May 13 – Sixth Sunday of Easter

May 13 – Sixth Sunday of Easter

Worship materials for the Sixth Sunday of Easter through Pentecost were contributed by Teresa Moysey of Harrow United Church, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

 

Acts 10:44–48

The gift of the Holy Spirit comes as Peter preaches.

 

Psalm 98 (VU p. 818)

Sing to God a new song.

 

1 John 5:1–6

To love God is to obey God’s commandments.

 

John 15:9–17

Love one another as I have loved you.

Spark

Invite a school patrol or crossing guard to bring a safety vest and flags or signs used on the job to share with the children. The signs could be displayed until needed for “With Children.”

Theme Engagement Question

While our culture mostly perceives love as a feeling, the love Jesus commands is about action and choice. What is your experience of the difference between love as feeling and love as action and choice?

With Children

Include the school patrol or crossing guard in the storytelling. Ask the children if they have to cross a street to get to school. Is there a crossing guard or a crosswalk or a light? What signals does the crossing guard use? (Ask the guard to signal “stop,” “wait,” “go.”) When the guard gives a command, what do you do? What do any adults with you do? How about drivers and cars? When a crossing guard gives a command, it’s best to obey for the safety of everyone. Did you know Jesus gave a commandment to his friends? Listen to what he tells them the very last night he is with them: “This is my commandment, that you love one another.” Just as there are good reasons to obey the crossing guard, there are good reasons to obey Jesus’ command. It will help us all to live together in ways that are pleasing to us and pleasing to God. Tape the word “love” to one of the signs.

Sermon Starter

Among Jesus’ last words, John records that he said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” With the exception of those who are in the armed forces, police, or emergency services, most of us are not great on being commanded. In fact, many of us bristle when someone issues a command. But there are times when commands and obeying them are a good idea. The message of “With Children” is a good example. Take a moment to consider Jesus’ commandment and whether we’re inclined to respond/obey. After all, he prefaced the commandment with this: “I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”

Or this could be a Sunday to celebrate the gift of baptism. What does the story of Acts 10 have to tell us about the ways in which God is at work in the world seeding faith, provoking unimagined relationships, and pouring out the Spirit? As “church” we have the opportunity to add our Amen to what God has already done. What is our response to Peter’s question: “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing them?”

Hymns

Book of Acts

VU 34              “Come now, O God of peace”

VU 367            “Come down, O love divine”

MV 21             “Open our hearts”

 

Psalm

VU 229            “God of the sparrow”

VU 245            “Praise the Lord with the sound of trumpet”

VU p. 884        “You shall go out with joy”

MV 30             “It’s a song of praise to the Maker”

MV 59             “Alleluia, praise to God/Aleluya Y’in Oluwa”

MV 181           “Lord, your hands have formed”

 

Epistle & Gospel

VU 308            “Many and great, O God, are your works”

VU 333            “Love divine, all loves excelling”

VU 427            “To show by touch and word”

VU 477            “I come with joy”

VU 591            “Jesus, united by your grace”

MV 79             “Spirit, open my heart”

“They’ll know we are Christians by our Love” by Peter Scholtes in Spirit of Singing (Wood Lake Books), # 112

“This is my commandment that you love one another” (traditional) in Rainbow Songbook (Wood Lake Books, 2000), #55

 

General/Seasonal

VU 373            “As comes the breath of spring”

MV 183           “I’m gonna shout, shout”

AGCS[1] 8         “The spirit in me greets the spirit in you”

AGCS 84         “We are the church”

 

Other

Call to Worship:         use Psalm 98 (VU p. 818)

Prayer Response:        use “Send your Holy Spirit” (VU 370)



[1]   All God’s Children Sing