Being Friends in the Heart of God

Being Friends in the Heart of God

PREACHER: FATHER JOHN HAMILTON Jesus loved his disciples as friends and he ministered to them the night before he died. This talk invites us to ponder what it means to be a community of soul friends with Jesus. READINGS FOR THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER: * Acts 7:55-60 [https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEaster5_RCL.html#ot1] * 1 Peter 2:2-10 [https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEaster5_RCL.html#nt1] * John 14:1-14 [https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEaster5_RCL.html#gsp1] * Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 [https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEaster5_RCL.html#ps1]

Be Like Jesus: Shepherd

PREACHER: REV. GRACE BURTON-EDWARDS Jesus is both shepherd and gate. We are sheep and we are to listen to the voice of Jesus and follow our good shepherd to green pastures and abundant life but there are still are thieves and bandits who seek to kill and destroy. But Jesus is also our gate. Jesus is how we tell if someone can be trusted to care for the flock. A faithful shepherd is someone who Jesus would let through the gate. We are called to be the kind of shepherd that Jesus would let through the gate for the good of all the sheep. READINGS FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER: * Acts 2:42-47 [https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEaster4_RCL.html#ot1] * 1 Peter 2:19-25 [https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEaster4_RCL.html#nt1] * John 10:1-10 [https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEaster4_RCL.html#gsp1] * Psalm 23 [https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEaster4_RCL.html#ps1]

Be Like Jesus: Accompany

PREACHER: REV. GRACE BURTON-EDWARDS The risen Jesus didn't appear to Pilot or the Chief Priests or Herod or stage a comeback tour. But instead the risen Jesus accompanied confused, frightened, grieving people....One way we can be like Jesus is to accompany people...Jesus showed up. He didn't stay too long. He ate and prayed when appropriate. He didn't draw attention to himself. He focused on others and then he left. And that was enough. READINGS FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER: * Acts 2:14a,36-41 [https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEaster3_RCL.html#ot1] * 1 Peter 1:17-23 [https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEaster3_RCL.html#nt1] * Luke 24:13-35 [https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEaster3_RCL.html#gsp1] * Psalm 116:1-3, 10-17 [https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEaster3_RCL.html#ps1]

Be Like Jesus: Forgive

PREACHER: REV. GRACE BURTON-EDWARDS On one large macro level Jesus was giving an important gift to the church - the authority to let go of and hold on to sin. This gift also applies on a personal level. So be like Jesus - forgive and retain. READINGS FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER: * Acts 2:14a,22-32 [https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEaster2_RCL.html#ot1] * 1 Peter 1:3-9 [https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEaster2_RCL.html#nt1] * John 20:19-31 [https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEaster2_RCL.html#gsp1] * Psalm 16 [https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEaster2_RCL.html#ps1]

Be Like Jesus: Question

PREACHER: REV. GRACE BURTON-EDWARDS FOUR KINDS OF QUESTIONS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CAN AND SHOULD ASK IN OUR LIVES IF WE WANT TO BE LIKE JESUS: * Followers of Jesus should question authority. * Followers of Jesus should question what we've been taught. * Followers of Jesus need to question ourselves. * Followers of Jesus may at times question God and that is a faithful thing to do. SO DON'T BE AFRAID OF YOUR QUESTIONS. THEY MAY BE THE POWER OF THE RISEN CHRIST AT WORK WITHIN YOU. EASTER SUNDAY READINGS Acts 10:34-43 [https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEasterPrin_RCL.html#ot1] Colossians 3:1-4 [https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEasterPrin_RCL.html#nt1] John 20:1-18 [https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEasterPrin_RCL.html#gsp1] Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 [https://www.lectionarypage.net/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEasterPrin_RCL.html#ps1]