1. Morning Worship Liberation
Feeling at Home...
Easter Season
18th May 2015
Bishop Justus Church of England School

2. Gather The Lord be with you And also with you
In our reading today Jesus is praying for his disciples who will soon take over his ministry in the world. Jesus asks for their protection and reminds them that the mission they share with Christ is not always easy: that God’s way can be not of this world. Jesus prays for the disciples to stay in the world. He doesn’t take all the danger from them, instead he prays for their protection as they share his mission.
Today’s reading is from the Sunday Lectionary

3. Receive Jesus prays for his disciples as he approached his death...
I gave them your message, and the world hated them,
because they do not belong to the world, just as I do
not belong to the world. I do not ask you to take them
out of the world, but I do ask you to keep them safe
from the Evil One. Just as I do not belong to the
world, they do not belong to the world. Dedicate them
to yourself by means of the truth; your word is truth.
John 17: 14-17
Do you think Jesus demands a lot from his disciples?
Where do you think Jesus see his disciples belonging?
How can we make God’s home real on earth?

4. Engage Think of a place where you feel most at home?
What characteristics do these places share
God’s home for us is a place of love and we are called to share this love with others to create God’s home on earth
Think of some ways we can share God’s love with others…
How protective should our parents be towards us?
What protects us and what prevents us from becoming independent?
What risks should we take?
What risks should we prevent?
Do you think strict health and safety rules actually harm us more than keeping us safe?
You might like to ignite discussion with this clip of comedian Steve Hughes talking about health and safety…
You might find answers such as safe, warm, cosy, loving, fun
Another example is the story of trees—they are at risk of weather and disease etc. but often these difficulties can make the tree grow stronger
Think of some examples of how our difficulties can make us stronger
relate this theme to our reading where Jesus asks for God’s protection for his disciples—what do you think it was like for the earliest Christians?
God’s world
Illustration to show that we are part of God’s world as well as our world
Fill a plastic bottle with some oil and some coloured water
The oil and water represent our world and God’s world
Notice how they separate but can join together if they are mixed
Use this illustration to discuss / reflect on how we are called to bring God’s love to our world
Consider how following in Christ’s footsteps can be unpopular and sometimes challenging
Praying for those in difficulty
Jesus prayed for his disciples as he knew their mission would take them into difficulty
Ask students to pray for those they know in difficulty
You might like to share this prayer from
I hear you in your darkest hour,
I hear you when you cry,
I hear you when you're most in need,
I hear when you say why.
I know just what you're going through,
I know the pain you feel,
But know that God still loves you,
and know his love is real

5. Respond Risen, ascended Lord, as we rejoice at your triumph,
fill your Church on earth with power and compassion,
that all who are estranged by sin
may find forgiveness and know your peace,
to the glory of God the Father.
Amen
Alternative Collect for Sunday after Ascension

6. Go Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thanks be to God