Topic

Veronica Dyck spoke on the first of the “farewell discourses”. Her assigned text was John 15, which focuses on the pain of separation (Jesus predicting he will die and no longer be with his students), that society will reject both Jesus and his friends, but that God’s Spirit will both lead and comfort them. In the chapter’s beginning, we have the last of the “I am” illustrations attributed to Jesus: I am the vine, you are the branches. In this metaphor, God is portrayed as the gardener who will prune the branches so they will bear better fruit. The metaphor concludes with Jesus promising that whatever we pray for will be granted (but only if we pray wisely, as Jesus would have prayed, and not make selfish and even foolish requests). Verses 18-25 remind us that the cost of discipleship is high if we are active members of a witnessing community. Sin is then defined as someone not believing in Jesus, not “abiding in him”, not being part of a fruitful vine. Veronica reminded us that being productive is not the same as being fruitful. Our value as individuals does not depend upon our productivity but on how we relate to others through love, kindness, peace, gentleness. [JEK]

Service Details

Passage: John 15

Communion: Yes

Ecumenical or Event: Lent III

Potluck Lunch: No

Congregational Meeting: No

Worship Team

Speaker: Veronica Dyck

Worship Leader: Henry Neufeld

Song Leader: Evan Kreider

Pianist: Edward Kehler

Usher:

Childrens Feature Leader: Angela Ekkert

Hospitality

Bring Flowers: Hildegard & Helmut Lemke

Coffee Helper:

Sound Helper:

Sunday School Team

Child Care Volunteer: Nadine Neudorf