Worship Service

Ephesians 2:11-22

 11Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)-- 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.  

 Love God and Others Matthew 22:324-46

Jesus teaches us to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves, as written in Matthew 22:34-46. Through song and activities, we learn to prioritize love for God and others, recognizing that this love is the foundation for keeping all other commandments. 

I don't know for sure, but I think there have probably been more songs written about love than about anything else in the world. Here’s a list of some of my favorites: "Love Makes the World Go Round," "Love and Marriage," and "When I Fall in Love." 

Oh, I almost forgot one of the best love songs ever written. I’m sure all of you know this song! If you know it, sing along with me. But I also have a challenge for you: Every time you hear the word “love” in this song, make a heart shape out of your hands. (Demonstrate making a heart shape with your hands.)

Here it goes:  

Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to him belong;
They are weak but he is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

What a wonderful song about Jesus' love for us. In today's Bible lesson, Jesus teaches another very important lesson about love. I want you to help me again. Every time you hear the word “love,” make a heart shape with your hands.

People were always amazed at the teachings of Jesus. One day a crowd was gathered around Jesus when a man who was an expert in religious law tried to trap Jesus with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment?"

Jesus answered, "'Love (pause) the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,' this is the greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love  (pause) your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."  In other words, Jesus was saying that if we could love  (pause) God and love  (pause) others, we would not have any trouble keeping the other 10 commandments.

Let's ask God to help us to love (pause) as we ought.

Dear God, help us to love  (pause) You with all of our heart and to love  (pause) our neighbors as we love  (pause) ourselves. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.