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Ryland Epworth United Methodist Church

Sunday Bulletin Excerpts


11 O'Clock Worship Service


May 17, 1998

Thought for the Week

O God, our sovereign, our banquet, our crown: In the resurrection of your Son you have brought us into your palace. Train us to be heirs to your throne, that we may shield the needy; through Christ our Lord. Amen. Alleluia.

United Methodist Book of Worship


Instrumental Selections


Sermon Title:    Loving Jesus

Scripture Lessons: Psalm 67, Deuteronomy 14:15-31, St. John 14:15-31

Summary:In today's Gospel reading, Jesus is with his disciples in the upper room, on the eve of his passion, to share with them the innermost secret of his life--his love for the Father. He tells his disciples that they will be intimately at home in this love if they do the things he has told them to do. Their participation in the exchange of love between Jesus and his Father in the Holy Spirit is Jesus' gift of friendship to them. Obedience to Jesus' commands is the key. His commands are joyous, good news!
In the Old Testament reading, we hear God's offer of life or death. Obedience is the way of life, disobedience the way of death and destruction. To love Jesus is to choose life. Our Lord came to give life, not death; he came to make us truly happy; he came to fit us for heaven to live with him there.


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