Fourth Sunday after Easter

Transcription

1 3461 Merle Ave Modesto, CA (209) W Fourth Sunday after Easter APRIL 22, 2018 Course 4: Sheep of the Good Shepherd elcome! Thank you for joining us for worship this morning. In our service we gather before our almighty God to offer him our worship and praise. We also gather to strengthen ourselves through the study of God s holy and powerful word. Welcome Worshiper Cards are located in the book racks. Please fill one out and place it in the offering plate later in the service. Restrooms are located in the entryway. Two Nursery rooms are available for parents with small children. PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP Good and guiding Shepherd, lead us to quiet places where we can have moments of prayer and meditation with you. Take us to places of beauty where we can get a glimpse of your glory. And welcome us into places where our souls can be nourished and fed through your Word and Sacraments. I pray in your name, my Good Shepherd Jesus. Amen. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Flowers adorning our altar this morning are given to the glory of God by Rebecca Wallen in loving memory of Benjamin Wallen. Minister: Pastor Daniel Schroeder Pianist: Karen Adams 1

2 PREPARING FOR WORSHIP Having walked the difficult road of Lent, for the seven weeks of Easter we sit at the Lamb's victory feast, a seven-course meal in which we celebrate his victory and ours. Today we hear the comforting news that we are the sheep of his flock. The Good Shepherd who was willing to lay down his life for us will lead and feed, guide and guard us all the way to our heavenly home. EASTER DIALOG Minister: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Congregation: Amen. M: Christ is risen! C: Alleluia! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! M: I am the Good Shepherd, says the Lord. C: The Good Shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. M: Alleluia! Christ is risen! C: He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! 2

3 OPENING HYMN The Lord s My Shepherd Christian Worship: Supplement #766 This hymn, paraphrasing Psalm 23, is meditative in tone and comforting in nature. It reminds us that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, watches over us and protects us until the day we reach heaven to dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 3

4 CALL TO WORSHIP M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. CONFESSION OF SINS M: Beloved in the Lord: let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God our Father, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness. C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord have mercy on me, a sinner. LORD, HAVE MERCY (KYRIE) 4

5 ABSOLUTION M: God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. PRAYER AND PRAISE M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord. SONG OF PRAISE Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds 5

6 PRAYER OF THE DAY M: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. M: Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Good Shepherd who laid down your life for the sheep. Lead us now to the still waters of your life-giving Word that we may abide in your Father s house forevermore; for you live and reign with him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. THE WORD OF GOD CHILDREN S MESSAGE Children are invited to come forward for a message directed at them. FIRST LESSON Acts 20:28-32 The Good Shepherd protects his flock through shepherds equipped with his Word Always keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves, who will not spare the flock, will come in among you. 30 Even from your own group men will rise up, twisting the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore be always on the alert! Remember that for three years, night and day, I never stopped warning each one of you with tears. 32 And now I entrust you to God and to the word of his grace, which has power to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (EHV) 6

7 PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 23 The Good Shepherd brings his sheep safely through this life The Pastor will sing the verses and the congregation is invited to sing the refrain. M: My shepherd is the Lord, for nothing shall I want; green are the pastures where I m led to repose. Near waters still and deep God will refresh my soul. I am led onward in ways true to the Name. C: Refrain M: If I should walk one day into the vale of darkness, no evil shall I fear with God at my side. There with your crook and staff you give me strength and comfort; you spread a banquet in the sight of my foes. C: Refrain M: You anoint my head with oil; my cup is overflowing; goodness and kindness crown the days of my life. Within the Lord s own house I dwell in peace forever; within the house of God my soul is at rest. C: Refrain 7

8 SECOND LESSON 1 Peter 5:1-4 Peter instructs shepherds of God's flock Therefore, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and as one who also shares in the glory that is about to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: 2 Shepherd God s flock that is among you, serving as overseers, not grudgingly but willingly, as God desires, not because you are greedy for money but because you are eager to do it. 3 Do not lord it over those entrusted to your care, but be examples for the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive an unfading crown of glory. (EHV) VERSE OF THE DAY John 10:14 C: Refrain M: I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me. C: Refrain 8

9 GOSPEL LESSON John 10:11-18 The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep After the announcement of the Gospel, the congregation sings: I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired man, who is not a shepherd, does not own the sheep. He sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. 13 Because he works for money, he does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me 15 (just as the Father knows me and I know the Father). And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I also have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd. 17 This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it up again. This is the commission I received from my Father. (EHV) After the Gospel, the congregation sings: 9

10 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 Christian Worship #375 This paraphrase of Psalm 23 is connected to a tune that is designated as a Hymn of the Ancient Irish Church. One churchman wrote that the third verse of this lovely hymn, perhaps the most beautiful of all the countless versions of Psalm 23, was the last audible sentence upon the dying lips of the lamented author, February 12, SERMON John 10:11-18 Jesus is the Good Shepherd Jesus said, Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. (Matthew 10:32) When we speak the Apostles Creed, we are joining together to publically confess the simple truths on which our faith rests. The Apostles Creed was not written by the apostles, but is a confession based on the teachings of the apostles. Its roots go back to just a few centuries after Christ when new Christians would confess this creed before they were baptized. When we speak the Apostles Creed today we are uniting our voices with the saints who have gone before us and with Christians around the world. 10

11 CREATE IN ME OFFERING The members of St. Peter Congregation have joined together to do the Lord s work in this community and around the world. Guests at St. Peter are welcome to participate in the offering but need not feel obligated to do so. 11

12 PRAYER OF THE CHURCH AND LORD S PRAYER M: Almighty God, you have blessed us in so many ways. For all the blessings of this body and life, we give you our thanks and praise. C: The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. M: Lord Jesus, you have given us life in abundance through your suffering, death, and resurrection. Thank you for your salvation so great and free. C: He leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. M: We pray today for all who lead your Church on earth, all pastors, district and synodical leaders, that through their work, our Good Shepherd might be glorified in all that is said and done. C: You guide us in paths of righteousness for your name s sake. M: Especially this day we lift up before you those who are sick, those who are in nursing homes, and those who are in hospitals. Be with them and give them what they need in body and soul. C: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. M: We also commend into your care those afflicted with cancer or other illnesses. Give them courage to face this day, and give them hope for tomorrow. C: Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. M: We pray for those who serve in our armed forces, that you might be their shield and defender. C: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. M: Lord Jesus, we rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. For those who rejoice, may it be a foretaste of eternity. For those who weep, may they know the consolation of your love. C: Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. M: Into your hands, our Good Shepherd, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy, who with the Father and Holy Spirit are one God, now and forever. C: Amen. 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. 12

13 SERMON HYMN Jesus, Shepherd of the Sheep Christian Worship #436 CLOSING PRAYER AND BLESSING M: We like sheep have gone astray, and now we are threatened by danger on every side. Great Shepherd of the sheep, C: bring us into your fold, where we can find safety and protection. M: We like sheep have gone astray, and now we are in the midst of chaos and disorder. Great Shepherd of the Sheep C: bring us into your fold, where we can find peace and quiet. M: We like sheep have gone astray, and now we look to the future for hope. Great Shepherd of the sheep, C: bring us into your fold, and bring us into the glory to come. Amen. M: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and (+) give you peace. C: Amen. CLOSING HYMN I Am Jesus Little Lamb Christian Worship #432 This tender hymn of trust reminds every Christian that their Good Shepherd Jesus cares for them, his little lambs who need him. No matter what our age, we are Jesus lambs. His care extends to us every day until we join Jesus in heaven. The following were reprinted under OneLicense.net #A : Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds 1958 Service Book and Hymnal, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Shepherd of My Heart words & music: Francis Patrick O Brien 1992 GIA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Divine Service Texts revised from The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941, Music: 2002 Kermit Moldenhauer. Cover artwork by Ian M. Welch. Copyright 2015 Ian M. Welch. All Rights Reserved. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version TM (EHV TM ) copyright 2016 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved. 13