Hymn:
436 “God, we praise you for the morning” or
814 “Morning has broken”
Prayer of Adoration:
Loving God, gather us in from east and west,
from north and south,
from all places and situations to worship you.
Gather us in, the lost and lonely,
the tired and distracted,
the proud and pretentious,
the humble and faithful
so that we may be engaged,
challenged and changed by you.
Gather us in, O God. Surprise us with your grace and touch us with your wondrous love. Bless us this day that we may be strengthened in hope and renewed with a desire to honour you with our own lives.
In Christ Jesus, our risen Lord, we pray. Amen.
Hymn:
648 “I’m gonna live so God can use me” or
705 “God, who made the earth”
Children's Message:
Ask a series of questions with the children around love.
You might begin with: Today I am going to speak to you about love. Love is important to God and Jesus. In the story of the Good Samaritan we are told to love our neighbour as ourselves.
Who can tell me the story of the Good Samaritan?
If you have a picture book or picture of Luke 10:25–37 in a children’s Bible, you can use this to stimulate the conversation.
What is your favourite way of showing you love someone?
Wait for responses. If these are slow, you can prompt.
Who likes to receive hugs when you go to bed, or go off to school, or when you come home after a sleepover?
Who likes to hear words of encouragement or appreciation? Who feels special when your Mom or Dad say you have been such a great help or when they say they are so proud of you!
Who feels special when you spend quality time with family and friends? Who likes it when your parents give you their undivided attention? Do you like it when you share stories or play games together? How about when you talk about the day?
Another way to show love is through the giving and receiving of gifts. Now these gifts don’t have to be bought from a store. They might be gifts of the heart made at home. Who likes it when your Mom bakes cookies for you after school, or your grandmother knits you mittens, or your Dad puts a photograph of you into a picture frame? Does the giving and receiving of gifts make you feel special?
How many of you like to show your love through acts of service by caring for others? Who here likes to put food in the food bank or set the tables for a potluck at church? Who likes to help an elderly neighbour with their garden—raking leaves, cutting the grass or planting bulbs? Who likes to welcome guests in your home by offering them something to eat or helping them feel comfortable?
There are many ways to show our love.
How did the Good Samaritan show his love?
He came to the aid of the wounded man lying on the road. He bandaged him up, put him on his animal, took him to an inn, stayed with him for a couple of days and paid the inn keeper to continue looking after him. The Good Samaritan loved with all his heart.
Jesus invites us to love others. He encourages us to use our natural gifts to love others. Jesus knew love is the greatest. How might you share love this week?
Prayer:
Dear God, we thank you for Jesus who shares his love throughout the world. May we learn from him how to love our families, ourselves and others. Teach us to love you with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength and with all our mind; and to love our neighbour as ourselves. Amen.
Children’s Story—the idea of giving different examples of sharing or receiving love comes from The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell. These authors expand the concept that children have a preferred ‘love language’ that informs them and helps them to express love to others. It may be physical touch, words of assurance, quality time, gifts or acts of service.
Call to Confession:
If we say we have no sin,
we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins,
God who is faithful and just
will forgive our sins
and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
In humility and faith
let us confess our sin to God.
[The Presbyterian Church in Canada, The Book of Common Worship, 1991, p. 51]
Prayer of Confession:
Gracious and caring God, in worship you remind us that you love us and forgive us. Your mercies are new every morning. We are humbled by your goodness and generosity which you freely pour out upon us. Forgive us for underestimating the power of your love.
Help us remember that it was your love that spilled over into creation when you formed the heaven and earth. It was your love that knitted each one of us in our mother’s womb. It was your love that broke the bonds of death as Jesus lay aside his crown for our souls.
O Holy God, may our hearts recognize, cherish and enjoy your goodness in all of creation. Direct all that is in us towards your praise so that nothing may distract us from your love. May people know we are Christ’s disciples because of our love for others. In our Redeemer’s name we pray. Amen.
Words of Assurance:
Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.
Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples,
if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34–35, NRSV)
Friends, when we trust in God’s love, we know that God’s grace sets us free from sin. Receive God’s forgiveness and be at peace.
God who is merciful will strengthen you in all goodness,
and by the power of the Holy Spirit lead you into eternal life.
Thanks be to God.
The Peace:
Leader: Since we are forgiven in Christ, let us forgive one another.
May the peace of Christ make you complete and give you abundant life.
The peace of Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.
[The congregation may exchange the peace of Christ.]
Hymn:
303 “Holy, holy, holy” or
709 “What does the Lord require of you”
Prayer for Illumination:
O Holy God, who satisfies the longing of our souls and fills the hungry with good things, we lift up our hearts to you.
We praise you for Jesus Christ, who came to this earth, died on a cross and has risen anew because of your love for us. By the power of his resurrection you bring new life and hope to our lives. Today we rejoice that your Spirit surprises and empowers us to continue Jesus’ ministry throughout the world. Speak to us this day, O God, through your Holy Word, that we may be blessed and equipped to live with gratitude, faith and love as your Easter people. In Christ Jesus we pray. Amen.
Scripture readings:
Psalm 146
Romans 12:1–21
Luke 10:25–37
Sermon: “To whom am I a neighbour?”
Hymn:
574 “With the Lord as my guide” or
242 “What wondrous love is this” or
314 “God is love: come heaven adoring”
Presentation of our Tithes and Offerings:
Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Let us now present our tithes and offerings to God.
Doxology (830) or an Offertory Hymn
Offertory Hymn:
“We give our hands to you” (Reamo Leboga)
[Andrew Donaldson, With Many Voices (Toronto: Binary Editions, 2001) p. 24]
Prayer of dedication:
Leader: In the midst of pain and suffering, is there anyone who cares?
People: We say the church cares!
Leader: When many die because of indifference, greed or ignorance, is there anyone who cares?
People: We say the church cares!
Leader: When fingers point and tongues wag, is there anyone who cares?
People: We say the church cares!
In the name of Jesus Christ, the church must care.
In the name of Jesus Christ, the church does care.
In the name of Jesus Christ, the church will care. Amen.
Anthem or Special Music
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession:
Almighty yet gentle God, you are the God of our salvation and our hope. We draw near to you, thankful that you care for us and thankful that you call us to be disciples, followers of Jesus.
You call us into loving relationships to form caring communities, to provide hospitality to the stranger and to proclaim justice for those who have no voice. We pray that we may have the wisdom to support and encourage others who may find the way difficult. Open our minds and hearts that we may be present to others. Move us beyond our fears as we reach out with words and acts of kindness. Lift us from the busyness of life that we may be attentive to the needs of others. Nurture the unique gifts in each of us that with integrity and humility we may serve you with joy.
We pray for peace in our world, especially in those places where there is violence in the name of religion. We pray for peace in Jerusalem and throughout the Middle East.
We pray for the wise stewardship of creation. You have entrusted the earth to the care of humanity. May we be good citizens of your reign, promoting justice for all.
We pray for our partner churches in Africa, the Church of North India, the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan and partners in Central America, the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. Bless your people that they may provide a faithful witness and be your light in the world.
We pray for those caring out the mission work of the church; congregations in new church development; rural and remote ministries; and ministries with aboriginal peoples. May your people know your presence and may their ministries thrive.
Bless your church everywhere, O God. Stir the hearts of your people that we may remember and give thanks for those who have gone before us and who now rest from their labours. (silence)
Hear our prayers for those who are ill, those who are home-bound, those who are dying and those who grieve. (silence)
We pray for family and loved ones near and far. (silence)
We pray for our personal needs and intentions. (silence)
O God, hear our prayers.
We look to you for the guidance and discernment we need each day.
Help us to trust in the power of your Holy Spirit so that you may re-shape us and re-form us. By your grace grant us sensitive spirits, attentive minds and receptive hearts that we may care for our neighbour and be Christ’s hands and feet in the world.
All these prayers we offer in the name of Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray, saying:
Our Father who art in heaven...
Hymn:
384 “O Breath of life, come sweeping through us” or
624 “Blest are they” or
626 “Lord of all power”
Charge and Benediction:
Leader: For all that God can do within us,
for all that God can do without us,
People: Thanks be to God.
Leader: For all in whom Christ lived before us,
for all in whom Christ lives beside us,
People: Thanks be to God.
Leader: For all the Spirit wants to bring us,
for where the Spirit wants to send us,
People: Thanks be to God.
Leader: Listen,
Christ has promised to be with us
in the world as in our worship.
People: Amen. We go to serve him.
Copyright © 1999, Wild Goose Resource Group, Iona Community, Glasgow, Scotland. Reproduced by permission from A Wee Worship Book.
Dianne Ollerenshaw is the Director of Regional Ministries of the Synod of Alberta and the Northwest. She currently serves on the PWS&D committee and supports local mission and justice initiatives within Calgary. Dianne has served as minister of word and sacrament within the pastoral charges of Lakefield, Ontario and Valleyview, Calgary. She resides with her husband Bruce, and sons, Christopher and Keith.
