May 7, 2017 Sunday Service and Bulletin

The Bulletin is at: 05-07-2017 BULLETIN

The Service in PDF format is at: 05-07-2017 Fourth Sunday in Easter

or the service is as follows:

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

May 7, 2017

PRE-SERVICE MUSIC

AS WE GATHER…………..Thanks to the grace of God working faith in our hearts, we are able to hear the voice of Jesus, our Shepherd. What that would mean, were we to block out competing voices around us, is described in Acts—the members of the Early Church were active in teaching, fellowship, communion, prayers, and works of charity. Their actions spoke volumes, and many others “heard” Christ through them. We all stray, of course, as did the people to whom Peter wrote in today’s Epistle. But in His grace, God calls us back to return to “the Shepherd and Overseer” of our souls. We gather again to hear His voice today.

RINGING OF THE BELL

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

CHOIR ANTHEM “There Is Power in Jesus’ Name” By Pepper Choplin

OPENING PRAYER

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.

SONG OF PRAISE Red Book 234 (two times) “This is the Day”

(Men) This is the day,

(Women) This is the day

(Men) That the Lord hath made,

(Women) That the Lord hath made.

(Men) We will rejoice,

(Women) We will rejoice

(Men) And be glad in it,

(Women) And be glad in it,

(All) This is the day that the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.

(Men) This is the day,

(Women) This is the day

(All) That the Lord hath made.

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

First Lesson: Acts 2:42-47 The Early Church grows.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Epistle: I Peter 2:19-25 You have been healed by your Shepherd’s wounds.

For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

GOSPEL: John 10:1-10 The sheep know their Shepherd’s voice.

[Jesus said:] “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

SERMON HYMN Green Book 451 vs. 1-4 “The Lord’s My Shepherd”

The Lord’s my shepherd; I’ll not want.

He makes me down to lie

In pastures green: he leadeth me

The quiet waters by.

He leadeth me, he leadeth me

The quiet waters by.

My soul he doth restore again,

And me to walk doth make

Within the paths of righteousness,

E’en for his own name’s sake;

Within the paths of righteousness,

E’en for his own name’s sake.

Ye, though I walk in death’s dark vale,

Yet will I fear no ill;

For thou art with me, and thy rod

And staff me comfort still;

For thou art with me, and thy rod

And staff me comfort still.

My table thou hast furnished

In presence of my foes;

My head thou dost with oil anoint,

And my cup over flows,

My head thou dost with oil anoint,

And my cup over flows.

Goodness and mercy all my life

Shall surely follow me,

And in God’s house forevermore

My dwelling-place shall be.

SERMON

APOSTLE’S CREED

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.

OFFERING

(We offer our thanksgiving for what God has first given us—ourselves, our time, our possessions.)

OFFERTORY

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.

PREFACE

Pastor: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Pastor: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them to the Lord.

Pastor: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

LORD’S PRAYER

DISTRIBUTION

DISTRIBUTION HYMNS

Red Book 183 “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”

Savior, like a shepherd lead us,

Much we need Thy tender care;

In thy pleasant pastures feed us,

For our use Thy folds prepare.

Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,

Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;