Sunday, April 25, 2021 – Fourth Sunday of Easter
Prelude: “In Heaven’s Eyes” – solo, Deb Wysocki
Welcome No matter who you are or where you are on your journey, you are welcome here!
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 right paths
for his name’s sake.
4Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I 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
my whole life long.
Gathering Song: “He Leadeth Me” – led by Ann Borovies
First Reading: 1 John 3:16-24 Kathie Jones
16We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us — and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?
18Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 19And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him 20whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; 22and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.
23And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.
Gospel: John 10:11-16
[Jesus said:] 11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
Help us God, as we seek to interpret what this means for our lives.
Message
Message Song “Shepherd Me, O God” – led by Enid Rank
“Becoming What We Pray” – led by Ann Borovies
Prayers Kevin Gough
Alive in the risen Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, we bring our prayers before God who promises to hear us and answer in steadfast love. Please begin with your silent personal prayer.
A brief silence.
Loving Shepherd, you know your own, and your own know you. Your voice calls us to your loving embrace. Strengthen your church in us and throughout the world so that we will bear witness to your expansive love.
It is God’s work, but our hands that accomplish it.
Gracious Shepherd, you are generous with the gifts of goodness and mercy. Restore your creation to wholeness so that cities and towns, countryside and wilderness, may abound with life. Be our guide as we work to bring this wholeness and health to your creation.
It is God’s work, but our hands that accomplish it.
Hope-giving Shepherd, you love all nations and peoples. Place into our hearts, and the hearts of all leaders and rulers, kindness, integrity, and the passion to serve. Eliminate any desire to overpower others, and give to us and our leaders joy in lifting up the lowly.
It is God’s work, but our hands that accomplish it.
Abiding Shepherd, your love flows as we reach out to those around us. Move us with your Spirit, so that we selflessly care for those in need. Inspire us as we bring companionship to the lonely, enable the disenfranchised, comfort those who mourn, and support the health of those who are ill. Today we pray especially for Mary Ann and Ester, Geoff Baer, Timmy Henn, Jr., Andrea & Jerry, Hugh, Jane Atherholt, Linda and Leo, Mel, Kristen, Tim M., Dawn, Norine, Joe, Debbie, Ruth Meier, Kyle, Joe, Be Linney, Al Horvath, John, Pat & Al, Maryse, Paige, Teri, Claudia, Danielle & Gregor, Sam L., Glenn Mayer, and those we name in our hearts.
Hospitalized this week: Baby Girl Charlie Ivenz and Dawn Ward.
Condolences to the family and friends of Anna Jane Miller who passed away on April 20, 2021.
Help us to love one another in truth and action.
It is God’s work, but our hands that accomplish it.
Saving Shepherd, you restore us to wholeness. Support this community of faith in our life together, and give us vigor to be a people of your love and grace. Guide us as we study and discuss our congregation’s newly developed Strategic Plan. Be with us as we envision possible ways to put this plan into meaningful action. In the midst of these extraordinary challenges and opportunities, fill us anew with your Holy Spirit.
It is God’s work, but our hands that accomplish it.
Eternal Shepherd, you hold us securely in your loving arms. In the assurance of resurrection hope, we remember our loved ones who have died in you. Bring us, with them, to dwell in your house of eternal love forever.
It is God’s work, but our hands that accomplish it.
In the hope of new life in Christ, we raise our prayers to you, trusting in your never-ending goodness and mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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 Hymn “You Raise Me Up” – led by Caitlin McNeish
Benediction “Spirit Song” – Led by Enid Rank
Dismissal: Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Coffee Hour