Good Shepherd Sunday
May 3, 2020
+ AS WE GATHER +
“Let us ever walk with Jesus, Follow His example pure.” These poetic words of a favorite hymn, written in the 1600s by Sigismund von Birken, have a special meaning for us each day. Although the author intended that his hymn about following the example of Jesus be sung in the Lenten season, when there is a focus on themes of sacrifice and self-giving, the words fit equally well in Eastertide. No season, even one as joyous and victorious as Easter, is without its challenges that may include some sorts of suffering. There are no times when we are exempted from taking up our crosses and following the Lord. The Good Shepherd stands ready in every season to lead His flock with loving care!
+ PREPARATION +
Press Play below to hear the beginning of the service. (adjust your volume as needed)HYMN: #478 – The Day of Resurrection
Press Play below to hear and/or sing along with hymn #478. ONLY Press the play button on the video 1 time. When the hymn is complete continue scrolling down through the rest of the service as usual. (adjust your volume as needed)
INVOCATION
Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
OPENING SENTENCES Psalm 95:1, 7
Pastor: Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
People: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Pastor: For He is our God,
People: and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand!
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION Micah 6:6–8
Pastor: Let us come before God in true repentance, seeking forgiveness and amendment of our lives as we follow the Lord.
People: With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high?
Pastor: Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
People: Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
Pastor: He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
People: Almighty God, we confess that we are indeed sinful. We have done the evil You forbid and have not done the good You demand. We do repent and are truly sorry for these our sins. Have mercy on us because of Jesus, our Good Shepherd. Grant that, by the working of the Holy Spirit, we may follow where He leads until that time when we, by His grace, come to dwell in Your house forever.
Pastor: God has promised forgiveness to those who repent of their sins and turn to Him for grace. 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 X Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
+ WORD +
HYMN of PRAISE: This Is the Feast
Press Play below to hear and/or sing along with the HYMN of PRAISE: This Is the Feast. (adjust your volume as needed)HYMN of PRAISE: This Is the Feast
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are His.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God, and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing, honor, glory, and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
For the Lamb who was slain has begun His reign. Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Pastor: Let us pray.
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.
People: Amen.
FIRST LESSON Acts 2:42–47
(The life of the first Christians)
42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
PSALM Psalm 23
1The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
EPISTLE 1 Peter 2:19–25
(The example of Christ, who suffered for us)
19This is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20For 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. 21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23When 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. 24He 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. 25For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
ALLELUIA AND VERSE
Alleluia. We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. Alleluia. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me. Alleluia.
HOLY GOSPEL John 10:1–10
(Jesus is the gate of the sheep.)
Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the tenth chapter.
1[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. 2But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
HYMN: #709 –The King of Love My Shepherd Is
Press Play below to hear and/or sing along with hymn #709. ONLY Press the play button on the video 1 time. When the hymn is complete continue scrolling down through the rest of the service as usual. (adjust your volume as needed)
HYMN: #709 –The King of Love My Shepherd Is
1 The King of love my shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever.
2 Where streams of living water flow,
My ransomed soul He leadeth
And, where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.
3 Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love He sought me
And on His shoulder gently laid
And home rejoicing brought me.
4 In death’s dark vale I fear no ill
With Thee, dear Lord, beside me,
Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.
5 Thou spreadst a table in my sight;
Thine unction grace bestoweth;
And, oh, what transport of delight
From Thy pure chalice floweth!
6 And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise
Within Thy house forever!
SERMON – “Easter 4 Our Good Shepherd walked the valley for us”
Read along with the video with the sermon text here >>>
Press Play below to watch the sermon below. ONLY Press the play button on the video 1 time. When the video is complete continue scrolling down through the rest of the service as usual. (adjust your volume as needed)
APOSTLES’ CREED
Pastor: God has made us His people through our Baptism into Christ. Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith.
All: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And 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 sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence 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.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Pastor: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
We pray for the whole Church, that through it the goodness of God be shared and the Good News of salvation be proclaimed throughout all the world. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: We pray for those who are in need, assured of the Shepherd’s care for all of His sheep. Help us to meet the needs of any who are in want as we are led by our Good Shepherd day by day. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: We pray for the nations of the world, asking that You would restore the still waters of peace and prosperity around the globe that now suffer from the effects of the coronavirus and that there be goodness and kindness among all peoples. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: We pray for our families and everyone in them. Together help us to follow the Good Shepherd as one flock in which all dwell together in love and unity. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: We pray for those who are in difficult or challenging places, whose lives know want or discord or sadness or continuing illness, especially those affected by the ongoing pandemic. Gently guide them with Your rod and staff, Good Shepherd, and keep them ever with You. Lord, in your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
Pastor: With gratefulness we remember those who already dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Inspire us to pass throughout our earthly journeys with faith and hope as we heed the voice of our Good Shepherd and follow in His ways. Lord, in Your mercy,
People: hear our prayer.
LORD’S PRAYER Matthew 6:9–13
All: 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.
CLOSING PRAYER
O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, You have safely brought us to the beginning of this day. Defend us in the same with Your mighty power, and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger, but that all our doings, being ordered by Your governance, may be righteous in Your sight; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
BENEDICAMUS
Pastor: Let us bless the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
BENEDICTION
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. Numbers 6:24–26
People: Amen.
HYMN:#711 –Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us
Press Play below to hear and/or sing along with hymn #711. ONLY Press the play button on the video 1 time. When the hymn is complete continue scrolling down through the rest of the service as usual. (adjust your volume as needed)
HYMN: #711 -Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us
1 Savior, like a shepherd lead us;
Much we need Your tender care.
In Your pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Your fold prepare.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
You have bought us; we are Yours.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
You have bought us; we are Yours.
2 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.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Hear us children when we pray.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Hear us children when we pray.
3 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.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Early let us turn to You.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Early let us turn to You.
4 Early let us seek Your favor,
Early let us do Your will;
Blessèd Lord and only Savior,
With Your love our spirits fill.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
You have loved us, love us still.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
You have loved us, love us still.
