THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
– The Good Shepherd –
Sermon by Deacon Alan
Liturgy led by Nick & Family
Worship Music led by Annie
Lessons read by Milina
Prayers of the People led by Barbara
Announcements with Chuck
WELCOME & OPENING PRAYER
OPENING SONG – All Who Are Thirsty
Verse
All who are thirsty
All who are weak
Come to the fountain
Dip your heart in the stream of life
Let the pain and the sorrow
Be washed away
In the waves of His mercy
As deep cries out to deep, we sing
Chorus 1
Come Lord Jesus, come
Come Lord Jesus, come
(REPEAT)
Verse
All who are thirsty
All who are weak
Come to the fountain
Dip your heart in the stream of life
Let the pain and the sorrow
Be washed away
In the waves of His mercy
As deep cries out to deep, we sing
Chorus 2
Holy Spirit, come
Holy Spirit, come
(REPEAT)
Brenton Brown | Glenn Robertson
© 1998 Vineyard Songs (UK/Eire)
CCLI Song # 2489542 – CCLI License # 3056976
The Invitatory
OPENING SENTENCE OF SCRIPTURE
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
COLOSSIANS 3:1
CONFESSION OF SIN
Let us humbly confess our sins to Almighty God.
Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and apart from your grace, there is no health in us.
O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare all those who confess their faults. Restore all those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord; And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen.
Grant your faithful people, merciful Lord, pardon and peace; that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
THE PASSING OF THE PEACE
The peace of the Lord be always with you;
And with your spirit.
Praise the Lord.
The Lord’s name be praised.
PSALM 23 (HCSB) – The Lord is My Shepherd
Let us say lift up responsively Psalm 23 to the Lord:
The Lord is my shepherd;
There is nothing I lack.
He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He renews my life;
He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake.
Even when I go through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger,
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; my cup overflows.
Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
THE FIRST LESSON – Acts 2:36-47 (ESV)
The First Lesson is taken from Acts, Chapter 2, verses 36 to 47.
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”
So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Canticles
Cantate Domino – Psalm 98
Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
The Lord has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;
make music to the Lord with the harp,
With the harp and the sound of singing,
with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn —
Shout for joy before the Lord, the King.
Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.
Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy;
let them sing before the Lord.
For he comes to judge the earth,
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity.
DEUS MISEREATUR – PSALM 67
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us,
that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you judge the peoples with equity
and guide the nations upon earth.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, shall bless us.
God shall bless us;
let all the ends of the earth fear him!
THE SECOND LESSON – Romans 1:1-6 (ESV)
The Second Lesson is taken from the Letter to the Romans, Chapter 1, verses 1 to 6.
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Prayers & Collects
The Lord be with you;
And with your spirit.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be your Name.
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
And deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,
Now and forever. Amen.
O Lord, show Your mercy upon us;
And grant us Your salvation.
O Lord, guide those who govern us;
And lead us in the way of justice and truth.
Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
And make Your chosen people joyful.
O Lord, save Your people;
And bless Your inheritance.
Give peace in our time, O Lord;
And defend us by your mighty power.
Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Create in us clean hearts, O God;
And take not your Holy Spirit from us.
THE Fourth SUNDAY OF EASTER
O God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd of your people: Grant that, when we hear his voice, we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
THE SECOND COLLECT, FOR PEACE
O God, the source of all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works: Give to your servants that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments, and that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
THE THIRD COLLECT, FOR AID AGAINST ALL PERILS
Lighten our darkness, we beseech you, O Lord; and by your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE GOSPEL – John 10:11-17, 25-30 (ESV)
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John, Chapter 10, beginning at the eleventh verse.
Glory to you, O Lord.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.
(…)
Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.”
This is the Gospel of Christ.
Praise to you, O Christ.
THE SERMON
OFFERings
You can either send your Offerings by mail or now also by Interac e-Transfer. Please refer to Bob DJ’s e-mail sent on May 2nd, titled “Contributing by Internet”, for detailed instructions.
OFFERTORY HYMN – Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Verse 1
Great is Thy faithfulness
O God my Father
There is no shadow
Of turning with Thee
Thou changest not
Thy compassions they fail not
As Thou hast been
Thou forever wilt be
Chorus
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning
New mercies I see
All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me
Verse 2
Summer and winter
And springtime and harvest
Sun moon and stars
In their courses above
Join with all nature
In manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness
Mercy and love
Chorus
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning
New mercies I see
All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me
Verse 3
Pardon for sin
And a peace that endureth
Thy own dear presence
To cheer and to guide
Strength for today
And bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine
With ten thousand beside
Chorus
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning
New mercies I see
All I have needed
Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me
(REPEAT)
Thomas Obediah Chisholm | William Marion Runyan
© Words & Music: Public Domain
CCLI Song # 18723 – CCLI License # 3056976
The Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise him all creatures here below,
Praise him above ye heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost!
Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Concluding Prayers
A PRAYER OF GENERAL THANKSGIVING
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honour and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
A PRAYER OF SAINT CHRYSOSTOM
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
THE GRACE
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
2 CORINTHIANS 13:14
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CLOSING Hymn – Shine, Jesus, Shine
Verse 1
Lord the light of Your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness shining
Jesus Light of the World shine upon us
Set us free by the truth You now bring us
Shine on me, shine on me
Chorus
Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father's glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your word
Lord and let there be light
Verse 2
Lord I come to Your awesome presence
From the shadows into Your radiance
By the blood I may enter Your brightness
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness
Shine on me, shine on me
Chorus
Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father's glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your word
Lord and let there be light
Verse 3
As we gaze on Your kingly brightness
So our faces display Your likeness
Ever changing from glory to glory
Mirrored here may our lives tell Your story
Shine on me, shine on me
Chorus
Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father's glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth Your word
Lord and let there be light
Graham Kendrick
© 1987 Make Way Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
CCLI Song # 30426 – CCLI License # 3056976
THE DISMISSAL
Now go in peace to love and serve The Lord.
Thanks be to God! Alleluia! Alleluia!
PRAYER CHAPEL – 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Between the service and the ZOOM Fellowship meeting, you can call the following people for personal support and prayer. Their phone numbers are included in Deacon Alan’s weekly parish e-mail.
Do & Barrie
Sharon & Nick
Pat & Sybil
Deacon Alan & Barbara
FELLOWSHIP & OPEN PRAYER – ZOOM VIDEO MEETING
Catch up and pray for one another on ZOOM from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Once you click on the link below, you will have the option to download the app on your computer, tablet or smart phone. Don’t have a microphone attached to your computer? You can watch the video on your PC and have the audio go through your regular phone.
If you would like to join by phone, call: (438) 809-7799
and dial the information below when prompted.
