Worship for Sunday, May 3, 2020

The Fourth Sunday of Easter
"Good Shepherd Sunday"
Sunday, May 3, 2020

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OUR WORSHIP FOR TODAY

THE OPENING SENTENCE

Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.       

OPENING HYMN: Now the Silence (Video Link):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4FkbI_GvBQ&feature=youtu.be

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

They 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: 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

For it is to your credit if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, where is the credit in 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.

THE HOLY GOSPEL: John 10:1-10

‘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.

NEW!
CHILDREN'S MESSAGE (Video Link):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqH9YQYcPtA&feature=youtu.be

HOMILY FOR THE DAY (Video Link):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fA2Vw6Ft-w&feature=youtu.be

THE APOSTLES' CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

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,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come 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 OF INTERCESSION

Uplifted by the promised hope of healing and resurrection, we join the people of God in all times and places in praying for the church, the world, and all who are in need.

A brief silence.

Shepherding God, we thank you for the educational ministries of your church. Enrich the work of teachers, professors, mentors, advisors, and faculty at colleges, seminaries, and learning sites (local colleges and seminaries may be named). Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Creating God, we praise you for those who maintain and operate farm equipment, for those who plant and harvest crops, for local farmers’ markets, and for those involved in agriculture of any kind. Strengthen their hands as they feed the world. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Guiding God, no one should be in want. Bid the nations to return to your paths of righteousness and inspire our leaders to walk in your ways, so that all may have the opportunity to live abundantly and sustainably. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Comforting God, you carry us tenderly. We pray for those who walk through dark valleys overshadowed by anxiety and overwhelmed with suffering. (You may lift up the names of those for whom you would like to prayer here.)  Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Nurturing God, you desire justice for the hungry. Bless advocacy work, food pantries, and feeding ministries in our congregations. May none of our neighbors lack for basic needs. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Healing God, during Christ’s ministry on Earth, you showed your power and caring by healing people of all ages and stations of life from physical, mental, and spiritual ailments. Be present now to people who need your loving touch because of COVID-19. May they feel your power of healing through the care of doctors and nurses.  Take away the fear, anxiety, and feelings of isolation from people receiving treatment or under quarantine. Give them a sense of purpose in pursuing health and protecting others from exposure to the disease. Protect their families and friends and bring peace to all who love them.  Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Sheltering God, we lift to You our concern for people who are more likely than others to become severely ill from COVID-19 — the elderly and people with chronic health conditions. Protect them from harm and be their comfort in this time of uncertainty. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Caring God, be with people making decisions that affect the lives and futures of our families, communities, countries, and the wider world. Strengthen doctors, nurses, and other caregivers.  Strengthen pastors and chaplains. Inspire and invigorate people developing better tests to diagnose the virus, vaccines to prevent it, and protocols and communication to eliminate the disease’s spread. May truth and empathy be the touchstones of people setting policies for our protection. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Everlasting God, your beloved have heard your voice; you have called them by name and guided them to your side in death. (You may lift up the names of those who have died in Christ here.)  We thank you for their lives of faithful witness. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

With bold confidence in your love, almighty God, we place all for whom we pray into your eternal care; through 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.

CONCLUDING PRAYER  

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom

        Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them:

         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

CLOSING PETITION FOR BLESSING

May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. _{Romans 15:13}   
Amen 

CLOSING HYMN: Let Us Break Bread Together (Video Link): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuReyaG1sk8&feature=youtu.be