Home Service for 8/1/23 from Rev Jim Williams
Love is… hugs
Love is… a pick me up
Love is… when two become one
Love is… friendship
Love is… sharing the last piece of pizza
Love is… hard to explain
Love is… unbelievable
Love is… unpredictable
Love is… giving away your last Rolo
Love is… endless
Love is… protection
Love is… a rollercoaster
Love is… a smile
Love is… a heartbeat
Love is… patient
Love is… kind
Love is… a never ending story
Love is… eternal
Love is… a circle of friends
Love is… a circle of eternity
Love is… a circle called God
Love is… all you need
God of Gods: We come to worship today to hear your good news, to hear of faith, hope and love ringing out from your kingdom. We know that doubt, fear and hatred can shake even the strongest. Shape us into faithful hopeful people, fill us with your love that passes all understanding. We pray this together in the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Reflection
This beautiful passage from Paul is used at many weddings. Yet Paul did not write these words for married couples. The qualities that he ascribes to the virtue of love are for everyone. They challenge each of us to examine our attitudes toward others-family, friends, and strangers. If we live each day with a loving outlook, then jealousy, envy, and anger disappear. We grow into persons who seek the truth and rejoice when it is found. When we make love the foundation of our lives, we discover gratitude at the centre.
Benediction
Go now, with God’s foolishness and weakness as your only wisdom and strength. Proclaim Christ crucified, and seek riches only in the love of God’s Word and in zeal for God’s house. And may God’s just demands be your nourishment & delight. May Christ be the power and wisdom of God to you. And may the Holy Spirit keep you, thought and word, in God’s good grace. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, in the name of Christ. Amen.
Suggested listening
God is love, his the care www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2I4wHr6wAc
Love divine, all loves excelling www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGGcqhKShQ8
Blessed Redeemer – Casting Crowns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRUfnetwJJY
