Worship Service for April 28, 2024

April 28, 2024 – Fifth Sunday of Easter

Introit

Prelude

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.

Call to Worship

One: Like spring breaking through winter’s power,
All: God’s resurrecting power breaks into our lives in surprising ways.

One: Like the vine that supports blossoms and fruit,
All: God’s Word upholds the church in strength.

One: Let us worship God who makes all things new.
All: We will praise God who brings growth and renewal to all life.

Opening Hymn

“Morning has broken.” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 814). Words (1931) by English author Eleanor Farjeon (1881–1965). Music is a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune, “Bunessan”. Words and music in the public domain.

Prayers of Approach and Confession, & Lord’s Prayer (sins)

Holy God, Creator of all things; you are our hope and the source of all wisdom. Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord, you are the vine and we are the branches. Your love is our strength. Holy Spirit, you nourish our faith so that we can bear fruit in many different ways. We gather to offer our worship and praise you as Holy God, Loving Son and Holy Spirit, ever Three and ever One.

God of Love, we fail to love and one another fully. Forgive us for ignoring to love and worship you, for ignoring the needs of others, and not following your ways. Forgive us for seeking praise from others, yet failing to encourage them in their endeavours. Forgive who we have been, O God, and root our lives more deeply in your love.

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

The writer of the Gospel of John records that God is love, and that God’s perfect love casts out fear. Those who abide in love abide in God and God abides in them.

Claim your hope in this Good News: God’s perfect love abides in you through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All: Thanks be to God!

The Peace

One: The Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
All: And also with you.

The Life and Work of the Church (Announcements)

GCPC Junior & Senior Choirs present

“Look at the World”. Words and music by English composer John Rutter (1945–). Words and music copyright © 1996 Oxford University Press; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

Fun with the Young at Heart (children’s story)

We sing verse 1 of “Jesus loves me this I know”.

“Jesus loves me, this I know” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 373). Words (1859 or 1860) by American writer Anna Bartlett Warner (1827–1915). Revisions to v2 and v3 by Canadian Anglican priest David Rutherford McGuire (1929–1971). Music (1862; tune: “Jesus loves me”) by American musician William Batchelder Bradbury (1816–1868). Words, revisions and music in the public domain.

Scripture Readings

1 John 4:7–21  <– these link to on-line texts of the NRSV bible
John 15:1–8

Click here for additional scripture readings from today’s lectionary. Links courtesy of the Revised Common Lectionary, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library.

1 John 4:7–21

7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us, and his love is perfected in us.

13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. 15 God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. 16 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. 17 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. 18 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. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Those who say, “I love God,” and hate a brother or sister are liars, for those who do not love a brother or sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.

John 15:1–8

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. 3 You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

Sermon

Please, join our Sunday worship service at 11 am, either in person or virtually, to hear the full version of the sermon.

Hymn

“In the bulb there is a flower” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 674). Words and music (both 1986; tune: “Promise”) by American composer Natalie Sleeth (1930–1992). Words and music © copyright 1986 Hope Publishing Co; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

Offering

As Jesus gave himself for us, let us return to God the offerings of our life and the gifts of the earth.

Musical Reflection

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

Our offering will now be received.

Doxology 306

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 306). Based on the tune “Old 100^th” with words (1989) by English hymnwriter Brian A. Wren (1936–). Words copyright © 1989 Hope Publishing Co.; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A. Music public domain.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God all creatures high and low;
praise God in Jesus fully known,
Creator Word and Spirit One.

Prayer of dedication

Generous God, we bless you for your gift of life renewed through Christ’s love.  Bless the gifts we offer so they renew hope in the world you love, in the name of your greatest gift, Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord. Amen.

The Prayer of Thanksgiving and Hope

Lord Jesus Christ, we draw near to you in prayer this day, trusting that your love changes lives and your resurrection brings hope into the world God loves. You walk with us through every challenging time, and we give you thanks for every sign of hope in a world that is often on edge and the future seems uncertain.

We ask you to bless the ministries and mission activity undertaken through staff and funding provided by The Presbyterian Church in Canada. Thank you for each faithful servant serving in these challenging days, whether in Canada or in international ministries. Bless them with good health and courageous commitment, and equip them well to reach out in love and respect.

Loving and Listening God,  we bring you now our prayers for others, friends and enemies, neighbours and strangers alike. We pray for people who are struggling with illness, loneliness, grief or sadness:

We pray for people in countries and communities where it is not safe to live out their faith or express their views openly.

We pray for victims of discrimination and acts of hatred, and those who fear violence day by day.

We pray for journalists and advocates for justice who live under threat for telling the truth.

We pray for churches, local organizations and businesses struggling under the pressure of economic challenges.

We pray for our families, friends and for ourselves, as well as those in the news whose situations tug at our hearts.

Lord Jesus, we believe that you hear our prayers and will be faithful to our requests and concerns. Amen.

Closing Hymn

“Christ’s is the world”. (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 758). Words (1989) by Scottish hymn-writer and Church of Scotland minister John L. Bell (1949–) and his Scottish hymn-writing partner Graham Maule (1958–2019), both affiliated with the Iona Community. Music (Scottish traditional; tune “Dream Angus”) arranged in 1989 by Bell. Words and arrangement copyright © 1989, Iona Community, GIA Publications, Inc. agent; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.

Changing the Light

Now, it is time to change the light. The light that was in one place can now be in every place and every time going with you wherever you go.

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.

Blessing

“Danish Amen” (Book of Praise 1997, Hymn 780). Words and music (tune: “Amen (Danish)”) traditional. Words and music public domain.

Postlude

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Last updated 2024-04-26 22:35 – First version.