This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, May 24th, 2009,
John 17:6-19
May 2009 Archives
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLE Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
THE GOSPEL LESSON John 17:6-19
SERMON "The Church in the World but not of the World "
Worship Notes
Today is the seventh and final Sunday in Eastertide. In worship today, we conclude our series of reflections on the body of Christ formed as Westminster Presbyterian Church by focusing on God's love and protection, which inspire and enable our discipleship and unite us together as a community.
Our worship begins with a celebratory musical reflection in the prelude, which is set to the hymn tune "Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above." The opening hymn "God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand" speaks of the constant presence of God in our lives as our protector and sustainer. This hymn is also our called the "National Hymn." The solo is based on the gospel hymn, "Christians We Have Met to Worship," the text of which comments on the communal nature of the act of worship. In response to the Word proclaimed, we sing "Called As Partners in Christ's Service," which well illustrates the commitment we have to work in community with each other to serve Christ. The sending hymn, "Eternal Father, Strong to Save" also speaks of the protection found in God as described in today's gospel lesson. This hymn is also known as the "Navy Hymn," and it is often sung in a respectful and deliberate manner at memorial services for deceased service men and women.
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLE Acts 10:44-48
THE GOSPEL LESSON John 15:9-17
SERMON "The Resurrected Body of Christ Welcoming and Diverse"
Worship Notes
Today is the Sixth Sunday of the seven Sundays of the Easter Season which ends on Pentecost. Our theme for this season is an exploration of the church as a living embodiment of Christ in the world. The central image for worship this morning is that of the friendship extended by Christ to all who walk his Way. Our Call to Worship reminds us that love is the basis for our friendship with God and with each other. The Call to Confession addresses how we fall short in our relationship with others. The hymn following the sermon contains the words "Who is my mother, who is my brother? All those who gather round Jesus Christ: Spirit -blown people, born from the Gospel sit at the table, round Jesus Christ."
A special kind of friend we recognize this morning are our teachers in Sunday School and the various helpers who support our youth and children's ministry throughout the year. In prayer and in thanksgiving we honor these important people who walk with us in our journey of discipleship.
This is the lesson and sermon from Sunday, May 10th, 2009,
John 15:1-8
THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLE Acts 8:26-40
THE GOSPEL LESSON John 15:1-8
SERMON "Church: The Resurrected Body of Christ Loving and Inclusive"
Worship Notes
Today is the Fifth Sunday of the seven Sundays of the Easter Season which ends on Pentecost. Our theme for this season is an exploration of the church as a living embodiment of Christ in the world. The central text for our worship is the image of Jesus as the vine and the disciples as the branches. This metaphor serves to remind us of our connection to the source of life in God and how we become extensions of this grace into the world. The other text in our worship is taken from Acts and describes how the early church discovered the nature of God's inclusive love as it is extended beyond their imagination.
The Call To Worship plays off of the words of the fourth chapter of 1 John in which we are reminded that at the heart of our connection to God is love. The Prayer of Confession lifts up again the image of the vine and branches expressing our attempts to separate ourselves from the source of love. The final hymn connects our worship to the ways we are sent forth by God's blessing to be a blessing in the world. "The service is ended, O now be extended the fruits of our worship in all who believe. The seed of the teaching, receptive souls reaching, shall blossom in action for God and for all."
