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 10:4448
The gift of the Holy Spirit comes as Peter preaches.
Psalm 98 (VU p. 818)
Sing to God a new song.
1 John 5:16
To love God is to obey Gods commandments.
John 15:917
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, its 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 were 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 Peters 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 Its a song of praise to the Maker
MV 59 Alleluia, praise to God/Aleluya Yin 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
Theyll 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 Im 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)