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Woship Resources 2009-2010 — Year C: Live Generously, Love Courageously
Return to Year C: 2009-2010
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Sunday, April 18, 2010
Joy Comes with the Morning
Third Sunday of Easter
Scriptures: Acts 9:1–20; Psalm 30; Revelation
5:11–14; John 21:1–19;
II Nephi 1:115; Doctrine and Covenants 163:9
For the worship setting, arrange on a table up front images associated with
fishing: nets, boats, and a few fish cut from colored paper.
Welcome
Call to Worship: Psalm 30:4–5
Hymn: “As We Gather” NS 3
OR “Morning Has Broken” HS 22
Invocation
God, you are the bringer of joy in the morning. No matter what we have
endured through the night we know that you will be there with us bringing
comfort and healing. And, with the morning light, your Spirit will bring us
peace. Let us feel you now, this morning, as your healing Spirit fills us
with joy.
Scripture for Peace
Prayer for Peace
Scripture Reading: John 21:1–19
As the scripture is read, provide opportunity for the congregation to
come up and add several more fish to the worship setting. There should be
more fish than there is space, allowing some to fall onto the floor.
Message
Based on John 21:1–19. Also use Psalm 30, if desired.
Hymn: “Lift Your Glad Voices” HS 271
OR Ministry of Music
OR “Sing a New Song!” NS 1
Scripture for Confessional Reflection: II Nephi 1:115
Do we sometimes feel guilty for being content or happy? God, we know that
when we respond to your blessings of happiness by helping others, we will
know eternal joy.
Disciples’ Generous Response
Each Sunday, as part of the Disciples’ Generous Response, we ask you to
integrate the message of “share equally” between Local and World Ministries
Mission Tithes. Generosity stories are provided to keep the church in touch
with how contributions to Mission Tithes spread the peace of Jesus Christ.
Please use the stories, testimonies, and up-to-date contribution information
as part of your offertory ministry. Visit
www.CofChrist.org/generositystories to print a copy, or contact your
pastor, congregational financial officer, or worship coordinator for a copy.
Scripture for Response: Doctrine and Covenants 163:9
Blessing and Receiving of Mission Tithes
*Hymn: “Christ Is Alive” HS 272
OR “You Shall Go Out with Joy” SP 45
*Sending Forth
God’s abundance overflows in our hearts as the fish overflowed in the
nets of the fishermen. May the love of God fill you with such joy that you
can’t keep it in but must share it with those around you. Go in joy!
*Benediction
*Response
*Postlude
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Acts 9:1–20; Psalm 30;
Revelation 5:11–14; John 21:1–19
Exploring the Scriptures
The final verses of John 20 lead the reader to believe that these are the
closing words of this Gospel. However, there is yet another chapter. Many
scholars believe chapter 21 was added later by the original author, or by an
editor, as an epilogue. However, this epilogue theory does not make chapter 21 a
lesser part of the canon. An epilogue can be defined as a final chapter that
reveals the fate of the characters. So what does chapter 21 say about the
disciples and the story after chapters 1–20?
Previous postresurrection appearances have been in Jerusalem, but now we find
Jesus appearing in Galilee. In Galilee, we find that the disciples have gone
back to a way of life they knew before Jesus. What did returning to old habits,
their old profession of fishing, indicate? They had seen the risen Jesus twice
before and had been commissioned by him in John 20:21, “As the Father has sent
me, so I send you.” Even though that commissioning did not have the far-reaching
tone of Matthew 28:19, nonetheless, it was the risen Christ sending them. But
now they are back in the boat. By returning to Galilee, are the disciples
indicating that the power of the Resurrection had not fully claimed their
hearts? The resurrected Jesus sent them into the world to forgive sins. Was
their return to the sea a fearful response to that call, or had they returned to
this previous profession with a new perspective, seeing this and other aspects
of life through the lens of resurrection?
The disciples fish throughout the dark night with no catch. Then, just as the
darkness is bathed by the morning light, Jesus appears and provides guidance
where to find fish. On several occasions (1:4–5, 11:9–10, 12:35–36, 13:30), the
writer of John refers to darkness and light, and each time Jesus is symbolized
as the light. Was this night at sea not only physically dark but spiritually
dark for those disciples?
The net was full, reportedly with 153 fish. Some scholars agree that this
number symbolized a wide variety of fish. The preacher might challenge the
congregation to consider their “net” and the diversity within their
congregation and community.
In verses 15–17, the writer may be attempting to draw a parallel between
Peter’s earlier denials of Jesus three times, and now Jesus asking Peter about
his love. The charcoal fire in verse 9 also reminds us of the charcoal fire in
chapter 18, verse 18—where Peter stood with police and denied knowing Jesus
three times. Here in chapter 21, he finds himself again with Jesus and his
fellow disciples having a meal. And now again he will be given opportunity to
respond (three times). What joy it must have been for Peter to once again commit
his life to Jesus. Some believe there was a question of Peter’s importance in
this community, and the writer used this epilogue to acknowledge his value.
Whatever the purpose for focusing on Peter, Jesus’ questions and commission to
Peter emphasize that speaking the words of love must be coupled with a life of
love.
The spiritual and emotional journey of the writer of Psalm 30 is similar to
that of the disciples in John. The psalmist, having been in pain and deep
distress, is restored to new life and overwhelming joy by God’s grace. The
lament and praise found in Psalm 30 are also found in John. The disciples were
still mourning the death of Jesus as they fished all night to no avail. Then, in
the early dawn, they joyfully discovered the risen Christ on the shore. After
that discovery and a morning meal with him, one almost can hear the words of
verse 11 on the lips of the disciples, “You have turned my mourning into
dancing…my soul may praise you and not be silent.”
Central Ideas
1. Jesus will meet all of us at our Galilean seas.
2. Just as Jesus invited the disciples to partner with him providing the
breakfast, we too are invited into partnership in declaring the joy of the
risen Christ.
3. Worship should confront us with the question, “Do you love me?” It
should also challenge us to consider how we live out that love.
Questions for the Speaker
1. Are you living life back “in the boat in Galilee” or are you seeing
and approaching life through the lens of the Resurrection?
2. What might it mean for you to cast your nets on the other side? What
might this mean for your congregation’s traditions, understandings, etc?
3. Have you had dark moments when you saw Jesus “standing on the shore”?
What is it that caused you to recognize the risen Christ?
4. How does your congregation recognize and celebrate its diversity and
the diversity in the world?
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