Published on
March 14, 2018
Video length
76 mins
This worship service on John 21:1-14 centered around the story of Jesus on the beach.

This worship service was one of a series of worship services in Symposium 2018. Centered around the story of Jesus on the beach, it was led by Fuller Theological Seminary chapel leadership team and Cornerstone University Choir, and preaching by Scott Hoezee.

John 21:1–14: After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Processional: “Let My Prayer Arise” (Edwin M. Willmington)

Gathering Song: “All Glory Be to Christ” (to the tune auld lang syne) (Dustin Kensrue)

Call to Worship: “Invocation” (Brianna Wyatt)

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:32–11:1

Sung Petition: “To You, Lord” (Julie Kang, Eben Drost)

Prayer of Intercession: Tong Sung Kido

Prayer of Confession: Kintsugi—The Breaking

“Kyrie (Grant Us Forgiveness)” (Julie Kang, Esther Kim)

Assurance of Pardon: Kintsugi—Golden Marks

“Spirit Break Out” (Ben Bryant, Luke Hellebronth, Myles Dhillon, Tim Hughes, arr. by Eric Lige)

Prayer for Illumination (Joey Novak)

Choral Reading of Scripture: John 21:1–14

Psalm 22: “From Forsaken to Hallelujah!” (lyrics by Brianna Kinsman, music by Edwin M. Willmington)

Song of Praise: “Every Praise” (Hezekiah Walker, John David Bratton)

The Charge (poem by Brianna Kinsman)

Blessing Sending Song: “Hallelujah (Come Bless the Lord With Me)” (September Penn, Eben Drost)


We are grateful for the planning and leading of this service by a team from Fuller Theological Seminary, directed by Julie Tai and Edwin M. Willmington; the participating choir from Cornerstone University, directed by Kent Walters; and Scott Hoezee, preaching.

Recent Media Resources

Psalm Singing and the Genevan Psalter

Why and how did psalm singing become such a hallmark of Reformed worship? Join Dr. Karin Maag for a fascinating journey through time, from Reformation Geneva to Scotland and from the Netherlands to New England, exploring the roots and impact of metrical psalm singing. Along the way, we will hear the voices of early modern Christians as they learned how to sing the psalms, both in unison and in harmony.

December 4, 2025 | 38 min video
Kathleen Harmon on Becoming the Psalms

Sister Kathleen Harmon of the community of the Ohio province of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in Dayton, invites us to be transformed by the psalms and experience them as the whole story God is revealing to us. As we keep praying and singing them, the psalms interpret us, and that’s when the transformation comes.

December 2, 2025 | 32 min listen
Vinroy D. Brown Jr. on Black Psalmody is for Everyone

Vinroy D. Brown Jr.—conductor, musicologist, educator, and minister of creative worship and music at the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York City—explores the vibrant intersection of Black sacred music and the psalms. He talks about Black composers and how they have reimagined the psalms through choral music, spirituals, and the gospel tradition for the benefit of everyone.

December 2, 2025 | 34 min listen