Welcome to Worship

 

We continue to read John’s gospel this week and come across disciples fishing, working, and returning to life as usual. Jesus reveals himself again to people in the midst of ordinary life. Nothing about our lives is ordinary when Jesus is involved. Let us worship our savior!

 

Jude Doxology

 

Call to Worship

 

We are here today because the weeping Mary once said:
“I have seen the Lord!”

 

We are here because Jesus still comes into our locked spaces and says:
“Peace be with you. Receive the Holy Spirit.”

 

We are here today like Thomas who finally cried:
“My Lord and my God.”

 

We are here like Peter, tempted to forget the call of Jesus:
“I’m going fishing.”

 

We’re here this morning because of Jesus, who asks us face-to-face:
“Do you truly love me?”

 

We gather here to whisper timidly.
“Yes, Lord, you know that we love you.”

 

We follow in the footsteps of faithful disciples who have listened to Jesus’ words, “Follow me.”

 

Come As You Are

 

Scripture Reading – John 20:30-31 (ESV)

 

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

 

Prayer of Concern –
Adapted from Rev. Fraser Macnaughton

 

God, we wait, we watch, we long for you. Renew our powers, refresh our spirits, restore our well being; for you give new strength to the faint and power to the powerless. May your church be found working among those who lack resources or rights. May we seek to care for those who cannot care for themselves. We pray for the lowly and the humiliated. We pray for relief organizations, our local and global missionaries, non-profits, and those committed to the betterment of others. God, be to them a tower of strength.

 

We pray for the great powers of the world, the strong nations, and mighty governments. May their power be used properly that the poor are protected, the weak are not exploited, and no one is oppressed. We pray too for multinational corporations who often wield more power than many governments, that in their relentless pursuit of profit they may take those steps of compassion and concern which will benefit them as well as those powerless to stop them.

 

We give thanks for all who have cared for us in times of weakness; for those who have uplifted our spirits and given us new hope. We pray for our friends and families, especially any who are finding life difficult at the moment. We pray for any in our community that may feel neglected or rejected.

 

We pray for all who are in weakness of body, mind or spirit, all who have come to the end of their tether. We think of all who are losing their mobility or agility, those who are losing their memories, and all who have lost their grip on reality; of those who no longer trust in anyone, and those who doubt the love of God; we think of all who are caring for loved ones in illness.

 

We give thanks that Christ is our healer and our companion on the Way; he will not allow us to be lost. We pray for loved ones departed who are renewed and refreshed in the love and light of God. May the Light of the world truly be that lamp set out on the lampstand to them. Amen.

 

Scripture Reading- John 21:1-14

 

After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3 Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

 

4 Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus said to them,

 

 

 

They answered him, “No.” 6 He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.

 

 

7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards[a] off.

 

9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

 

 

Sermon

 

I Shall Not Want

 

Closing Prayer

 

Dearest Jesus, a night of futile fishing leaves empty nets and empty hearts. You take the initiative and meet us in the early morning light. You invites us to eat: ‘Breakfast is ready!’ you call out. There is an abundant table prepared – of fish, food, love, warmth, and great joy. Here, fractured relationships are healed.

 

Jesus, you meet us at the water’s edge of our ordinary lives. You accept us lovingly, you encourage us, you invite us to abundance. Nourished by the food of your word, warmed by the fire of your unfailing love, may we in turn nourish, heal and love those we meet today. Amen

 

Benediction

 

Now go, all of you, knowing Jesus invites you to the campfire, to a meal, to be in his very presence. Go in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.