Love One Another
Description
Here are a variety of worship resources inspired by Jesus’ command to “love one another.”
Scripture
John 13:34-35Romans 13:8-10
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
1 Peter 1:22
1 Peter 4:8-9
1 John 3:11-24
1 John 4:7-21
Prayers
Love So Easy and So Hard
Can it be that easy, Jesus?
Can it be that hard?
That what You want for us is just to love
and be loved?
Is it possible that even those who have tried the hardest,
signed on the dotted line,
sat for years in classes
and strained their eyes from reading,
dressed in all the most appropriate garments,
and spoken with only the most measured words…
that these can miss You?
How can it be when those who have hardly tried at all,
who have damaged themselves and others so much,
that in the end they have nowhere else to turn
but to throw themselves on Your grace…
that these are the ones You search out?
How do we make sense of this, Jesus?
How do we love so scandalously, so inclusively?
How do we allow ourselves to be loved enough,
that all our hard and sharp edges
grow soft and round?
Help us to find the humility and courage,
the boldness and grace,
that in our loving and being loved,
we may somehow ignite our world with a compassion so fierce
that violence and abuse,
rejection and condemnation,
neglect and greed
become unthinkable.
Amen.
~ written by John van de Laar, and posted on Sacredise.
http://sacredise.com/
Prayer
Our Father,
each day is a little life,
each night a tiny death;
help us to live with faith and hope and love.
Lift our duty above drudgery;
let not our strength fail, or the vision fade,
in the heat and burden of the day.
O God, make us patient and pitiful one with another
in the fret and jar of life,
remembering that each fights a hard fight
and walks a lonely way.
Forgive us, Lord, if we hurt our fellow souls;
teach us a gentler tone, a sweeter charity of words,
and a more healing touch.
Sustain us, O God, when we must face sorrow;
give us courage for the day and hope for the morrow.
Day unto day may we lay hold of thy hand and look up into thy face,
whatever befall,
until our work is finished and the day is done.
Amen.
~ Francis of Assisi, 1181-1226. Posted on thisischurch.com
http://thisischurch.com/
Prayer of Commitment (inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13)
Lord,
Because love is patient…
Help me to be slow to judge, but quick to listen,
hesitant to criticize, but eager to encourage,
remembering your endless patience with me.
Because love is kind…
Help my words to be gentle and my actions to be thoughtful.
Remind me to smile and to say “Please” and “Thank You”
because those little things still mean so much.
Because love does not envy or boast, and it is not proud…
Help me have a heart that is humble and sees the good in others.
May I celebrate and appreciate all that I have and all that I am,
as well as doing the same for those around me.
Because love is not rude or self-seeking…
Help me to speak words that are easy on the ear and on the heart.
When I’m tempted to get wrapped up in my own little world,
remind me there’s a great big world out there full of needs and hurts.
Because love is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs…
Help me to forgive others as you have forgiven me.
When I want to hold onto a grudge,
gently help me release it
so I can reach out with a hand of love instead.
Because love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth…
Help me stand up for what is right and good.
May I defend the defenseless, and help the helpless.
Show me how I can make a difference.
Because love always protects and always trusts…
Help me to be a refuge for those around me.
When the world outside is harsh and cold,
may my heart be a place of acceptance and warmth.
Finally, because love always perseveres…
Help my heart continually beat with love for You and others.
Thank you for showing us what the word love really means. Amen.
~ written by Holley Gerth, and posted on Taking it one step at a time.
http://onestep87.blogspot.ca/
Spoken Resources
Call to Worship (based on Psalm 22, 1 John 4)
As the weak realize their strength;
as the poor eat and are satisfied,
God’s love abides in us.
As the stranger finds a friend;
as the family offers forgiveness,
God’s love abides in us.
As the ends of the earth know of Christ’s grace,
God’s love abides in us.
~ Posted on the Worship Elements page of the Ministry Matters website.
http://www.ministrymatters.com/
Closing Benediction (inspired by 1 Peter 4:8-10)
Go now into the world,
inspired by the extravagant love of God.
Live generously, with open hands,
loving one another as if your lives depended on it.
Be good stewards of the gifts you have received,
so that God may be glorified in all that you say and do.
And may the abundant love of God surround you,
may the extravagant grace of Jesus Christ sustain you,
and may the constant presence of the Holy Spirit
inspire and encourage you in every good deed and word.
Amen.
~ Christine Longhurst
Songs
Traditional Hymn: All Praise to Our Redeeming Lord
Worship Together #445
All praise to our redeeming Lord,
who joins us by his grace,
and bids us, each to each restored,
together seek his face.
He bids us build each other up;
and, gathered into one,
to our high calling's glorious hope
we hand in hand go on.
The gift that he on one bestows,
delights us all and proves
that through his Body goodness flows,
his loving Spirit moves.
And if our fellowship below
in Jesus be so sweet,
what height of rapture shall we know
when round his throne we meet!
~ Charles Wesley, alt.
Contemporary Hymn: The Servant Song
Worship Together #438
Brother, sister, let me serve you,
Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.
We are pilgrims on a journey.
We are brothers on the road.
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.
I will hold the Christ-light for you
In the night time of your fear.
I will hold my hand out to you;
Speak the peace you long to hear.
I will weep when you are weeping.
When you laugh, I'll laugh with you.
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we've seen this journey through.
When we sing to God in heaven,
We shall find such harmony
Born of all we've known together
Of Christ's love and agony.
~ Richard Gillard. Words copyright © 1977 Scripture in Song (admin. by Maranatha Music). CCLI Song # 72673. If you use this song in worship, be sure to report it on your CCLI license.
Listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-Pk2NHKg_o
Contemporary Song: Love One Another
Love one another as Jesus loves us,
love one another as Jesus loves us,
love one another as Jesus loves us:
this is my new commandment.
~ David Gambrell. Copyright © David Gambrell. A full score, including flute accompaniment, is available in a collection of Resources for Maundy Thursday from the Office of Theology and Worship, Presbyterian Church (USA). Scroll down to the last page of the PDF.
http://www.pcusa.org/media/uploads/theologyandworship/pdfs/resources_for_maundy_thursday.pdf
Contemporary Song: Love
There is love
There is forgiveness
There is love in times of need
When life is cold there is a promise
You will never go without
(There is love)
(There is love)
When our hope is hard to find
And our faith is in decline
We need a cause to stand behind: love
We all want the way it feels
Time it comes and time it steals
What remains what is real: love
It heals the sick
Comforts the weak
Breaks the proud
Raises the meek
In this life no guarantees
But there is love
Love is the answer
Love will find a way
When we love one another
It's a brighter day
When life is cold there is a promise
You will never go without
~ Cary Pierce, Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash, Jesse Reeves, Mike Finley. Copyright © 2008 Vamos Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Single Stone Music (Admin. by Cary Pierce) Bug Music, Inc. (Admin. by Bug Music, Inc.) Wondrously Made Songs (a div of Wondrous Worship & Llano Music, LLC (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)). CCLI Song # 5203347. If you use this song in worship, be sure to report it on your CCLI license.
Listen to it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpzoqUQY3_Y
Images
Notes
This worship resource was created/compiled by Christine Longhurst. You are welcome to use it free of charge, and where appropriate, please note the source. If you are printing any of the resources for distribution, please print the source as well. The content of the worship resource does not necessarily represent the views of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, which oversees the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies. For more worship resources by Christine Longhurst, see http://www.re-worship.blogspot.ca or http://www.faithmatters.ca.