Laura de Jong

This is part of the worship series, "Grounded and Growing—Bearing Fruit”Series Introduction | Ascension Sunday | PentecostLove | Joy | Peace | Patience | Generosity & Kindness | Faithfulness | Gentleness | Self-Control | Communion LiturgyAlso in this year-long Grounded and Growing series: Advent and Christmas | Epiphany | Lent and EasterKey Theme: Peace is the full flourishing God intended in the beginning, in which everyone’s goal is helping everyone else to lead a life of abundance and joy.Throughout scripture, the word we often translate as “peace” is the Hebrew word shalom. Shalom refers not only to the absence of hostility, but also to the flourishing of all creation. Shalom was God’s intent for the world in the very beginning and is what we long for in the new creation. It’s the image depicted by Isaiah as he writes of the one who will rule the world with righteousness and justice, free from greed and corruption. Isaiah’s hymn about the wolf lying down with the lamb and the cow feeding with the bear invites us to imagine a world free of oppression and fear and a creation living in harmony. In such a world, all people desire is to live in right relationship with God, with each other, and with creation, seeking abundance and joy for all.This peace is not just something we wait for, but a reality we can work to inhabit now, as we live in unity with Christ, the good King, through the power of the Spirit. James urges the church to turn away from behaviour motivated by selfishness and ambition and to sow in peace—to act towards each person we encounter from a rootedness in the vision of God’s peaceable kingdom. When we live such lives, the harvest of such sowing, says the psalmist, will be rich indeed—a harvest of faithfulness, love, righteousness, and everlasting peace. Service OutlineCall to WorshipLeader:Praise the Lord!Praise God in his sanctuary, in the heavens high above the earth.  All:Praise God for his mighty deeds, according to his surpassing greatness.  Leader:With all instruments and soundmakers, all voices and clapping, All:Praise the Lord! Leader:Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. All:Praise the Lord!—Psalm 150, selectionsOpening Song“All Creatures of Our God and King” (st. 1–2, 5) Draper, St. Francis of AssisiGreetingSong of Praise“Rejoice in All Your Works” KimbroughCall to ConfessionIn Psalm 85, the psalmist declares:You, Lord, showed favor to your land;you restored the fortunes of Jacob.You forgave the iniquity of your peopleand covered all their sins.You set aside all your wrathand turned from your fierce anger.—Psalm 85:1–3 NIVIt sounds almost like a reminder, as if the psalmist is saying, “Hey God, remember who you are! Remember that you are the God who forgives.” Remember this…because we need your forgiveness once more. So too do we need God’s forgiveness again and again. This morning, as we think about what it means to seek God’s shalom, we are particularly mindful of the ways our actions have harmed God’s creation. Let us go to our God in confession, using the next three verses of Psalm 85 to ground our prayers.Prayer of ConfessionRestore us again, God our Savior,and put away your displeasure toward us.—Psalm 85:4 NIVWe know that we have sinned against you and our neighbor.We have lived for ourselves, seeking our own profit and security. We fight for resources, willing to mistreat people made in your image to get what we want. We have misused the earth, treating creation like a product to be consumed,instead of a gift you have called us to treasure and steward. Forgive us for our actionsdriven by greed. Will you be angry with us forever?Will you prolong your anger through all generations?—Psalm 85:5 NIVThe earth bears the marks of our callousness. We fear the lasting damage we have done, even as we carry on in our thoughtless consumption.The effects of our greed are like waves, rippling out, growing ever larger until they wash over those who are alreadystruggling just to get by.Forgive us for our actions with unintended consequences. Will you not revive us again,that your people may rejoice in you?Show us your unfailing love, Lord,and grant us your salvation.—Psalm 85:6–7 NIVForgive us, God, for the harm we have done to one another and to the earth.Plant within us the desire to seek shalom,to work for the flourishing of othersin everything we do. Amen.Song of Confession“Lord Have Mercy” Zach et al.Assurance of Pardon & Response of DedicationThe psalmist continues:I will listen to what God the Lord says;    he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—    but let them not turn to folly.Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,    that his glory may dwell in our land.Love and faithfulness meet together;    righteousness and peace kiss each other.Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,    and righteousness looks down from heaven.The Lord will indeed give what is good,    and our land will yield its harvest.Righteousness goes before him    and prepares the way for his steps.—Psalm 85:8–13 NIVPeople of God, receive God’s forgiveness and his peace,and turn towards him,that our lives might bear the fruit of God’s shalom.In gratitude for the grace that gives peace to our hearts,we will seek to be people of shalom,living with each other and the creationin the harmony of God’s kingdom.Passing of the PeaceHaving received peace from God, let us turn to one another and pass the peace of Christ to each other.Prayer for IlluminationScripture ReadingFirst Reading: Isaiah 11:1–9Second Reading: James 3:13–18Sermon“Those Who Sow in Peace”Song of Response“Instruments of You Peace” MoenBreath Prayer[The leader invites the Spirit's presence to fill our lives (as we breathe in) so that our lives might bear good fruit (as we breathe out). This prayer can be repeated a few times.] Breathe In: “Holy Spirit, fill us with your presence”Breathe Out: “that we might seek your shalom.”Prayers of the PeopleOffering, Offertory PrayerSong of Dedication“Hear the Call of the Kingdom” Getty and TownendBenedictionThe God of peace,who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus,the great shepherd of the sheep,by the blood of the eternal covenant,make you complete in everything goodso that you may do God’s will,working among us that which is pleasing in God’s sight,through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever!—Hebrews 13:20–21 NRSVUEDoxology“All Creatures of Our God and King” (st. 6) Draper, St. Francis of AssisiRevised Common LectionaryEpistle Year B: Season after Pentecost—Proper 20 (25)

This is part of the worship series, "Grounded and Growing—Bearing Fruit”Series Introduction | Ascension Sunday | PentecostLove | Joy | Peace | Patience | Generosity & Kindness | Faithfulness | Gentleness | Self-Control | Communion LiturgyAlso in this year-long Grounded and Growing series: Advent and Christmas | Epiphany | Lent and EasterKey Theme: Joy is a deep, enduring sense of gladness and contentment that comes from trusting God. Sometimes we think of joy as happiness, an exuberance or outward manifestation of excitement, when everything in life is sunshine and roses. But such a joy would be fleeting, dependent on outward circumstances being just right. The joy promised by God as a fruit of the spirit is steady and enduring. So what is this joy?This fruit is the deep, enduring sense of gladness that comes from the assurance of God’s presence in our lives and the grace we have received through Christ. Throughout scripture, joy and hope are linked together. The psalmist refers to the joy we find in God’s faithfulness as the root of hope that God will be faithful again. In John 16, Jesus foretells his death and resurrection, telling the disciples that though they will grieve a little while, Jesus will return to them and no one will be able to take away their joy. Even after Jesus ascends and is no longer physically present to them, they will yet know his presence through the Spirit and so will have joy. So the apostle Paul can write to the Thessalonians of his gladness that though the church was experiencing suffering and persecution, they yet received the gospel with joy. The people knew that their suffering did not have the final word; they knew that God was present to them in the midst of it, and a day was coming when all suffering would end. Thus, biblical joy can endure in the midst of sorrows and heartbreak, perhaps not always in an exuberant declaration of giddiness, but certainly through the quiet and persistent confession of faith that says, “This is not the end.” Service OutlineCall to WorshipLeader:Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;sing the glory of his name;give to him glorious praise.Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! All:O God, all the earth worships you;they sing praises to you,sing praises to your name.—Psalm 66:1–3a, 4 NRSVUEOpening Song“How Great (Psalm 145)” Kauflin et al.GreetingSongs of Praise“Blessed Be Your Name” Redman & RedmanInvitation to LamentWe have gathered here as a diverse community. Some of us feel the warmth of the sun on our faces. Others are trudging through a barren wilderness. One of the deep joys of being community together is that we are able to take on the burdens of others in our prayers, whether that person sits next to us in the pew, or is a friend who lives across the country, or is a stranger we read about in the news. So today, as we hear about the abiding joy of God’s presence, we do so acknowledging that we need this joy to sustain us in a world where there is so much cause for despair. Together we bring our lament before God, trusting that the incarnate one is with us in the valley. Let us pray.Prayer of LamentToday, O God, some of us dwell in deep darkness.Our hearts are heavy, gripped by grief,by fear, by anxiety.For those who know what it is to weep, we pray:Be near to us, O God, and hear our cries.Hear our cries for those who weep for a loved one gone too soon,for a body frustrated by disease,for a future snatched away by the ringing of the telephone.For those who know what loss feels like, we pray:Be near to us, O God, and hear our cries.Hear our cries for those who live in fear,for those who are persecuted for their faith,those whose neighborhoods are destroyed by bombs,those who are kidnapped off the streets because of their skin color.For those who know what hiding feels like, we pray:Be near to us, O God, and hear our cries. Hear our cries for those who live in anxiety,worried about putting food on the table, longing for word from a loved one gripped by addiction,unsure if a child is safe at school.For those who know the length of sleepless nights, we pray:Be near to us, O God, and hear our cries. We long for the day when there is no more heartache or fear or death, O God.We trust that that day is coming,when you will turn our weeping to songs of joy.May the hope of that day, and the promise that you are with us in the waiting,be our joy even now.Amen.Assurance of God’s FaithfulnessOur faithful God has heard our lament. Listen to these promises from Psalm 126 and be comforted. When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,    we were like those who dreamed.Our mouths were filled with laughter,    our tongues with songs of joy.Then it was said among the nations,    “The Lord has done great things for them.”The Lord has done great things for us,    and we are filled with joy.Restore our fortunes, Lord,    like streams in the Negev.Those who sow with tears    will reap with songs of joy.Those who go out weeping,    carrying seed to sow,will return with songs of joy,    carrying sheaves with them.—Psalm 126 NIVSong of Thanksgiving“The Day of the Lord (Psalm 37)” KimbroughPassing of the PeaceIn Psalm 145, which we sang earlier in the service, the psalmist writes: “The Lord is faithful in all his words, and gracious in all his deeds.The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.”—Psalm 145:13–14 NRSVUELet us turn to our neighbor and extend this peace to one another, assured that God holds each one of us in the palm of his hand.Prayer for IlluminationLord God,as we turn to the reading of your word,may your gospel come to us, not just with words,but with power,assuring us of your presence and faithfulness,that we might receive your Word with joy.Through Christ, the embodied Word, we pray,amen.Scripture ReadingFirst Reading: John 16:16–24Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10Sermon“The Joy that Abides”Song of Response“My Life Flows On in Endless Song” Anon.Breath Prayer[The leader invites the Spirit's presence to fill our lives (as we breathe in) so that our lives might bear good fruit (as we breathe out). This prayer can be repeated a few times.] Breathe In: “Holy Spirit, fill us with your presence”Breathe Out: “that we might go forth in joy.”Prayers of the PeopleOffering, Offertory PrayerSong of Dedication“Christ our Hope in Life and Death” Kauflin et al.BenedictionMay the God of hopeFill you with all joy and peace in believing,So that you may abound in hopeBy the power of the Holy Spirit.—Romans 15:13 NRSVUEDoxologyRevised Common LectionaryYear A: Season after Pentecost—Proper 24 (29)

This is part of the worship series, "Grounded and Growing—Bearing Fruit”Series Introduction | Ascension Sunday | PentecostLove | Joy | Peace | Patience | Generosity & Kindness | Faithfulness | Gentleness | Self-Control | Communion LiturgyAlso in this year-long Grounded and Growing series: Advent and Christmas | Epiphany | Lent and EasterKey Theme: Love is a selfless, unconditional commitment to care deeply for others, reflecting God’s perfect love. Love is the first fruit of the Spirit Paul lists in the Galatians passage. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul says that of faith, hope, and love, the greatest of these is love. In Colossians 3, Paul lays out a wardrobe of godly virtues—compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience—and then says, “and over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3: 14, NIV).Love is the primary characteristic, the core virtue of those who follow Jesus. It’s the thing that makes everything else we do mean something. You can prophesy, and have faith, and give everything you have to the poor, says Paul, but if you don’t have love, those actions are empty and meaningless. Love is the substance and motivation of everything we do as children of God.Whenever I baptize someone, usually an infant, I look them square in the eyes and tell them that we love because God first loved us. Before we’ve even taken a breath, God loves us with an unconditional, self-giving, unfathomably great love. It’s the kind of love that beholds something broken and sees only beauty. We cannot come close to loving one another as perfectly as God loves us, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ calls us to do exactly that. We are called to love one another as Jesus loves us—to care for one another unconditionally, without pride or selfishness, but with the humility of the King who washed the feet of his friends.  Service OutlineCall to WorshipLeader:Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. All:Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Leader:Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us and we are his; All:we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Leader:Enter his gates with thanksgivingand his courts with praise;give thanks to him and praise his name. All:For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;God’s faithfulness continues through all generations.—Psalm 100 NIV Opening Song“Because of Your Love” BalocheGreetingTo those who are called,who are beloved in God the Fatherand kept safe for Jesus Christ:may mercy, peace, and love be yoursin abundance.—Jude 1–2 NRSVUESong of Praise“Forever” TomlinCall to ConfessionGod’s love endures forever;our own love is frail and fleeting.But out of God’s unending love,we are offered grace and forgiveness.Let us confess our lack of love,bold in the certainty that God’s love is bigger than our sins.Prayer of ConfessionLoving God,you have commanded us to love one another.Through your Son, you have shown what this love looks like, as he knelt to wash the feet of his disciples,as he laid down his own life out of love.We confess that we have not loved our neighbor as ourselves.We do not lay down our pride in service of the other;but instead we treat people as objects who might be of service to us.Yet, we expect unconditional love from our friends and family and partners.When their love is imperfect, even as our love is imperfect,we grow angry and bitter. Help us to forgive one another for our imperfect love,even as you forgive us. Help us to love, and to love well,for in loving this world you have created,we live in love for you.Amen. Assurance of Pardon & Response of PraiseGod so loved the world that he gave his only Son,so that everyone who believes in himmay not perish but may have eternal life.Indeed, God did not send the Son into the worldto condemn the world,but in order that the world might be saved through him.—John 3:16-17 NRSVUEThanks be to God,whose perfect love saved the worldand freed us from our sins!Song of Thanksgiving“Not What My Hands Have Done” BonarPassing of the PeacePrayer for IlluminationScripture ReadingFirst Reading: Matthew 22:34–40Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 13Sermon“The Greatest of These”Song of Response“The Greatest Commandment” Zach[This song consists of a chorus and verse that can be sung on top of each other - consider teaching both and then dividing the congregation in two so each part can be sung together, as prayer and commandment are woven together.]Breath Prayer[The leader invites the Spirit's presence to fill our lives (as we breathe in) so that our lives might bear good fruit (as we breathe out). This prayer can be repeated a few times.] Breathe In: “Holy Spirit, fill us with your presence”Breathe Out: “that we might live in love.”Prayers of the PeopleOffering, Offertory PrayerSong of Dedication“They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love” ScholtesBenedictionMay the love of God surround you,the grace of Christ sustain you, and the power of the Holy Spirit embolden you.Go forth to live in peace,loving God, and loving your neighbor as yourself.Amen. Doxology“Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” WesleyRevised Common LectionaryGospelYear A: Season after Pentecost—Proper 25 (30)EpistleYear C: Epiphany—Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

This is part of the worship series, "Grounded and Growing—Bearing Fruit”Series Introduction | Ascension Sunday | PentecostLove | Joy | Peace | Patience | Generosity & Kindness | Faithfulness | Gentleness | Self-Control | Communion LiturgyAlso in this year-long Grounded and Growing series: Advent and Christmas | Epiphany | Lent and EasterKey Theme: God gives the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of the fullness of life to come, even as the Spirit causes us to bear the fruit of life and peace in ever increasing abundance.Pentecost is the Christian name for the Old Testament Jewish festival of Shavuot, or Feast of Weeks. This festival, celebrated fifty days after Passover, marked the beginning of the wheat harvest and was also a day set aside to remember the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. During the feast, all able-bodied men were required to travel to Jerusalem to give a firstfruits offering at the temple—an act of grateful recognition that the harvest to come was a gift from God.When Christ ascended into heaven, he promised that the Holy Spirit would come upon his followers. His words were fulfilled on Pentecost, when thousands were gathered in Jerusalem for this harvest festival. So Paul, reflecting on this gift of the Spirit in Romans 8, refers to the Spirit as “first fruits.” As creation groans with longing to be restored, the Spirit is the guarantee of the harvest to come, when the master farmer redeems all things to himself. This promise is an active one. Even as we wait for this final redemption, the Spirit brings new life to those who, as branches to a vine, are in Christ Jesus. No longer do God’s people stand condemned under the law given at Sinai. We need not strive in fear to uphold the law lest we be excluded from the harvest. Instead, we are invited to receive the Holy Spirit, who unites us with Christ, our Savior—the first fruit of those who have died. In this unity there is life and peace, as the Spirit moves within us, giving us the power to do what the law could not do and we could not do on our own—bear the good fruit of a grateful life. Service OutlineCall to Worship Leader:On the day of Pentecost, the people gathered in Jerusalem to bring an offering of thanksgiving to the Lord.  All:Give thanks to God, for all his gifts!  Leader:The Spirit descended upon Jesus’ followers,and they began to speak in tongues.  All:We will lift up our voices and praise God’s name!  Leader:The Spirit, source of the first fruits, gives life and is the promise of the life to come.  All:Give thanks to the triune God,  for the promise of new life! Opening Song“Cantai ao Senhor/O Sing to the Lord” Brazil traditional, trans. CartfordGreetingMay the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,and the love of God,and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. —2 Corinthians 13:14 NRSVUESongs of Praise“King of Kings” Ligertwood et al.“Fear Not, Rejoice and Be Glad” WrightCall to ConfessionOn the day of Pentecost, Peter preached to the gathered crowds, proclaiming that Jesus, who they had killed, was the Messiah. Grieved by their sin, the people asked Peter, “What shall we do?”Peter answered them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”—Acts 2:37–39, adapt. NIVLet us repent of our own sins, our own refusal to acknowledge Christ as Lord and Savior, and ask for God’s forgiveness. Prayer of ConfessionAlmighty God,who sent the promised Holy Spirit to bring life and hope,we confess that we do not always trust this promise.Rather than rest in the assurance of our salvation,we live in fear, striving to uphold a law that is powerless to save.Our striving causes us to boast in our own power and righteousness,and to live in vain comparison with others.We forget that our salvation and our sanctificationare gifts from you.Forgive us for our pride and lack of trust. Help us live in gratitude and peace.We pray this through Christ our Lord,in the power of the Holy Spirit.Amen. Assurance of Pardon There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you. —Romans 8:1–2, 11 NRSVUESong of Thanksgiving“Great Are You Lord” Leonard et al.Passing of the PeaceMay the God of hope fill youwith all joy and peace in believing,so that you may abound in hopeby the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.—Romans 15:13 NRSVUEPrayer for IlluminationScripture ReadingFirst Reading: Acts 2:1–4, 14a, 22–24, 32–39Psalm: Psalm 104:24–35Second Reading: Romans 8:1–25Sermon“The First Fruits of the Spirit”Song of Response“Holy Spirit, Living Breath of God” Getty and TownendBreath PrayerEarlier in the service we sang, “It’s your breath, in our lungs, so we pour out our praise, we pour out our praise.” On Pentecost we proclaim that our life is a gift, and everything we do that is good and just and beautiful and true, we do because of our union with Christ, through the power of the Spirit of God moving within us. One of the ways we experience this union with Christ is through prayer. [Before leading the congregation in the prayers of the people, consider leading them through a simple breath prayer as a way of underscoring the movement of the Spirit as the very breath in our lungs. As people breathe in slowly, you might say, “Holy Spirit, fill us with your presence.” As people breathe out, you might say, “that we might bear good fruit.” Do this a few times as a group, breathing slowly, before moving into the prayers of the people.]Prayers of the PeopleOffering, Offertory PrayerSong of Dedication & Doxology:“Come, Holy Ghost” Maurus, Benedict & MillsBenedictionMay the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,the love of God,and the communion of the Holy Spiritbe with you all.Amen. —2 Corinthians 13:14 NIVRevised Common LectionaryYear A: Easter—Day of PentecostYear B: Easter—Day of PentecostYear C: Easter—Day of Pentecost

This is part of the worship series, "Grounded and Growing—Bearing Fruit”Series Introduction | Ascension Sunday | PentecostLove | Joy | Peace | Patience | Generosity & Kindness | Faithfulness | Gentleness | Self-Control | Communion LiturgyAlso in this year-long Grounded and Growing series: Advent and Christmas | Epiphany | Lent and EasterKey Theme: Jesus is “the first fruits of those who have died” (1 Corinthians 15:20) and has ascended into heaven as fully God and fully man. That knowledge should give us hope, for we are united with Christ in his death, resurrection, and ascension.  The Ascension is a part of the story of Jesus that doesn’t usually get as much attention as his birth or resurrection. But the ascension of Jesus into heaven offers us incredible hope, carrying us further up and further into the story of the redemption of all things.1 Corinthians 15:20 tells us that Christ was raised from the dead, “the first fruits of those who have died.” In the Old Testament, God commanded his people to offer the first and best portions of their harvest as an offering of thanksgiving and trust. This first and best offering symbolized and consecrated the entire harvest to come.When Paul writes that Christ is the first fruits of those who have died, he’s saying that Christ’s resurrection was a foretaste of the new life yet to come. For those who are in Christ, his resurrection is a pledge, a promise, of our own resurrection from the dead, of the life we have in Christ. We are the branches, abiding in the vine—the life that courses through the vine belongs to the branches, as well.And this resurrection isn’t just spiritual. God is not merely interested in our souls, but our bodies. Christ came into the world as fully God and fully man; Christ was raised from the dead as both a divine being who could walk through walls and a man with physical wounds; that same Christ ascended into heaven in his body. Jesus, fully man and fully God, stands at the right hand of the Father. So Jesus brings the stuff of earth into the glories of heaven. He intercedes on our behalf, he who knows the hairs on our heads and who hears the call of the whale from the depths. And Jesus brings the stuff of heaven to earth. He who reigns over all creation calls us to seek his kingdom in each corner we inhabit. How do we do this? By following his command to his followers before his ascension to go and proclaim the good news of God through all the earth—to bear good fruit.  Service OutlineCall to Worship Leader:Let us give praise to the Lord our God,Who alone does wondrous things.  All:Praise be to his glorious name forever!  Leader:Christ, who was raised from the dead,has ascended into heaven, “the first fruits of those who have died.”—1 Corinthians 15:20  All:May the whole earth be filled with his glory!—Psalm 72:18–19, adapt. Opening Song“Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise” Wesley[Many churches have a children’s processional with palm branches on Palm Sunday, celebrating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Consider extending that celebration into Ascension, inviting the children to process through the sanctuary during this opening song, waving banners and ribbons, as we declare Christ to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.]GreetingGrace to you and peace from him who isand who was and who is to comeand from the seven spirits who are before his throne,and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness,the firstborn of the dead,and the ruler of the kings of the earth.—Revelation 1:4–5 NRSVUESongs of Praise“Crown Him with Many Crowns” Bridges, Thring“King of Heaven” BalocheCall to ConfessionOn this day of celebration,when we proclaim the Lordship of Christ,we are confronted by the truth that our faith is often feeble,and our voices often frail. Our celebration does not carry into the rest of our lives.Let us confess our frailty before God,asking for God’s mercy and God’s help.Prayer of ConfessionKing of Kings,today we proclaim your reign over all creation,but tomorrow we will forget, and bow down to other powers and princes. Tempted by the promise of riches, prestige, and comfort, we close our eyes to inconvenient injustices, and keep quiet when we should be calling for those with power to seek shalom.Forgive our greed, and move our hands to work for your kingdom.SilenceLord of life,today we sing songs of your victory;tomorrow we will quiet our voices, lest we appear foolish and naive. You told us to go and make disciples of all nations, but we speak of our faith almost apologetically. Our fear of appearing judgmental and triumphalistic causes us to hold back when we could share the good news of your kingdom.Forgive our fear, and move our mouths to sing your praise.SilenceLord, of Love, today we cry out to you to intercede on our behalf, glad for our union with you;tomorrow we will grumble about the burden of caring for our neighbour, annoyed by our union with one another.  We want to be autonomous and untethered, but you call us to love one another as you love us. Forgive our selfishness, and move our hearts to serve. SilenceLamb upon the throne,forgive us, and help us.May we seek first your kingdom.Amen. Assurance of Pardon & Response of PraiseThis saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance:Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.He who is the fullness of God, of life, of truth, of goodness,redeems us and sanctifies us, even when our sin feels too great.God alone has saved us; to him be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.—1 Timothy 1:15–17, adapt.Song of Thanksgiving“Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me” Robinson et al.Passing of the PeaceJesus said to his disciples, “Love each other as I have loved you.”Having been reconciled with God, let us reconcile with one another, passing the peace of Christ.Prayer for IlluminationScripture ReadingFirst Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20–26Psalm: Psalm 96Second Reading: John 15:1–8Sermon“The Vine and the Branches”Song of Response“Be Thou My Vision” Hull, ByrneCreed[The Ascension affirms that all people and all bodies, who are in Christ Jesus are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. Consider showing this video from Faith Church in Indiana in which people of different abilities recite the Apostle’s Creed, before standing as a congregation to recite the creed together.]Prayers of the PeopleOffering, Offertory PrayerSong of Dedication“Hear the Call of the Kingdom” Townend and GettyBenedictionDoxologyTo [Jesus Christ], who loves usand freed us from our sins by his bloodand made us a kingdom,priests serving his God and Father,to him be glory and dominion forever and ever.Amen. —Revelation 1:5–6 NRSVUERevised Common LectionaryGospelYear B: Easter—Fifth Sunday of Easter

This is part of the worship series, "Grounded and Growing—Bearing Fruit”Series Introduction | Ascension Sunday | PentecostLove | Joy | Peace | Patience | Generosity & Kindness | Faithfulness | Gentleness | Self-Control | Communion LiturgyAlso in this year-long Grounded and Growing series: Advent and Christmas | Epiphany | Lent and Easter    Ascension ImageComing SoonPentecost ImageComing SoonIf you followed this entire series you know that we began in Advent with a stump out of which a branch grew. This biblical symbol of hope reminded us that life is still possible, even when all seems hopeless. The source of that hope is Christ who is the new life, the one branch from which others grew. As we progressed to Epiphany, we saw that people from all over the world are grafted into Christ, united with him. Yet, not all is right with the world. On Ash Wednesday we were confronted once again with death, with the stump reduced to ash. But the fire that burns is a refining fire, a death from which life rises. Indeed, as we journeyed throughout Lent, we did so with hope, a hope rewarded on Easter when the branch flowers. Christ has arisen, new life bursts forth from the grave. From the flower comes fruit which provides nourishment and sustenance. Whether or not you have been using this series since Advent, you can join in now as we celebrate the fruitful branches. Ascension Day or the following Sunday, we celebrate the reality that Christ has ascended into heaven, the first fruit. On Pentecost, those who are joined with Christ are given the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of the fullness of life to come, even as the Spirit causes us to bear the fruit of life and peace in ever increasing abundance.In some Christian traditions the nine days between Ascension Day and Pentecost are spent focusing on the Fruit of the Spirit (see: The Fruit of the Spirit—Connecting Ascension and Pentecost). In this series, we have chosen to focus on the Fruit of the Spirit over an eight-week period. When we think of lists, we often think of a list of things we have to remember or do. Grocery lists, chore lists, lists of names or dates to memorize for a test. So when we come to the Fruit of the Spirit, it’s easy to think of this list of characteristics as another “to-do” list. As if Paul is saying to us each morning “Don’t forget to practice all these things today—be peaceful at 9am, joyful at 11, and be sure to work gentleness in there before dinner.”While the Fruit of the Spirit are characteristics we’re called to embody, Paul makes it clear in Galatians 5 that this list isn’t a to-do list, but a promise. Those who live by the Spirit will bear good fruit. This fruitfulness isn’t the result of self-effort and personal striving, but comes by abiding in Christ, as a branch to a vine, that we might experience the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit. How do we abide in Christ? One of the key ways we seek to dwell in Christ is through prayer. In each of these services is the invitation to do a breath prayer with your congregation. You can do this wherever it makes sense for your community—I’ve placed it before the Prayers of the People. These are simple prayers where the congregation breathes slowly, as the leader invites the Spirit's presence to fill our lives (as we breathe in) so that our lives might bear good fruit (as we breathe out). Each prayer can be repeated a few times. Also included with this series is a communion service and a downloadable image (coming soon). SERVICESCRIPTURETHEMEAscension Sunday1 Corinthians 15:20–26Psalm 96John 15:1–8 “The Vine and the Branches”PentecostActs 2:1–4, 14a, 22–24, 32–39Psalm 104:24–35Romans 8:1–25 “The First Fruits of the Spirit”LoveMatthew 22:34–401 Corinthians 13 “The Greatest of These”JoyJohn 16:16–241 Thessalonians 1:1–10 “The Joy that Abides”PeaceIsaiah 11:1–9James 3:13–18 “Those Who Sow in Peace”PatienceLamentations 3:22–33Ephesians 4:1–6 “Bearing With One Another in Love”Generosity and KindnessLuke 10:25–371 Timothy 6:17–19 “The Life that is Truly Life”FaithfulnessMatthew 4:1–11Hebrews 11:17–29 “By Faith”GentlenessPsalm 23Philippians 4:4–9 “Don’t Worry; Be Gentle”Self-ControlMark 9:42–50Titus 2 “The Trellis of Self-Control”Communion Liturgy  About the Image (Coming Soon) 

Updated September, 2024One summer our church did a worship series titled The Art of Neighboring, based on the book of the same title by Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon. Some small groups had studied the book in the spring, and as we moved into summer after a long winter of lockdowns, this felt like a great time to encourage the whole congregation to reach out to their communities and to study together how God calls us to be good neighbors to one another.  Children’s ArtworkBecause the series was titled The Art of Neighboring, we thought we would play up the “art” theme and develop a large art piece with the help of our Sunday school kids. Our summer intern, Emma Grootenboer, and I used a projector to trace a huge map of our region (Kitchener−Waterloo, Ontario) on four large sheets of butcher paper and then covered the streets with painter’s tape. On a Sunday morning I showed the kids different maps and asked them about where they live. We discussed what it means to be a good neighbor, then invited the kids to paint different blocks or sections of the map with bright colors. A few days later Emma and I removed the painter’s tape and painted the streets black, resulting in a map that looked like a stained-glass window. We hung the map on a sanctuary wall for the duration of the worship series and used it as our series image for the bulletin and for our worship slides.  Theme SongDuring the series we used “The Greatest Commandment” as our theme song, singing it every week but one. Written by Paul Zach, a gifted writer of congregational song, it is a wonderful way to keep the words of the greatest commandments—“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind [and] love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–39)—front and center in congregants’ minds all week. The tune itself is simple enough for congregations to quickly join in. With the addition of an easy-to-sing refrain that layers onto the main text, this song is kept from seeming too trite and simplistic and explodes with possibilities. It is included on The Porter’s Gate album Neighbor Songs, which you might want to check out for other songs to fit this series. The album is found on the main streaming platforms, and lead sheets and vocal and piano scores can be purchased and downloaded at praisecharts.com.  “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” T-shirtsSince a number of us quoted Fred Rogers in our sermons, the pastors also decided to have some fun with the series and wore T-shirts that read “Won’t you be my neighbor?” in the pulpit. Having T-shirts and selling them to congregants might be a way to raise funds for a particular neighbor in need, a neighborhood or church ministry, or a community group.  Social Media and Bulletin AnnouncementsThe Art of Neighboring Series: The second greatest commandment is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. But who are our neighbors, and what does it look like to love them? On [insert date] we’ll kick off a six-week series exploring what it means to tangibly love those who live around us and seek the flourishing of community in our neighborhoods.The Art of Neighboring Banner: We’re so excited that our children helped make the banners for this series! Together we created a map of [insert your location] (or at least as much as we could fit), painting each part of the city with bright colors to remind us to shine brightly in the places where we live. We encourage you to keep the conversation going. Ask your child what part of the city they helped paint, and then discuss some practical ways your family might show Jesus’ love in your own neighborhood. We invite everyone to use this map (or another map or visual aid) to help guide your prayer throughout this series as we pray over our neighborhoods and communities. (Did you know we have a map of our communities on our website? Check it out at [insert your own community map]). Ordering the Worship ElementsDuring the weeks of this series we had a number of additions to our worship time, including the ordination of elders and deacons, a baptism, and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Because some worship elements, like the prayer of confession and assurance of pardon, were folded into those celebrations, they are not evident in each week’s liturgy outlined below. As always you are encouraged to take these service outlines and make them your own by adding, deleting, and reordering elements to fit your own context.  Series OutlineWeek One: Luke 10:25–37, “Who Is My Neighbor?”Week Two: Luke 10:38–42, “Time to Neighbor”Week Three: Luke 5:27–32, “Fearing Your Neighbor”Week Four: Philippians 2:1–11, “A Neighborly Heart”Week Five: Romans 12:9–21, “For the Love of God”Week Six: Luke 7:36–50, “Our Need for Help” Week OneGathering and GreetingWelcome and Announcements[Draw attention to the new series and the map and teach the theme song.]Call to WorshipIn Jesus Christ, the God of heaven made his home on earth, becoming our neighbor,living next door, living with us. So come now, you who are far from home and long to draw close to God, you who are weary and long to be cared for. Our God is with us. Our God draws near, now and always.God’s Greeting and Mutual GreetingSongs“God Himself Is with Us” Tersteegen“Hallelujah (Your Love Is Amazing)” BrownOfferingPrayers of the PeopleChildren’s Blessing Ordination of OfficebearersThe Teaching, Vows, Ordination, and ChargePrayer Song: “May the Mind of Christ, My Savior” Wilkinson Proclamation of the WordPrayer for IlluminationScripture: Luke 10:25–37Sermon: “Who Is My Neighbor”Sermon NotesHow does the story of the Good Samaritan challenge our assumptions about who our neighbors are? How does this story prompt us to understand what a neighbor is and does?Prayer of ApplicationTheme Song: “The Greatest Commandment” Zach Celebration of the Lord’s SupperThis liturgy is taken from “A Brief Form for the Celebration of Holy Communion” © 2016, Christian Reformed Church in North America, Grand Rapids, MI. crcna.org. Reprinted with permission.The TeachingWe love because God first loved us. God sent his Son into the world as an atoning sacrifice for us so that we might live through him. The Belgic Confession says that by coming to this table and eating this meal, “we are moved to a fervent love of God and our neighbors” through union with Christ (Belgic Confession, Article 35). With eager expectation of that unity and love, let us come now to the table.The Great Prayer of ThanksgivingLift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right for us to give thanks and praise. With joy we praise you, gracious God, for you have created heaven and earth, made us in your image, and kept covenant with us— even when we fell into sin. We give you thanks for Jesus Christ, our Lord, who by his life, death, and resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. Therefore we join our voices with all the saints and angelsand the whole creation to proclaim the glory of your name: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.The InstitutionWe give thanks to God the Father that our Savior, Jesus Christ, before he suffered, gave us this memorial of his sacrifice until he comes again. At his last supper, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”In the same way, he took the cup after the supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this in remembrance of me. ”For whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:23–26).Therefore we proclaim our faith as signed and sealed in this sacrament:Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.Lord, our God, send your Holy Spirit so that this bread and cup may be for us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we and all your saints be united with Christ and remain faithful in hope and love. Gather your whole church, O Lord, into the glory of your kingdom. We pray in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray:Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.Song: “Just as I Am, Without One Plea” ElliotThe InvitationCongregation of Jesus Christ, the Lord has prepared his table for all who love him and trust in him alone for their salvation. All who are truly sorry for their sins, who sincerely believe in the Lord Jesus as their Savior, and who desire to live in obedience to him, are now invited to come with gladness to the table of the Lord.Sharing of the Bread and CupResponse of PraiseCongregation in Christ, since the Lord has fed us at his table, let us praise his holy name with thanksgiving.Praise the LORD, my soul;     all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, my soul,     and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins    and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit     and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things     so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.—Psalm 103:1–5 Sending and BlessingBlessingAs you leave this place this day,may Christ’s love sustain you,and may we love those we meet as you loved us. May the Spirit empower you,and may we empower all we meet,seeking their health and flourishing.  May God’s joy fill your hearts,and may that joy overflowto the ends of the earth for God’s glory,now and forever. Amen. —Reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition © 2013, Faith Alive Christian Resources (TWS 9.2.18), alt. Doxology: “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” Ken Week TwoGathering and GreetingWelcome and AnnouncementsCall to WorshipBe still and know that God is.God was also in the beginning.And when all human striving has ceased, God will still be.From everlasting to everlasting, God is God, and alone is worthy to be worshiped.God’s Greeting and Mutual GreetingSongs “Cornerstone” Mote et al.“Yet Not I but through Christ in Me” Robinson et al.Confession and AssuranceCall to ConfessionWe have already spoken of the wonder of Christ working in and through us and the assurance that we are God’s forgiven children, redeemed and free. In the comfort of that assurance let us come before God in prayer, confessing our sins so that in acknowledging our unworthiness we may understand more fully the grace that God has given. Prayer of ConfessionGracious Father, the God of life,teach us ever more to respect and love all the lives you create.Forgive us our lack of love and concern for thosewho are yet unborn,who are born but don’t fit our definition of healthy or whole,who are rejected by their parents.Teach us to open our hearts and our homes to all your children. Forgive us when we are negligent and uncaringtoward those who are elderly,some forgotten in nursing homes,others treated as if they have no gifts to share and no place to serve, their past contributions to church and society forgotten. Forgive us for not stopping to listen and learn, for not caring for those who cannot afford medical care, for those who suffer from a careless society. Forgive us for not caring for those who are ill, those who live with debilitating diseases and mental illnesses. Forgive us for not being patient with the cycle of good days and bad days,for forgetting those little acts of hospitalityand adjustments that would allow for their presence and participation, for not wanting to give the energy and effort neededto be fully present and listen so that we may receive the gifts they have to give. Forgive us for being too busy and full of self-importanceto be the neighbors you have called us to be. Teach us to open our hearts,to open our homes and churches,to visit the lonely,to bring your love into their lives on this earth. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen. —Reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition © 2013, Faith Alive Christian Resources (TWS 2.2.60), expanded.Song: “What the Lord Has Done in Me” MorganAssurance of PardonChildren’s BlessingTheme Song: “The Greatest Commandment” Zach Proclamation of the WordPrayer for IlluminationScripture: Luke 10:38–42Sermon: “Time to Neighbor”Sermon NotesAre you too hurried to love? Do you have the space in your life to be a good neighbor? How does dwelling in God’s presence allow us to serve one another well?Prayer of Application Response to the WordSong: “Christ Be All Around Me” Leonard et al. Offering Prayers of the People Sending and BlessingSong“Be Thou My Vision,” vs. 1–3 Byrne and HullAs you leave here today, May you go with the presence of Christ as your guide, eager to be Christ’s presence in the lives of others. Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart.May you leave here desiring to guard your tongue and mind, to put aside actions and speech that harm others. Be thou my wisdom and thou my true word.May you leave here desiring the flourishing of all people,to serve without being hungry for praise, to give up your own position and greedso that others may experience the bounty of this world. Be my inheritance now and always.May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all as together we build God’s beautiful community. Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,still be my vision, O Ruler of all. Amen.—Rev. Joyce Borger, 2023 © Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike, with text from “Be Thou My Vision” Byrne and HullDoxology: “Be Thou My Vision,” v. 4 Byrne and Hull Week Three[In this service we joyfully witnessed the profession of faith of a woman who began attending our church after she moved into our neighborhood, as well as the baptism of her son.]Gathering and GreetingWelcome and AnnouncementsCall to WorshipGod calls us to worship, and we come.Some of us come with laughter and songs of joy.Some of us come from a sense of obligation or habit.Some of us come with hearts heavy with grief.Some come with distraction or exhaustion,others with eagerness and enthusiasm.Some of us come with stress, loneliness, or depression.God calls all of us to come and worship,to give ourselves—all our joy and pain, hurt and hope.God calls all of us to come and worship,to receive God’s love, grace, joy, and peace.And it is the God who invites us to come who speaks to us first and tells us there is a place for us here with whatever we bring into this space.—Reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition © 2013, Faith Alive Christian Resources (TWS 1.2.28), alt.God’s Greeting & Mutual GreetingSongs“Mighty to Save” Morgan and Fielding “Way Maker” Egbu Profession of Faith & Sacrament of BaptismProclamation of the WordSong: “Show Us Christ” Kauflin and PlankPrayer for IlluminationScripture: Luke 5:27–32Sermon: “Fearing Your Neighbor”Sermon NotesWhat or who are we afraid of? How does Jesus model a way of neighboring that leads to building bridges, not fences?Prayer of Application Response to the WordSong: “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” Temple and St. Francis of AssisiOffering AnnouncementPrayers of the People Sending and BlessingTheme Song: “The Greatest Commandment” ZachSpoken Sending and BlessingLet mutual love continue.Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.Remember those who are in prison,as though you were in prison with them. . . .Be content with what you have.And remember that God has promised,“I will never leave you or forsake you.”—adapted from Hebrews 13:1–3, 5, NRSV Doxology: “Glory Be to the Father” Anon. Week FourGathering & GreetingWelcome & AnnouncementsCall to WorshipWe lift up our eyes to the mountains—where does our help come from?Our help comes from the LORD,the Maker of heaven and earth. —adapted from Psalm 121:1–2As the Maker of heaven and earth greets us this morning, let us open our hands to receive this blessing, this help.God’s Greeting & Mutual GreetingSongs“All Creatures of Our God and King” Draper and St. Francis of Assisi“Come As You Are” Glover et al.Prayer of ConfessionLord, you said, “If you love me, you will obey what I command.”Forgive us our lukewarm love and our disobedience.Lord, you said, “You may ask for anything in my name.”Forgive us when we think we need to solve our own problems. Lord, you said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”We confess that our lives are often consumed by worry and anxiety. Lord, you said, “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.”Forgive us our barren lives, Lord. Lord, you said,“You must testify, for you have been with me.”We confess, Lord, that we have been too often silent. Lord, you said, “Love each other as I have loved you.”In this and in so many other ways,we confess our failures and shortcomings. Amen. —From Reformed Worship 64:24 © 2002, Worship Ministries of the Christian Reformed Church. Used by permission. Assurance of Pardon: Romans 5:1–2Song: “All I Have Is Christ” Kauflin Children’s Blessing Proclamation of the WordPrayer for IlluminationScripture: Philippians 2:1–11Sermon: “A Neighborly Heart”Sermon NotesHow does the Spirit help us look to the interests of others? Would something be lost in the community if our church were gone? Are we contributing to those around us? Do we live for others, not just ourselves?Prayer of Application Response to the WordSong: “Will You Come and Follow Me” BellPrayer of the People Sending and BlessingTheme Song: “The Greatest Commandment” ZachSpoken BlessingAs you leave this place, may God guide your feet.As you step into an unknown future,may you have confidence in the faithfulness of God. As you live out your calling to be Christ’s hands and feet,may you see opportunities to serve and to love your neighbor,grounding both your work and your rest in Christ. Amen. —Reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition © 2013, Faith Alive Christian Resources (TWS B.9.1.2), alt.Sung Blessing: “The Blessing” Brown et al. Week FiveGathering and GreetingWelcome and AnnouncementsCall to WorshipIn view of God’s mercy,we offer our bodies as a living sacrifice,holy and pleasing to God—this is our true and proper worship.—adapted from Romans 12:1As we gather,we open ourselves up to the power of the Holy Spirit,who transforms our hearts and mindsso that we will recognize God’s presence,hear God’s voice,know God’s will,and walk in God’s way.May God renew usas we praise his great and glorious name.God’s Greeting & Mutual GreetingSongs“How Can I Keep from Singing” Tomlin et al.“The Lion and the Lamb” Brown et al.Children’s BlessingPrayers of the People Proclamation of the WordSong: “Build My Life” Younker et al.Prayer for IlluminationScripture: Romans 12:9–21Sermon: “For the Love of God”Sermon NotesWhat does sincere love look like? What does it mean to love someone not because of what they can do for us, but because of who they are in Christ?Prayer of ApplicationTheme Song: “The Greatest Commandment” Zach Celebration of the Lord’s SupperSending and BlessingBlessingMay our Lord Jesus Christ,who prayed that we would be one,even as he and the Father are one,so grace you with his Spiritthat you may grow in grace and fellowshipand discover joy in walking together as part of Christ’s body—so that the world may know of God’s love for us in Christ. Amen. —Reprinted by permission from The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition © 2013, Faith Alive Christian Resources (TWS S.9.2.2), alt. Doxology: “To God Be the Glory” Crouch Week SixGathering and GreetingWelcome and AnnouncementsCall to WorshipGreat and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty.Just and true are your ways, King of the nations.Who will not fear you, Lord, and bring glory to your name?For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you.—Revelation 15:3–4God’s Greeting and Mutual GreetingSongs“God Is For Us” Ferguson et al.“Awesome God” Mullins, GtG 616 Confession and AssuranceCall to ConfessionOur God is an awesome God, great in power and great in mercy. So we turn to our God in our time of need, as we bring before him our sins and our sorrows, knowing he stands ready to offer forgiveness and help. We lift our eyes to him.Song: “I Lift My Eyes Up” DoerksonPrayer of Confession Merciful God,you pardon all who truly repent and turn to you.We humbly confess our sins and ask your mercy.We have not loved you with a pure heart,nor have we loved our neighbors as ourselves.We have not done justice, loved kindness,or walked humbly with you, our God.Have mercy on us, O God, in your loving-kindness.In your great compassion, cleanse us from our sin.Create in us a clean heart, O God,and renew a right spirit within us.Do not cast us from your presence,or take your Holy Spirit from us.Restore to us the joy of your salvationand sustain us with your bountiful Spiritthrough Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. —The Book of Common Worship © 1946, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A), p. 26, alt., P.D. Song: “I Lift My Eyes Up” Doerkson, LUYH 652Assurance of PardonThrough Jesus Christ forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.In Christ we have redemption through his blood,the forgiveness of our sins,according to the riches of his grace.Thanks be to God!—adapted from Acts 13:38; Ephesians 1:7, NRSVSong: “This Is Amazing Grace” Riddle et al.Children’s Blessing Proclamation of the WordPrayer for IlluminationScripture: Luke 7:36–50Sermon: “Our Need for Help”Sermon NotesHow does being a good neighbor lead us to receiving from our neighbors? Would we rather be independent than vulnerable? How does drawing close to one another help us draw close to God, and vice versa?Prayer of Application Response to the WordSong: “Faith Begins by Letting Go” DawOffering Prayers of the People Sending and BlessingTheme Song: “The Greatest Commandment” ZachBlessing: [see Week Four]Doxology: “We Receive Your Blessing” Moes, LUYH 947

Christian worship praises the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but in practice we find it far easier to worship the first two persons of the Trinity than the third. This is reflected in the hymns that we sing. Songs that praise the Father or Jesus Christ far outweigh songs of praise to the Spirit. In fact, most of the time the Spirit is only praised when included as the third stanza of praise to the Trinity (“Father/Jesus/Spirit we love you”).