Sunday, September 5, 2021 - The Habit of Gathering

Theme: Habits for Life - the Habits of Jesus: Gathering

Hymn      God of Grace and God of Glory     (In Person Only)

Welcome

Prayer for God’s Presence

John 13:1-5                                 Common English Bible Translation

Before the Festival of Passover, Jesus knew that his time had come to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them fully. Jesus and his disciples were sharing the evening meal. The devil had already provoked Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew the Father had given everything into his hands and that he had come from God and was returning to God. So he got up from the table and took off his robes. Picking up a linen towel, he tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he was wearing. (Question: What are the things you are willing to share with others around a table?)

John 13:6-8a

When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand what I’m doing now, but you will understand later.” “No!” Peter said. “You will never wash my feet!” (Question: Have you ever been challenged by someone doing something nice for you?)

John 13:8b-11

Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t have a place with me.” Simon Peter said, “Lord, not only my feet but also my hands and my head!” Jesus responded, “Those who have bathed need only to have their feet washed, because they are completely clean. You disciples are clean, but not every one of you.” He knew who would betray him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you is clean.” (Question: How do you draw boundaries with others?)

John 13:12-18

After he washed the disciples’ feet, he put on his robes and returned to his place at the table. He said to them, “Do you know what I’ve done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you speak correctly, because I am. If I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you too must wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example: Just as I have done, you also must do. I assure you, servants aren’t greater than their master, nor are those who are sent greater than the one who sent them. Since you know these things, you will be happy if you do them. I’m not speaking about all of you. I know those whom I’ve chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture, The one who eats my bread has turned against me. (Question: What is most meaningful for you when gathering with other people?) 

John 13:19-22

“I’m telling you this now, before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I Am. I assure you that whoever receives someone I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” After he said these things, Jesus was deeply disturbed and testified, “I assure you, one of you will betray me.” His disciples looked at each other, confused about which of them he was talking about. (Question: How does gathering with others change you?)

Reflection Together (In Person Only)

Offering Ourselves to God

       During this time let us reflect upon an excerpt from the Confession of 1967.

The Lord’s Supper is a celebration of the reconciliation of people with God and with one another, in which they joyfully eat and drink together at the table of their Savior. Jesus Christ gave his church this remembrance of his dying for sinful people so that by participation in it they have communion with him and with all who shall be gathered to him. 

Hymn    We Are One in the Spirit    (In Person Only)

The Lord’s Supper

Invitation

Prayer of Thanksgiving 

Words of Institution

The Lord’s Prayer

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 sins, as we forgive those who sin against us; 

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom and the power 

and the glory, forever.  Amen

Benediction

Closing Hymn      Go with Us, Lord         (In Person Only)

Hymn List

300 We Are One in the Spirit

307 God of Grace and God of Glory

748 God with Us, Lord

Sermon Series August 22nd – September 12th

Theme: Habits for Life - the Habits of Jesus

September 12th – Serving

Sermon Series September 26 – October 24th

Theme: What does Jesus change?