Call to Worship (John 14:8-17)

1 - On that eventful night when Jesus was arrested, the next day to be crucified, Philip said to him,

2 - "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied."

1 - Jesus said to him,

2 - "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?

1 - "The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves.

2 - "Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.

1 - "I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

2 - "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.

1 - "This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you."

2 - (pause) "he abides with you, and he will be in you." That’s what Jesus said.

1 - Brothers and sisters, let’s open our hearts and lives and allow him to dwell in us.

2 - Even right now. Please stand if you are able, and sing "Holy Spirit, Truth divine," #508.

Opening Prayer

Lord God, in a world
         where truth seems so relative,
                  your Word is a solid foundation;
         where love is but a flickering, momentary flame,
                  your passion is a constant ember;
         where power is widely abused,
                  your quiet strength works for justice;
         where law is enforced from the outside in,
                  your rule is from the inside out;
         where peace is misunderstood as an absence of conflict,
                  your reconciliation is a voice of calm amid the storm;
         where joy depends upon outer circumstance,
                  your happiness is an ever-flowing spring from within.
As we sing your praise, Awesome God,
         we open ourselves to you,
                  that we may receive your promised Spirit.
                           Abide in us. Help us to abide in you.
         Gathered in the name of your Son, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Reflection Time

      In the following moments of quiet, reflect upon what it means for Jesus Christ to live in you. The apostle Paul once wrote, "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me" (Galatians 2:19-20). What have those words meant in your life?
      We are in a season of baptisms, the next ones being on June 17^th and 24^th. Our young people are listening and watching, as they are choosing to follow this One who promises to abide in us. If you were to share with them how you have experienced his presence in you, what would you say? If you would write it down just now on your bulletin insert, and put it in the offering plate later, the morning message on the 17^th will be a sermon from the whole congregation, and not just the pastor.

(If you were unable to make it to worship today,
but feel moved to share your reflections,
email them to Pastor Pete by June 11^th. Thank you.)

Responding with our Tithes and Offerings

      Our life in Christ is lived in response to our heavenly "Papa." The Holy Spirit makes us "able" to respond. We are growing in our "response-ability." Our tithes and offerings are one way in which we respond. How about it, are you ready? Not just to give your money, but to give your lives! As the ushers come forward, remember to place in the plate as it is passed what you wrote earlier - your reflections on what it means for Christ to live in you.