Call to Worship
Jesus said ‘As the Father loved me, I have loved you.’
Let us abide in God’s love.
You are my friends if you do what I command you, for we did not choose you, you chose us.
I have said these things to you, so that our joy may be complete.
I am giving you these commands: that we may love one another.
Amen.
A prayer of approach
Sing a new song to the Lord, afresh each morning: restating our faith; repairing our hurts; restoring our hope.
Sing a new song to the Lord, each and every day: recognising those in need; remembering those we love; recalling those gone before.
Sing a new song to the Lord, at the end of each day: confessing our sins; forgiving our debtors; expressing our thanksgiving.
We will sing a new song to the Lord.
Amen.
A prayer of confession
Jesus, you said: ‘These are my commandments. I am the Lord your God.
But the words got lost in our noise, when we put ourselves at the centre of our universe.
Jesus, you said: ‘Keep my commandments and abide in my love.’
But we blocked out the words as we found love too demanding.
Jesus, you said: ‘Obey my commandments so that your joy may be complete.’
But we didn’t hear your voice as we found pleasure in other ways.
Jesus, you said:
‘I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you.’
And then we listened, for we longed to hear your words of forgiveness.
‘Your sins are forgiven.’
Amen.
John 15:9-17
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: 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 servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.
Reflection
Ridicule, persecution, and rejection filled Jesus’ time on earth. Yet Jesus still treated everyone with respect, forgiveness, and compassion. His hands always remained open, palms up, ready to give and receive. This is how love works. Jesus left us an example to follow. The disciples witnessed the great love Jesus had for them, and have passed that down to us. Now it’s our turn to make Jesus’ love visible for our time and place.
Prayer
I am a child of God, loved by God, called by God, chosen by God.
I am not a servant, but I serve: not out of duty, but in obedience.
I am called friend, because I know Christ and like him.
Because I abide in God’s love the joy I have knows no bounds. Amen.
Sending out prayer
Go out in love.
Live by love.
Be guided by love.
In the name of the one who loves us,
Jesus Christ. Amen.
Suggested Listening A new commandment – www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X8m9tVR0_Y Come down, O love divine – www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HPKL1wOVXk The Power Of Your Love – www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9_0jiO5ZRM All you need is love – www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EGczv7iiEk
