John 15:9-17 emphasizes the importance of loving one another as Jesus loved them, highlighting this as a key aspect of discipleship and a source of abundant joy. It also underscores the concept of Jesus choosing his disciples for a specific purpose, to “go and bear fruit,” and the promise that their prayers, made in Jesus’ name, will be answered.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
- Love One Another:
Jesus commands his followers to love one another, mirroring the love he has for them, and the love the Father has for him. This love is presented as a new commandment, emphasizing its significance and distinctiveness.
- Abiding in Love:
Jesus states that abiding in his love means keeping his commandments, which includes loving one another. This obedience, in turn, leads to joy and fruitfulness in one’s life.
- Chosen and Appointed:
Jesus emphasizes that his disciples were chosen by him and appointed to go and bear fruit. This indicates that their role is to be active in spreading the gospel and living out their faith in the world.
- Fruitful Life:
The concept of bearing fruit symbolizes the positive impact of following Jesus’ teachings and loving others. This fruitfulness is linked to their abiding in Jesus’ love and prayer.
- Praying in Jesus’ Name:
Jesus assures his disciples that whatever they ask the Father in his name, the Father will give it to them. This highlights the power of prayer and its connection to abiding in Jesus’ love.
- Friends, Not Servants:
Jesus shifts the relationship with his disciples from servant to friend, signifying a closer and more intimate connection. This friendship is based on Jesus sharing with them all that he has heard from the Father.
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15: 12-13
Worship Calendar
May 11 A Love Beyond Sentiment Deuteronomy 10:12-20 & John 15:9-17. Rev. Eric Lee
May 18 What God Has Made Clean Leviticus 11:41-45 & Acts 11:1-18 Rev. Eric Lee
May 25 Rev. Jan Hieminga
June 1 Communion Rev. Eric Lee
A Spring Devotional Update: (Updated Mar. 25, 2025)
A new edition of These Days (April/May/June), as well as the current edition of Our Daily Bread (March/April/May) are available on the table in the church vestibule and in the devotional box on the church porch.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Residents of Parkland on Eglinton have booked a Mary Morton bus trip on Wednesday, May 14th to Stratford to see “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” at the Avon Theatre after Chicken Supreme entrée lunch at the Parlour Inn for $227. 00 each. Please call Maureen at 416-433-8148 if interested.
Prayer Roster Lay Readers Welcome and Announcements
May 11 Errol Baldeo Al Bishop Bob Twynam
May 18 Maureen Screen Lynne Bishop Kathy Twynam
May 25 Ethel Waite Anna Cherniak Nancy McPherson
June 1 Eric Lee Nancy Green Susan Chopp
June 8 Maureen Screen Harry Learoyd Lynne Bishop
June 15 Errol Baldeo Chris Parr Bob Twynam
June 22 Eric Lee Susan Chopp Kathy Twynam
June 29 Susan Chopp Bob Twynam Nancy McPherson
July 6 Nancy McPherson Jean Fox Susan Chopp
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:24
Joy is not dependent on external circumstances, but rather a choice to find gratitude in every moment. Look for His blessings, the beauty in nature, and the love of those around you. Choose to approach each day with a heart full of joy, knowing that God is present and working in every situation,
Gracious God, open my eyes to Your presence in life’s ordinary and extraordinary moments.
WEEKLY GIGGLE
A mother was concerned about her kindergarten son, Timmy, walking to school. He didn’t want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence, but yet know that he was safe.
Her neighbor learned about the mother’s dilemma and offered to follow the young boy to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn’t notice her.
“I’m up early with my toddler anyway; it will be a good way for us to get some exercise as well,” said the neighbor. The relieved mother agreed.
The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor boy he knew. She did this for the whole week.
As the boys walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy’s little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week. Finally, he said to Timmy, “Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her”?
Timmy nonchalantly replied, “Yeah, I know who she is.”
The friend said, “Well, who is she”?
“That’s just Shirley Goodnest,” Timmy replied. “And her daughter Marcy.”
“Shirley Goodnest? Who the heck is she and why is she following us”?
“Well,” Timmy explained. “Every night, my mom makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, because she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says, ‘Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life,’ so I guess I’ll just have to get used to it!”
Where to Find Us
Do you have any news or prayer requests that you would like to share? Drop me a line and I will be happy to include it in the Weekly Email. Have a blessed week, everyone.
Susan choppertini@hotmail.com
* Message from Pastor Eric: “FYI the Graceview website page has been revamped, so as to keep people updated of our activities and events. Visit us and enjoy all that is good about Graceview”. https://graceview.ca/calendar-events
* We also have our own Facebook page. (Graceview Presbyterian Church). This site shows the world all that we are and what we have to offer as a church. Check it out and be sure to “follow.”
Please note the following email addresses for all church-related communication:
Pastor Eric: pastor@graceview.ca (416-621-0888) and press #1 for Pastor Eric.
Church Office: office@graceview.ca (unchanged and managed by our Secretary, Halyna)