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Weekly text: John 15:12-21
Faith focus: Reach out with love.
Visuals: white (and/or blue) worship cloth; open Bible; symbols: heart, road sign, story figure, kazoo or party horn, footprint shape, feather, adhesive bandage, olive branch, puzzle piece, dove, gold ring, wristband, a second heart
Also include the origami peace cranes or doves into your final worship service. Some ideas are: invite families to bring them forward during a call to worship, a hymn, an offering, or the benediction. Or, children could collect them during children's time. Use the collection of the peace cranes or doves as a personal or family commitment to the many things that make for peace.
Opening prayer: “Living with friends” (Together, page 8)
Song suggestions:
"I Come with Joy to Meet My Lord," HWB 459
"Thou True Vine, That Heals," HWB 373
"We Are People of God's Peace," HWB 407
"Move in Our Midst," HWB 418
"Jesus Has Done So Much for Me," SS 95
"O Hear, My People," SJ 68
"Blest Are They," HS 1085
Children’s time: As children gather, say "Welcome friends!" Then review the many things that make for peace. Find today's peace symbol (a second heart). It reminds us to reach out to others with love. Say, "Jesus called his disciples 'friends.' We, too, are friends of Jesus. Friends love and care for each other. When we reach out to others in love, we are friends of Jesus and peacemakers. Let's think of some ways we can share God's love with others as we play a game. We are going to pass the heart to each other. When you receive the heart, share one act of kindness you can do for others. I'll start. 'I can make cookies for someone who is sick.'"
Read "The Lifeboat" in Plant a Seed of Peace, by Rebecca Seiling (Herald Press, 2007), pages 80-81.
Sing verses one and three of "The Jesus Way" (Gather 'Round CD). The lyrics are in Together, page 4.
Pray together: "Kind God, help us bring peace to others by acts of kindness. Fill our hearts with your love. Thank you for calling us friends. Amen."
Scripture reading: John 15:12–21
Sermon seeds: As Jesus prepares to face crucifixion, he leaves the disciples with a review of his teaching on love. We are to love one another as Jesus loves us. We have been chosen by Jesus to bear lasting fruit. Just as Jesus was hated by the world, we will be misunderstand and persecuted. What does it mean for Jesus to call us "friends"? How do we love as Jesus loves? What promises are we offered as we face persecution? Peace is founded not on passivity or on being antiwar but on the love of Jesus.
Song of response: “My Jesus, I Love Thee,” HWB 522
Benediction: “God speaks peace” (Together, page 9) or SS 176
