John 15:9-17; 1 John 5:1-6 | Tell a young child to do or not to do something, and their first response may be, “why?” There are so many things we’re told – commanded – to do that, even as adults, we may question the merit of obeying a given command or teaching. So when it comes to Jesus’ command for us to love and to bear fruit, what’s our response? And, how do we receive God’s command? As an ultimatum or as an invitation? It’d be one thing to hear Jesus’ command as a stern order. But as we hear in our Gospel reading, Jesus’ command is for our own sake, and for the sake of joy. So, as the Easter season begins to draw to a close, join us for worship as we hear Jesus’ commands directed to us not as servants but as friends, and as we consider our participation in the vine of God’s Kingdom.
Sunday, May 5, 2024, Sixth Sunday of Easter Bulletin
Copyright acknowledgments: Music covered under Augsburg Fortress License #SB135131, CCLI License #1141706, One License #738128-A. Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. Prelude: Lord, Listen to Your Children. Text and Music: Jack Schrader, Ken Medema. Text and Music: © 1973, 2020 Hope Publishing Company. Covered under CCLI subscription. & This Is My Commandment. Text and Music: Unknown. Text and Music: Public Domain. Gathering Song: Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna. Text: Brian A. Wren, b. 1936 and Music: Thomas Pavlechko, b. 1962. Text: © 1986 Hope Publishing Company. Music: © 2006 Thomas Pavlechko, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Covered under One License subscription. Hymn of the Day: Great God, Your Love Has Called Us. Text: Brian A. Wren, b. 1936. Music: Norman Cocker, 1889-1953. Text: © 1977, rev. 1995 Hope Publishing Company. Music: © Oxford University Press. Covered under One License subscription. Offering Song: Let Us Be Bread. Text and Music: Thomas J. Porter. Text and Music: © 1990 GIA Publications, Inc. Covered under One License subscription. Communion Song: Beautiful Savior. Text and Music:Natasha Midori. Text and Music: © 2015 Maranatha Indonesia. Sending Song: Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee. Text: Henry van Dyke, 1852-1922. Music: Ludwig van Beethoven, 1770-1827, adapted. Text and Music: Public Domain.