Sojourners Retreat Sunday Worship
May 6, 2012
*Call to Worship
L Beloved, we are called to love as God loves us.
We are to love one another as sisters and brothers.
P Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
We seek to let God’s love be perfected in us.
L Remember that you have been baptized.
God claims you and has high expectations of you.
P Christ is the vine; we are the branches.
We will bear fruit when we abide in the vine.
*Songs of Praise
*Opening Prayer
Open our senses to your direction, amazing God, so we may be alert to opportunities you give us. Fill us with good news to share with those who seek meaning for their lives. We are here because we need the good news ourselves. There is much in life that we do not understand. We seek to know your Word and to be led by it. Recall us to the vows of our baptism, reconfirming in us the covenant promises that link us to you and to one another. As we meet you here, our hearts are lifted up in praise. May our worship glorify your name and be pleasing to you. Amen.
Prayer of God’s People
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Scripture Reading John 15:1-8
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. 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. 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. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
Devotion Pruning the Vine
The Lord’s Supper
*Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;
the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.
*Songs of Dedication
*Blessing
L Live for God every moment of every day.
Take time to bow down in gratitude for God’s love.
P We seek to live as people who know God.
Because we are loved, we dare to love others.
L Do not be afraid to witness to your growing faith.
Do not hesitate to show the fruits of abiding in Christ.
P We will turn to the perfect love that casts out fear.
We will tell of that love to future generations.
L You have been equipped and empowered by love.
God is filling your life with purpose and energy.
P We love because God first loved us.
We go out to serve as apostles of Jesus Christ.