We are a community seeking to have open minds, open hearts, and open arms, building community in a fragmented world.
Opening Scripture - Psalm 66:1-6
1 Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; 2 sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise. 3 Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds! Because of your great power, your enemies cringe before you. 4 All the earth worships you; they sing praises to you, sing praises to your name.’
5 Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds among mortals. 6 He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There we rejoiced in him,
*Response - Weave
Weave, weave, weave us together,
Weave us together, in unity and love.
Weave, weave, weave us together,
weave us together, together in love.
*Call to Worship - Drema Herron
ONE: Come and see, come and see!
ALL: We come to see for ourselves who this Jesus person is.
ONE: Come and see, come and see!
ALL: We come with open hearts to experience Jesus
ONE: Come and see, come and see!
ALL: We come to follow Jesus
ONE: Come and see, come and see!
ALL: We come to deepen our relationship with God.
ONE: Come and see, come and see!
ALL: Yes, Lord we come to follow you!
*Opening Hymn - I Love to Tell the Story #480
1 I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story because I know 'tis true;
it satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.
[Refrain:]
I love to tell the story,
'twill be my theme in glory,
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.
3 I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
'twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long. [Refrain]
Invitation to Generosity - Drema Herron
Children’s Moment - Ally Bozeka
Pastoral Prayer - Rev. Chad Delaney
O God of our Hearts, You yearn to be so close to us that we can know you in every breath, in every hope, in every relationship. Meet us here today and teach us to recognize the covenant of justice, peace and love you have written on our hearts. That our desires become your desires, our work become your work, and our community the place where you are sought and found. You have called us to take part in your work and world. Called us to carry forth kindness, generosity, and faithfulness. As we do so help us to recognize your love in our lives. Help us to come and see for ourselves what it means to be known and loved in your presence.
Help us Lord to extend grace to ourselves and others. To see ourselves, others, and the world around us through your lens of love.
Give us a hunger in our hearts to seek your Kingdom, to seek your righteousness, to seek wisdom, to seek You.
We lift to you now the joys and sorrows of our hearts in prayer….
In Jesus Name we pray….Amen.
Communion
Meditation - Pam Baynes
Communion Hymn - Let us Break Bread Together #425
1 Let us break bread together on our knees; (on our knees)
let us break bread together on our knees. (on our knees)
[Refrain:]
When I fall on my knees, with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me. (on me)
Prayer & Lord’s Prayer - Pam Baynes
Words of Institution - Rev. Chad Delaney
Prayer of Illumination
Help us so hear your word that we might understand. That in our understanding that we might have faith. That in our faith we might live and love in the likeness of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture - John 1:35-51
35 The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, 36and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, ‘Look, here is the Lamb of God!’ 37The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. 38When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi’ (which translated means Teacher), ‘where are you staying?’ 39He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon. 40One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41He first found his brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated Anointed). 42He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas’ (which is translated Peter).
43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow me.’ 44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.’ 46Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’ 47When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, ‘Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!’ 48Nathanael asked him, ‘Where did you come to know me?’ Jesus answered, ‘I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ 49Nathanael replied, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ 50Jesus answered, ‘Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.’ 51And he said to him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’
Sermon - Come and See Greater Things - Rev. Chad Delaney
Some of you might know that I’ve always been a sports guy. I grew up with the Indians, the Browns, and the Cavs. As a huge Indians fan, we would watch the games on TV all summer long and if I was going to spend money on a big ticket event…it was going to be a game. Our family LOVED music, but if you asked me whether I wanted to go to the art museum or concert it was a no brainer. Get me my ball cap and a hot dog and I’m happy.
SO…….in college when Christin (my girlfriend at the time) came up to me and said “Hey, want to go to Severance Hall and see Chanticleer.” I was like, “Go where? Chanti-what?” “It's an all men’s acapella choir.” I think you meant, “Go to Cleveland and watch an all men’s group play basketball.”
She pressed me on it and even told me she’d PAY FOR IT. I was super stubborn about it and foolish to not go anywhere, anytime with this stunning person standing in front of me. I clearly was not as smart or cultured way back in the 90s. I begrudgingly went.
And WOW……I was wrong. Listen….
Within the first minute I was completely hooked. How much I would have missed out on? I bought the CD and have listened for years.
In the story today we find a skeptical Nathaniel. There are some who have just caught a glimpse of Jesus and knew what they had found. They wanted to see where Jesus was going and what he was doing. They wanted to follow him and they did. Philip was one of those and he was SO INSPIRED that he wanted others to be there too. He decided to invite Nathaniel…but Nathaniel wasn’t convinced.
‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Come on man….don’t waste my time. I’m not chasing after some do-gooder with delusions of grandeur.
When Jesus greets him with a compliment--in this person I see no deceit!....Nathaniel says, “Where did you come to know me” -- my translation -- “You don’t know me!” or “Are you sure you are talking to me?”
It is an amazing scene with so much goin on. As always there is so much to learn from this from the different parts of the passage. All the interactions here are so important and teach us something. Here’s a few I noticed.
- Look how Philip responds to Nathanael’s skepticism? He doesn’t scold him or shame or badger him about it. He simply says, “Come and See.” Do you have someone you have tried to talk about your faith with them or get them to watch YouTube or come to church. Do a Philip and be patient, generous, and invitational. Come and See…the door or youtube is always open.
- Did you notice, too, how Jesus responds to him? Jesus is ready to take him in and keeps inviting. He tells him there is more than he imagined waiting for him. AND there is not an ounce of shaming, only invitation.
- And on Nathanael’s end, he remained open even through his skepticism. There was so many things that could have gotten in the way.
- His prejudice and preconceived ideas
- His occupation with other places to be and things to do.
- Just not sure if following Jesus was for him.
- Any number of things churning around inside of him that no one could see.
- And that’s why I believe whether he said Yes or No in those moments the invitation from Jesus would have always been there to “Come and See.
What makes this story even better is that while Nathanael had some healthy skepticism in Chapter 1 of the Gospel of John, his YES to come and see led him to walk with Jesus through his life and ministry, to the cross, and even to the resurrection. The next time he is mentioned after John 1 is the last chapter of John, chapter 21 where he is with the other disciples when the resurrected Christ appeared to them at the Sea of Galilee. It was indeed JUST as Jesus had told him … “that he would see greater things than these.”
Church Family, in your interactions and engagements with those skeptical of your faith or uncertain about what it all means…extend grace and mercy and invitation. “Come and See.” As you wonder in your heart what it means for you, may you be open to invitation set before you. It may be new or unexpected. In so doing, may your mind, heart, soul, eyes, and ears receive blessing upon blessing as you will bear witness to all the greater things Christ can and will do in and through you. May it be so. Amen.
Closing Hymn - Softly and Tenderly #340
1 Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me;
patient and loving, he's waiting and watching, watching for you and for me.
[Refrain:]
Come home, (Come home,) come home, (come home,)
ye who are weary, come home; earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
calling, "O sinner, come home!"
2 Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading, pleading for you and for me?
Why should we wait, then, and heed not his mercies, mercies for you and for me? [Refrain]
3 O for the wonderful love he has promised, promised for you and for me;
tho' we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon, pardon for you and for me. [Refrain]
Benediction - Rev. Chad Delaney
May the Light of Jesus Christ lead you, guide you, sustain you NOW and ALWAYS! Go in Peace!