Worship and Devotions

Fourth Sunday of Easter

April 26, 2026

Welcome visitors and old friends. Welcome regardless of belief, ethnic background, sexual orientation, gender, socio-economic status, marital status, age, abilities, or life situation. Welcome believers and doubters as well as doubting believers. Welcome to share the fullness of Christ's love for the world!(Adapted from The welcome message from the Thomas Community in Finland. "Celebrating milestone moments" by Rev. Jukka Joensuu. Canada Lutheran January/February 2024 Vol. 39 No. 1; chorus of ELW 523)

Today is sometimes called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” Jesus is called the “gate” of the sheep in today’s gospel. The risen Christ opens the way to abundant life. He anoints our heads with oil and guides us beside the still waters of our baptism. Each Sunday he spreads a feast before us amid the world’s violence and war. We go forth to be signs of the resurrection and extend God’s tender care to all creation.

Music

O Christ, Our Hope

O Christ, Our Hope - ELW 604

Prayer

O God our shepherd, you know your sheep by name and lead us to safety through the valleys of death. Guide us by your voice, that we may walk in certainty and security to the joyous feast prepared in your house, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Music

Shepherd Me O God

Shepherd Me, O God - Psalm 23 | Marty Haugen | Catholic Choir w/Piano and Lyrics | Sunday 7pm Choir - YouTube

Readings

Acts 2:42-47

Today’s reading is a description of life in the community following Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost, when the Spirit was poured out on God’s people. The new community is sustained in worship and fellowship, shares what they have, and ensures that everyone has enough.

⁴² [The baptized] devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³ Awe came upon everyone because many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. ⁴⁴ All who believed were together and had all things in common; ⁴⁵ they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶ Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Psalm 23

¹ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.

² The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.

³ You restore my soul, O Lord, and guide me along right pathways for your name’s sake.

⁴ Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil, and my cup is running over.

⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

1 Peter 2:19-25

Doing the right things does not guarantee that one will not experience difficulties, hardships, rejection, or even suffering. Here Christ is presented as the model for our path of endurance and loyalty to God, particularly amid adversity.

¹⁹ It is a commendable thing if, being aware of God, a person endures pain while suffering unjustly. ²⁰ If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do good and suffer for it, this is a commendable thing before God. ²¹ For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. ²² “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”²³ When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. ²⁴ He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. ²⁵ For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Gospel - John 10:1-10

Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus uses an image familiar to the people of his day to make a point about spiritual leadership. Those who listen to Jesus are led to abundant life.

[Jesus said:] ¹ “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. ² The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵ They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” ⁶ Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. ⁷ So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who came before me are thieves and bandits, but the sheep did not listen to them. ⁹ I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

The Holy Gospel of our Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

https://youtu.be/KZKQXBQtqBs

Music

Saviour, Like A Shepherd Lead Us

"Saviour, like a Shepherd Lead Us" by Melharmonic Virtual Choir directed by Chibuike N. Onyesoh - YouTube

Praise The Lord, Rise Up Rejoicing

Praise the Lord, Rise Up Rejoicing - ELW 544

Prayers of Intercession

Trusting in the power of Christ's resurrection to heal and redeem our broken world, let us pray for the needs of all creation.

A brief silence.

Shepherding God, draw all people to yourself and lead them in paths of righteousness. Embolden your church and its leaders, both lay and ordained, to enter the valleys of the world and guide us beside the still waters of your grace. Merciful God, receive our prayer

Creator God, by the resurrection of your Son, show us your steadfast love and instruct our hearts in your ways. Help us to revere and protect the wonders of your creation. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

Righteous Judge, strengthen and uphold those who work for justice and advocate for human rights. Bring an end to oppression and save us from the temptation of violence or vengeance. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

Great Physician, walk with those who are grieving and anoint those who are ill or injured, and restore them to health of body, mind, and spirit. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

Good Shepherd, continually seek us out as lambs of your flock, and form us into a community where all are honoured and cared for. Spread a feast before us and fill our cups to overflowing. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Living God, we praise you for the saints who have died in faith and now dwell in your love. At our end, bring us, with them, to our heavenly home. Merciful God, receive our prayer.

God of resurrection power, use us and these prayers to proclaim the good news of new life to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen Saviour.

Amen.

Music

Guide My Feet

Guide My Feet (ACS Accompaniment) - ELW/ACS 987 (youtube.com)