Seventh Sunday of Easter, 2025
What follows is a worship service which, I pray, you can participate in at a time(s) that are convenient to you. This 'service' will take about forty five (45) minutes.
I pray that you will feel called to ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in this service.
The text that is in regular typeface (that is what you are reading at the moment) is to be read quietly, while the text that is in bold face (like you are reading right now) is meant to be read aloud.
Opening Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we commence our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A Call To Worship:
We meet in the name of God,
Creator of the universe,
source of true humanity,
mother and father of all. Amen.
An Assurance of Forgiveness:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
The Sentence For Today (let us say aloud):
The Lord is King; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of the isles be glad.
The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):
O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Saviour Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Our first reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Our second reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Gradual Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we raise out voices in praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A reading from the holy gospel according to Saint John.
Listen to David speak to this gospel
or, if you prefer, you can read the sermon, below:
Sermon for Easter 7, 25th May 2025
Welcome friends and peace be with you. MAY the words of my mouth and the meditations in our hearts be acceptable in your sight O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. <Amen>
In the 1620s the King of Sweden was Gustav Adolf II - and he was considered one of the great military strategists of the age. The King was thinking ahead about how to control the seas around his nation and he realised that he needed a formidable navy. King Gustav was convinced the jewel of his navy had to be one of the biggest, most formidable warship ever created. So, the idea for the “Vasa” was born.
The Vasa was a huge ship. Her builders used 1000 oak trees in her construction, her mast was as tall as a 15 storey building, and she carried nearly twice as many cannon as any ship afloat - 64, in total. The Vasa was one of the most intimidating and destructive ships ever to set sail.
On August 10th, 1628, as the crowds of Stockholm filled the harbour to see the Vasa launched, she set off on her maiden voyage … and within 30 minutes … she sank.
She sank, because she was top heavy. She was top heavy because her designers had put everything they could possibly think of on to the ship. However, in the process of giving this ship everything she might possibly need to “face the world”, the designers forgot the single most important thing a ship is supposed to do. FLOAT! If she doesn’t float, a ship isn’t much use to anyone!
Today, we hear Jesus’ longest and most fervent prayer. It was for the UNITY of His people:
“… that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us.” (John 17:21)
“ I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one …” (John 17:23)
In other words - design and put everything you can think of into a faith community. Fill the people and their lives with God’s busy-ness of proclaiming the gospel … BUT … in the process of doing everything we as disciples can think of to “face the world” … we must never forget the single most important thing that we, as Christians, are supposed to be - - - UNITED! If we aren’t united, working together, our faith communities “won’t float”.
I received a really interesting email from a young lady in Australia this week. She has been browsing the FaithaLight library and wondered if I could write something which might help her understand why are there so many Christian “types” (denominations) and why have some churches “split” from others and why aren’t all Christians saying the same thing ?
These are wonderful questions that get to the very heart of what scripture teaches us about the dynamics of a healthy family, because, after all, that’s what we, as Christians, or ought to be – a family of faith, brothers and sisters in Christ working together for the common good. So … what is the secret to Christian unity? Well, let me suggest three “guides”:
When it comes to unity in Christ, this is Guide Number One: Jesus Christ is the head of the body, not you or me or anybody else. He alone is head of the family. Jesus Christ is head of the church. Let Jesus “call the shots”.
Guide Number Two: EVERY member of the body of Christ is important to the well-being of the whole. In a healthy faith community, there is no “lower class”, and there are no VIPs. In Christ we are ALL one. Every member is valued and loved even when they don’t work the way “we” think they should be working.
Guide Number Three: Differences between human beings are inevitable. It’s the natural result of two or more healthy opinions working together: You see it one way, I see it another. We can expect to have a certain amount of conflict. God gave us the great gift of “free will”. We will not always agree on all things. Accept it. Get up, take up your mat and walk with it !! Just make sure that the differences don’t affect YOUR personal relationship with Christ!
Before leaving this earth, Jesus prayed for the unity of His family (read that as ‘humanity’) that would bear his name. And for good reason:
• When we live and work together in the name of Jesus Christ, we present a clear witness of faith to the world around us.
Just be aware: The opposite is also true: When we’re divided and at odds with each other, our witness is lost, and the world fails to take our message seriously.
Christian unity is as important as what we profess to believe, the programs we offer, and the good deeds we do for others. Pile everything you like on to the ship that we call “proclaiming God’s Kingdom” but if we aren’t UNITED IN CHRIST … it ain’t gonna float !!
So, to recap - just in case you missed the point.
Three basic guidelines:
• #1: Jesus Christ is the head of the church.
• #2: Each member is essential to the well-being of the whole.
• #3: Differences are inevitable. Walk with them. Pray about them.
<PAUSE>
Oh, I almost forgot: guideline #4 - - -When in doubt, refer to guideline #1 ! <PAUSE>
Thanks be to God that the tomb is still empty, and Jesus is calling us, shepherding us, calling us to ….. BE UNITED.
Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed! Alleluia. AMEN.
I runga e te Ingoa o te Atua, te Matua, te Tama me te Wairua Tapu. <AMINE>
Pause and Reflect
Just take a moment now to pause. Bow your head, close your eyes.
Allow these words of Holy Scripture and this interpretation of them today to speak to you.
An Affirmation of Our Faith
Let us affirm our faith by saying aloud, and together, "The Apostles Creed":
... and now let us pray for the Church, the World, and Ourselves, giving thanks for God's goodness.
Let us pray aloud, and together:
Jesus Christ calls everyone to follow Him and be united as one.
As Christians it is our duty and joy to share that invitation as we pray for the world to come to faith in Jesus Christ. AMEN.
<longer silence for personal reflection>
Jesus Christ calls everyone to follow Him and be united as one. Lord of all, we pray for people who seek to follow Your way in their lives. Let our faith communities speak Your word of truth with confidence and in unity so that those who are searching and listening will be able to see and hear clearly Your message of love and peace.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Jesus Christ calls everyone to follow Him and be united as one. We pray for key decision-makers and leaders in the governments of the world and for all who have the power to bring about change. Mighty God; intervene and move within our nations especially in Eastern Europe and The Holy Land as the violence continues.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Jesus Christ calls everyone to follow Him and be united as one. We pray for our family members, friends, and all those around us who are not Christians. Please work in us so that we can share Your love, Your life and message with them and reveal Your love to them, so that they might know, follow and bear witness to you.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Jesus Christ calls everyone to follow Him and be united as one. We pray for those, who through illness, disability or infirmity find it difficult to pray for themselves. Help them to be aware of the prayer and love which surrounds them and those who care for them.
Give the song of joy to all who are now on the road to recovery and recuperation and the song of thanks to all who helped them on that road.
We especially raise before You now all those who have asked for our prayers from around the world … those we know in New Zealand, in Singapore, in Argentina, in France, in Australia, in the US, in Canada, in Austria, in Ukraine, in China, in Germany, in the Czech Republic, and any others we now name aloud, or in the silence of our hearts, and those who are known only by You.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Jesus Christ calls everyone to follow Him and be united as one. Give us ears to hear and minds to understand the message of immortality for His followers, that we may look forward with confidence to that time when we will join You in the peace of eternity.
We especially pray for any we know who have recently died and are on that journey to You.
We pray for all the faithful departed, may they now rest in eternal peace as they most surely have risen in glory.
<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Jesus Christ calls everyone to follow Him and be united as one. In a moment of silence we pray for ourselves, our families, friends, for all whom we love and for our personal ministries.
Make us worthy of the sacrifice and resurrection of Your Son.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Jesus Christ calls everyone to follow Him and be united as one. Help us to build our faith communities through the power of your Spirit; by the same Spirit enable us, in the weeks to come, to bear witness to Your love, beauty and grace that all those we pray for may come to the fellowship of the faithful.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Forth in the peace of Christ we go; Christ to the world with joy we bring; Christ in our minds, Christ on our lips, Christ in our hearts, the world’s true King.
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Remembering that we are confident to pray this day, and every day, because Jesus Christ continues to teach us:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Let us conclude our prayers by praying together and aloud:
God of mercy,
you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice,
and have promised to hear the prayers
of two or three who agree in your name,
fulfil now, we pray,
the prayers and longings of your people
as may be best for us and for your kingdom.
Grant us in this world to know your truth,
and in the world to come to see your glory. Amen.
The Blessing
May The Risen Lord Christ turn His face towards each and every one of you.
May He cause His light to shine upon you, and
may He grant you His peace, and
The blessing of Almighty God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you and all of those whom you love,
on this day and forever more.
A Closing Hymn:
Let us conclude our worship today by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we unite in another hymn our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
The Dismissal
Go now, go out into the world
to love and serve The Lord.
Go in peace.
AMEN, we go in the name of Christ.
