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5.17.20 - Love and Obedience




Welcome to First Presbyterian Sterling Online!

Visit past services at firstonsecond.blogspot.com.

God’s People Gather 

*Prelude with Amy

Prelude Pondering
There would be no sense in saying you trusted a person if you would not take his advice. Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Christ, it must follow that you are trying to obey him. But trying in a new way, a less worried way. Not doing these things in order to be saved, but because he has begun to save you already. Not hoping to get to heaven as a reward for your actions, but inevitably wanting to act in a certain way because a first faint gleam of heaven is already inside you.
― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

*Call to Worship with Henry

Leader: Jesus promised he would ask God to send an advocate.
People: To help us and be with us forever.
Leader: Jesus promised that the Spirit would be the spirit of truth.
People: The world couldn’t accept it, but we know the Spirit is with us.
Leader: Jesus promised to be with us and within us and among us.
People: He did not leave us orphaned.
Leader: Jesus is with us now, here, today,
People: In the Spirit of love and community.
Leader: Because Jesus promised.
ALL: Let us worship God!

*Opening Song - Love Divine All Loves Excelling


*Call to Confession, Prayer of Confession, & Assurance of Pardon with Henry & Christina

The proof of God’s amazing love is this: while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Trusting in this amazing love, let’s pray together our prayer of confession.

Holy God, you created us and fashioned us into a people, called us together and made us a congregation. Through your son, you redeemed us from slavery to sin and death. But still, we do not obey you! Christ told us that the greatest commandment is to love you and to love our neighbors, and we continually fail to obey it. We strive against you rather than fall into your arms of grace. We compete with one another rather than celebrate others’ gifts and accomplishments. We sit by silently when we should speak out against injustice. We let jealousy overshadow joy, and we let envy elbow out encouragement. Forgive us, God! Cleanse our hearts and teach us that to love you is to obey the law of love you have given to us, even as you gave us grace in Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray.

Silence is kept

Leader: Dear friends, even when we cannot find the words to express our regrets; even when we are speechless as we confess our sins; the Spirit Jesus sent is with us, showing us how to pray, comforting us, and guiding us to grace. Rejoice and be glad:
People: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God! Amen.

*Response - Glory to God


*Sharing the Peace of Christ

Leader: Because of Jesus Christ, we have peace with God! Let us now share that peace with one another, saying: The peace of Christ be with you.
People: And also with you.

God’s Word is Proclaimed

Children’s Time with Nan


*Scripture Reading - John 14:15-21& Sermon - Radical Obedience

[Jesus said] “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. I will ask the Father, and he will send another Companion, who will be with you forever. This Companion is the Spirit of Truth, whom the world can’t receive because it neither sees him nor recognizes him. You know him, because he lives with you and will be with you. I won’t leave you as orphans. I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them loves me. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”


Responding to God’s Word

*Offering- God Calling

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*Prayer of Dedication
You are so generous, God! How can we respond except with our own giving? We offer our gifts, our selves, and our love to you, so that others may know you. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

*Pastoral Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer 


God’s People are Sent

*Closing Song & Benediction - Christ Beside Me

Leader:….and let all God’s people say… People: Alleluia! Amen!

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