Tag: Worship

Saturday of 5th Week of Easter, 20 May – John 15:18-21 ~ not of this world

Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Lord God; it is good to live in the friendship of your Son Jesus Christ. Remind me again that as his friend I am committed to him and share life with him – for better and for worse, in misunderstanding and contradiction, as well as in joy and intimacy. Help me to rejoice even when treated with indifference or ridicule on account of him, for it means that he is still with me who is my Lord for ever.

Reading: John 15:18-21 (NLT)

“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me.”
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Reflection & Prayer: John 15:18-21 (NLT)

vs 18 – “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.

Lord Jesus: You lived and radiated the love of God in a world driven by money, sex, and power. Your very presence precipitated a violent response from the entrenched forces of darkness. You brought real love into the world, and the world responded with hatred. Why should I expect less?

vs 19 – “The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.

Lord Jesus: You chose me to live a separated life – in the world, but not of the world. I confess that the distinction has often been blurred for me. But, the older I get, the more I realize – this earth is not my home. Every day I feel more like an alien in a strange land.

vs 20 – “Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.

Lord Jesus: Give me ears to hear and a willing spirit to respond to your leading in my life. Make me a servant after your example that I may love others as you have loved me – regardless of how they respond.

vs 21 – “They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me.

Lord Jesus: I confess that I’m afraid to take up my cross and follow you. The principalities and powers of this world killed you in three years after you revealed yourself as the Messiah, the Son of the living God. It’s true that you had the last word as the risen Christ; but I’m afraid of Good Friday.

Remind me again that nothing can separate me from your love and, come what may, you will never leave me or forsake me. Come Holy Spirit and fill my life with your presence and power that I may love and serve my Master to the glory of the Father.
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“Not of this world” – Petra


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 100:5 (NLT)

The Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Friday of 5th Week of Easter, 19 May – John 15:12-17 ~ chosen and appointed

Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Lord our God, loving Father, you have given us your Son Jesus Christ as the true vine of life and our source of strength. Help us to live his life as living branches attached to the vine, and to produce lasting fruit of justice, goodness and love. Let our union with him become visible in our openness to one another and in our unity as brothers and sisters, that he may be visibly present among us now and for ever.

Reading: John 15:12-17 (NLT)

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.
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Reflection & Prayer:

Lord Jesus: You have befriended me and commanded me to love others even as you have loved me.

+ Lord, you gave me your life; I give you mine as a living sacrifice. Help me to remain faithful, obedient, and true.

+ Lord, you commanded me to love others; help me to follow your example. Show me how I can give up myself for another today.

+ Lord, you revealed to me what was most personal and important to you; help me to become more transparent and trusting with those closest to me.

+ Lord, you chose me as your friend and appointed me as your emissary to make disciples. Help me to be a worthy example and witness of your Good News.

Lord Jesus: Fill me with your Spirit today, that I may be your friend in word and deed, and not in name only, to the glory of the Father. Amen.
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“Friend of God” – Phillips Craig & Dean


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 57:7-8 (NLT)

My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises! Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Thursday of 5th Week of Easter, 18 May – John 15:9-11 ~ joy-filled obedience

Thursday of the Fifth Week of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Lord our God, you want your Church to be open to all persons and all nations, for your Son was available to all and you love all people. God, give us open minds and open hearts. Save us from our narrow prejudices and stop us from trying to create people in our own image and likeness. We ask you this through Christ our Lord.

Reading: John 15:9-11 (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!
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Reflection & Prayer:

Heavenly Father: You loved me even before I knew you, and you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to prove the point; thank you for your loving-kindness to me.

Lord Jesus: You have given me the commandments to love God and to love one another; show me how you would have me keep these commandments that I may remain in your perfect love.

Holy Spirit: You remind me and teach me everything Jesus said and did; empower me to happily do what I know he wants me to do that I may overflow with his joy, and live securely in his love.

Soli Deo Gloria!
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“How He Loves Us” – John Mark McMillan


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 96:2-3 (NLT)

Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Wednesday of 5th Week of Easter, 17 May – John 15:1-8 ~ abide, remain, live, stay united… with me

Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Lord our God, loving Father, you have given us your Son Jesus Christ as the true vine of life and our source of strength. Help us to live his life as living branches attached to the vine, and to bear plenty of fruit of justice, goodness and love. Let our union with him become visible in our openness to one another and in our unity as brothers and sisters, that he may be visibly present among us now and for ever.

Reading: John 15:1-8 (NLT)

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
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Reflection & Prayer:

Lord Jesus: Remain in me that I may bear good fruit and bring glory to the Father.

+ Purify my heart through your Word that I may abide in you.

+ Prune away what is dead that you may rise to life in me.

+ Produce new life in me through faithful obedience to your Word and Spirit.

Lord Jesus: I ask that I may become more like you to such an extent that those around me may see the change and give glory to the Father.

Soli Deo gloria!
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“The Deer’s Cry” – Rita Connolly at Powerscourt


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 96:1-2 (NLT)

Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Tuesday of 5th Week of Easter, 16 May – John 14:27-31 ~ peace of mind and heart

Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Lord our God, almighty Father, you have absolute power over the world, and yet you respect the freedom of people, even of those who persecute your faithful. Make us realize that our faith does not protect us against the evil which people bring upon one another, but that you want us to build according to your plan a kingdom of justice, love and peace. Help our faith to stand the test when our meager efforts fail. We ask you this through Christ our Lord.

Reading: John 14:27-31 (NLT)

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.

“I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father….
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Reflection & Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ: Give us your gift of peace of mind and heart; set before us your vision of peace for our hurting souls and wholeness for our fragmented world.

+ We pray for those caught up in violence, anger and brokenness….
Hear our prayers, Lord, and grant us your peace.

+ We pray for those in relationships filled with anxiety and drama….
Hear our prayers, Lord, and grant us your peace.

+ We pray for those divided by racial tension and tribal hatred….
Hear our prayers, Lord, and grant us your peace.

+ We pray for those who are disenfranchised and oppressed….
Hear our prayers, Lord, and grant us your peace.

Lord Jesus Christ: In your mercy, bring your peace and justice to every part of your creation; and, by your grace, infuse our minds and hearts with a peace that overcomes the strife, the quarrels and the social tensions around us.

Make us bearers of your Good News of peace through the power of your Spirit at work within us that the essential “goodness” of creation may be restored and the Father glorified.

Soli Deo gloria!
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“Dona nobis pacem domine” – Choir of Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest, Illinois


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Concluding Prayer – Psalm 145:10-11 (NLT)

All of your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you. They will speak of the glory of your kingdom; they will give examples of your power.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!