The Holy Spirit Is Available To All
Worship
Lectionary Worship Aids
Series VI, Cycle B
Call To Worship
Leader: Sing for joy to the Lord, all the earth;
People: praise him with songs and shouts of joy!
Leader: Clap your hands, you rivers; you hills, sing together with joy before the Lord, because he comes to rule the earth.
People: He will rule the peoples of the world with justice and fairness.
Collect
Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we praise you and give thanks for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, that through his life, death, and resurrection, the world might be saved. Slowly, but surely, Father, we are learning that your love extends to all who will receive it, and that there are no boundaries of nationality, race, or culture. We gather this morning as a fellowship of believers in you, bound by your Spirit with followers of Christ around the world. Praise be to you, O God. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Dear God, we are often surprised at those whom you welcome, and we need constantly to be reminded that your love is for everyone. Forgive our ignorance, and help us to be more outgoing in expressing our love for those you love -- especially those we might easily pass by because they are different from us. In Jesus'Òname we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Come Down, O Love Divine"
"Like The Murmur Of The Dove's Song"
Sixth Sunday Of Easter
Second Lesson: 1 John 5:1-6
Theme: Faith Conquers The World
Call To Worship
Leader: Friends, hear the Good News! You are part of God's family.
People: Our love for God means that we obey his commands.
Leader: God's commands are not a burden, but a delight to those who love the Lord.
People: Our God has given us dominion over his creation, and we will deal wisely and responsibly with his world.
Collect
Heavenly Father, we take time out this morning from our struggles to overcome the pressures of the world to renew our faith in you and the power of your Spirit. Be with us in our worship that, feeling your presence, we may know that we are not alone, and go forth to face the trials and temptations of the week ahead secure in the knowledge that by our faith in you we can win the victory over the world. This we pray in the name of Jesus, Son of God. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
O Lord, you have created us to be your children in a world that needs our witness to your love. Forgive us when we allow our pride to blind us to the fact that all persons are your children. Help us humbly to serve your kingdom as forgiven sinners who hold out to other sinners the promise of your forgiving love. Amen.
Hymns
"We've A Story To Tell To The Nations"
"Pass It On"
Sixth Sunday Of Easter
Gospel Lesson: John 15:9-17
Theme: Friends Of God
Call To Worship
Leader: A friend is kind and ready to help, one whom we trust and respect.
People: We choose our friends; they are not forced upon us.
Leader: A friend is approachable, supportive -- one in whom we can confide.
People: We esteem our friends and feel warmth and affection for them.
All: Let us be friends to one another.
Collect
Heavenly Father, your Son has taught us that the greatest love one can have for friends is to give one's life for them. Jesus showed this love by going to the cross for us. We would show our love for you, O God, by committing our lives to obeying your will for us. Through this time of worship may we be better prepared to serve you by serving others, and thus show forth your love for all your children. In Jesus's name we pray. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
O God, Jesus called his followers "friends." We would be worthy of that honor and pray that with the help of your Spirit we may love one another even as you love us. Help us to live up to the responsibilities of friendship with each other and with you. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Hymns
"All Praise To Our Redeeming Lord"
"What A Friend We Have In Jesus"
Leader: Sing for joy to the Lord, all the earth;
People: praise him with songs and shouts of joy!
Leader: Clap your hands, you rivers; you hills, sing together with joy before the Lord, because he comes to rule the earth.
People: He will rule the peoples of the world with justice and fairness.
Collect
Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we praise you and give thanks for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, that through his life, death, and resurrection, the world might be saved. Slowly, but surely, Father, we are learning that your love extends to all who will receive it, and that there are no boundaries of nationality, race, or culture. We gather this morning as a fellowship of believers in you, bound by your Spirit with followers of Christ around the world. Praise be to you, O God. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
Dear God, we are often surprised at those whom you welcome, and we need constantly to be reminded that your love is for everyone. Forgive our ignorance, and help us to be more outgoing in expressing our love for those you love -- especially those we might easily pass by because they are different from us. In Jesus'Òname we pray. Amen.
Hymns
"Come Down, O Love Divine"
"Like The Murmur Of The Dove's Song"
Sixth Sunday Of Easter
Second Lesson: 1 John 5:1-6
Theme: Faith Conquers The World
Call To Worship
Leader: Friends, hear the Good News! You are part of God's family.
People: Our love for God means that we obey his commands.
Leader: God's commands are not a burden, but a delight to those who love the Lord.
People: Our God has given us dominion over his creation, and we will deal wisely and responsibly with his world.
Collect
Heavenly Father, we take time out this morning from our struggles to overcome the pressures of the world to renew our faith in you and the power of your Spirit. Be with us in our worship that, feeling your presence, we may know that we are not alone, and go forth to face the trials and temptations of the week ahead secure in the knowledge that by our faith in you we can win the victory over the world. This we pray in the name of Jesus, Son of God. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
O Lord, you have created us to be your children in a world that needs our witness to your love. Forgive us when we allow our pride to blind us to the fact that all persons are your children. Help us humbly to serve your kingdom as forgiven sinners who hold out to other sinners the promise of your forgiving love. Amen.
Hymns
"We've A Story To Tell To The Nations"
"Pass It On"
Sixth Sunday Of Easter
Gospel Lesson: John 15:9-17
Theme: Friends Of God
Call To Worship
Leader: A friend is kind and ready to help, one whom we trust and respect.
People: We choose our friends; they are not forced upon us.
Leader: A friend is approachable, supportive -- one in whom we can confide.
People: We esteem our friends and feel warmth and affection for them.
All: Let us be friends to one another.
Collect
Heavenly Father, your Son has taught us that the greatest love one can have for friends is to give one's life for them. Jesus showed this love by going to the cross for us. We would show our love for you, O God, by committing our lives to obeying your will for us. Through this time of worship may we be better prepared to serve you by serving others, and thus show forth your love for all your children. In Jesus's name we pray. Amen.
Prayer Of Confession
O God, Jesus called his followers "friends." We would be worthy of that honor and pray that with the help of your Spirit we may love one another even as you love us. Help us to live up to the responsibilities of friendship with each other and with you. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Hymns
"All Praise To Our Redeeming Lord"
"What A Friend We Have In Jesus"
