Home Worship Planning Seasons & Holidays Is There Anybody Here Who Loves My Jesus? A 21st Century Resource for Easter 2A

Is There Anybody Here Who Loves My Jesus? A 21st Century Resource for Easter 2A

Gathering Meditation

"But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them ..." (Acts 2:14a)

Who stands up for the Lord after falling from grace? Who returns to ministry after being disgraced? Who tells others about salvation while being imperfect? Who would do such things?

Only a person who acknowledges the pain they've inflicted. Only a person who refuses to remain estranged from God. Only a person who believes that repentance is better than wallowing in self-pity. Only a person whom God has lifted from the gutter of life has the integrity to tell others about the love of the Lord.

Peter was such a person — are you?

Call to Worship (based on Psalm 116)

One Voice: Come! Lift your voices to the Lord who always hears us.

Many Voices: Listen Lord. Hear our voices sing your praises.

One Voice: Call on the Lord who bends low to hear us.

Many Voices: Listen Lord. We lift our voices to you in praise.

One Voice: Call on the name of the Lord, all people.

Many Voices: Listen Lord. We call on your wonderful name.
For you saved us, you raised us and turned our lives around.
Let your name be praised in this congregation.

Litany (based on Psalm 116)

One Voice: Is there anybody here who loves my Jesus?

Many Voices: I love the Lord.
He heard my voice.
He heard my cry.
He heard my plea.

One Voice: Is there anybody here who loves my Jesus?

Many Voices: I love the Lord
He bent down low to hear me.
He cares for me
And I will trust him as long as I live.

One Voice: Is there anybody here who loves my Jesus?

Many Voices: I love the Lord.
As long as I live I will trust him.
As long as I live I will praise him.
As long as I live I will serve him.

Praise Selection
"I Love the Lord, He Heard My Cry," no. 395 in the African American Heritage Hymnal, Richard Smallwood arrangement.

Call to Confession
Lord, too often I take the easy option. I hide in shame. I avoid my Christian family. I bury myself in work. Still, my sin remains untouched and obvious to you. I come today asking for the courage to run to you instead of away from you when I am in trouble. Hear my prayer, Lord. Bend down low to see my sincerity. Guide me along the path of repentance that leads me to reconciliation.

Words of Assurance
The Lord is faithful to hear and forgive. Repent and receive the forgiveness of the Lord. Walk now in the confidence that God hears and forgives, loves and restores. Walk as one forgiven and tell others of the love of God.

Prayer for Illumination for the Sermon
Lord, like the disciples walking to Emmaus, we often fail to recognize you. Open our eyes to see you today. Like the women at the tomb, many witness your resurrection but we fail to listen. Open our ears to hear what you are saying to us today. Lord, as you did with those walking to Emmaus, spend time with us in fellowship until our hearts burn. Speak a divine message through a human vessel today. Amen.

Contact Us for Help

View staff by program area to ask for additional assistance.

Related


Subscribe

* indicates required

This is a bi-monthly email where you’ll receive the highest quality resources to support your disciple-making process. Everything from Helpful Articles, New Webinar Series and Podcasts, Discounted Teaching Series, and so much more!

Please confirm that you want to receive email from us.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information about our privacy practices, please read our Privacy Policy page.

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.