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(from Psalm 104: 1, 24, 27, 28,30, 31a, 33, 34, 35b) 

Praise the LORD, my soul!

O LORD, my God, how great you are! You are clothed with majesty and glory;

LORD, you have made so many things! 

How wisely you made them all!  The Earth is filled with your creatures.

All of them depend on you to give them food when they need it.

You give it to them, and they eat it; you provide food, and they are satisfied.

When you give them breath, they are created;

You give new life to the Earth.

I will sing to the LORD all my life;

As long as I live I will sing praises to my God.

May He be pleased with my song. For my gladness comes from Him.

Praise the LORD, my soul!

Comment on the Psalm:

  The writer of this Psalm utters an exclamation of wonder at the greatness and the glory of God.  He sees the beauty and the purpose evident in the World as extolling the glory and the wisdom of its Creator.  The infinitely great and the infinitely small of Earth’s creatures reveal God’s incomparable handiwork.  And just as God has brought every living thing into existence, so through Him is life preserved.  God is described as benevolently opening his hand to scatter food, enough so that every creature has sufficient to meet their needs.  There is the acknowledgement that the very life of every creature comes from the life-giving breath of God.  There is no life save that which originates from God, the majestic and glorious Creator.  It is the desire of the writer that the glory of God may endure forever, and that God may take joy from His handiwork.  May we, as we come before God in worship, do so in an attitude of thanksgiving and praise, acknowledging Him as Creator and sustainer of all there is, and the source of our life and purpose.

  (A Weiser p669 and 670, L McCaw and J Motyer in NBC p516) 

Prayer of Praise 

(in part from Prayers for God’s People Year B p109 and 110)  

Almighty God, we gather together with joy to offer you our thanks and our praise, we gather together in humbleness to acknowledge you as our LORD. 

  You have shown your supreme power and incomparable abilities through what we see and experience around us, by and through what you have created.  The Universe has been set in its place through the Laws of the Cosmos which you have determined.  Our World follows patterns and cycles of Nature which you have decreed.

  You have expressed your nature of kindness and graciousness by the way you sustain all of life.  You have provided for the needs of the smallest of bacterium that inhabit our soil as well as of the largest of whales that swim in our oceans.  You provide the necessities of life for all things, you provide rain for those who acknowledge you as their God and for those who don’t, but should.

  You have expressed your love for us so clearly through the sending of your son into the World so as to undertake your work of redemption and reconciliation with Humanity.  We recognise the brokenness of our lives and the barrenness of our own abilities to rebuild our relationship with you and to repair our relationships with others.  We recognise the sacrifice you made in sending Jesus Christ into the World and of his willingness to suffer on the cross.  We acknowledge your power over sin and death through his resurrection.  We praise you for making possible the forgiveness of our sins and the complete cleansing of our souls from all that is impure and ungodly.  We submit to your will and purpose in the World and individually in each of our lives.

  May our worship here today be tied to a renewed commitment to serve you daily in thought, word and deed.  May each moment of our lives be an expression of our love for you and of our gratitude for what you have done and continue to do for us.  To your glory we pray, amen.

Hymn

“Spirit divine, attend our prayers”  TiS406  AHB377  MHB289

[to the tune of St Agnes / Durham – there is no introduction]

Verse 1 of 6

Spirit divine, attend our prayers

And make this house your home,

Descend with all your gracious powers:

O come, great Spirit, come.

Verse 2 of 6

Come as the light, to us reveal

Our emptiness and woe,

And lead us in those paths of life

Where all the righteous go.

Verse 3 of 6

Come as the fire, and purge our hearts

Like sacrificial flame;

Let our whole life an offering be

To our Redeemer’s name.

Verse 4 of 6

Come as the dove, and spread your wings,

The wings of peaceful love,

And let your Church on Earth become

Blessed as the Church above.

Verse 5 of 6

Come as the wind, with rushing sound

And Pentecostal grace,

That all of woman born may see

That glory of your face.

Verse 6 of 6

Spirit divine, attend our prayers,

Make this lost world your home;

Descend with all your gracious powers:

O come, great Spirit, come.

Andrew Reed

Prayer of Confession 

(from Prayers for God’s People Year B p109, 116, 118, and A Year of Prayer p72, 73) 

We come acknowledging our failures and our faults, our sins and our stumblings. 

We come confessing the wrong things we have done and the right things we have not done.

We confess that we have often sought meaning in the trivialities of the attractions of this World, and have been enticed away from your path by this World’s values. 

Forgive us, we pray.

We confess that we have often neglected your Word and have sought meaning and understanding from what the World tells us. 

Forgive us, we pray.

We confess that we have compromised our witness to your love for the World by uncharitable thoughts and actions. 

Forgive us, we pray.

We confess that we have devalued our relationship with you by depending on what we can accomplish by ourselves. 

Forgive us, we pray.

We confess that we do not readily welcome into our fellowship those who are different or who challenge our level of comfort. 

Forgive us, we pray.

We confess that we tend to act in competition and not by co-operation. 

Forgive us, we pray.

Cleanse us from the defilement of our sins, deliver us from the evil that leads us astray. 

May we be guided daily by your Word of truth and nourished by that which endures to eternal life.  In your name we pray, amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness 

(from Romans 8: 30) 

The Apostle Paul writes that those whom God has called, He has put right with Himself.  Having confessed our sins before God, we have the assurance that God has listened, that God has forgiven, and that has cleansed us of all unrighteousness.

Thanks be to God.

Prayer of illumination  (from Holy Communion Two in Uniting Church Worship Services p21) 

O Lord, our God, you have given your Word to us that it may be a lamp for our feet and a light for our path.  Grant us grace to receive your truth in faith and love, so that we may be obedient to your Will and live always for your glory, through Jesus Christ our Saviour.  Amen.

Bible Readings:

Joel 2:

28  The Lord says, ”Afterward I will pour out my spirit on everyone; your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your old men will have dreams, and your young men will see visions.  29  At that time I will pour out my Spirit even on servants, both men and women.

30  I will give warnings of that day in the sky and on the Earth; there will be bloodshed, fire, and clouds of smoke.  31  The Sun will be darkened, and the moon will turn red as blood before the great and terrible Day of the Lord comes.  32  But all who ask the Lord for help will be saved.”

Acts 2:

1  When the Day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered together in one place.  2  Suddenly, there was a noise from the sky which sounded like a strong wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.  3  Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire which spread out and touched each person there.  4  They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the spirit enabled them to speak.

5  There were Jews living in Jerusalem, religious men who had come from every country in the world.  6  When they heard this noise, a large crowd gathered.  They were all excited, because each one of them heard the believers talking in his own language.  7  In amazement and wonder they exclaimed, “These people who are talking like this are Galileans!  8  How is it, then, that all of us hear them speaking in our own native languages?  9  We are from Parthia, Media, and Elam; from Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia;  from Pontus and Asia,  10  from Phrygia and Pamphylia, from Egypt and the regions of Libya near Cyrene.  Some of us are from Rome,  11  both Jews and Gentiles converted to Judaism, and some us are from Crete and Arabia – yet all of us hear them speaking in our own languages about the great things that God has done!”  12  Amazed and confused, they kept asking each other, “What does this mean?”

13  But others made fun of the believers, saying, “These people are drunk!”

14  Then Peter stood up with the other eleven apostles and in a loud voice began to speak to the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, listen to me and let me tell you what this means.  15  These people are not drunk, as you suppose; it is only 9 o’clock in the morning.  16  Instead, this is what the Prophet Joel spoke about:

17  This is what I will do in the last days, God says, “I will pour out my Spirit on everyone.  Your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams.  18  Yes, even on my servants, both men a women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will proclaim my message.  19  I will perform miracles in the sky above and wonders on the Earth below.  There will be blood, fire, and thick smoke;  20  the Sun will be darkened, and the moon will turn red as blood, before the great and glorious Day of the Lord comes.

21  And then, whoever calls out to the Lord for help will be saved.”

[Today’s English Version]

This is the Word of God.

Praise to you Almighty God.

John 15:

26  Jesus said to his disciples, “The Helper will come – the Spirit, who reveals the truth about god and who comes from the Father.  I will send him to you from the Father, and he will speak about me.  27  And you, too, will speak about me, because you have been with me from the very beginning.

John 16:

4b  I did not tell you these things at the beginning, for I was with you.  5  But now I am going to Him who sent me, yet none of you asks me where I am going.  6  And now that I have told you, your hearts are full of sadness.  7  But I am telling you the truth : it is better for you that I go away, because if I do not go, the Helper will not come to you.  But if I do go away, then I will send him to you.  8  And when he comes, he will prove to the people of the World that they are wrong about sin and about what is right and about God’s judgement.  9  They are wrong about sin, because they do not believe in me;  10  they are wrong about what is right, because I am going to the Father and you will not see me any more;  11  and they are wrong about judgement, because the ruler of this world has already been judged.

12  I have much more to tell you, but now it would be too much for you to bear.  13  When, however, the spirit comes, who reveals the truth about god, he will lead you into all the truth.  He will not speak on his own authority, but he will speak of what he hears and will tell you of things to come.  14  He will give me glory, because he will take what I say and tell it to you.  15  all that my Father has is mine; that is why I said that the spirit will take what I give him and tell it to you.”

[Today’s English Version]

This is the Gospel of our Lord.

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

Passing the Peace

Whether we gather in person in our Church building or whether we gather in spirit in our homes, we remain one body, one people of God, one in fellowship and one in worship.  With that in mind, let us uplift our hands and greet those both here and those who cannot be here: The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

For the Young at Heart

Screen 1

Jesus loves me, this I know,

For the Bible tells me so,

Little ones to him belong,

They are weak but he is strong.

Jesus loves me, he who died,

Heaven’s gate to open wide,

He will wash away my sin,

Let his little child come in.

Jesus loves me, loves me still,

Though I’m very weak and ill,

From his shining throne on high,

Comes to watch me where I lie.

Jesus loves me, he will stay

Close beside me all the way,

Then his little child will take

Up to Heaven for his dear sake.

This hymn was originally part of a story written by Anna Bartlett Warner (1824–1915) and her sister, Susan Warner, from a publication, Say and Seal, vol. 2 (Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1860), pp. 115–116.  In the context of the story, a very sick boy, Johnny, is being comforted by his teacher, Mr. Linden, who offers these words to the child, thus the words are relating to weakness, illness, and even death and the promise of heaven. 

Jesus loves me — Hymnology Archive

Anna B. Warner (b. Long Island, NY, 1827; d. Constitution Island, near West Point, NY, 1915) wrote this beloved children’s hymn text in 1859.  It was published in Say and Seal (1860), a novel Warner wrote in collaboration with her sister Susan, author of another popular children’s hymn, “Jesus Bids Us Shine.”  In this now-forgotten novel a dying boy, Johnny Fax, is comforted by his church school teacher, who sings to him the four original stanzas of this hymn. Warner and her sister Susan wrote popular novels under the pen names Amy Lothrop and Elizabeth Wetherell.  They also taught Bible classes for the cadets at West Point, who were ferried to the Warner home on Constitution Island.  After she died, Warner was buried with military honours at West Point in honour of this service.  She wrote devotional poetry and compiled two collections: Hymns of the Church Militant (1858) and Wayfaring Hymns, Original and Translated (1869).

Psalter Hymnal (Gray) 571. Jesus loves me, this I know | Hymnary.org

Screen 2

This poem was set to music by William Bradbury (1816–1868) for his Golden Shower of S.S. Melodies (1862).  In Bradbury’s collection, he kept all four of Warner’s stanzas, but he altered the final two lines of the fourth verse to make the promise of Heaven conditional, a change that might or might not align with some theological convictions.  He also added the familiar refrain, “Yes, Jesus loves me.”.  Bradbury’s tune is usually called JESUS LOVES ME, but in some collections it is dubbed CHINA, reportedly because of its favour among missionaries to China.

Jesus loves me — Hymnology Archive

Screen 3

Some modern hymnals utilize a revised text by David McGuire (1929–1971), produced for The Hymn Book (1971) of the Anglican Church and United Church of Canada.  McGuire’s version shifts the focus away from illness and heaven, instead, offering assurances of Jesus’ love during our Earthly journeys.  The second stanza alludes to the story of Jesus and the children in Mark 10:13–16, while the third reflects ideas expressed in John 15:9–17 and 1 John 2:9–11. 

Jesus loves me — Hymnology Archive

Screen 4

Scripture References:
verse 1 = Eph. 5:2, Jer.31:3
verse 2 = Gal. 2:20
verse 3 = Matt. 18:2-4, Matt. 19:13-15, Mark 10:13-16, Luke 18:15-17

Psalter Hymnal (Gray) 571. Jesus loves me, this I know | Hymnary.org

Both Anna and Susan Warner’s writings are marked by what some judge to be “undistinguished religious sentimentality.”  But those who are critical of the text’s simplicity may do well to remember what the great theologian Karl Barth once said when asked about his most profound theological discovery:

Jesus loves me, this I know,
for the Bible tells me so.

Psalter Hymnal (Gray) 571. Jesus loves me, this I know | Hymnary.org

Screen 5

Jesus Loves Me – The Lyrics

Jesus loves me! This I know,

For the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to Him belong;

They are weak, but He is strong.

Jesus loves me! This I know,

As He loved so long ago,

Taking children on His knee,

Saying, ‘Let them come to Me’.

Jesus loves me still today,

Walking with me on my way,

Wanting as a friend to give

Light and love to all who live.

Jesus loves me! He who died

Heaven’s gate to open wide;

He will wash away my sin,

Let His little child come in.

Jesus loves me! He will stay

Close beside me all the way;

Thou hast bled and died for me,

I will henceforth live for Thee.

Jesus loves me! Loves me still,

Though I’m very weak and ill,

That I might from sin be free

Bled and died upon the tree.

Jesus Loves Me (allaboutgod.com)

From a website: © 2002 – 2020 AllAboutGOD.com,

Jesus Loves Me – Sound Biblical Theology

The song “Jesus Loves Me” claims Christ’s devotion to me, but how can that be true?  As a sinner, wouldn’t the holy God despise me? Thankfully, the song is not hopeful delusion but rather sound, biblical theology.  While God hated my sin, His love for me compelled Him to give up His beloved Son.  Jesus, God the Son, loved us so much He died a terrible death to pay the just penalty for our sins (John 3:16).  As the lyrics say,

“Jesus loves me! He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.”

Yes, Jesus loves me and He loves you. How can I be so sure of Christ’s love? “The Bible tells me so.” Let’s examine the Scripture behind the song.

Jesus Loved His Disciples
In John 15:9-17, the Bible strongly testifies that Jesus loved His twelve disciples.  His love was not a passing affection but an abiding, self-sacrificing devotion.  Moreover, the context of the passage reinforces that we His future disciples are loved by Jesus.  He calls us His friends!

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love.  If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.  My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.  You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business.  Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other” (John 15:9-17).

These verses shed light on other portions of the song’s lyrics: “As he loved so long ago” and “He who died.” Jesus loved His disciples, and “Jesus Loves Me” so much that He laid down His life for me.

Jesus Loves Children
The song lyrics of “Jesus Loves Me” state that Jesus welcomed children:

“Jesus loves me! This I know,
As He loved so long ago,
Taking children on His knee,
Saying, ‘Let them come to Me.’”

The Bible passage the song refers to is Mark 10:13-16: “People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.”

Jesus Loves Me – Will you let the Bible tell you so?
The truth of Christ’s love for me is simple to believe. The lyrics of the song tell Christ’s faithfulness: “Jesus loves me still today” and “Walking with me on my way.”
  Jesus Loves Me (allaboutgod.com) 

From the website for the Jackson Sun newspaper

Dr. Ryan Fraser is an associate professor of clinical mental health counselling at Freed-Hardeman University.  04/04/2019

One of the most influential theologians of the 20th century was a German named Karl Barth. He was a critical thinker and prolific writer who explored the interrelation of faith, theology and culture. In 1962, he toured the United States making several presentations. The story is told of how one night after lecturing at a seminary, an attendee asked him, “What in your judgment is the essence of the Christian faith?” After pausing for a brief moment, Barth replied, “Yes, I can summarize in a few words my understanding of the Christian faith. Let me put it this way: ‘Jesus loves me, this I Know, for the Bible tells me so.’” Of course, those who heard his response were astonished by the child-like faith exemplified in the simplicity of his statement.

I concur with Barth’s profound assessment. At the heart of the gospel is the profound truth that Jesus loves me.

One of the most well-known Christian songs is “Jesus Loves Me,” with the original lyrics penned in 1860 by Anna B. Warner with a couple of verses added by David R. McGuire and the refrain by William B. Bradbury in 1862.

Jesus loves me! This I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.

The beautiful underlying message of the song is this:

• Jesus’ love for us is real and unconditional.
• Jesus’ love for us is tender and compassionate.
• Jesus’ love for us is deep and powerful.
• Jesus’ love for us is eternal and unstoppable.

On the wall of my office at Freed-Hardeman is one of my very prized possessions. It is the canvas photo of a tender and innocent infant’s soft, vulnerable hand turned upward with fingers gently closed, resting safely on the palm of his or her father’s big strong hand. There is a Bible verse that is displayed in top left corner of the photograph. It is 1 John 3:1 (ESV), which says, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!”

In Christ, we are all adopted as beloved, precious children into God’s big family (Eph. 4:4-7), no longer slaves to sin, but legitimate sons and daughters of God and heirs to his great and eternal promises reserved in heaven for us (Rom. 8:14-17). These everlasting spiritual truths should serve as a constant source of hope, comfort, and encouragement for our daily walk. We are never forgotten (Psa. 9:12), never left alone (Psa. 23:4; Deut. 31:6), never abandoned or forsaken (Heb. 13:5).

And nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:38-39). His amazing love is unstoppable and unending. As we get older, and our childlike faith perhaps begins to dwindle, it is important that we never let go of or forget these heartwarming divine truths.

There is a modified version of “Jesus Loves Me” (written by C.D. Frey, of Tennessee, The Bible Friend) for those of us who are growing older:  Yes! Jesus loves me! (jacksonsun.com)

Screen 6

Jesus loves me, this I know, 

Though my hair is white as snow;  

Though my sight is growing dim,

Still He bids me trust in Him.

Though my steps are, oh, so slow,

With my hand in His I’ll go

On through life; let come what may,

He’ll be there to lead the way. 

When the nights are dark and long,

In my heart He puts a song,

Telling me in words so clear,

“Have no fear for I am near.”

When my work on earth is done,

And life’s victories have been won,

He will take me home above,

To the fullness of His love.

Yes! Jesus loves me! (jacksonsun.com)

Screen 7

Warner 1860	Bradbury 1862	McGuire 1971	All about God Date ?	Frey 2019	Today
1	1	1	1		1
2	2		4		3
3	3		6 (amended)		9 (amended)
4	4 (amended)		5 (amended)		10 (amended)
		5	2		2
		6	3		4
				7	5
				8	6
				9	7
				10	8

Sources of the verses to the hymn “Jesus loves me, this I know” [TiS229 AHB166] 

The question is, “Which variation of the verses do you recall singing?”.  Were they the Bradbury’s 1862 version, McGuire’s 1971 version or the undated ones listed on the All about God webpage?  The first verse, and perhaps the second verse as well, that are well known and have not altered since they were first written.  Verses three and four of Bradbury’s hymn have been altered at some date that I could not identify, and are no longer included in some hymn books, including TiS and AHB.  McGuire omitted three of the original verses and included two additional verses, to suit a particular theme.  While Frey has rewritten the whole song, again, to suit a particular theme.

“Jesus loves me, this I know”  TiS229  AHB166

[there are so many variations for the wording to this hymn that I sought an instrumental YouTube recording.  This is an interesting duet with piano and violin for 4 verses- there is an introduction]

[this is quite a beautiful piano rendition for 3 verses which repeats the chorus at the end]

[I am opting to sing the first 6 verses only of the 10 that I have compiled from several places, as per my explanation above, but, of course, there is no corresponding YouTube.  Please choose which recording you prefer and replay the music as required so as to cover the remaining verses to be sung.]

Verse 1 of 10

Jesus loves me, this I know,

For the Bible tells me so,

Little ones to him belong,

In his love we shall be strong

Chorus

Yes, Jesus loves me,

Yes, Jesus loves me,

Yes, Jesus loves me,

The Bible tells me so.

Verse 2 of 10

Jesus loves me, this I know,

As he loved so long ago,

Taking children on his knee,

Saying, “Let them come to me.”

Chorus

Yes, Jesus loves me,

Yes, Jesus loves me,

Yes, Jesus loves me,

The Bible tells me so.

Verse 3 of 10

Jesus loves me, he who died,

Heaven’s gate to open wide,

He will wash away me sin,

Let his little child come in.

Chorus

Yes, Jesus loves me,

Yes, Jesus loves me,

Yes, Jesus loves me,

The Bible tells me so.

Verse 4 of 10

Jesus loves me still today,

Walking with me on my way,

Wanting as a friend to give

Light and love to all who live.

Chorus

Yes, Jesus loves me,

Yes, Jesus loves me,

Yes, Jesus loves me,

The Bible tells me so.

Verse 5 of 10

Jesus loves me, this I know, 

Though my hair is white as snow;  

Though my sight is growing dim,

Still He bids me trust in Him.

Chorus

Yes, Jesus loves me,

Yes, Jesus loves me,

Yes, Jesus loves me,

The Bible tells me so.

Verse 6 of 10

Though my steps are, oh, so slow,

With my hand in His I’ll go

On through life; let come what may,

He’ll be there to lead the way. 

Chorus

Yes, Jesus loves me,

Yes, Jesus loves me,

Yes, Jesus loves me,

The Bible tells me so.

Verse 7 of 10

When the nights are dark and long,

In my heart He puts a song,

Telling me in words so clear,

“Have no fear for I am near.”

Chorus

Yes, Jesus loves me,

Yes, Jesus loves me,

Yes, Jesus loves me,

The Bible tells me so.

Verse 8 of 10

When my work on earth is done,

And life’s victories have been won,

He will take me home above,

To the fullness of His love.

Chorus

Yes, Jesus loves me,

Yes, Jesus loves me,

Yes, Jesus loves me,

The Bible tells me so.

Verse 9 of 10

Jesus loves me! Loves me still,

Though I’m very weak and ill,

That I might from sin be free

Bled and died upon the tree.

Chorus

Yes, Jesus loves me,

Yes, Jesus loves me,

Yes, Jesus loves me,

The Bible tells me so.

Verse 10 of 10

Jesus loves me! He will stay

Close beside me all the way;

Thou hast bled and died for me,

I will henceforth live for Thee.

Chorus

Yes, Jesus loves me,

Yes, Jesus loves me,

Yes, Jesus loves me,

The Bible tells me so.

Original words by Anna and Susan Warner

Rewritten by David McGuire

Additional verses 5 to 8 by C D Frey

Verse 9 and 10 amended by unknown person at an unknown date

Jesus Loves Me (allaboutgod.com)Melody by William Bradbury

Sermon

  Sigmund Freud, the noted psychiatrist, once commented, “I had some words with my wife, and she had some paragraphs with me”.  (RD Feb 2010, p91)  Then there’s the story of the two boys who were boasting about their fathers.  One boy said, “My Dad’s so fast, he can shoot an arrow and then get to the target before the arrow does”.  “Big deal!”, said the second boy, “My Dad works in the Public Service and finishes work at 5o’clock, but he’s so fast that he gets home by 4.30.”  (RD Jan 1990, p36 adapted)

  We can laugh at such stories because we use our imagination to picture the scene in our minds, whether it is of Sigmund Freud having to endure a tirade from his wife, or of the second boy who has arrived at a satisfactory explanation for reconciling the time difference between when his father supposedly leaves work in the evening and when he actually arrives home at the end of the day. 

Screen 1

Imagination

  Make no mistake, educators and writers clearly state how important is the use of one’s imagination.  George Bernard Shaw, the Irish author and critic, once stated, “Imagination is the beginning of creation.  You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and (lastly), you create what you will.”  David Malouf, the Australian writer, once remarked, “All the things we achieve are things we have first of all imagined.”  (Enduring Words for the Teacher) 

  Of course, there are always two sides to a coin.  The C19^th American humourist, Henry Wheeler Shaw is quoted as saying, “There are lots of people who mistake their imagination for their memory.”  Samuel Levenson, an American writer and television host once said, “One of the virtues of being very young is that you don’t let the facts get in the way of your imagination.”  (Quotable quotes p18) 

  All of which leads us to the song composed by John Lennon and Yoko Ono released in 1971 titled “Imagination”.  The song begins with the words “Imagine there’s no heaven, it’s easy if you try”.  Now, we can react to these words in the same way as did the Pharisees when they reacted to the declarations of Jesus that he was the Son of God, by covering our ears and shouting “blasphemy!”.  For they must be blind and misled to declare such a thing.  Or we can point them to John 16:10, which we have just read, and declare that they are not listening to the Holy Spirit because, in this verse, Jesus states that the Holy Spirit will seek to convince people that He is returning to his Father in Heaven when, as we read in Acts 1: 9, in full view of the Apostles he was lifted up and a cloud made him disappear from their sight.

  However, I believe that this song challenges us, as the Church, with a challenge that is pertinent given today’s readings.  The second verse in effect asks, “Imagine that there is no such thing as love of country or love of religion which gives people grounds for justifying the killing others or for risking their own life through warfare and conflict”.  It ends with the words “Imagine all the people living life in peace”.  The third verse in effect asks, “Imagine if there is no such thing as love of possessions which leads, on the one hand, to some having a greed for more than they need, and, on the other hand, to others living a dire existence, hungry and desperate for something to eat to ward off starvation”.

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“the world will be as one”

  It ends with the words “Imagine all the people sharing all the world”.  And they conclude their song with the hope that “the world will be as one”. 

  What is disturbing for us is that not only did John and Yoko not see in the Church the will and the impetus to bring about “people living life in peace” or “people sharing all the world” or ‘people in the world being as one’, but also their condemnation of the Church, explicit and implied, that it has contributed to the lack of peace in the world, and to the inequitable distribution of the world’s basic resources for sustaining life for all, and to the creation of divisions and distrust among peoples.

  So, where is the connection with today’s readings?

  In Acts 2 we read that the believers were gathered together, that, suddenly, there was a noise like a strong wind blowing, that tongues of fire appeared which spread out and touched every person who was there, and that they were all filled with the Holy Spirit as Jesus had foretold in John 16.  This was manifested in the believers speaking in other languages, “as the Spirit enabled them to speak”,  (v4)  speaking “about the great things that God has done”,  (v11)  A large crowd gathered, drawn by the noise and the disturbance, and amazed and confused to hear words being spoken in their native languages, spoken by Galileans, who, by common agreement and understanding, were most unlikely to act in such a manner because they were uneducated and culturally backward, and spoke in a dialect that was considered corrupt and degraded by the pious Jews who lived in Jerusalem.

  And we read of Peter’s speech in which he gently rebukes them for not recalling that this is exactly what God had said that he would do, for the OT prophet, Joel, spoke of the very same thing; and Peter quotes the words of Joel 2: 28 to 32, of which the crowd would have been all too familiar.  Today’s passage from Acts 2 concludes with Peter’s exhortation, “whoever calls out to the Lord for help will be saved”.  (v21) 

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“whoever calls out to the Lord for help will be saved”  Acts 2: 21

  We must remember that this reassurance that God will save those who put their trust in him, is nothing new.  In Exodus 18 we read of Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses journeying to visit Moses after he had led them through the Red Sea, and of Jethro praising God saying, “Praise the Lord, who saved you from the King and the People of Egypt!  Praise the Lord, who saved his people from slavery!”  (v10)  In Psalm 2 we read “Serve the Lord with reverence, (for) happy are those who find refuge in him”.  (v11a and 12b)  In the passage where we read of Isaiah being called to be a prophet of God, we read of Isaiah’s anguished cry, “Woe is me!  I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips”, but he receives this reassurance from God, saying “your guilt is gone, and your sins are forgiven”.  (v5,7) 

  There is an amazing response to the preaching of Peter that day, with 3000 people repenting of their sin, confessing their trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, being baptised, and joining the group of believers.  But it is the description of their daily life that is of interest.  We read that they regularly spent time learning from the Apostles, they regularly met as a group in the Temple to praise God and to pray, they regularly met for close fellowship and to share meals, they shared their belongings with one another and would sell their property and possessions and distribute the money among the group according to what each one needed, and they enjoyed the goodwill of all the people who lived in Jerusalem.  (v40 – 47)

  Doesn’t this sound like what John and Yoko were imagining, “people living life in peace”, “people sharing all the world” and ‘people in the world being as one’?  The lifestyle imagined by John and Yoko was the lifestyle of the believers who formed the very early Church in Jerusalem.  It was a lifestyle that was inspired by the Holy Spirit as they sought to live out their new faith.

  Some have sought to assert that what Luke wrote of the early Church in Acts 2 was but an idealised remembrance, recalling what had taken place perhaps 50 years previously through ‘rose-coloured glasses’.  ( J Hill p31)  Another writer describes it as a “radical lifestyle”, one where people were valued over possessions.  It was a lifestyle based on the understanding that Christ owned both them and their possessions, and was a lifestyle in direct contrast to that of their Jewish and pagan neighbours.  ( C Keener p330)  What Luke was recalling was that the people’s acceptance of the Gospel led to a “joyous sense of community”, and (that their) spiritual unity found a practical expression in a readiness to share of their time and their fellowship, a readiness to share of their money and their possessions.  (The Lion Handbook p551) 

  But it did not last.  The dispersion of the believers throughout the provinces of Judea and Samaria following the persecution instigated by Saul (Acts 8: 1) meant that the believers had to adopt different and varied approaches to lifestyle and fellowship.  Certainly, the destruction of the city of Jerusalem and the Temple following the Revolt of the Jews in AD66 meant that the Temple could no longer be the focal point for worship. 

  One writer argues that with the death of the Apostles, the early Church in the C1st and C2nd centuries faced the serious questions of maintaining unity, of establishing measures to gauge authority and truth, and of how to encourage the Church while facing widespread persecution.  The New Testament books had not yet been collected, various interpretations of the Apostles’ teaching and of the Old Testament were rampant and, in some cases, seductive and dangerous.  False teachers continued to threaten the faith of believers as they had done in the days of Paul and Peter and John.  And factious envy and pride within Christian communities continued to divide the Church.  (D J Bingham p19)  Churches became involved in passionate debates that divided Christians into several schools or factions, which often fought each other with distinctly un-Christian violence.  (P Jenkins pix) 

  As the Church established a hierarchy of leadership and an organisation, more and more energy was placed on the maintenance of positions and of property.  As the Church became increasingly divided, more and more energy was placed on maintaining a theological stance and combatting all others who were different.  As the Church became an accepted part in political and social life, more and more energy was placed primarily on reinforcing moral standards and of supporting the status-quo.  It is little wonder then that the Church has lost the passion and the focus of the early Christians, and has lost relevance in the eyes of many outside of the Church.

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It is little wonder then that the Church has lost the passion and the focus of the early Christians, and has lost relevance in the eyes of many outside of the Church.

  Wars have been fought in the name of Christianity throughout the centuries, more out of a desire for territorial gain or National pride.  The Church has been used by leaders of Nations to support colonial aspirations and to subjugate and oppress indigenous peoples.  For many centuries the Church did little to oppose the practice of slavery, nor to press for improved working and living conditions for those living in the slums of the overcrowded cities of Europe.  And the recent Royal Commission into the abuse of children in institutions has shone a light on the preference in the past of the Church to protect its name and prestige rather than to protect the vulnerable children under its care.  It is little wonder then that many in Society are actively antagonistic towards the Church which they see as aiding and abetting the continuance of discrimination and oppression and of inequality. 

  What understanding do we need to regain regarding the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives individually and corporately in the life of the church? 

  In John 16:7 Jesus states, “It is better for you that I go away”.  Why is that so?  Firstly, because Jesus could only be in one place at a time, whereas the Spirit is not so limited, being able to be in all places at all times.  Secondly, because Jesus could speak only to the person, whereas the Spirit speaks to our hearts.  This characterises the intimate personal relationship which God seeks with all people, as He had with the prophets of old.  (C Keener p330) 

  In John 16: 13 we are told that the Spirit will reveal the truth about God.  Pilate had no trust in being able to determine what is truth, as he declared to Jesus at his trial.  (John 18: 38)  In contrast we can identify much of the truth about God, such as what is written in today’s Psalm, Psalm 104.  It talks to us of the wisdom of God displayed in the way He created such a variety of life.  It talks of the constant care God shows to His creation in the way He provides for the needs of animals.  It highlights that God is the source of life.  It highlights that our aim in life is to acknowledge the glory of God and to continually sing praises to Him.

  We need to acknowledge that it is not by our own reasoning or abilities that God’s work is accomplished.  It is the Holy Spirit that condemns sin in the lives of people.  It is the Holy Spirit that convinces people of the righteousness of Jesus and of the truth of the Good News of his sacrifice for our sin.

  Jesus said in john 16: 8 that the World is on trial.  Their unbelief in Him is their sin and therefore the Holy Spirit will judge them, as Jesus states in v11 and in John 12: 31.  Our confidence rests in the knowledge that God’s authority is supreme, that God works to accomplish His will and purpose, unhindered by all Earthly or spiritual powers.

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Our confidence rests in the knowledge that God’s authority is supreme, that God works to accomplish His will and purpose, unhindered by all Earthly or spiritual powers.

  Peter writes, “For Christ died for our sins, once and for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God.  (1Peter 3: 18)  In John 16: 10 Jesus is asserting that his resurrection and ascension to sit at the right-hand side of God is his vindication to the World that he has faithfully accomplished all that God has asked him to do.  With the Spirit’s assurance that this is so, we need not fear what the future may hold for us, for God’s love for us cannot fade, that our salvation is guaranteed.  (D Guthrie, NBC p961) 

  “Your young people will see visions, and your old people will have dreams.”, so Peter declared to the crowd.  (Acts 2: 17b)  May we be open to the inspiration and leading of the Holy Spirit so as to be willing and able to proclaim the message of God’s grace for all people.  May we be ready to live out our faith in works and words that reflect the love of God and in the close fellowship enjoyed by those first believers in Jerusalem who lived their daily lives with such glad and humble hearts.  Amen.

Hymn

“Come, thou everlasting Spirit”  TiS509  AHB429  MHB765

[This is the YouTube recording that I prefer.  There is a fourth verse that is not in any of the above hymn books. – there is an introduction

Verse 1 of 4

Come now, everlasting Spirit,

Bring to every thankful mind

All the Saviour’s dying merit,

Sufferings all for Humankind.

Verse 2 of 4

True Recorder of his passion,

Now the living faith impart,

Now reveal his great salvation,

Preach his Gospel to our heart.

Verse 3 of 4

Come as witness of his dying,

Come remembrancer divine,

Let us feel your power, applying

Christ to every soul, and mine.

Verse 4 of 4

Let us groan Tine inward groaning,

Look of him we pierced, and grieve,

All receive the grace atoning,

All the sprinkled blood receive.

Charles Wesley

Offering

Offering Prayer    

“For the life that you have given”  TiS774  [to be sung to the tune ‘Austria’ – refer to TiS772]

[disregard the words – only the one verse is needed]

For the life that you have given,

For the love in Christ made known,

With these fruits of time and labour,

With these gifts that are your own:

Here we offer, Lord, our praises;

Heart and mind and strength we bring;

Give us grace to love and serve you,

Living what we pray and sing.

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Prayers for Others

Let us come before God with our cares and our concerns.

For the Church:  that God will pour out the Spirit in a new and abundant way to renew all believers and strengthen us to further the mission of Jesus

For healing of the human family: that God will heal the divisions between women and men, poor and rich, and every race so that we may work together for the good of every person and the fulfillment of God’s plan

For a flourishing of the fruits of the Spirit: that we may manifest love, joy, peace, and all the fruits of the Spirit in our lives

For the grace to live in the truth: that the Spirit of God will lead us into a greater understanding of who we are and of what God is asking of us 

For all gathered here: that we may fully use the gifts of the Spirit to encourage one another on our journeys of faith and build up the Body of Christ

For all who announce the Good News: that they may faithfully, fearlessly, and joyously announce God’s loving presence and generous forgiveness

For all young adults: that the Spirit will help them recognize their gifts and talents and stir up within them a desire to use their gifts for God’s glory and the  good of the Christian community

For a renewed sense of mission: that the Spirit will inspire us in confronting the watered-down values of society and in building a society of justice and peace

For all who have been initiated into the new life of Christ this Easter season: that they may continue to listen to God, build up the Church, and grow in love

For Christian unity: that the Spirit will bring forth forgiveness for past wounds, a new spirit of trust, and opportunities to work and pray together for God’s glory

For all who are ill: that the Spirit will heal all who are suffering, restore them to their loved ones, and give strength to all who care for them

 For inspiration and insight: that the Spirit will guide all who are working to end the pandemic, particularly in Brazil, India, and Southeast Asia, and develop effective plans for administering the vaccine

For all who are being ordained this spring: that God will guide and sustain them as they serve the people of God

For all who are graduating this spring: that God will guide them in using their gifts and talents so that they will enrich the world and spread hope and peace through their efforts

For Peace: that God will curtail the violence, protect the innocent, and open dialogue between opposing groups, particularly in the Holy Land

Copyright © 2021. Joe Milner. All rights reserved.<br> Permission is hereby granted to reproduce for personal or parish use.  https://liturgy.slu.edu/ 

Loving God, we bring these prayers to you, trusting in your compassion and care.  To your glory we pray.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil,

For the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,

Now and forever.  Amen.

Hymn

“O Spirit of the living God”  TiS405  AHB318

[to the tune Rockingham – there is an introduction]

Verse 1 of 5

O Spirit of the living God,

In all the fullness of your grace,

Wherever Human foot has trod,

Descend on your rebellious race.

Verse 2 of 5

Give tongues of fire and hearts of love

To preach the reconciling word;

Anoint with power from above

Whenever Gospel truth is heard.

Verse 3 of 5

Be darkness, at your coming light;

Confusion, order in your path;

Souls without strength inspire with might;

Bid mercy triumph over wrath.

Verse 4 of 5

O Spirit of the Lord prepare

The whole round Earth its God to meet;

And breath abroad like morning air,

Till hearts of stone begin to beat.

Verse 5 of 5

Baptize the Nations; far and wide

The triumphs of the Cross record;

The name of Christ be glorified;

Let every People call him Lord.

James Montgomery

Benediction 

(from Invocations and Benedictions p77) 

Let us go with the assurance that God walks with us where-ever we go, that God will provide all that we need in whatever circumstances we face, and that ultimately it is God’s love for us on which we place our trust each moment of every day.

And may the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, rest upon you and remain with you always.  Amen.

Benediction Song

“Now to him who loves us saves us”  TiS771

https://hymnary.org/media/fetch/179720

(only the one verse is needed)

Now to him who loved us, gave us

Every pledge that love could give,

Freely shed his blood to save us,

Gave his life that we might live,

Be the Kingdom

And dominion

And the glory evermore.

Samuel Miller Waring