Fourth Sunday of Easter
We Gather as the Body of Christ
WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS,
and FUNNY STORY
Pastor Bob
CENTERING WORDS (Acts 2, Psalm 23)
God of goodness and mercy, follow me
all my days! Source of grace and compassion,
flow from me all my days!
CALL TO WORSHIP
Responsive Reading Sharon Stewart
Hear Jesus’s great truth: I am the gate for the sheep!
We recognize this voice. We heard these words before.
Come in! You belong here! You are safe and cared for here!
We recognize the voice of our shepherd.
Follow and find green pastures and still waters!
We hear his voice.
I come to give life and give it abundantly.
Come one, come all!
A READING FROM THE PSALMS
Psalm 23 Sharon Stewart
HYMN:
The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want
UMC Hymnal #136
OPENING PRAYER
(Unison) Sharon Stewart
Divine Shepherd, we come to you, in worship, like sheep, which need to be led. We are hungry, O God. Lead us to good grazing land, where we can be nourished in your love and grace. We are weary, O God. Lead us to the green pastures where we can lie down and find our spiritual rest. We are weak, O God. Lead us with your strength into your goodness and mercy. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
EPISTLE READING
1 Peter 2: 19-25 Sharon Stewart
CHILDREN'S TIME with Pastor Bob
PREPARATION to PRAYER
He Is Lord UMC Hymnal #177
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
PASTORAL PRAYER
LORD’S PRAYER
We Attend to the Word
HYMN: His Name Is Wonderful
UMC Hymnal #174
GOSPEL READING
John 10: 1-10
MEDITATION Pastor Bob
The Images of Jesus
PASSING the PEACE of CHRIST Pastor Bob
John talks about a flock gathered by the shepherd Jesus while Luke talks about a community melded together in daily life. Both are visions of the church when everyone worships and shares together. Turn to your neighbor and greet them in the peace and unity of Jesus Christ, Shepherd of the Flock, Shepherd of the church.
We Gather at Christ's Table
INVITATION to the OFFERING
Pastor Bob
God invites us to share what we have with others, with
a generous heart and a willing spirit. Let us offer our gifts to God.
Give as you are called and as you are able.
OFFERTORY Erin Tellier
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow
UMC Hymnal # 94
BLESSING of the OFFERING
(Unison) Pastor Bob
We offer these gifts and offerings to you, O Lord, with glad and
generous hearts and ask that you bless them. May they join with other gifts given in faith and hope to meet the needs of those in our community and in our world. And may they be a symbol of our desire to give our lives to you, day by day and hour by hour. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
HYMN: God of Grace and God of Glory
UMC Hymnal # 577
We Are Sent in Ministry to the World
BENEDICTION Pastor Bob
This week, allow yourself to be led. Surrender control. The Lord is
our shepherd. We are the sheep of God’s pasture. God leads us to the places where we can be nourished and where we can find rest. Allow yourself to be led to those places. May the grace of Jesus, the love of God and the nurture of the Holy Spirit be with you. Amen.
SENDING FORTH HYMN
Shalom to You
UMC Hymnal #666
DEPART IN PEACE...SHALOM!
Worship Liturgy is taken from two sources: Lectionary Liturgies and the Abingdon Worship Annual 2023.