God Loved the World (ELW 323, focus on verse 1)
1 God loved the world so that he gave
his only Son the lost to save,
that all who would in Him believe
should everlasting life receive.
2 Christ Jesus is the ground of faith,
who was made flesh and suffered death;
all who confide in Christ alone
are built on this chief cornerstone.
3 If you are ill, if death draws near,
this truth your troubled heart can cheer:
Christ Jesus rescues us from death;
that is the firmest ground of faith.
4 Be of good cheer, for God’s own Son
forgives all sins that you have done,
and justified by Jesus’ blood,
your baptism grants the highest good.
5 All glory to the Father, Son,
and Holy Spirit, Three in One!
To you, O blessed Trinity,
be praise now and eternally!
Devotion
Today we sing! We have been meditating on the theme, “God Loved the World,” while the children memorized John 3:16 and sang their hearts out, “Jesus Loves Me.” The song sticks with us too, even when our memories are failing, and especially when we have lost our ways and in the face of injustice. The creation itself longs for God’s care.
As we meditate and sing with God Pause people all over the world, who else is out there? How is God’s love at work in your lives, in your communities, for the world? And God has prophets and apostles and agents of the love of Christ beyond our imaginations. Yet here we are, unlikely mortals, beloved, called and sent into God’s mission of love. So together we sing the amazing truth, quietly into our souls and aloud for all to hear. It’s the song of creation and new creation. God has loved the world and its peoples unto death and into life in Jesus.
Prayer
Your love, O Lord, is the hope of the world, including us. Help us walk in the way, trust the truth, and live in the life of Christ Jesus, now and forever. Amen.