30 Apr BULLETIN – SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 2023
WELCOME to MESSIAH & ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCHES
Reverend Nancy Brody, Pastor
Rose Steinhauer, Organist
Sunday, April 30, 2023
Fourth Sunday of Easter
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
CONFESSION and FORGIVENESS Page 56
ENTRANCE HYMN
Christ is Alive, Let Christians Sing #363
APOSTOLIC GREETING Page 57
KYRIE & HYMN OF PRAISE Pages 57-59
PRAYER OF THE DAY
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 Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST READING ACTS 2:42-47
[The baptized] devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 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, 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.
PSALM 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.
The LORD makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.
You restore my soul, O Lord, and guide me along right pathways for your name’s sake.
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.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil, and my cup is running over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
SECOND READING 1 PETER 2:19-25
It is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. 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. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 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. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Page 62
GOSPEL JOHN 10:1-10
[Jesus said:] “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. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again, Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
SERMON
HYMN of the DAY
Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us SS#69
PROFESSION of FAITH
APOSTLES’ CREED Page 65
PRAYERS of INTERCESSION
United in the hope and joy of the resurrection, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need. A brief silence.
You are the shepherd who calls us to gather into a fold of your provision. Help the church recognize your voice, follow your lead, and not be deceived. Inspire our worship and fellowship, devotion, songs and prayer. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Every pasture, body of water, and patch of earth belongs to you, O Lord. Protect and sustain each vulnerable aspect of creation. Where there is destruction, bring healing. Where there is desolation, bring abundance. Fulfill the needs of every living thing. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
You demonstrate loving care for all by providing food, water, safety, and shelter. Direct leaders of our time and ordinary folk to learn from your example and seek the goodwill of all people. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
You journey with us whether we follow or go astray. Help those feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, depression or suffering in any way (especially those on our prayer list). Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Through you, your beloved flock finds safety. Provide a path, a way through, a gate for those forced to wander or wonder how they will survive or endure. Embrace and empower refugees, victims of violence, and all people who are mistreated. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Because you travelled through death itself, you’re very able to lead us through it. When our time comes, call us by name and we’ll join those already praising you with glad hearts in your presence. We give you thanks for those who now dwell in your house forever. Comfort those who mourn, and give them hope in the promise of resurrection. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
We rejoice to be your sheep, O God, to lift our prayers and voices to you. We trust that you are present, almighty, eternal, and ever-loving, our shepherd and risen Lord, Jesus Christ, our savior. Amen.
EXCHANGE of PEACE
OFFERING & OFFERTORY
Create in me… Page 75
LORD’S PRAYER
BENEDICTION
CLOSING HYMN
The King of Love My Shepherd Is #456
DISMISSAL
POSTLUDE
Revised Common Lectionary copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts. Used by permission. Prayers adapted from Sundays and Seasons, copyright © 2019, Augsburg Fortress. Used with permission. Psalm readings from Lutheran Book of Worship, copyright © 1978. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual Subscription #SB160715 Other quotations from Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, National Council of Churches in Christ in the United States of America. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Altar flowers at St Peter have been presented by Jean Zimmerman in memory of loved ones.