|
Woship Resources 2008-2009 — Year B: Be a Sanctuary of Christ's Peace
Return to Year B: 2008-2009
Resource Index
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Testify of Love
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Scriptures: Acts 1:15–17, 21–26; Psalm 1; I John
5:9–13; John 17:6–19;
II Nephi 13:27–32; Doctrine and Covenants 163:9
For the worship center preparation, provide one chain link (1" x 10" strip of
light-gray construction paper) for each participant. Pass them out at the
beginning of the service.
Prelude: “Testify to Love” by Avalon, on Testify to Love: The Very
Best of Avalon CD,
Sparrow Records.
A soloist could sing this song. It would also work well as a
closing song for this service.
Welcome and Sharing
Prayer for Peace see
page 27
Hymn: “Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing” HS 19
OR “Community of Joy, Proclaim the Living Christ” R-16
Call to Worship: “I Love You, Lord” NS 18
Have a soloist lead by singing the first verse. Have the congregation
join in and sing through at least two more times.
OR read II Nephi 13:27–32
*Invocation
*Response
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: Doctrine and Covenants 163:9
After the scripture is read, ask the members of the congregation to write
on their paper chain links something in their lives that may be keeping them
from completely responding to the love of God.
Have music played during the writing and assembling of the chain.
Stapling would be the fastest way to fasten the links. When all of the links
are connected, lay the chain on the altar.
Blessing and receiving of Mission Tithes
Ministry of Music: Play “The Line Between the Two” by Mark Harris on
The Line Between the Two CD, Sony/Epic Records.
OR Hymn: “God of All” R-5
OR “Touch Me, Lord, with Thy Spirit Eternal” HS 409
Message through Testimony
Ask three participants of various ages to share testimonies based on the
scriptures and questions below. After each testimony, have those who have
testified visibly break and separate the chain at one point, so it ends up
in three distinct lengths—signifying the breaking of the chains that bind
us. (Save the chains for next week’s service.)
1. Doctrine and Covenants 163:9—How has your response to God’s
generosity changed your discipleship? (Testimony and breaking of
chain)
Hymn: “Lord, Help Me to Know Your Presence” verse 1 NS 31
OR “Lord, Who Views All People Precious” verse 1 HS 459
2. Read Acts 1:21–26—When have you felt chosen for a special task,
much like when Matthias was chosen for his task? (Testimony and
breaking of chain)
Hymn: “Lord, Help Me to Know Your Presence” verse 2 NS 31
OR “Lord, Who Views All People Precious” verse 2 HS 459
3. Read I John 5:9–13—In what ways do you have “life” because of what
you have learned or know about God’s love? (Testimony and breaking of
chain)
OR Sermon
Based on I John 5:9–13
Hymn: “Oh, for a Faith That Will Not Shrink” HS 159
OR “Of All the Spirit’s Gifts to Me” SP 12
Prayer for the Congregation
You may want to pray for discernment, a blessing, and a testimony
patterned after Jesus’ prayer for his disciples in John 17.
*Hymn of Benediction: “Peace I Leave You” SP 35
OR “Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, We Go” HS 498
*Response
*Postlude
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Acts 1:15–17, 21–16; Psalm 1;
I John 5:9–13; John 17:6–19
Exploring the Scriptures
As we come to the seventh and last Sunday of Easter, we look back at the
Resurrection and forward to Pentecost. Fred B. Craddock has said, “Easter is
fulfilled in Pentecost. A church without Pentecost cannot shout ‘He is risen’
loudly enough to sustain Easter week after week.” Having done something for us,
Easter has made new life possible. It also makes demands on us. We are to
testify in word and deed of God’s love for us.
The writer of I John 5 gives a concise statement of the meaning of the
Resurrection. Humans have come to experience a quality of life that can only be
described as eternal because of the Resurrection. Verses 11 and 12 point out,
“And this is the testimony: God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his
Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not
have life.” In the Son we are thrust into this “eternal life” here and now.
There is a future aspect as well. Through faith, we experience “eternal life”
now, yet it is our human fate to die. But believing in the Son of God means that
we are able to transcend even this form of death. Along with many witnesses, God
gives us this testimony so we might believe.
The author is asking his readers to believe and continue to accept
extraordinary, transcendent life given by God to those who believe—in and
through the Son. This is the faith of Easter.
Central Ideas
- To accept the gift of God revealed in the resurrection of Christ means
that we experience life in such new ways that it can only be called eternal.
- The contrast between those who accept God’s gift and those who do not is
the difference between life and death.
- We are to testify of this gift of love in our lives.
Questions for the Speaker
- How has your life changed as you have accepted the gift of God revealed
in the resurrection of Christ?
- How do you live out in word and deed God’s love for you?
- What struggles have you experienced accepting God’s gift?
- What is your testimony of the resurrected Christ?
- How does your congregation share the testimony of the risen Christ?
Return to Year B: 2008-2009
Resource Index
| 
