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Gate
I grew up on a dairy farm. We had milking cows, dry stock, and a variety of young animals housed in a variety of pens and fenced pastures. Do you know who went in by other routes than the gate? Everyone. Or at least everyone that wasn’t a bovine. You’re thinking about opening the gate to go into that pen? Waste of time and risks escapes. Just climb over. Grab those barbed wire strands and pull…
Plainly
The crowd in this week’s passage wants Jesus to tell them plainly if he is the Messiah. He refuses, insisting that he has been clear and that his actions will speak for who he is. So what’s he been doing? A quick flip back through the parts of the book of John that come before this and we see some miraculous healings, and some miraculous feedings. Is this what a Messiah does? We also see some…
Lay Down
It’s a matter of debate whether or not the Gospel of John and the Epistles of John were written by the same people, setting this week’s readings beside each other suggests to me that they’re referencing each other. Look! “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought…
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Clearly
When reading a mathematical or logical proof, if the author says “Clearly, ….” you should check the statement that follows. Often it’s not clear. Sometimes it’s not even correct. This advice applies to both reading logical arguments and making them. The things we think are obvious can hide blindspots. The Sadducees in this passage are making a logical argument against the resurrection. They are…
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Dispersed Worship for Easter 4, May 3, 2020
Gathering Song:
Br. John Michael, OEF · Setting 8 This Is The Feast
George Lengol @ Ground Breaking Ceremony for the new sanctuary on 24 September 1989.
Psalmody:
Opening Prayer
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.
Anthem:
Br. John Michael, OEF · 5.3 The King Of Love My Shepherd Is
Lessons
First Lesson: Acts 2:42-47
42[The baptized] devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46Day 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, 47praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Second Lesson: 1 Peter 2:19-25
19It is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. 20If 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. 21For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. 22“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23When 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. 24He 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. 25For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Gospel Acclamation:
Br. John Michael, OEF · Setting 8 - Gospel Accl
Gospel: John 10:1-10
[Jesus said:] 1“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. 2The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
Gospel Reading & Sermon:
Hymn of the Day:
Br. John Michael, OEF · ELW780 Shepherd Me, O God 53
Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Prayers for Others
Peace
Offering- Click Here to Give
Thanksgiving for the Word Prayer
Praise and thanks to you, holy God, for by your Word you made all things: you spoke light into darkness, called forth beauty from chaos, and brought life into being. For your Word of life, O God, we give you thanks and praise.
By your Word you called your people Israel to tell of your wonderful gifts: freedom from captivity, water on the desert journey, a pathway home from exile, wisdom for life with you. For your Word of life, O God, we give you thanks and praise.
Through Jesus, your Word made flesh, you speak to us and call us to witness: forgiveness through the cross, life to those entombed by death, the way of your self-giving love. For your Word of life, O God, we give you thanks and praise.
Send your Spirit of truth, O God; rekindle your gifts within us: renew our faith, increase our hope, and deepen our love, for the sake of a world in need. Faithful to your Word, O God, draw near to all who call on you; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory forever. Amen.
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.
Benediction/Blessing
May the One who brought forth Jesus from the dead
raise you to new life, fill you with hope,
and turn your mourning into dancing.
Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit,
bless you now and forever.
Amen.
Sending Hymn:
Br. John Michael, OEF · ELW789 Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us
Dismissal
Christ is risen, just as he said.
Go in peace. Share the good news. Alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
Strange Sheep, Easter 4 2015
Strange Sheep, Easter 4 2015
“I am the Good Shepherd.” Jesus
The lessons can be found by clicking here. I worked most closely with John 10:11-18.
Listen: https://theologybird.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/easter-4-stp2-26april2015.mp3
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i forgot it was easter so im at church wearing black while everyone else is wearing colorful dresses and im like. well 😁
