March 9, 2025
Prelude - Bread of Life
Call to Worship
God of healing and transformation, we hunger and thirst for your abundant life. Meet us here. We need the bread of heaven to sustain us as we journey to find our way, that we may we be one with you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Hymn - Come, Thou Almighty King
Invocation and Lord's Prayer
Gracious God, we enter this place of worship with joy knowing that you have invited us here. Make us aware of your presence in the singing and praying and preaching. Renew us with your Spirit as we submit ourselves to you in prayer as your Son taught us: 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Scripture Reading - John 6:53-69
53 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”
61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”
66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
67 “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.
68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Joys and Concerns
Hungering and thirsting, we come to the Lord. Jesus is the living bread! Feed us with your love and healing power, O Lord.
Give us the bread of hope and compassion that we may also feed others. Praise be to you, O Lord, for your compassion for us.
Praise be to you, O Lord, for your steadfast love. Amen.
Hymn - I Am the God that Healeth Thee
Sermon - Journey to the Resurrection - Bread of Life
For Video version, click below.
Hymn - In the Cross of Christ, I Glory
Benediction
Let us go now knowing Jesus has the words of eternal life. Amen.