Message Notes

Notes from What Concern Is That?:

Jesus Turns Water into Wine - John 2:1-11

Where did the scripture take place? The miracle occurs at a wedding in Cana
1. Why is it significant? It symbolizes joy and abundance, fitting for Jesus’ first public act.
In John 2:1-11, Jesus responds to Mary by saying, “What concern is that to you and to me?” Why do you think he responded this way? Jesus’ response suggests a distinction between his earthly relationships and his divine mission.
1. How does his response set the stage for the miracle that follows? This moment emphasizes that his actions are aligned with God’s timing rather than human expectations.
Jesus uses stone jars meant for purification to perform the miracle. What might this choice symbolize about his mission or message? The stone jars represent traditional Jewish rituals of purification. This miracle could symbolize transformation and the fulfillment of religious practices through his presence, as he brings new life to existing traditions.
What does the transformation of water into wine reveal about Jesus’ identity and mission? This miracle reveals Jesus’ divine authority over nature and his ability to bring abundance and joy. It also signifies his mission to transform lives, symbolized by turning ordinary water into wine.
“Where is our mission field? Right where you are. Sometimes we are called to the wider world, to venture out into unknown places to make disciples. But most of the time, we are called to be at work in the community that surrounds us. We are called to be witnesses to the grace and goodness of God where we live, work, and play.

The servants at the wedding played a role in Jesus’ miracle (filling jars with water). What does this teach us about our part in God’s mission field? Where are we?

What is one small action you can take this week to bring God’s grace and goodness into a familiar setting in your life?

Order of Worship

Welcome and Community Life

Prelude

Call to Worship

Leader: How precious is your steadfast love, O God!

People: All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

* Opening Hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling UMH 384

Opening Prayer

God, our God,

As you were with the wedding party in Cana of Galilee, be with us here today. The wine of our lives and souls has run out. Fill this place with the presence of your Holy Spirit. Fill the water pots of our souls this day with new and fresh wine from your wine cellar. The wine of yesterday is gone; it is stale; it is old. Today, God, send your anointing power in this place and in the lives of your people that we may find strength to hold on and hold out. Help us to know that the best wine is yet to come, and we can taste and see your goodness. Show yourself to be powerful, empowering, and awesome this day and for all times to come. In the name of Jesus the Christ, we pray. Amen.

Children’s Message Pat Mosley

The children are invited to head to Sunday School with Pat Mosley in the fireside room following the Children’s Message.”

Prayer Hymn Close to Thee, vv. 1-2 UMH 407

Prayers of the People

Prayer Response Hear Us, O God UMH 490

Choral Anthem On Eagle’s Wings Chancel Choir

Prayer of Illumination

Holy God,

we ask you now for the gift of understanding as your word is proclaimed. Help us to live your word in the world as the miraculous message of love that it is. Amen.

Scripture Reading

Psalm 36:5-10

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.

Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your judgments are like the great deep; O Lord, humans and animals you save!

O God, how precious is your steadfast love! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light.

O continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your salvation to the upright of heart!

John 2:1-11

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” 4 And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to me and to you?[a] My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the person in charge of the banquet.” So they took it. 9 When the person in charge tasted the water that had become wine and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), that person called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” 11 Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee and revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.

Leader: The Word of God

People: Thanks be to God

Sermon “What Concern is That” Pastor Jim

Apostle’s Creed UMH 881

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;* the third day he rose from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic** church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen

Lesser Thanksgiving

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is right and good and a joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

You love your people as a bridegroom loves his bride.

Holy are you, and blessed is your Son Jesus Christ. He gave his first sign by changing water into wine, manifesting his glory.

Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here that we might manifest signs of your love.

Grant that we may go into the world in the strength of your Spirit to give ourselves for others in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Offering our Gifts to God

The Doxology

Prayer of Dedication

Generous God, who turns water into wine and scarcity into abundance, we offer our gifts to you with grateful hearts. May these offerings be transformed, just as you transform our lives with your grace. Guide us to use these resources to meet the needs we see around us, to share your love, and to build your kingdom. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

* Closing Hymn As a Fire Is Meant for Burning TFWS 2237

Breakthrough Prayer

O holy and mighty redeemer, you act powerfully on behalf of your people. Our old ways no longer serve us, and we feel stuck. Breakthrough our complacency and reluctance as you reveal to us the new thing that you are doing with us. Help us to trust you. Equip us as we make our way down unfamiliar paths into the future that you are calling us to journey toward. Relieve our anxieties about our own future so that we may freely bring your loving grace to others.