Worship and Devotions

Sunday, April 21, 2024 - Fourth Sunday of Easter

The image of the good shepherd shows us how the risen Christ brings us to life. It is the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep, one of mutual knowledge and love, that gives the shepherd authority. The shepherd’s willingness to lay down his life for the sheep shows his love. First John illustrates what it means to lay down our lives for one another by the example of sharing our wealth with any sibling in need.

Music

Day of Delight and Beauty Unbounded

Day of Delight and Beauty Unbounded - ELW/ACS 933 (youtube.com)

Prayer of the Day

O Lord Christ, good shepherd of the sheep, you seek the lost and guide us into your fold. Feed us, and we shall be satisfied; heal us, and we shall be whole. Make us one with you, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Acts 4:5-12

Peter and John had been arrested the previous day because they were proclaiming the news of the resurrection to the people. In today’s reading, Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit so that he can proclaim salvation in Jesus’ name to the religious authorities.

5The next day [the] rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, 6with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, 10let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. 11This Jesus is ‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.’ 12There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God

Psalm 23

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

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

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

4Though 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.

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

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

Music

The King of Love, My Shepherd Is

The King Of Love My Shepherd Is | Christian Hymn | Psalm 23 | Choir with Lyrics | Sunday 7pm Choir (youtube.com)

1 John 3:16-24

Jesus’ death on our behalf is the clearest demonstration of divine love. This is the very love we share with others, not just through our words but especially through our deeds. In sharing such love we fulfill God’s commandments.

16We know love by this, that [Jesus Christ] 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.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God

Gospel: John 10:11-18

In language that recalls the twenty-third psalm, Jesus describes himself as the shepherd who cares for his sheep. He is willing to die for them, and he is able to overcome death for them.

Glory to you, O Lord.

[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. 17For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

https://youtu.be/qmvl9mg5ur8

Music

Shepherd Me, O God

Shepherd Me Oh God with Lyrics - Robin Medrud, Michael Joncas, Marty Haugen (youtube.com)

Prayers of Intercession

Rejoicing that Jesus is risen and love has triumphed over fear, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need of good news.

A brief silence.

Shepherding God, you call people to become pastors and deacons as well as lay leaders in your church. Help us to ask you to show each of us what your call is on our lives and help us to listen and follow where you lead. God of grace, hear our prayer.

Shepherding God, gather your church whenever we wander from you and one another. Empower our church in ministries around the world to worship and serve alongside global companions as equal partners and coworkers in the gospel. God of grace, hear our prayer.

Nurturing God, preserve the health of biomes and ecosystems. Inspire scientists, researchers, conservation organizations, and all people entrusted with the task of caring for creation, that we may be better stewards of the world around us. God of grace, hear our prayer.

God of life, we praise you for the beauty of creation, its richness and variety; yet, through greed and ignorance, we scar your world with plastic waste and throw so much away. Make us more like Jesus, treading gently on our common home and breathe your Spirit on us, that we may care more deeply for your Earth. God of grace, hear our prayer. (From Church of England B.C. Synod Newsletter April 17, 2024)

Almighty God, lead nations and communities to share resources, cooperate in solving conflicts, and listen to the wisdom of Indigenous peoples. Help all those with power to share it and to use such power for good. God of grace, hear our prayer.

Establish peace and justice throughout the world especially between Israel and Gaza, Ukraine, and Russia. Strengthen international efforts to negotiate peace and provide humanitarian aid to people fleeing from conflict. Comfort those who weep for what is being and has been lost, for lives, livelihoods and identities, homes, and memories. Do not let them be overwhelmed by sorrow but be their companion even through the valley of the shadow of death. We pray for those who are still being held hostage; let them see freedom. We pray for all who are injured in body, mind, and spirit; let there be healing. God of grace, hear our prayer. (Adapted from Sundays and Seasons, © 2023 Augsburg Fortress; B.C. Synod News January 10, 2024) and Prayers from STU 2023 adapted from prayers from Diocese of Perth, Australia)

Loving God, protect the very young and the very old, those living without housing, victims of domestic abuse, and all who live with chronic illness or compromised immune systems. Guide communities to actively care for people who are vulnerable. God of grace,hear our prayer.

Gracious God, help this and all communities of faith to listen for your voice. Call us away from things that distract us from following you. Invite us to more deeply love and serve people who are lonely, isolated, and on the margins. God of grace, hear our prayer.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Living God, we give thanks for our ancestors in faith and all who labored to help generations understand the good news of the gospel. Strengthen us to share the good news in our own day. God of grace, hear our prayer.

Into your hands, most merciful God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your abiding love; through Jesus Christ, our resurrected and living Lord.

Amen.

Music

You, Lord, Are Both Lamb and Shepherd

You, Lord, Are Both Lamb and Shepherd - ELW/ACS 954 (youtube.com)

God Be With You Till We Meet Again

God be With You Till We Meet Again (youtube.com)

Go Now In Peace

Go Now In Peace / Don Besig and Nancy Price - YouTube