May 6 Fifth Sunday of Easter
Acts 8:2640
Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch.
Psalm 22:2531 (VU p.
746 Parts Three and Four)
Praise God who has heard our call.
1 John 4:721
Everyone who loves is born of God.
John 15:18
Jesus is the true vine.
Spark
Have everyone stand in the centre aisle (or another appropriate place) on either side of a long, thick rope. Write a Call to Worship based on John 15 that has various members of different groups (e.g., age groups) within the congregation speaking and then taking hold of the rope until everyone is holding onto become the vine.
Theme Engagement Question
Who has opened your eyes and heart to a new way of looking at faith or an aspect of faith you hadnt considered before?
With Children
Bring an ivy or other potted vine plant to show. Talk to the children about where the leaves come from on a vine and how they get their nourishment. Assure them that, like a leaf that grows from the vine and finds its nourishment there, there is nothing special that they have to do to be a beloved part of Jesus vine except want to be there. Talk about the nourishment for our lives that we receive from Jesus.
Sermon Starter
Christians often think that they must go out and convince others to believe. We forget that God is at work in the hearts of people drawing those who will listen into relationship. As the reading from 1 John says, the love of God comes from God; we cannot instill it. Our role is to have our eyes open to the places where we can help a person to hear and respond to that voice that is already calling them from within. The Ethiopian eunuch was already worshipping and reading scripture, but Philips openness to the situation meant that the man received the needed instruction that led to his baptism.
Hymns
Book of Acts
VU 602 Blest be the tie that binds
VU 677 O God of every nation
MV 145 Draw the circle wide
MV 154 Deep in our hearts
Psalm
VU 377 Holy Spirit, hear us
VU 385 Spirit divine, attend
MV 2 Come all you people
Epistle
VU 367 Come down, O love divine
VU 658 O Love that wilt not let me go
MV 91 Cradle me in your arms
MV 101 Jesus, you fill our hearts
Gospel
VU 333 Love divine, all loves excelling
VU 371 Open my eyes
MV 102 Jesus, your Spirit in us