This is part of the worship series,
"August Adventures”
Series Introduction
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4
WEEK 2
FRIEND SUNDAY
The goal for this service was to enlist the assistance of church members in drawing non-churched persons to worship. Most church members know at least one individual or family not currently attending church. These may be inactive members of their own congregation, new persons in the neighborhood, coworkers, or friends. Friend Sunday gives church members extra motivation and an appropriate occasion to invite them to worship.
Start six weeks or more before Friend Sunday with reminders of the date. Ask all church leaders and staff to identify those whom they will invite. Suggest categories of persons to consider: those without a relationship to Christ or the church or both. Ask whether members would like to suggest friends for a confidential prayer list or for a letter in advance from the pastor. The greater the advance warning and more frequent the reminders, the more likelihood that members will invite friends on Friend Sunday.
Be sure to plan ahead for the guests. If you use welcome folders or packets, have plenty on hand. Consider serving refreshments or even a meal following the service to help boost attendance and interest.
Prayer of Confession
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
—Psalm 51:1-2, 10 NIV
Assurance of Pardon
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.
—Psalm 51:17 NIV
Scripture
1 Samuel 18:30–19:10; 20:32–42; John 15:12–17
Sermon Notes: “Best Friends”
Friendship is a powerful human need. We crave friends because we are created in the image of God with the capacity to love and be loved. This sermon, recognizing that craving, should offer insights into human friendship and use that longing for friendship to point worshipers to Jesus Christ as our eternal friend.
The story of David and Jonathan is compelling in its own right. This is another opportunity to develop and use a great preaching tool—storytelling. Once again, consider presenting the Scripture as a dramatic reading.
Jesus uses this metaphor of friendship to describe his relationship to the disciples. He knew the longing of the human heart to be listened to, to find fulfillment, and to be loved unconditionally. All of these longings point to Jesus Christ. Conclude the sermon with an invitation to accept God’s offer of friendship through Jesus Christ.
Song Suggestions
“For the Beauty of the Earth” Pierpont
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus” Scriven
“In Christ There Is No East or West” Perry
“Softly and Tenderly” Thompson
“All Are Welcome” Haugen
“Don’na Tokidemo” Takahashi
“I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” Bonar
“Blessed Assurance” Crosby and Post
Benediction
Let those who take refuge in the Lord be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
May God spread his protection over you.
that all who love God’s name may rejoice.
Surely God blesses the righteous
and surrounds them with his favor.
—based on Psalm 5:11–12
Commitment Response
Friend Sunday offers an opportunity for personal response to the gospel. A time of silent prayer is appropriate following the sermon. The pastor may also suggest prayers for those who wish to give their lives to Christ such as, “Lord Jesus, come into my life,” or “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”
We included a bulletin insert that allowed members and guests to indicate various responses to the preaching of the gospel, such as:
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Revised Common Lectionary
Year B: Easter—Sixth Sunday of Easter
