Tag: John 15:9-17

Thursday of The 5th Week of Easter, 14 May 2020 – John 15:9-17, Acts 1:15-17, 20-26, Psalm 113 ~ Chosen to love each other.

Thursday of The 5th Week of Easter, 14 May 2020

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening:

Lord God, you chose Saint Matthias by lot to complete the number of the twelve apostles. Include us among your chosen ones, since we rejoice to see that the lot marked out for us is your love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit,
so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.”

A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 (NLT)

During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them. “Brothers,” he said, “the Scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David. Judas was one of us and shared in the ministry with us.”
_____

Peter continued, “This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, ‘Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.’ It also says, ‘Let someone else take his position.’

“So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus— from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.”

So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.

Responsorial Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (NLT)

+ Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord.
Praise the name of the Lord!
Blessed be the name of the Lord
now and forever.

Everywhere—from east to west—
praise the name of the Lord.
For the Lord is high above the nations;
his glory is higher than the heavens.

+ Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord.
Praise the name of the Lord!
Blessed be the name of the Lord
now and forever.

Who can be compared with the Lord our God,
who is enthroned on high?
He stoops to look down
on heaven and on earth.

+ Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord.
Praise the name of the Lord!
Blessed be the name of the Lord
now and forever.

He lifts the poor from the dust
and the needy from the garbage dump.
He sets them among princes,
even the princes of his own people!

+ Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord.
Praise the name of the Lord!
Blessed be the name of the Lord
now and forever.

From the Rising of the Sun (Psalm 113) – Sandra McCracken

Hallelujah, give praise, you servants
Praise the name of the LORD
Let the name of the LORD be blessed
from now and forevermore.

From the rising of the sun, to it’s going down
Let the name of the LORD be praised, from the rising of the sun.

The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens,
Who is like the LORD our God? Who sits enthroned on high?
Who is like the LORD our God? Who stoops to behold,
The heavens and the earth?

From the rising of the sun, to it’s going down
Let the name of the LORD be praised, from the rising of the sun.

A Reading from the Gospels: John 15:9-17 (NLT)

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.

Friend of God – by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

__________

Closing: John 15:16 (NLT)

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit,
so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

7th Sunday of Easter – 13 May – John 17:11-19 ~ made one in Christ

The Seventh Sunday of Easter

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Prayer

Father most holy, look upon this people whom you have sanctified by the dying and rising of your Son. Keep us one in love and consecrate us in your truth, that the new life you have given us may bring us to the fullness of joy. Grant this through Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead, who lives and reigns with you now and always in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
__________

“Holy, Holy, Holy” – Audrey Assad


__________

Gospel Reading: John 17:11-19 (NLT)

Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.

“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
__________

Prayers of Intercession:

Lord, grant to your People the unity that your son prayed for on our behalf. Bathe us in the fire and light of your glory, and burn away the dross of our lives as we strive to be made one with you, and one with each other. Kindle in us the fire of your love, so that our lives may reflect your glory to the world and your light and life may be revealed to all people.

+ Lord, set our hearts on fire with love for you; in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, we pray for the leaders of the nations, that they may serve with integrity and justice. May our leaders recognize that you are the ultimate source of their gifts, their positions and their power. And may they strive to prove worthy of the trust and confidence which has been placed in them. We praise you for the glories of nature, and the world that you have made which still holds so many wonders for those who take the time to look around them.

+ Lord, set our hearts on fire with love for you; in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, who has made us one community in Christ, may the glory of your presence transform our lives. When we feel discouraged or dispirited by events in our neighborhood, may we all be filled by your Holy Spirit and transformed by your grace. Help us to find the green shoots of regeneration, and then to water and weed them so they may come to fruition in your service.

+ Lord, set our hearts on fire with love for you; in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, we pray for all those who are weak or discouraged, ill or simply weary. We have confidence that you will support them and us all the day long of this difficult life, until the shadows lengthen, the evening comes, and our work in this busy world is done.

+ Lord, set our hearts on fire with love for you; in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, when the fever of life is over, in your mercy grant us safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last. We pray for all who have passed through death into life eternal and union with you. We pray through the grace of your son, Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you in glory.

+ Lord, set our hearts on fire with love for you; in your mercy, hear our prayer.
__________

“Song of All Songs” – Jewish & Gentile artists worshiping Jesus from rooftop in Jerusalem


__________

Blessing

This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us of his Spirit. Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God.
__________

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

6th Sunday of Easter – 06 May – John 15:9-17 ~ love one another as I have loved you

The Sixth Sunday of Easter

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Prayer

God of all nations, in the gift of your Son you have embraced the world with a love that takes away our sin and bestows perfect joy. Grant to all who have life in Christ fidelity in serving you and generosity in loving one another. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you now and always in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
__________

“The Love of God” – Abigail Miller

__________

Gospel Reading: John 15:9-17 (NLT)

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.
__________

Prayers of Intercession:

Ever-Loving God, listen to the prayers of your children –

+ For all believers, that we may be known by our love for one another….
+ For all believers, that we may care for our neighbors, especially those who are sick and needy….
+ For all people of good will, that we may look after those who are destitute and dislocated….
+ For all who seek the truth, that the Spirit may help them find it in Jesus – the Way, the Truth, and the Life….
+ For all young believers, that the Spirit may empower them to make good decisions and live out their faith….
+ For all who suffer in mind, body, or spirit that believing friends may demonstrate your love for them….
+ For all believers whose sufferings are over, that they may experience eternal life and love in your presence….

Ever-loving God, we sing a song of praise to your name, for you have worked wonders: continue to guide your people, and hear our prayers, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

“Reckless Love” – Cory Asbury


__________

Blessing – Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)

I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
__________

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Morning Prayer: 14 May – John 15:9-17 ~ “Love each other.”

Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence

I chose you from the world, to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.

Morning Reading: John 15:9-17 (NLT)

rsz_jesus_on_the_cross_john_3-16_1

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.

“Love each other, one another” – Graham Kendrick

Prayer

Lord Jesus, may I be one with you in all that I say and do. Draw me close that I may glorify you and bear fruit for your kingdom. Inflame my heart with your love and remove from it anything that would make me ineffective or unfruitful in loving and serving you as my All. (Dan Schwager at dailyscripture.net)

Closing Sentence

May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13)

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!