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Woship Resources 2008-2009 — Year B: Be a Sanctuary of Christ's Peace
Return to Year B: 2008-2009
Resource Index
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Victory through Love
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Scriptures: Acts 10:44–48; Psalm 98; I John 5:1–6;
John 15:9–17; Alma 5:33; Doctrine and Covenants 163:3b–4c
Prelude
Use the song “Have Love” (by Lost and Found, 2005, Limb Records, CCLI
registered) and create a PowerPoint presentation of congregational photos
that celebrate “love,” timing it to the song. You may prefer to have photos
posted on an easel or the wall that can be viewed by the congregation as the
song is played on CD or sung as a solo/duet.
Welcome and Sharing
Hymns of Celebration and Praise
“Community of Joy, Proclaim the Living Christ!” R-16
“I Will Sing, I Will Sing” NS 19
Have a soloist sing the verses and the congregation the refrain.
Youth could accompany with joyful instruments, such as sticks,
tambourines, and maracas.
OR “I’m Gonna Shout and Sing” NS 20
Again have a soloist sing the verses and the congregation the first
part of the song.
Call to Worship: John 15:9–17
Use two or three readers alternating verses. Or print copies of the
scripture so the left/right sides of the congregation can alternate reading
the verses. Encourage expressive reading of the scripture.
*Opening Congregational Prayer: “Popcorn Prayer”
The presider leads a series of statements where congregation members
respond randomly with short sentences.
Suggested lead statements:
Lord, I praise you for……
Forgive me for…..
Help me to……
Thank you for….
*Response
Prayer for Peace see
page 27
Focus Moment: “God’s Love” see following
explanation
Ministry of Music: “Song of Love”
This song is on the Worship God CD by Rebecca St. James, Forefront
Music.
OR “Jesus Loves Me”
A youth chorus could sing this.
OR Hymn: “Jesus Loves the Little Children” HS 223
Sermon
Based on I John 5:1–6
Disciples’ Generous Response
Each Sunday, as part of the Disciples’ Generous Response, we ask you to
integrate the message of “share equally” between Local and World Ministries
Mission Tithes. Generosity stories are provided to keep the church in touch
with how contributions to Mission Tithes spread the peace of Jesus Christ.
Please use the stories, testimonies, and up-to-date contribution information
as part of your offertory ministry. Visit
www.CofChrist.org/generositystories to print a copy, or contact your
pastor, congregational financial officer, or worship coordinator for a copy.
Scripture Reading: Psalm 98 OR Alma 5:33
Blessing and Receiving of Mission Tithes
Hymn: “Joy to the World! HS 258
Sing this hymn during the gathering of the tithes and offerings.
OR “The City Is Alive, O God” HS 375
*Hymn of Benediction: “How Gentle God’s Command” HS 130
OR “You Shall Go Out with Joy” SP 45
*Response: “Though Anxious and Disheartened” HS 380
Have a soloist sing this or have the words read.
God’s Love
Supplies
• Six or seven small (pint or smaller), clear, glass or plastic
jars filled with water—each colored with a different food coloring.
Label the jars with problems (ills) of the world, such as “war,”
“pollution,” “prejudice,” “fear,” “disease,” “greed,” “poverty.”
Have one matching jar filled with a water and bleach mixture,
labeled “God’s Love.”
• One large, clear jar or a clear bowl
• One wooden spoon (stained and used looking, if possible)
• One adult to relate the lesson
• One youth participant, dressed in a lab coat, gloves, and
safety goggles for added fun
It is recommended that you practice with the amounts of food coloring (to
get effective colors) and amounts of bleach (that will clear up the
mixture). The bleach mixture must be freshly made the same day of use.
Discussion Lesson
The large jar/bowl represents the world. Pour in one jar of colored
liquid at a time, and have the youth mix the “ills.” Observe and comment on
how ugly the color becomes, just like the ugliness of the meaning of the
terms you chose for the jars. Read the scripture from Doctrine and Covenants
163:3c–4b.
Then add the contents of “God’s Love” jar (the bleach mixture). Mix
thoroughly and watch as the ugly colors magically clear up the liquid, so
you can see through it again. Discuss how “God’s Love” can win a victory
over the ills of the world. Read the scriptures from Doctrine and Covenants
163:3b, 4c and I John 5:4–5.
Also (if it works) point out how the wooden stir spoon has lost its
stains and is clean. It is much like the sharers and witnesses of God’s love
who might also receive a cleansing victory.
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Acts 10:44–48; Psalm 98; I John 5:1–6; John
15:9–17
Exploring the Scriptures
In I John the writer gives testimony of a true faith that is victorious and
expresses the love of God toward humanity. The love shed forth by God through
his son, Jesus Christ, gives us faith and helps us grow and live a victorious
life in relationship with our God and in fellowship with the saints. This love
helps us have a clear and defined conviction of where we are and in whom we have
believed, and, because of that, we should keep the commandments and remain in
his love. We are victorious because we have power to change our life, our
attitude, the community, and the church and its future.
Believing in Christ increases our faith and we continue to persevere in him,
succeeding in being better every day, seeking always a relationship with our
God, and enjoying the happiness that he gives us through his love. In accordance
with the story in Acts, Peter and Cornelius lived situations where one could see
God’s authority manifested through the Holy Spirit. As children of God, and
because we have a testimony of God’s transforming work in our lives, we have a
mission to carry out here on earth. We are given the power to speak to others
about his word, so they might live the victory he gave us by his love. When we
do this, we are God’s children and are obedient to his voice.
Central Ideas
- To keep a close relationship with God, we need experiences with the Holy
Spirit as a guide in our life.
- As we remember who we used to be, then see our lives change by God’s
love, we become a joyful people, seeking to proclaim the peace of Jesus
Christ.
Questions for the Speaker
- What testimonies do you have in your personal life and the life of your
congregation of the victories given to you through God’s love?
- What feelings are experienced when one becomes a victorious son or
daughter?
- Do you feel true Christ-like love in your congregation? If you don’t,
what do you need to do to gain that love?
- How do you allow the power of the Holy Spirit to be manifest in your
life and in your congregation’s life?
Return to Year B: 2008-2009
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