, lift up ev’ry voice. Love has found another way. Tears had fallen, rivers to ocean they took his life away.
Sorrow sifted deep to the shadows, and broke their hearts again. Till they heard a voice that called, just a whisper on the air, There is Life for all and the Spirit lives, a gift for all to share.
Refrain
Sweet the morning, deep was the dawning the stone was rolled away. Light returning, sun soaked the morning and washed their tears away. Holy One, Creator God, You the Healer of our souls, May You gentle us into faith and hope, to Life renewed once more.
Refrain
Mark 16:1-8 Common English Bible
Listen to the gospel being read and/or read below.
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they could go and anoint Jesus’ dead body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they came to the tomb. They were saying to each other, “Who’s going to roll the stone away from the entrance for us?”When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away. (And it was a very large stone!) Going into the tomb, they saw a young man in a white robe seated on the right side; and they were startled. But he said to them, “Don’t be alarmed! You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised. He isn’t here. Look, here’s the place where they laid him. Go, tell his disciples, especially Peter, that he is going ahead of you into Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you.” Overcome with terror and dread, they fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
Reflection on the Scriptures Rev. Jeffrey Vickery
Listen to a recording of Jeffrey’s reflection from our outdoor 2pm worship service.
Song of Faith Women Weeping in the Garden Words: Daniel Charles Damon Tune: KAKIS (Damon)
Woman, weeping in the garden, who has pushed the stone aside? Who has taken Jesus’ body; Jesus Christ, the crucified?
Woman, waiting in the garden, after men have come and gone; After angels give their witness, silently you watch the dawn.
Woman, walking in the garden, Jesus takes you by surprise; When the gardener calls you, “Mary!” faith and joy meet in your eyes.
Woman, weeping in the garden, weep for joy, for you have seen Jesus, the Messiah, risen; Christ, of whom the prophets dream.
Woman, dancing from the garden, find the others and proclaim Christ is risen as he promised; tell the world he knew your name!
Blessing
May the God of peace, who brought from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, make you perfect in every good work to do God’s will, working in you that which is well pleasing in God’s sight; and the blessing of the most holy, glorious, and undivided Trinity, one God, be upon you and remain with you forever. Amen.
Go forth in the name of Christ. Alleluia! Alleluia! Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Blest Be the Tie Words: John Fawcett Tune: DENNIS (Nägeli)
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
When we are called to part, it gives us inward pain; but we shall still be joined in heart, and hope to meet again.
This glorious hope revives our courage by the way; while each in expectation lives and waits to see the day.
Acknowledgements The Easter proclamation comes from The Nebraska Breviary of the Community of the Benedictine Way, Incarnation Monastery, Omaha, Nebraska.
The prayer for the church comes from Resources for The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and Throughout the Year (2011), http://www.oikoumene.org/fileadmin/files/wcc-main/ documents/p2/2010/WOP2011eng.pdf jointly prepared and published by The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and The Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches. Posted on http://www.oikoumene.org/en/home.html.
The hymns were sung by Mindy. The anthem was sung by Laura, Elizabeth, Ally, Tonya, and Mindy. The guitar is played by Mindy’s brother Josh on This, This is the Day and by Rachel, Mindy’s sister-in-law on Sweet the Morning and Women Weeping in the Garden. The flute was played electronically by Mindy. The acoustic and digital piano was played by Tonya.
Permission to print the words to the music in this service obtained from ONE LICENSE with license #A-724755. All rights reserved. All writings have been used by permission from the posting sites or authors.
Preparation for Worship. For today’s worship, you will need 2 candles, a gathering of beautiful objects (for example, plants, stones, a small fountain, a silver pitcher, a large cross. pictures of beautiful or awe-inspiring places). If you want to celebrate communion, have some food and drink to share. The type of food and drink does not matter for they are merely symbols which help us celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Invitation. There are times when living the way of Jesus feels particularly hard. This week’s gospel reading reminds us that God’s constant love and the Spirit’s enduring presence is with us. We are never alone and never abandoned. So, don’t be intimidated. Continue doing good–living the way of Jesus.
The Worship of God
Light two candles in recognition of Christ’s presence. In our practice, one candle represents Jesus’ divinity and the other Jesus’ humanity.
Gathering for Worship
Passing the Peace Say to one another, “May the Peace of Christ be with you.”
Respond by saying, “And also with you.”
Call to Worship Come, let us gather in praise of the one who shows us the way: The way of Christ is love.
Let us gather in thanksgiving for the one who teaches the truth: That we were all made in God’s image and called good.
Let us worship the one who gives us life. Blessed be our God, source of all creation.
Opening Prayer. The prayer will use the beautiful objects and/or images you have gathered. Touch or show each one in turn; repeating the first two lines of the prayer as often as needed to move through your objects and/or images.
One: This (name object) is not God.
All: Our God is within and beyond.
——when all objects/pictures have been noted—- One: We are not God.
All: Our God is within and beyond.
God of all Creation,
out of your being all things were made,
yet in all things your being is uncontained.
Help us to see you
within all things,
within all people.
Help us to know that you are
beyond our understanding,
beyond our imagining,
from everlasting to everlasting. Amen.
Songs and Psalms of Praise and Prayer
Song of Praise Joyful, Joyful We Adore You
Joyful, joyful, we adore You,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before You,
Op’ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!
All Your works with joy surround You,
Earth and heav’n reflect Your rays,
Stars and angels sing around You,
Center of unbroken praise;
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain
Praising You eternally!
Always giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living,
Ocean-depth of happy rest!
Loving Father, Christ our Brother,
Let Your light upon us shine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.
Mortals, join the mighty chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
God’s own love is reigning o’er us,
Joining people hand in hand.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music leads us sunward
In the triumph song of life.
A Reading from the Psalms
Psalm 66
Bless our God!
Let the sound of praise of God be heard!
God preserves us among the living,
and has not let our feet slip one bit.
Indeed God, you have tested us;
you have refined us like silver.
You brought us into a snare,
and laid burdens on our backs.
But you caused one to lead us;
we went through fire and water,
but you brought us out to abundance.
I come to you with offerings.
I keep the promises I made to you,
the ones my lips uttered,
the ones my mouth spoke when I was in deep trouble.
I will offer the best to you….
Come and listen, all you who honor God;
I will tell you what God has done for me:
I cried out to God with my mouth
but praise was on the tip of my tongue.
If I had cherished evil in my heart,
my Lord would not have listened.
But God did hear me.
God listened to my voice in prayer.
Blessed be God!
who has not turned away my prayer
or withheld faithful love from me.
Prayers for Others. As we did last week, pause after each line to give voice to prayers as prompted.
Merciful God, who shelters us and guides us,
we give you thanks for…
God who comforts,
receive those who are fearful and lonely…
God whose love is steadfast,
be refuge for the ill, the dying, and those who care about them…
God of righteousness,
we ask for your wisdom and ways of justice to prevail
in our community, this nation, your world…
God who seeks our trust,
grow us and guide us in your ways that are life-giving in your world…
Amen.
Song of Praise All Things Bright and Beautiful
Celebrating Communion
Communion. (Bread and wine were common foods during Jesus’ day. As we celebrate communion at home, use common food and drinks you have. The type of food and drink is not what matters, but it matters that you remember Christ as you share, eat, and drink.)
A Reading from the Gospels, Mark 14:22-24. While [the disciples and Jesus] were eating, [Jesus] took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.”
Share what you have to eat. Before everyone eats, have someone say,
“This food represents the body of Christ. As we eat, we remember Jesus.”
Share what you have to drink. Before everyone drinks, have someone say,
“This drink represents the covenant Christ made with us that our sins will be forgiven. As we drink, we remember Jesus.”
Prayer of Thanksgiving. Dear God, thank you for your abounding compassionate love. Thank you for guiding and leading us through these difficult times. Thank you for always being with us. Amen.
Song. End communion by singing a hymn. You may want to sing Amazing Grace.
Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I am found, was blind but now I see.
The Gospel Lesson for the 6th Sunday of Easter
Listen to the gospel lesson and/or read below.
A Reading from John 14:15-21
Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”
Reflection “If You Love Me” from Tonya
Listen to Tonya’s reflection and/or read below.
When you hear the phrase “keep my commandments” what comes to mind?
The first thing that pops into my head is The 10 Commandments. Can you name them? (You can find them in Exodus 20 if you want to look them up.)
You will have no other gods before me.
You will not make idols to worship.
You will not make wrongful use of the Lord’s name.
You will remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy.
You will honor your parents.
You will not murder.
You will not commit adultery.
You will not steal.
You will not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You will not covet what your neighbor has.
Good deal. Now what comes to mind when you hear Jesus say, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
The words “commandment” or “commandments” appear in John’s gospel just a handful of times. Jesus first utters the word to his disciples in chapter 12. He tells them that God has given him a commandment about what he is to say and what he is to speak. Jesus goes on to say that commandment is eternal life. Well, that’s God’s commandment for Jesus. What is Jesus’ commandments for us?
It is not hard to figure out. There’s no mystery to unlock. Take a look in John 13:34. Jesus says, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” Jesus says it again in John 15:12, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” So in chapter 14 when Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” Jesus is telling us, “If you love me, you will love one another just as I have loved you.”
What does it mean to love one another? It does mean you don’t want what your neighbor has. You don’t make up stories and tell lies about others. You certainly do not take what does not belong to you, whether that be a physical object, a relationship with another person, or a life (in other words, stealing, committing adultery, and murdering). And loving others does include honoring your parents. But when Jesus says, “Love one another,” this love goes further than just the last six rules of the 10 Commandments.
Loving Jesus means living a life shaped by the love of God. Take for example, the goals you have. What happens when you allow God’s love to shape your goals? How about the choices you make? What becomes of the outcome when you allow the decision to be shaped by God’s love? What about how you respond to others? Whether it be a qauick response or a long thought out one, what happens when you welcome God’s love to determine your responses? When we allow our lives to be shaped and influenced by the love of God, then that’s when we show our love for Jesus.
Loving others means you look at others through the lens of love. How does life change when you look at it through the lens of love? If love governs your perception of others, what difference is made? If love motivates your judgment of others, what difference is made? If love facilitates your understanding of others, what difference is made? I dare say, a life-changing difference is made not only for you, but also for others.
As those who have chosen to live the Way of Jesus Christ, we have been given direct instructions. Jesus doesn’t invite or suggest here. Jesus doesn’t say, “If you love me, you will consider my invitation.” Nor does Jesus say, “If you love me, you will mull over my suggestions.” Loving one another is not an invitation, nor a suggestion; it is not a recommendation, nor advice. Loving one another is a command from Jesus; it is a requirement. Just as God gave Jesus the command of eternal life, Jesus gives us the command to love one another. How much? “Love one another,” Jesus says, “as I have loved you.” We have nothing at all to lose by loving one another, yet we lose everything when we do not.
It is a tall order. It is difficult to carry through. But it is an order we can fulfill with our lives. Jesus doesn’t expect us to handle this on our own. The Holy Spirit of God comes to us and abides with us and in us. The Spirit points us to the truth of God’s love. The Spirit of God encourages to abide in God’s love and thus love one another. And we need not fear doing this on our own. God will never abandon us. Never.
The greatest truth in all the world is the love of God. The gospel of John keeps on teaching us this. The love of God was there at the beginning of time and will continue through all eternity. God’s love is the truest thing in all the world.
Questions for Reflection:
What makes it difficult to love others?
What are some ways we show our love for others during this pandemic?
How do we learn to love others?
Prayer of Thanksgiving. Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s love and ask God to help our church family grow deeper and deeper in love.
Affirmation and Blessing
Song of Faith Just as the Tide
Just as the tide creeps over silver sand
flooding the bay with slow and steady gain,
like brightening dawn across the eastern land,
certain and sure is love that comes again.
When threat and fear conspire friends to betray,
and bitter failure every hope has slain,
when broken trust makes dark the dismal day,
Jesus, speak of the love that comes again.
As sure as tide and dawn your love has come,
come to redeem our failures and our pain;
Jesus, come now, and find in us a home,
revive us with the love that comes again.
Sending Out
May the blessings of the One who is the Way be with you in the days to come. May God guide your feet wherever you go.
May the blessings of Jesus who is your Life be with you in the days to come.
May Jesus lead you by the hand to those who are your sisters and brothers in need.
May the blessings of the Spirit of Truth be with you in the days to come.
May you journey with the Spirit to that Way which is everlasting.
Closing Song. In our tradition, we close worship by singing the first verse of Blest Be the Tie. Mindy starts us each week, and so she does today as well.
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Amen.
For this morning’s worship, you will need two candles. In our tradition, we light two candles at the beginning of worship to represent the presence of Jesus. If you want to celebrate communion, have some food and drink to share. The type of food and drink does not matter for they are merely symbols which help us celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Invitation. God invites us to become and be God’s people. Living into this reality can be fraught with peril, be it because of our own needs to trust, learn, and grow or from those who see us as an enemy. In all of this, God is faithfully loving and present.
The Worship of God
Light two candles in recognition of Christ’s presence. In our practice, one candle represents Jesus’ divinity and the other Jesus’ humanity.
Gathering for Worship
Passing the Peace Say to one another, “May the Peace of Christ be with you.”
Respond by saying, “And also with you.”
Call to Worship Come and know that God is good! We come seeking God’s shelter.
Come and know God’s mercy. We come seeking wholeness and God’s peace.
Come and abide in God’s steadfast love. Receive us as we are, as we come to worship you, O God.
Opening Prayer. Merciful God, our hearts are troubled. We long for a world free of hate and destruction. We yearn to know your presence in our daily lives; as we awaken and sleep, as we play and work, as we eat and pray, in moments mundane and profound. Receive us, shelter us, and nurture us as your beloved people, for your purposes and to your glory. Amen.
Songs and Psalms of Praise and Prayer
Song of Praise
Know that God is Good
Know that God is good.
Know that God is good, Know that God is good, God is good, God is good.
Know that God is good.
Know that God is good, Know that God is good, God is good, God is good.
A Reading from the Psalms
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
I take refuge in you, Lord. Please never let me be put to shame. Rescue me by your righteousness! 2 Listen closely to me! Deliver me quickly; be a rock that protects me; be a strong fortress that saves me! 3 You are definitely my rock and my fortress. Guide me and lead me for the sake of your good name! 4 Get me out of this net that’s been set for me because you are my protective fortress. 5 I entrust my spirit into your hands; you, Lord, God of faithfulness— you have saved me.
15 My future is in your hands. Don’t hand me over to my enemies, to all who are out to get me! 16 Shine your face on your servant; save me by your faithful love!
Prayers for Others. Pause after each line to give voice to prayers as prompted.
Merciful God, who shelters us and guides us,
we give you thanks for…
God who comforts,
receive those who are fearful and lonely…
God whose love is steadfast,
be refuge for the ill, the dying, and those who care about them…
God of righteousness,
we ask for your wisdom and ways of justice to prevail
in our community, this nation, your world…
God who seeks our trust,
grow us and guide us in your ways that are life-giving in your world…
Amen.
Song Walk Humbly with Your God
Celebrating Communion
Communion. (Bread and wine were common foods during Jesus’ day. As we celebrate communion at home, use common food and drinks you have. The type of food and drink is not what matters, but it matters that you remember Christ as you share, eat, and drink.)
A Reading from the Gospels, Mark 14:22-24. While [the disciples and Jesus] were eating, [Jesus] took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.”
Share what you have to eat. Before everyone eats, have someone say,
“This food represents the body of Christ. As we eat, we remember Jesus.”
Share what you have to drink. Before everyone drinks, have someone say,
“This drink represents the covenant Christ made with us that our sins will be forgiven. As we drink, we remember Jesus.”
Prayer of Thanksgiving. Dear God, thank you for your abounding compassionate love. Thank you for guiding and leading us through these difficult times. Thank you for always being with us. Amen.
Song. End communion by singing a hymn. You may want to sing Amazing Grace.
Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I am found, was blind but now I see.
The Gospel Lesson for the 5th Sunday of Easter
Listen to the gospel lesson and/or read below.
A Reading from John 14:1-14
{Jesus said,] “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.”
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”
Reflection “The Way, Figuratively” from Jeffrey
Listen to Jeffrey’s reflection and/or read below.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.” These words of Jesus start our reading in the Gospel of John today. And yet it is often noted in this time of global pandemic that people are indeed troubled. Isolation is emotionally taxing. Fear is on the rise. Uncertainty is widespread. I hear people talking about a return to “normal” which I believe means living without fear of death and illness or the uncertainty of the availability of resources. When Jesus says “Let not your heart be troubled” I take that to mean that he wants us to find trust in God despite our immediate circumstances. Fear is real, and it is powerful, but it does not have the ability to keep God’s love away. No isolation from others can restrict God’s presence. Being without the normal substance of life does not lift the obligation to show love and offer hope. What’s left? Belief in God’s salvation, God’s goodness, God’s mercy. Why? Because I believe in God regardless of my freedom or lack of it. We say somewhat haphazardly that faith in God is the most important thing. If it only seems real when we are at ease and in luxury then we have seriously misunderstood God’s role in our life.
Rather than troubled, perhaps in response to our limiting circumstances and our fear, we can let our hearts be turned to those whose “normal” life includes the daily fear of death, illness, loss, and hunger. While all of us are restricted temporarily, more than 40 million people in the US live in enough poverty that the fear and troubling we sense now is what they experience daily. If our crisis is a taste of their normal, then our hearts should be troubled on their behalf. If we as followers of Jesus and workers of God’s justice were not troubled by the poverty and oppression of those around us before, I pray that our own fear and troubling will move us into a deeper compassion and more urgent care for others. In the end, may this crisis make us more Christ-like in our response to others.
Now, let’s move our attention to Jesus’ statement in John 14:6 – “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
We were lost in the woods. I mean, literally lost. It was the summer of 1981, I was 14 years old, and hiking at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico with two adults and 6 other Boy Scouts. We had camped the night before near a wilderness canteen that had root beer in barrels, provisions for re-stocking for the next three days, and a young brown bear cub that raided any loose gear left on the ground at night. As we broke camp and left that morning for an 11-mile hike to our next camping spot, we were well fed and in high spirits. By mid-afternoon, we were scheduled to stop at a bivouac that had great rock climbing and rappelling options. A short time after a hasty lunch under a stand of Ponderosa pines, however, we knew we were lost. The trails signs were not right. The adults were peering over maps and scratching their heads. We went a couple of miles one way only to return to the same “lost” location an hour later. Two o’clock—still lost. Three o’clock—no closer to camp. Four o’clock and a scout ranger named Michael found us. When we didn’t show up for climbing and rappelling, the staff were sure we needed help. With our new guide who knew the trail well, we arrived in camp in time to make dinner although we missed the chance to climb and rappel. Eleven miles had become sixteen. We were tired and disappointed, but all safe and back on the right course. When Jesus says “I am the Way” here in John 14, I think of that summer afternoon in the mountains. We needed a guide because we didn’t know the way to camp.
Just like all the other “I am” statements in the Gospel of John, when Jesus says “I am the way, truth, and life,” these are figurative images. Michael the ranger literally put us on the right trail. Jesus does so figuratively but that doesn’t mean it is somehow less real. Aimlessly wandering day-by-day is not a good life plan. In the same way that a day’s journey without a good map will leave us feeling lost, trying to navigate life without direction and purpose seems fruitless. Being lost in the wilderness is fearful, stressful, and if it lasts too long, defeating. The same happens when we find ourselves lost in life. Jesus offers the hope of both being found and set on a meaningful journey in life when he says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” He is giving us the opportunity to let his life guide us, God’s Way give us direction, a good and generous Spirit pluck up the courage in us to do God’s mischievous work of justice and hope. From the New Testament book of Acts we know that the first followers of Jesus were not called “Christian” for several years after the resurrection (Acts 11:26). They were known as followers of “The Way” (see Acts 9:2, 19:9, 22:4, and 24:14) which seemed to identify them directly with Jesus as well as a particularly identifiable manner of living. In the countless years since, things have not changed much. Even in our technologically advanced, digitally improved, globally connected world, Jesus himself is still a Way that has meaning and purpose and hope.
Despite these great images from John 14, I have to admit that it is not one of my favorite set of verses in the Gospel. Not because of what it says but because of how it has been used by people to make the dwelling place of God an exclusive gated community for themselves and people most like them. Some claim that what Jesus meant to say was “only one way, only one truth, and only those who are like me have life.” They seem to think that only a few people are in heaven—only Christians like them, by which they mean people who believe the same things. They seem to think that heaven is small and God’s role in judgement is to condemn and kickout. They reduce what it means to be a Christian to a list of tenets that one has to believe. If you don’t agree with any one of the nine basic fundamentals, (see the list at the end), then you are not on the way, you don’t believe the truth, you will not have life with God. That’s baloney. A few men manufactured these interpretations of the Bible to restrict the wideness of God’s mercy into a set of provable facts one has to believe to be a real Christian in their estimation. The Way of Jesus in John is, instead, an open call for everyone to join the human journey with God. Jesus gives us an image of heaven as a welcome place for many rather than for the few, and that God’s role in judgement is to show mercy and offer grace rather than tell people to turn and burn. For some, they have forgotten that John the baptizer described Jesus as one who had come to “take away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) and that Jesus recognized the global image (cosmic?) of the incarnation when he said famously that “God so loved the world…” (John 3:16). The human way to live like God, then, is to cast open the doors of life and heaven just as wide and show the same kind of mercy that God has offered. All women and men are created in God’s image (Genesis 1) – The whole earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it; the world and all who live in it (Psalm24) – We have One God who is above all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4). This Way of Jesus, the truth and the life he gives, is not to be restricted to a few unless we become guilty of dismissing the wider arc of the biblical witness to God’s welcome and justice through forgiveness and grace.
In a similar way, John 14 has been used to mislead us about heaven. The old King James Version of John 14:2 reads, “In my Father’s house there are many mansions.” The word “mansions” here is a bad translation of the Greek. More contemporary translations use “many rooms” rather than “mansions” or the substitute in the more cumbersome “many dwelling places.” It may seem like a picky point, but the difference in “mansions” and “rooms” is important. By putting mansions in heaven we are left with the somewhat unfortunate image that heaven is like Provo, Utah or Bridgeport, CT, or Orlando, FL – three of the top ten places in the US with the highest concentration of “mansions” (defined as big houses over $1Million). In England in 1611, when the King James Version was being approved, perhaps they believed heaven was similar to life as a Baron or a Duke living in a big stone mansion with all our needs met daily but without a need to earn our keep. Wealth and privilege and ease are hereby elevated as the ultimate symbol of divine provision. If heaven is a place of mansions for all, then it becomes a short mis-step to associate wealth on earth as a replica of heaven with God. Or equally problematic, we might begin to think that if God provides a mansion in heaven then God surely blesses the wealthy on earth. Jesus taught otherwise. Our hearts turned toward God recognize the ungodliness of living at the expense of other people, lesser people, who spend their life doing our bidding so that we can have luxury. Taking more than we need so that earthly abundance becomes our comfort is to replace hope in God with trust in wealth. In short, if what we want the most is more money, greater ease, and servants to please, then we are not on Jesus’ way of serving and loving others, and our work for justice and solidarity with the poor will be derailed as we journey toward more stuff for ourselves.
Jesus did not say, nor mean, we have a mansion in glory. A better reading of John 14, and one that seems to me consistent with the Greek, is that Jesus says “in God’s home there is plenty of room.” Enough for me and for you—enough for us and for them—enough room for all. The abundance of God’s provision in heaven is an abundance of welcome instead of wealth. The glory of God is not architectural majesty. The fullness of God’s place, that place to which Jesus is going and we know the way, never runs out of space for us or others. To claim that we can define a set of limits on God’s home is blasphemy. In Jesus’ day, those of the “in-crowd” and the “out-crowd” were clearly defined. Religious Jews were in and Gentiles were out; the healthy were in and the lepers or lame or blind (especially the blind!) were out; the wealthy were in and the poor were a hard maybe. Perhaps Christians today can learn a lesson from all this speculation about God’s favorite people and the certainty of who is going to heaven and who is not. Put simply: it’s not our job, we don’t know, and claiming such knowledge is sinful. The hopeful word from Jesus here is that there’s plenty of room in God’s glory and so we are assured that we too have a place with God, and we are relieved of the burden of deciding who is in God’s grace and who is not. We have permission from Jesus to believe that God’s welcome for everyone is founded on God’s wisdom, fueled by God’s love, and assured by God’s mercy.
Questions for Reflection:
When your heart has been troubled who or what eases the burden and fear?
Is there a time you have been lost, either literally or figuratively? How did you find your way? Share your story with those around the table.
What image of heaven brings you comfort or peace?
Prayer of Thanksgiving. (Offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God.)
Affirmation and Blessing
Sending Out
May the blessings of the One who is the Way be with you in the days to come. May God guide your feet wherever you go.
May the blessings of Jesus who is your Life be with you in the days to come.
May he lead you by the hand to those who are your sisters and brothers in need.
May the blessings of the Spirit of Truth be with you in the days to come.
May you journey with the Spirit to that way which is everlasting.
Closing Song. In our tradition, we close worship by singing the first verse of Blest Be the Tie. Mindy starts us each week, and so she does today as well.
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Amen.
Appendix: Here’s one list of the Nine “Fundamentals” as interpreted in the early 20th century in the United States. I disagree theologically with at least 6 of these! –Jeffrey
For this morning’s worship, you will need two candles. In our tradition, we light two candles at the beginning of worship to represent the presence of Jesus. If you want to celebrate communion, have some food and drink to share. The type of food and drink does not matter for they are merely symbols which help us celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
The Worship of God
Light two candles in recognition of Christ’s presence. In our practice, one candle represents Jesus’ divinity and the other Jesus’ humanity.
Gathering for Worship
Passing the Peace Say to one another, “May the Peace of Christ be with you.”
Respond by saying, “And also with you.”
Call to Worship We gather here, listening for the voice of the giver and guardian of our lives. God comes to us as a good shepherd, calling us by name. We gather here, longing to follow in just paths of life. God comes to us as a good shepherd, leading us in right ways. We gather here to follow and praise God, whose good and steadfast love abounds all of our lives.
Opening Prayer.
God who calls and leads us
we long to know your voice through the thick and the thin
we long to rest in your care for all our needs
we hold out our hands as a sign of our desire to hear you and follow you
Amen
Songs and Psalms of Praise
Song of Praise
Praise Him! Praise Him!
–original words of Fanny Jane Crosby
Praise him! praise him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Sing, O earth his wonderful love proclaim!
Hail him! hail him! mightiest angels in glory,
Strength and honor give to his holy name!
Like a shepherd Jesus will feed his people–
In his arms he carries them all day long.
O ye saints that live in the light of his presence!
Praise him! Praise him! Ever in joyful song!
Praise him! praise him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
For our sins he suffered and bled and died;
He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,
Hail him! hail him! Jesus the Crucified.
Loving Savior, meekly enduring sorrow,
Crowned with thorns that cruelly pierced his brow.
Once for us rejected, despised, and forsaken,
Prince of glory, ever triumphant now.
Praise him! praise him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring!
Jesus, Savior, reigneth for ever and ever,
Crown him! crown him! Prophet and Priest and King!
Death is vanquished! Tell it with joy, ye faithful,
Where is now thy victory boasting grave?
Jesus lives! No longer thy portals are cheerless.
Jesus lives, the mighty and strong to save.
A Reading from the Psalms
Psalm 23 –from A New Zealand Prayer Book| He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa
The Lord is my shepherd: therefore can I lack nothing. You Lord make me lie down in green pastures: and lead me beside the waters of peace. You revive my spirit: and guide me in right pathways for your name’s sake. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me, your rod and your staff are my comfort. You spread a table for me in the sight of my enemies: you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is overflowing. Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Prayers for Others. (Lift up in prayer world leaders, scientists, medical professionals, essential workers, advocates and caregivers.)
Celebrating Communion
Communion. (Bread and wine were common foods during Jesus’ day. As we celebrate communion at home, use common food and drinks you have. The type of food and drink is not what matters, but it matters that you remember Christ as you share, eat, and drink.)
A Reading from the Gospels, Mark 14:22-24. While [the disciples and Jesus] were eating, [Jesus] took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.”
Share what you have to eat. Before everyone eats, have someone say,
“This food represents the body of Christ. As we eat, we remember Jesus.”
Share what you have to drink. Before everyone drinks, have someone say,
“This drink represents the covenant Christ made with us that our sins will be forgiven. As we drink, we remember Jesus.”
Prayer of Thanksgiving. Dear God, thank you for your abounding compassionate love. Thank you for guiding and leading us through these difficult times. Thank you for always being with us. Amen.
Song. End communion by singing a hymn. You may want to sing Amazing Grace.
Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I am found, was blind but now I see.
The Gospel Lesson for the 4th Sunday of Easter
Listen to the gospel lesson and/or read below.
A Reading from John 10:1-10. Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
Reflection “Jesus is the Gate” from Tonya
Listen to Tonya’s reflection and/or read below.
During the great quarantine of 2020, I’ve been hearing strange sentences in my house like “Tonight’s the last night until November that you can go tarantula hunting.” and “There’s a creeper about to blow up my house.” and “How many bells did you get for that fish?” None of these things make sense unless you know the girls are playing Animal Crossing or Minecraft.
It is the same with the gospel passage for this morning. It does not make sense, unless you know that Jesus is saying these things to interpret the healing that has just taken place. John 10:1-10 is just a small part of a larger story that begins in chapter 9.
The story goes like this. Jesus and his disciples are walking along and they see a man who has been blind since birth. The disciples want to know why this man is blind. Who in the family sinned for God to cause the blindness. Did the parents or the man, himself? Jesus clears up their misunderstanding, “No one sinned. This man was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him.” Then Jesus gives the man the ability to physically see. Yep, this is that healing where Jesus takes some dirt and mixes it with his spit to make some mud, then spreads it on the man’s eyes, and then tells him to go wash in the pool of Siloam. Of course, his eyes gain sight.
Do you recall how the people reacted? Everyone wants to know how it happened. They were astounded that this man who could see was the same man they had known all their life to be blind. How did this happen? The man told them. He said, “A man named Jesus made some mud, spread it on my eyes, and then he told me to go wash in the pool of Siloam. So I did. And now I can see.” People were in an uproar over the change. Some refused to believe it was the same man. Others were offended that a man named Jesus could do such a thing. Others were mad that such a work had been done on a day when religious people were supposed to rest. So they interrogated the man’s parents trying to get the story straight. Out of fear of exclusion, his parents deflect by saying, “Go ask him; he is a grown man and can speak for himself.” So they call the man back a second time. He tells them he has no idea how it happened, but it did and Jesus is the one who did it. They refuse to believe. You see, they think Jesus is a sinner. They see him breaking rules. They think he doesn’t do things the way that he should. This new ability to see, it surely could not have come from God. So they drove the blind man, well, the man who had once been blind, they drove him away, throwing him out of the house of worship.
Jesus heard that the man had been driven out, so he looked for him and found him. [Ooooo, one sheep cast out of the flock and the Good Shepherd goes out to find him.] Jesus talks with the man helping him understand that he, Jesus is the Son of Man, the very Son of God. Jesus helps us remove the obstacles that keep us from seeing God in the world. And for any who might fool themselves into thinking that there are no obstacles hindering their sight of God, God gives them sight to see how blind they really are. It is a blessing of judgment, helping us to judge our understanding of God, helping us to see more clearly so that God’s work might be revealed in us when God chooses.
With this story swirling in our minds, now we can better understand what Jesus is teaching us in chapter 10. The first five verses list a cast of characters: a thief, a bandit, a shepherd, the sheep, a gatekeeper, a gate, and a stranger. Jesus uses these characters to paint images: someone with ill intentions climbing over or under the fence to get into the pen of the sheep, the blessing of hearing the voice of someone you love, the affirmation of being called by your own name, the pleasure of following someone you completely trust, and the image of running away from the calling voice of strangers.
Need someone to follow, who will take care of you, never shun you, lovingly chase you down when you wander off or when others won’t let you in? That’s me, Jesus says. Need someone to find you when you get lost, who knows your name even though you are one of millions, billions. That’s me, says Jesus. But they didn’t get it. Maybe they were not used to herding sheep. Maybe they had grown up in the city and didn’t have a clue about livestock. I sure don’t. I have only raised puppies and kittens. They didn’t understand, so Jesus gives them another angle from which to look.
Twice Jesus says, “I am the gate.” Now Jesus has already said “I am the light of the world.” And Jesus will go on to say, “I am the Good Shepherd.” Light to brighten the darkness. A good shepherd to lead us in the right way. And here a gate to provide welcome, protection and provisions.
Think about it, one of the main purposes of a sheep gate is to keep the sheep together. During the night, the gate provides protection, keeping the bandits and thieves away, keeping the sheep in. During the day, the gate opens so the shepherd can come in and then lead the sheep out to pastures where they may graze. At night or in day, the gate works for the well-being of the sheep. Jesus is that gate.
The religious who drove away the man born blind were supposed to be shepherding the sheep. They were supposed to be taking care of God’s people. But they had become more like bandits and thieves. They were more interested in gaining and maintaining power and authority than taking care of the sheep. They desired to be a gate that kept sinners out and only a select few into the flock.
Jesus denounces their authority when he says, I am the gate for the sheep. Again Jesus says, I am the gate that provides salvation, safety, and pasture. I am the gate that provides life abundant.
Here’s one of those images of Jesus that many have used to build a religion of exclusion. They make Jesus out to be a gate that keeps sinners out and lets only a select few in. And that is exactly what Jesus is preaching against when he says, “I am the gate.” Jesus is not exclusive. Jesus is welcoming. Jesus is inviting. Jesus genuinely cares for each and everyone of us. John put the good news down in words to read and hear so that we might know that God loves the world, not a tiny part of it, not a select few, but God loves the entire world. Jesus is the gate, letting the world in during the dark of night, and leading the world out to pasture during the light of day. Jesus is the gate, our gate, that brings abundant life.
Questions for Reflection:
Do you have a gate at or near your home? If so, for what is it used?
What about the two gates at the church, where are they located and what is their purpose?
How is Jesus like a gate?
Prayer of Thanksgiving. (Offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God.)
Affirmation and Blessing
Song of Faith We Shall Walk
We shall walk through the valley and the shadow of death
We shall walk through the valley in peace.
And if Jesus himself shall be our leader,
We shall walk through the valley in peace.
We shall meet our brother in the valley of peace
We shall meet our sister in peace.
And if Jesus himself shall be our leader,
We shall walk through the valley in peace.
There will be no sorrowing there.
There will be no sorrowing there.
And if Jesus himself shall be our leader,
We shall walk through the valley in peace.
Sending Out
When the community is a shepherd,
then no one will want.
Imagine everyone having
a safe place to lie down,
water to drink,
education to restore the soul,
and a meaningful path
of work or retirement –
for God’s sake, God’s sacred.
There are many dark valleys
of illness, loss, depression,
addiction or fear,
but when there are companions –
with a walking stick of guidance
and a staff of assistance –
then there is comfort.
Imagine the community’s table set
with the kind of generosity
that changes enemy into friend,
the greatest honor anointing a stranger
and every empty cup
of the most vulnerable overflowing.
Surely, then our breaking bread
and all our prayers
will mean something,
and our neighbors’ goodwill follow.
No one will worry as much about
personal God’s-house-dwelling,
as the community’s hospitality to others –
Day by day by day by day
and all our lives long.
Closing Song. In our tradition, we close worship by singing the first verse of Blest Be the Tie. Mindy starts us each week, and so she does today as well.
Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Amen.
Cullowhee Baptist Church 