John 17:20-26 ~ June 1, 2025
Call to Worship:
Let every creature in heaven and on earth shout to God and sing with joy!
Blessing and honour, glory and power be to our God for ever and ever!
Let us raise our prayers and praises to God in worship this day!
Blessing and honour, glory and power be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.
Hymn: #250 Lord of the dance
Prayer of Approach and Confession:
God of glory and majesty,
God of mystery and mercy,
in Christ Jesus
you came to live among us, sharing in our joys and sorrows.
After he suffered and died for our sake,
you raised him and took him up in glory so that he might fulfill all things.
As our ascended Lord,
he gives hope to your people in all places,
in every generation and every situation.
So we claim that hope this day,
for ourselves and for the world you love,
offering you our praise and worship in the name of Jesus Christ,
who now lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
You desire us to share in the unity and be one
as you are Three in One.
We confess that such unity often eludes us.
We dwell on our differences and find reasons to criticize each other.
The love you called us to offer one another disappears when we disagree.
Forgive us for making our opinions and preferences into dividing lines
within the body of your Church.
Call us again to honour the unity and love you cherish for your followers
so we may witness to unity and love in this divided world.
Assurance of Pardon:
Hear the good news! Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ –
and Christ died for us; Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us. Believe the good news of the gospel. In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven
and given a ministry of reconciliation for his sake.
Hymn: #372- Praise him, praise him, Jesus our blessed Redeemer
Scripture Readings: Psalm 97
The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad;
let the distant shores rejoice.
2 Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
3 Fire goes before him
and consumes his foes on every side.
4 His lightning lights up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
and all peoples see his glory.
7 All who worship images are put to shame,
those who boast in idols—
worship him, all you gods!
8 Zion hears and rejoices
and the villages of Judah are glad
because of your judgments, Lord.
9 For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
10 Let those who love the Lord hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light shines[a] on the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.
John 17:20-26
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you[a] known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
Meditation: “One in the Spirit”
The prayer Jesus prays in John 17:20-26 is one of inclusion and unity. He prays for three things. First, he prays that he will be restored to the glory he had before incarnation. Second, he prays for the disciples. Third, he prays for the people who will be converted by the disciples.
Jesus wanted his people to come together in unity, and he still does. The church today is sometimes divided along social and theological issues such as LGBTQI persons, our environmental stewardship, and children in the church and how to meet those needs of missing generations. However, Christ’s objective or goal was unity.
In this morning’s Gospel reading, Jesus prays for the success of his followers’ work in the world. By stating that he is part of the Father’s oneness, Jesus makes himself equal to God. Jesus and God are united in will, in power, in loving intent for humankind, in commitment to salvation, and in mercy that endures forever.
Are we also united in one? Do we talk about “we” or do we talk in terms of “us and them”? The passive tense used in the Gospel reading shows that it is God who is perfecting us into our oneness with him. It is more appropriate to talk about the church acting or witnessing as one rather than being one. The primary purpose of our existence is for us as one body to be effective in our witness to the world. The fulfillment of this prayer is not up to us. The Holy Spirit continues to bless us with unity. Jesus prays for our success that we can be the reason someone sees hope in the world.
Unfortunately, there are still some people who have an “us versus them” attitude which continues to create division in the church. Yes, it is hard to let go of things that once were, but creation is always evolving and ever adapting. Our faith needs to be as strong as an oak tree but flexible as a willow. The Spirit needs room to move in our midst. A change in attitude won’t happen overnight. It will take time.
God loves diversity, yet he calls us to be one. If we have Christ’s love, we can love one another, and the world can see how much God loves them. Unity is often missing because although Christians seek to be one with Christ, we struggle with being one with one another. Unity in Christ means that we must give up something of ourselves. Every church says it wants to grow, but what that usually means is that the church wants more people to come in and support the church that has been created according to the wants and tastes that sometimes already exist. We want our church to grow while staying the same. Change is scary I get it.
But we are all connected; however, we must not let being connected with God become bogged down in our rituals. If being “one” means conforming to a set of rules, some people soon become uncomfortable. When the rules are broken or when they change, others feel excluded, especially when we are used to having a particular thing done a particular way. Our rituals need to be adapted to the changing circumstances of our world. Our faith and understanding of God’s word is always breathing. This is why the Bible is known as the living word. When something is alive it continues to grow. Are we, as the church, alive? Are we willing to adapt or are we wanting to stay in the ways we know?
Unity does not mean sameness. It means similarity of purpose, of situation, of allegiance, of intention, and of behaviour towards one another. It means accepting. For those who believe, it means gathering under the canopy of creation and being part of a great single sense of purpose. The problem with trying to achieve unity is our uninformed hearts. We do not know Jesus like Jesus knows God. We do not trust him like a child trusts a parent.
Picture, if you will, the cross, especially the horizontal beam. Imagine it growing and extending its arms. Watch how they grow and stretch and bend until they curve in upon themselves and form a huge circle that includes all of us, and our friends across the street, across the province, across this country, and around the world. We are stronger together than apart. We have the responsibility to reach out to others in that love and forgiveness and grace we have come to know and experience in this place.
We are called to show the world that God sent Christ to the world. We are to called to show the world three things: Jesus is the true voice of God. Christ is the true voice of what God wants to do in the world. Christ is the key to history and reality, the revelation of the invisible God.
We are all the same in the eyes of God. Wealth, status, etc. mean nothing to him. We are all equal, especially in death. Death is the great equalizer. If you need proof, just take a walk through any cemetery. The rich and the poor are buried side by side. The famous and not-so-famous are buried side by side. Unity can only be achieved through genuine Christian love.
We are to be the channel of his love. We have to reach out to those in need, to those who are in pain. We must respect all people and the entire environment. We must let the Holy Spirit guide us in our daily contacts with people.
The world is striving for meaningful, personal relationships such as those we have with God. God wants us to be a force for him in order to reach the world with his message of love and reconciliation. Unity is best illustrated in Christ’s metaphor of the vine and branched in John 15. We are all separate branches, yet we are all connected to each other through one vine-Jesus Christ. Each and every one of us has specific gifts, interests, responsibilities, roles, etc.
We depend on each other, and we are all dependent on God, God gives us Jesus so that we may be effective witnesses to the world. This unity is the key to understanding what it means to be a Christian. Unity with truthfulness requires that we state not only what we agree with, but also what we disagree with. We must be united in purpose, love, action and holiness. Unity in sharing God’s love is a broad and inclusive platform upon which we as Christians can stand and tolerate great diversity. There is no place in this unity for hate, prejudice or writing people off.
Jesus asked God for unity, and God gave it to him. He gives it to us today, and he will give it to us in the future. Jesus is standing at the door, knocking, hoping someone will open the door so he can invite them out to share his life in mission with the human hopes and hurts of people. Easter calls us to do this. Unity is the foundation for our faith. People understand God’s love when they see us living his love. Amen.
Hymn: #471 We are one in the Spirit
Invitation of Offering:
Though the Easter season draws to a close today, we continue to enjoy the blessings God pours out for us in Christ and in creation. Let us give thanks to God for these blessings as we present our offering in Jesus’ holy name.
Doxology: #830 Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Prayer of Dedication:
Eternal God, we praise you that Christ has ascended to rule in love at your right hand, while the Holy Spirit continues the work of salvation throughout your creation. We offer our gifts and our lives in gratitude for that work, and dedicate them to your purposes in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayers of the People and Lord’s Prayer:
Faithful God,
We give you thanks for your steadfast love
that provides courage and comfort for your people in every challenging time.
Continue to surprise us with your grace, O God,
and breathe your Spirit upon your church once more,
to draw us together in worship and witness.
Renew our faith so that we may serve you with courage and creativity,
offering the hope we know in Christ Jesus
to this struggling world.
God of peace,
thank you for sending Jesus into the world,
to reconcile the world to you through the forgiveness of our sins.
May the fruits of the reconciliation and peace he offers
continue to work in places of hatred and hostility.
Today we name before you the places on our minds and hearts these days,
and relationships in need of your reconciling grace.
O God, do not let us be resigned to injustice or indifference.
Inspire us to build renewed relationships in these days of deepening divisions.
God of fellowship,
we praise you and pray for your church:
renew our life together, correct us when we err and encourage us when we are most faithful. Inspire congregation with a fresh vision to continue Christ’s ministry in the world you love. Bless your ministers with courage and compassion, your elders with insight and wisdom, and all your people with passion for you for the ministries you call us all to.
Comfort those who mourn the loss of dear ones,
and support those who are sick,
and those recovering from setbacks or failure.
Give strength to people who are worn out or discouraged,
and calm the anxiety or anger that can keep us apart.
Bless and encourage any who are struggling in their faith,
and guide those with questions to your truth.
Faithful God,
By your Spirit, fill us with the faith and courage to do the work
Jesus commissioned his followers to undertake wherever he leads us.
For we are bold to pray together the words he taught us, saying:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth,
As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
The power, and the glory,
For ever and ever.
Amen.
Hymn: #298 Glory be to God the Father
Benediction:
Go in peace; God calls us to step out in faith, to follow where He leads
even if what He calls us to do seems impossible. So let’s go from here with courage, trusting in God’s presence and power, and eager to do God’s will.
Now may the LORD keep us and bless us,
May the LORD make his face to shine upon us
and be gracious unto us,
Now and for ever more, AMEN.
Choral Closing: “Go Now in Peace”
Go now in peace. Never be afraid.
God will go with you each hour of every day.
Go now in faith, steadfast, strong and true.
Know He will guide you in all you do.
Go now in love, and show you believe.
Reach out to others so all the world can see.
God will be there watching from above.
Go now in peace, in faith, and in love.
May 25, 2025
https://pccweb.ca/knox-goderich/files/2025/05/The-Peace-of-God.docx