May 1, 2022 – Third Sunday of Easter
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Welcome
Call to worship
Call to Worship
One: O Lord our God, we praise you.
All: We cried to you for help and you answered us.
One: You have restored our lives;
All: You have rescued us from the grave.
Lighting of the Christ Candle
This is the Christ Candle. We light the candle to help us remember that Jesus Christ, the light of the world, is with us in every place and every time.
Opening hymn
“He is Lord”. (Book of Praise 1997, hymn 252). Words from Philippians 2: 10–11. Music: traditional. Harmony by English Anglican priest Norman Warren (1934–2019). Words and music public domain. Harmony copyright © 1982 Hope Publishing; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.
Prayers of Approach and Confession, & Lord’s Prayer (sins)
Living God, you meet us in unexpected places and surprise us with the abundance of your love. We give you thanks for calling us and inviting us to receive your love and forgiveness.
Lord God, in the light of your glory we see the evil we have done, the suffering we have caused, the good we have refused, and the truth we have denied. Heal us of our sin, wash us in your mercy, and feed us with your grace, so that we may follow your way and tell the good news of the gospel.
We pray in Jesus’ name, and continue to pray as he taught:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
Amen.
Declaration of Pardon
Rise up from the dust! Cast off the shroud of sorrow and put on the joy of the Lord. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
The Peace
The Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Fun with the young at heart (children’s story)
(Practicing faith)
The Life and Work of the Church (Announcements)
Scripture Reading
John 21: 1–19 <– this links to on-line text of the NRSV bible
Click here for additional scripture readings from today’s lectionary. Links courtesy of the Revised Common Lectionary, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
Sermon
(Intro) Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., Susan B. Anthony, Charles Darwin, Madonna, and Bill Gates, have something in common. ….
There are four gospels in the Bible: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
They all have a certain difference in how they portrayed and experienced Jesus Christ.
Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as the synoptic gospels. Their experiences of Jesus are very similar, although they have specific differences. Matthew experienced Jesus as a new messiah and the most excellent teacher, whereas Luke and Mark experienced Jesus as a great healer and servant. But they share a very similar timeline of events, the similar stories, and sayings.
But the gospel of John is like a middle child. It does not fit with them. The gospel of John is known as the other gospel. It is very different. Its timeline is different. It does not pay attention to parables.
Many biblical scholars think this difference in the gospel of John has to do with when, how and who wrote this gospel. A theory is that the gospel of John was produced later in the Johannine community, which faced many challenges, threats, conflicts, crises, alienation, and exclusion within and from the rest of the world for being a Christian. I believe the gospel of John tries to show us how we can experience the risen Christ in our daily lives despite all our troubles, contradiction, and chaos. The gospel of John in my personal view that is less interested in telling us who Jesus was and what Jesus did 2000 years ago, but who Jesus Christ is and what Jesus does in our own human hearts today.
This last chapter, chapter 21, highlights how the gospel of John is so different from the other gospels. Some scholars believe this chapter was added later since the gospel of John ends in chapter 20. I am going to read the last two verses in chapter 20 (30-31), “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe[d] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.”
It is possible that chapter 21 was added to the gospel of John later, but I don’t think that would make the chapter less legitimate or valuable to us. For me, this chapter 21 is the pinnacle and highlight of the gospel of John. If someone asks me, what is the bottom line of the Christian faith? What is the most important thing we need to remember as Christian? I will go to this chapter. The bottom line of our Christian faith, I mean if there is.
I would like to read verses 15 to 17,
15 “When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ 16 A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ 17 He said to him the third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’”
“Do you love me more than these?” That is the question that Simon Peter heard from the risen Christ. Jesus did not ask, “What did you do? How could you betray me three times?” “What can you do for me?” “What can you offer me?”
I believe the Risen Christ keeps asking the question to us. I don’t think Jesus is looking for our quick yes or no answer… When Peter said, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus kept asking the same question to Peter.
I believe Jesus offers us a gift to guide our lives and our faith.
The question Jesus desires us to keep in the core of our hearts is not, “What have you done?” “What are you planning? How good are you?” “What can you do for me?” “What do you have?” It is not; what have you done? What were you thinking? The risen Christ wants us to think about our love for God and our life…
That is the question that will continue to guide us and deepen our relationship with our risen Christ!
Musical Reflection
Offertory
We remind everyone that we must continue to pay our bills; in the absence of being present at Sunday worship, you may sign up for pre-authorized remittance (PAR), donate online, or drop off your offering envelope in the mailbox at the church. Do not leave a cash donation unattended in the mailbox; instead, please call the office (416.261.4037) to ensure someone will be there to receive it. The building will be checked daily for mail and phone messages. If you are not comfortable leaving an envelope, you are welcome to contact the office (once again, 416.261.4037) and someone will pick up your offering.
Dedication of our Gifts
Prayer of dedication
Worthy are you, O God, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. Receive these gifts of thanksgiving and praise and use them for your glory and the good of your people; in the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN.
Lighting Candles of Peace for People in Ukraine and the world
We light the candles of peace as our prayers for the suffering people in Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, Myanmar, Syria, Afghanistan and in our own community….
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Hope
O Lord our God, we cry to you for help. We pray for those who are persecuted for their faith; give them freedom, peace, and safety. We pray for those who breathe curses and threats; give them new hearts and new lives to glorify you.
We pray for those who work by day and night; give them satisfaction and rest from their labors. We pray for those who fear their efforts are in vain; fill their lives with your providence and grace. We pray for all who suffer in sickness and grief; give them healing, hope, and joy. We pray for the faithful in every nation of the earth; give them voices to praise your name forever.
We ask all these things in the name of Jesus, who loves us, who feeds us, who saves us. Amen.
Closing Hymn
“You walk along our shoreline”. (Book of Praise 1997, hymn 753). Words by Canadian United Church minister Sylvia G. Dunstan (1955–1993). Music (tune: “Wie lieblich ist der Maien”) by German Protestant hymnwriter and composer Johann Steurlein (also written “Steuerlein”; 1546–1613). Words copyright © 1991 G.I.A. Publications Inc.; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A. Music public domain.
Benediction
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (the risen Christ), the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you always. AMEN.
Choral Amen
- Go Now in Peace”. Words by American educator, lyricist and composer Don Besig (1936–) and American lyricist Nancy Price (1958–). Music by Don Besig. Words and music copyright © 1988 Harold Flammer Music, a division of Shawnee Press; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.
- Performed by Rachelle Risling (keyboard) and the GCPC Senior Choir. Audio and video production by Rachelle Risling.
- Audio and video recording copyright © 2021 Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church.
Prayers in the service are adopted from:
Kimberly Bracken Long. “Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year C, Volume 1”. Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Kindle Edition. ISBN 978-0664238056.
Copyright © 2022 Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church
Last updated 2022-05-01 – Added full information for opening and closing hymns.