The (Di)vinegrower – John 15.1-8
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GATHERING
Announcements:
With the weather changing for the warmer, we are planning to offer more Drive-In Services of Word and Sacrament on Sunday mornings in addition to our online worship. A schedule will be posted soon so that we can all add the dates to our calendars.
Until we get to a time when it is safe for us to worship together in-person , will continue to offer mid-week prayers, live videos, and email devotionals. Online giving can be made on our About page on the church website, cokesburyumc.church which will be linked in the video description for live worship as well as checks through the mail.
Hymn 249 – Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in his wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of his glory and grace.
Prayer:
Behold Lord, we are empty vessels in need of filling. Lord, fill us. We are weak in faith; strengthen us. We are cold in our love; warm us and give us the strength to truly love our neighbors. O Lord, help us. Increase our faith and trust in you, and in you alone. We are thankful O Lord, that you remain steadfast even when we don’t, that you abide with us even when we fail to abide in you.
Our own joys and concerns…
And as you taught us, so now we pray… 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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass 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.
PROCLAIMING
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 in this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.
Hymn 397 – I Need Thee Every Hour:
V1. I need thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like thine can peace afford.
Refrain
I need thee, O I need thee; every hour I need thee;
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.
V2. I need thee every hour; stay thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power when thou art nigh.
Refrain
V3. I need thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.
Refrain
V4. I need thee every hour; teach me thy will;
And thy rich promises in me fulfill.
Refrain
V5. I need thee every hour, most Holy One;
O make me thine indeed, thou blessed Son.
Refrain
Sermon: The (Di)vinegrower
RESPONDING
Prayer:
Almighty God, whom truly to know is life everlasting: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to life and life abundant; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Offering – Reminder for online giving, through the mail, or the drop slot at the church.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
SENDING FORTH
Blessing and Benediction