Collect:

O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our Hearts such love toward you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Acts 16:9-15

. . . Paul and his companions are called by a vision to journey to Macedonia and the city of Philippi, where a merchant named Lydia responds to the gospel and is baptized, together with her household.

Psalm 67

. . . A prayer for God’s graciousness and saving power, and a bidding of praise by all people for God’s justice and bounty.

Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5

. . . John the Seer presents a vision of the new Jerusalem, the paradise of God.

John 14:23-29

. . . Jesus promised his disciples the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Sermon #1,  Jesus reminds the disciples and us that a good teacher, the Advocate, goes with us. Listen as Will Willimon, bishop in the United Methodist church,  reminds us that we are never alone in this world.

John 5:1-9

. . . Jesus has gone to Jerusalem for a festival and there at a pool called Bethzatha offers healing to a man who had been ill for thirty-eight years.

Sermon #2  Dr. Derik Jones, Pastor of First Baptist Church South Richmond, Virginia, tells stories of failure that turned into success.