God is With Us (John 14:15-21) // Sunday, May 17, 2020

God is With Us (John 14:15-21) // Sunday, May 17, 2020

#ComeSunday #WorshipBulletin: Read the scripture and download the bulletin to prepare for Sunday worship and Tuesday Bible study!



A Word from Bishop Hagiya

The Appointive Cabinet and I realize how much dedication our clergy, worship teams and staffs have been putting into our online Sunday worship services.  In order to honor them and give them a much needed Sabbath, we will be recording and producing a full worship service as a video, of which each church can use all or part, as our local church leaders take a much needed Sunday Sabbath for themselves….

We would like to ask all local church clergy, worship teams, and church staffs to set aside one to three days of Sabbath in order to renew, recharge, and rejuvenate for the long haul that is ahead of us.  Whereas the worship service use is optional, taking time for a Sabbath is not.  So, we really want every local church to work on a date on which this happens.  We need you for the long haul of this pandemic and we need you at your very best.  So, please catch your breath, recharge your energy and renew your faith!

Be the Hope!

Bishop Grant J. Hagiya
Los Angeles Area Resident Bishop


Order of Worship for May 17, 2020

// Recorded from Inglewood First UMC
– Gathering Music (February 2019)
– Welcome

// Recorded from Pasadena First UMC
– Words of Introduction and Call to Worship
– Opening Hymn
– Scripture Reading (John 14:15-21)
– Sermon – Pastoral Prayer for our Clergy and Laity
– Call to Discipleship
– Sending Forth Hymn
– Benediction
– Postlude

– Birthday Shout-Outs!


John 14:15-21 (New Revised Standard Version)

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. 17 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.

1“I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”


Summary:

Throughout May, we’re exploring different ways God is present for us.  Whatever we need God to be, God can be that.

Jesus reminds us that the “Spirit of Truth” abides with us and that that we are not abandoned or forgotten. Trust the truth of God’s presence with you and be God’s presence for those who feel forgotten. God is with us.

Reflection Questions:

  1. What is a word, phrase or image that comes to mind when you read or hear the text?
  2. What does this scripture teach you about presence?
  3. What does God invite you to do, change or be through this passage?