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Music Ministry Team:  Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Matthew Leone, Rene Vazquez

Worship Team:  Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden

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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:

Journeying with John; The Promise of Peace

“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father. On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father.” His disciples said, “Yes, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech! Now we know that you know all things, and do not need to have anyone question you; by this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”

[Reading above - John 16: 25-23]

The opening theme of Jesus’ Farewell Discourse, which begins in John 14, is re-visited before the discourse concludes with prayer in John 17. That theme is the peace Christ offers his followers in a troubling world. The key to this peace is the communion we share through Christ with a gracious God. This peace-producing-communion will become clear in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Even though the fearful disciples will scatter and abandon Jesus, the Risen One will restore communion and empower them for ministry with the gift of the Spirit.

Questions for Reflection:

• Jesus proclaims that “the Father himself loves you”. On the cross Jesus does not appease an angry Deity. Jesus helps us understand the true meaning of the cross: God comes to us in the Word made flesh and is willing to die in order to clearly reveal the power of Divine love over sin, evil and death. Do you agree with this interpretation of the cross? How does this interpretation draw you into communion with Christ and the Creator?

• What are the circumstances of your life that make you want to “scatter” or run away from Christ? What brings you back to Christ?

• What is it that Christ has “conquered” in the world that paves the way for peace? How is this peace experienced in your life and in the world God loves?

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