BA

RR

Y

AG

APE…

LOVE IS…

MUSING & TEACHIN

G

PETRUCCI

DARKNESS!

LIG

HT~

IF…

KOINONIA

1 John 4:7-8Beloved, let us love one anotherFor love is of GodAnd everyone who loveth is born of GodThe one who loveth not, knoweth not GodFor God is love.So, beloved, let us love one another…First John Four, Seven and Eight

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary Pure and holy, tried and true With thanksgiving, I'll be a living Sanctuary for You

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can;and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful worldas it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things rightif I surrender to His Will;That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with HimForever in the next.Amen. --Reinhold Niebuhr

First John 1:1-4 – The Prologue

1We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—2this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—3we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

NRSV

1 John 1: 5

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.

A Conclusion AND A Transition

Walkin’, Walkin’, Walkin’ in the Light!Walkin’, Walkin’,Walkin’ in the Light!

First John 1:5-2:2 – God is Light5This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; 7but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

2:1My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

NRSV

Three Simples Rules

•Do No Harm

•Do Good

•Stay in Love with God

PrayerCreator and Healer of the world, help us see our part in your work of healing our world and its wounded people. Show us what needs to be torn down and what needs to be built up, that all people may live in peace and safety, enjoying fullness of life. Amen.

From Number 397, Upper Room Worshipbook, 2006, by Mary Lou Redding

Confession of Sin and Assurance of Pardon

We are reluctant, Author of Love and Light, to name and then set aside our hurts, anger, and disappointments which we have acted upon individually as well as corporately within the church. Heal us with your tender touch and shine your light upon us as we diligently seek the persons who live with a renewed

commitment to seek your image in all persons. Open our eyes to your reclaiming power in our lives, your redeeming love, and reveal to us through this study how your love is made known through continued unselfish

sacrifice.

Come! Live in the light! Shine with joy and the love of the Lord!

We are called to be light for the kingdom, to live in the freedom of the city of God!

Come! Open your heart! Show your mercy to all those in fear!

We are called to be hope for the hopeless so all hatred and blindness will be no more!

Closing Litany

Sing! Sing a new song! Sing of that great day when all will be one!

God will reign, and we’ll walk with each other as sisters and brothers united in

love!We are called to act with justice, we are called to love tenderly, we are called to serve one another, to walk humbly with God!

“We are Called,” The Faith We Sing, #2172

I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light I want to walk as a child of the lightI want to follow JesusGod sent the stars to give light to the worldThe star of life is Jesus

In Him there is no darkness at allThe night and the day are both alikeThe Lamb is the light of the city of GodShine in my heart Lord Jesus 

I want to see the brightness of GodI want to look at JesusClear sun of righteousness, shine on my pathAnd show me the way to the Father 

In Him there is no darkness at allThe night and the day are both alikeThe Lamb is the light of the city of GodShine in my heart Lord Jesus 

I’m looking for the coming of ChristI want to be with JesusWhen we have run with patience the raceWe shall know the joy of Jesus

In Him there is no darkness at allThe night and the day are both alikeThe Lamb is the light of the city of GodShine in my heart Lord Jesus