May 2nd Virtual Worship
| The Order of Worship |
|---|
| The Bells Call Us To Worship |
| Welcome & Comments about Today's Music |
| Prelude: Intermezzo on "Now the Green Blade Riseth - Arr. Dixon |
| Call to Worship |
| Hymn of Adoration: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee |
| Confession of Sin |
| Kyrie |
| Assurance of Pardon |
| Greeting of Peace |
| Gloria |
| Scripture Reading: John 4: 13-21 |
| A Message to Children |
| Pastoral Prayer & The Lord's Prayer |
| Hymn of Reflection: They'll Know We Are Christians |
| Sermon: The Gospel in a New Century, Love Abides |
| Communion Hymn: When Love Is Found (vs. 1 and 5) |
| The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper |
| Hymn of Parting: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling |
| Benediction |
| On Eagle's Wings |
| Postlude: Carillion on "The Strife is O'er, the Battle Done" - Arr. Callahan |
Music Ministry Team: Kristin Petty, Dwight Huntley, Matthew Leone, Rene Vazquez
Worship Team: Sarah Haas, Marc Hayden
Technology Team: Michael Kendall, Mark Raker, Jerry Weissinger
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Key Notes from the reading & sermon:
The Gospel in a New Century, Love Abides
By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.
[Reading above - John 4: 13-21]
Most Bible scholars in our tradition believe the epistles written in the name of John, come from the same community that produced the Gospel According to John. The gospel and the epistles share many themes. This community of disciples may have lived in Ephesus or maybe in Syria. They relied on a foundation in Judaism as they were reaching out to gentiles with the good news about Jesus the Word who is the Light of the World. The gospel was likely to have been written near the end of the first century while the epistles were written at the beginning of the second century. This community of disciples was facing pressure from Roman persecution and internal stress from disagreements over the true meaning of the gospel. The author encourages disciples in the midst of adversity with a call to faithfulness to the abiding love of God in Christ which casts out fear.
Questions for Reflection:
What would you describe as the biggest threats to our way of life as disciples who are committed to the love of God in Christ?
How have you experienced the abiding love of God as a force for peace rather than fear?
What about our message and way of life as disciples can bring hope to the many who are struggling and afraid in our time and place?
Video Recordings (Recorded Live)
