The Good Shepherd Loves His Sheep. 4 th Sunday of Easter - Mother s Day

Transcription

1 The Good Shepherd Loves His Sheep 4 th Sunday of Easter - Mother s Day May 10 & 11, 2014

2 Ebenezer Lutheran Church Port Hudson The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 9100 Highway YY Leslie, Missouri Parsonage Church Rev. William F. Zastrow, Pastor Ruth Marschel, Organist Mary Sprick, Secretary ebenezerlutheranchurch.wordpress.com AS WE GATHER: A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 is a bestselling book by the author W. Phillip Keller. As one who spent many years shepherding in British Columbia, he had a unique perspective to understand the life of sheep and their shepherd. Keller always saw the Shepherd as our Savior Jesus, who describes Himself as the Good Shepherd (who) lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). Psalm 23 was written by King David, who himself was at first also a shepherd. Even David, Israel s mighty king, pictures himself as a sheep when he declares, The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want (Psalm 23:1). Today, we again are reminded how Christ lays down His life for His sheep and takes it up again. PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP: O God, whose Son, Jesus, is the Good Shepherd of Your people, grant that when we hear His voice we may know Him who calls us each by name and follow where He leads; who, with You and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, forever and ever. Amen. THE DIVINE SERVICE HYMN The Lord s My Shepherd, Leading Me LW 417 HOLY BAPTISM (Saturday) Ethan Brune 2

3 INVOCATION In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. OPENING SENTENCES John 10:14 16 Our Lord Jesus said, 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. CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on [our Savior Jesus] the iniquity of us all. [Isaiah 53:6] Let us then confess our sins to God our Father. Lord, we truly have wandered away from our Shepherd like lost sheep. We have sinned in what we have done and in what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. Yet You sent Your Son Jesus to be our Savior. Since Jesus is also God Himself in human flesh and blood, He has become our true Shepherd, going out into the wilderness to find us when we were lost and who then brings us home rejoicing. Forgive our wandering sins, 3

4 Dear Lord, and let us rejoice every day over the Savior who has found us when we were lost. In the mercy of Almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for His sake God forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ He gives the power to become children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. May the Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Psalm 23 The Lord is My Shepherd LW 416 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. My soul he doth restore again And me to walk doth make Within the paths of righteousness, Even for his own name s sake. Yea, though I walk in death s dark vale, Yet will I fear no ill; Four 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 overflows. Goodness and mercy all my life 4

5 KYRIE Shall surely follow me; And in god s house forevermore My dwelling place shall be. In peace let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the peace from above, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the peace of the whole world, and for the wellbeing of the churches of God, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For this holy house and for those who in faith, piety, and the fear of God offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the peace that passes all understanding, coming to us from the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for the sheep, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. Help, save, pity, and defend us, O God, by Your grace. Amen. HYMN OF PRAISE At the Lamb s High Feast We Sing LW 126 At the Lamb s high feast we sing Praise to our victorious king, 5

6 Who has washed us in the tide Flowing from his pierced side. Alleluia! Praise we him, whose love divine Gives his sacred blood for wine, Gives his body for the feast Christ the victim, Christ the priest. Alleluia! SALUTATION The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. PRAYER OF THE DAY Almighty God, merciful Father, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, 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; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. FIRST READING Acts 2:42 47 (The fellowship community of the Early Church) This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 6

7 HYMN At the Lamb s High Feast We Sing LW 126 Where the paschal blood is poured, Death s dread angel sheathes the sword; Israel s hosts triumphant go Through the wave that drowns the foe. Alleluia! Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed, Paschal victim, paschal bread; With sincerity and love Eat we manna from above. Alleluia! EPISTLE 1 Peter 2:19 25 (Following Jesus in His steps) This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. HYMN At the Lamb s High Feast We Sing LW 126 Easter triumph, Easter joy! This alone can sin destroy; From sin s power, Lord, set us free, Newborn souls in you to be. Alleluia! Father, who the crown shall give, Savior, by whose death we live, Spirit, guide through all our days; Three in One, Your name we praise. Alleluia! HOLY GOSPEL John 10:1 10 (I am the Door of the sheep.) 7

8 chapter. The Gospel according to St. John, the tenth Glory to You, O Lord. (The Gospel is read.) This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ. APOSTLES' CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth. I believe 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, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come 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. HYMN OF THE DAY The King of Love My Shepherd Is LW 412 SERMON OFFERING OFFERTORY LW page 145 8

9 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me, Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit. Amen. PRAYER OF THE CHURCH LORD S PRAYER (Matthew 6:9 13) Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. HYMN I Am Jesus Little Lamb LW I am Jesus' little lamb, Ever glad at heart I am; For my Shepherd gently guides me, Knows my need, and well provides me, Loves me every day the same, Even calls me by my name. 9

10 2. Day by day, at home, away, Jesus is my Staff and Stay. When I hunger, Jesus feeds me, Into pleasant pastures leads me; When I thirst, He bids me go Where the quiet waters flow. 3. Who so happy as I am, Even now the Shepherd's lamb? And when my short life is ended, By His angel host attended, He shall fold me to His breast, There within His arms to rest. THE COLLECT FOR THE WORD Blessed Lord, who has caused all Holy Scripture to be written for our learning, grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by the patience and comfort of Thy holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life which Thou hast given us in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, now and forever. Amen. THE BENEDICTION The Lord bless thee and keep thee The Lord make His face to shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee, The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace. Amen, Amen, Amen 10

11 OUR MISSION AND MINISTRY IN OUR PRAYERS: We welcome to our family through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism here at Ebenezer, little Ethan Ryan Brune, son of Samantha Louise Brune. Ethan s Sponsors are Jamie and Jessica Eichholz and Dawn Brune. Ethan was born March 27, We pray that the Lord will keep Ethan in his baptismal care always. On this Mother s Day, we pray for all our mothers and their families. Please keep them strong and wise as they raise their children. We wish all our mothers a very wonderful Mother s Day! Great Physician, please heal the sick, strengthen the suffering, tend to the injured and hold onto the dying especially, Esther Voelker, Doris Biermann, as they have heart and health concerns; Robin McCoy, who has shown some improvement with her hearing; Michael Kleinheider, who is home; David Door, Brenda Bailey and Debbie Donatti, as they still have cancer issues, Beth Pelster, who will have surgery this week. We continue to pray for our many friends and shut-ins of our congregation and neighborhood, especially Adeline Keune, Ed Gardner, Wilbert Helling, Ardell Wagner, Edna Deppermann, Hulda Althage, and all those we remember in our hearts. Fill those who suffer with your peace. Strengthen them to bear their afflictions with the knowledge that Christ suffers with them. We pray for our ministry here at Ebenezer Lutheran Church. We pray for the spreading of Your Word by our Missionaries, especially, Robin McCoy in Thailand, John Strasen in Africa and the Rodewald Family. Grant insight to all Pastors, of our Synod that they may rightly distinguish and 11

12 faithfully speak both Law and Gospel for the good of Your people. Almighty God, we are not wise in the ways of human society and civil government but we trust that all leaders serve according to Your will Grant wisdom to our elected officials, especially our President, Vice President, Governors, Judges, Law Enforcement Personnel our Armed Forces, our Fire Departments and Rescue Workers and all our Civil Servants who serve to preserve and protect our citizens To our members and guests who are here with us today. We are very glad you are here for our worship services on this Fourth Sunday of Easter as we celebrate Mother s Day. May the Lord refresh you with peace and love during our worship services. Please join us here at Ebenezer again soon! Please sign the guest register near the front entrance with your name, address, and Church affiliation. Thank you! Picnic Information The Picnic Committee has met and placed a sign-up sheet for our Annual Church Picnic at the back of Church. Please consider helping out again this year. We still need assistance to make this Picnic a successful event. The Committee would sincerely appreciate your help! Job assignment sheets will be given out or mailed a little later this month. It was decided to have the Silent Auction again this year at the picnic. If you have anything to donate, please bring it to Church and put it in the quilters room by May 25, Please include with the item, the name of the item, the value and your name. Thank you for your donations in the past and for any future ones you may choose to make. Any donation will help to make the picnic more successful! 12

13 Ascension Day Services Ascension Day services will be held on Wednesday, May 28 th at 7:00 PM at our lake pavilion and also an Ascension Day Service will be held on Thursday, May 29 th at 10:00 AM with Holy Communion. On Wednesday, May 28 th we will be having a dinner in the Church dining hall beginning at 5:30 PM. Meat and drinks will be provided, but please bring a side dish or a dessert. After the dinner we will meet at the lake. There will be plenty of parking down at the lake so you do not have to walk. After the service at the lake we will have a balloon lift. The children will be singing Up In The Sky. Invitation - Ruth Marschel and Jolene Schultz, teachers at Immanuel Lutheran School in Washington are retiring after serving the teaching ministry for 49 years. They will be recognized in both Sunday morning services (8:00 and 10:45) on June 1 st. A luncheon will follow at the Washington Elks Hall from 12:00 noon 2:30 PM with an open house until 5:00 PM. Luncheon reservations can be made by contacting Wayne Clements at Cards and congratulatory letters can be sent to the school office or by contacting Becky Brown, School Secretary, during school hours at All replies are kindly requested by May 23 rd. Pastor and Margaret will be gone next weekend to attend their daughter Mary s graduation at Valparaiso School of Law. Rev. Tim Brown of St. John s Lutheran Church in Beaufort will conduct our Saturday evening worship service. In case of an emergency, please give Pastor Brown a call at Our Sunday morning worship service will be conducted by Mr. Nick Hopfensperger, the Principal at Immanuel Lutheran School in Washington. We will not have Communion at our services next weekend. 13

14 Our Congratulations and Best Wishes to Mary Beth on her Graduation! We welcome Kim Gerding and her children, Danielle and Derick to our congregation. They have transferred here from Trinity Lutheran Church in New Haven. St. John s Lutheran Church at Beaufort will have their Annual Chicken and Beef Dinner next Sunday, May 18 th with serving from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM. Adults $10.00, Children (6-12) $ and under are Free. Please see the poster on our bulletin board. Thank You We have received several items that were given to our congregation and Sunday School Our Ladies Aid has received a beautiful shadow box picture and our first and second grade Sunday School classes have received a beautiful stained glass cross from the family of Wilma Helling. A beautiful picture of children was given to the third and fourth grades by Esther and Peggy Voelker. These were given in thanksgiving for the prayers and cards sent to Wilma and Esther over the past year. Please visit the classrooms and the dining hall to see these very much appreciated items! Our Mothers are very grateful for the items received today from Thrivent for Mother s Day! 14

15 Those Serving Today Organist Saturday Laura Nichols Organist Sunday Ruth Marschel Head Usher Saturday Tracey Bade Head Usher Sunday Lee Kassebaum Acolytes Katelyn Bopp and Zach Brunkhorst Bell Ringer Paul Kassebaum Altar Guild Margaret Zastrow and Joan Menke Offerings and Attendance Weekly Contributions $1, Plate Sunday School $1, Attendance: Saturday Worship 30 Sunday Worship 101 Sunday School Attendance: Children 6 Adults 16 15

16 This Week at Ebenezer Thursday Adult Instruction Class 7:00 PM Friday Pastor and Margaret to Valpo Saturday Worship 5:00 PM 16