The Service in PDF format is at: April 25, 2021 Service
Video of service is at: Facebook Video
Peace Lutheran Church
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
April 25, 2021
We welcome you in the name of the Lord Jesus. We are honored with your presence. If you do not have a church home, you are invited to join us regularly. Please introduce yourself to Pastor Jeremy Lucke or one of the Ushers as you leave today and sign the guest book in the entryway. We continue to observe the guidelines for health safety, if you have any questions about that, please see an usher. Everyone is welcome.
The ringing of the bell and the lighting of the Christ candle mark the beginning of our service and a time for quiet meditation, prayer and inward reflection as we begin our worship.
Children are welcome at our worship services. However, if you prefer, Peace Lutheran has a playroom equipped for children three years old and younger, the room is unstaffed and can be accessed in the fellowship hall where the service is also being live streamed for your convenience and enjoyment.
Holy Communion is celebrated every first and third Sunday and will follow the order of service in the bulletin. First Sundays are a drive in Communion Service and the Third Sunday is in the sanctuary. Guests, if you are a baptized Christian and share our faith in Jesus as Savior and have been instructed in the meaning and use of the Lord’s Supper, you are invited to come to the altar. We have pre-wrapped communion wine or juice and wafers. We also have gluten-free wafers available. If you desire a gluten-free wafer, ask the server. May the body and blood of Jesus, present in the bread and wine, be a blessing to you.
There are times during the service when you will be asked to stand if you are able. Please feel free to remain seated if standing is difficult.
AS WE GATHER…This Sunday in the Church Year is often called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” The Gospel from John 10 records Jesus revealing Himself as the Good Shepherd. Of all the animals that could have been used to portray humanity, does it feel strange to be called a sheep? After all, it is not the most honorable creature. There are no defense mechanisms to escape a predator, no intimidating roar, and limited ability to fend for oneself when it comes to seeking nourishment, water and safety. Yet these things reveal the point we are called to understand. It may not be good to be a sheep on our own, but it is great to be a sheep with a Good Shepherd to care for the flock. Jesus is our perfect shepherd who protects and defends, feeds and nourishes, leads and provides all we need in this body and life. God grant that you find such blessed comfort as you dwell securely here in the house of the Lord.
RINGING OF THE BELL
OPENING SONG: “Your Love Oh Lord” Performed by Roy Smith
By: Brad Avery | David Carr | Mac Powell | Mark D. Lee | Tai Anderson © 1999 New Spring (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) Kobalt Music Copyrights SARL (Admin. by Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc.)
Your love O Lord Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness Stretches to the sky
Your righteousness Is like the mighty mountains
Your justice flows Like the ocean’s tide
I will lift my voice To worship You my King
I will find my strength In the shadow of Your wings
Your love O Lord Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness Stretches to the sky
Your righteousness Is like the mighty mountains
Your justice flows Like the ocean’s tide
I will lift my voice To worship You my King
I will find my strength In the shadow of Your wings (x 3)
Your love O Lord Reaches to the heavens
Your faithfulness Stretches to the sky
Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Pastor: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
People: He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Pastor: By this we know love,
People: that He laid down His life for us.
Pastor: “I am the good shepherd,” says the Lord.
People: The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Pastor: Whoever keeps His commandments abides in God, and God in him.
People: And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
OPENING PRAYER
Pastor: We pray together.
People: Great Shepherd of the sheep, You search us out when we are lost. You pick us up when we are hurt and you bring us to safe pasture. As we gather for worship this day, help us to clearly see and hear of your love for us so that we can leave with confidence knowing that, with you as our Shepherd, we have nothing to fear. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
WE CONFESS OUR SINS
Pastor: We confess our sins to God and one another:
People: Gracious Lord God, we confess our sins to you, the sins in our thoughts, words and actions. We confess that we do not always appreciate your Fatherly love, and the love you give to families through mothers and fathers. Help parents to show your love, and so bring up their children in a loving Christian atmosphere. Amen.
Silence for Reflection
WE RECEIVE GOD’S FORGIVENESS
Pastor: God is gracious and is more ready to forgive us than we are to receive it thankfully and humbly. As a fellow child of God I declare the forgiveness of all our sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Pastor: The Lord be with You!
People: And also with you!
Pastor: Let us pray. Almighty God, merciful Father, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep,
People: grant us Your Holy Spirit that when we hear the voice of our Shepherd, we may know Him who calls us each by name and follow where He leads,
Pastor: through Jesus, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Love one another as Christ has loved us.
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
Jesus is our Good Shepherd.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
SERMON HYMN: “He Leadeth Me, O Blessed Thought” LBW 501
Text: Joseph H. Gilmore, 1834-1918, alt. Tune: William B Bradbury, 1816-1868
He leadeth me, O blessed thought!
Oh, words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where-e’er I be,
Still God’s hand that lead-eth me.
CHORUS:
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.
Lord, I would clasp Thy hand in mine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content whatever lot I see,
Since ‘tis my God that leadeth me.
CHORUS
And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Still God through Jordan leadeth me.
CHORUS
People: I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
And was born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate.
Was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
And is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The holy Christian Church,
The communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
And the life everlasting. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
Pastor: Let us pray to God Almighty for people everywhere in their various needs, for the Church around the world, for all who are near and dear to us, and for ourselves.
Reader: The Lord is my shepherd;
People: I shall not want.
Pastor: We pray, O Lord, that wherever people are calling out to You, wanting for food, clothing, or shelter, that You will awaken in us and in government and social agencies care and compassion. Thus may the blessings You have showered on this planet be shared with them, bringing You all the praise. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Reader: He makes me lie down in green pastures.
People: He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.
Pastor: Sovereign God, we pray for all people who are suffering under the ravages of war between nations, civil unrest and revolution, and terror from extremists of all stripes. Raise up leaders who will work for peace and justice and will seek ways of reconciliation. Move government leaders to look in empathy on all who are denied basic human rights; lead them to make decisions to restore calm and human dignity for all. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Reader: He leads me in paths of righteousness
People: for His name’s sake.
Pastor: O Holy Spirit, we pray for the Church here and around the world. Grant opportunity for clergy and lay leaders to share the good news, strengthening those who trust in Jesus and leading many to their Savior. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Reader: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
People: for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Pastor: Lord Jesus, hear us as we pray for those we know who are calling out to You for healing of body or mind, who face this day with sudden crises, are enduring long term illness, or are looking through tears of sorrow, (including…). Grant them days of health, relief, and comfort as You accompany them on their journey. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Reader: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
People: You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Pastor: Heavenly Father, grant strong faith to us and all who come to the Lord’s Supper this day. Give us the blessings of life and salvation that flow from our Savior’s body and blood. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Reader: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
People: and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Pastor: These and any other things You would have us ask of You, heavenly Father, grant to us for the sake of Jesus, Your Son, our Lord, in whose name we pray.
People: Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
CLOSING BLESSING
Pastor: By this we know love,
People: that He laid down His life for us.
Pastor: “I am the good shepherd,” says the Lord.
People: The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Pastor: Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.
People: Amen.
Pastor: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace.
People: Amen.
Pastor: Alleluia! Christ is risen!
People: He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
CLOSING SONG: “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” LBW 481
Text: Dorothy A. Thrupp, 1779-1847, Tune: Ludwig M. Linderman, 1812-1887
Savior, like a shepherd lead us, Much we need Thy tender care;
In your pleasant pastures feed us, For our use your fold prepare.
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, we are yours.
We are yours, in love befriend us, Be the Guardian of our way;
Keep your flock, from sin defend us, Seek us when we go astray;
Blessed Jesus Blessed Jesus, Hear us children when they pray.
You have promised to receive us, Poor and sinful though we be;
You have mercy to relieve us, Grace to cleanse and pow’r to free;
Blessed Jesus Blessed Jesus, Early let us turn to you.
Early let us seek your favor; Early let us do your will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior, With your love our spirits fill;
Blessed Jesus Blessed Jesus, You have loved us, love us still.
Pastor: Go in peace! Serve the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
CHURCH HOURS
Monday Office Closed
Tuesday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Friday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
WHAT IS HAPPENING THIS WEEK
Sun. Apr. 25 10 AM Sunday School
11 AM Worship – Sanctuary
7 PM Confirmation
Mon. Apr. 26 Office closed
Tues. Apr. 27 9 AM to 12 PM Church Open
Wed. Apr. 28 7:30 AM Eat, Chat, Pray
9 AM to 12 PM Church Open
11 AM to 4 PM PHS hosted Blood Drive
Thu. Apr. 29 7 AM Men @ Imagine
9 AM to 12 PM Church Open
Fri. Apr. 30 9 AM to 12 PM Church Open
Sat. May 1
Sun. May 2 10 AM Sunday School
11 AM Drive in Communion