Return to Year B: 2008-2009 Resource Index
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
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
Questions for the Speaker