THE EPISTLE LESSON Ephesians 4:25-5:2
THE GOSPEL LESSON John 6:35, 41-51
SERMON "The Bread of Eternal Life"
Worship Notes
We continue our exploration of the meaning of bread as a metaphor for Jesus presence in our midst. The central text driving our worship this morning is an interaction between Jesus and critics where he again lifts up images of bread and life. Much of the liturgy includes images of bread but also descriptions of the nature of life in Jesus. The Call to Worship and Prayer of Confession are adaptations of the Ephesians reading this morning in which Paul charges the church to exhibit the new life found in Christ. We also continue to have bread available for any one new to our worship signifying welcome and sustenance.
The hymn selections this morning purposely highlight the nature of the eternal life we find in the bread come down from heaven." For the Beauty of the Earth expresses our praise for God but also the importance of material reality in our experience of the grace of God. Just as I Am, Without One Plea expresses the nature of grace and our response to this gift of new life. The final hymn Lord, Make Us Servants of Your Peace is taken from the famous prayer of Francis of Assisi. These words are a beautiful summation of the Christian life experienced in Jesus Christ: "Where there is hate, may we sow love; Where there is hurt may we forgive; Where there is strife, may we make one."
