SERVICE FOR THE LORD’S DAY
Fourth Sunday of Easter
John 10:11-18: “I am the
good shepherd,” says
Jesus, a shepherd who
lays down his life for the
sheep. We belong to
Christ. He owns us,
embraces us, and
promises to care for us
in all circumstances of
life.
April 26th, 2015
10:00 a.m.
2
Gathering
*Please rise in body or spirit
CHIMES
PRELUDE
O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Scott
GREETING AND SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us worship God.
SENTENCES OF SCRIPTURE
from Psalm 95:6, 7
O come let us bow down and worship;
let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
For the Lord is our God;
we are the Lord’s people, the flock that God shepherds.
* HYMN #801
Or #802
The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want
The King of Love My Shepherd Is
* OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray.
~ a brief silence ~
Almighty God, you sent Jesus, our good shepherd, to gather us together. May we not
wander from his flock, but follow wherever he leads us, listening for his voice and staying
near him, until we are safely in your fold, to live with you forever; through Jesus Christ
our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
* LITANY FOR EASTER
O Christ, after your resurrection you appeared to your disciples; you breathed on them,
that they might receive the Holy Spirit. You gave joy and exultation to the whole
creation. Through your victory, we pray to you: Hear us, Lord of glory.
O Christ, after your resurrection you sent out your disciples to teach all nations and to
baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; you
promised to be with them and us until the end of the world. Through your victory, we
pray to you: Hear us, Lord of glory.
3
O Christ, through your resurrection you lifted us up, and filled us with rejoicing.
Through your salvation you enrich us with your gifts. Renew our lives and fill our
hearts with joy. Through your victory, we pray to you: Hear us, Lord of glory.
O Christ, you are glorified by angels in heaven, and worshiped on earth. On the glorious
feast of your resurrection, we pray to you: Hear us, Lord of glory. Save us, O Christ our
Lord, in your goodness, extend your mercy to your people who await the resurrection,
and have mercy on us. Hear us, Lord of glory.
O merciful God, you raised your beloved Son, and in your love you established him as
head of your church, and ruler of the universe. By your goodness we pray: Hear us,
Lord of glory.
~ a brief silence ~
* KYRIE #578
Guarani Melody
O Lord, have mercy; O Lord, have mercy; O Lord, have mercy, have mercy
on us.
O Christ, have mercy; O Christ, have mercy; O Christ, have mercy, have
mercy on us.
O Lord, have mercy; O Lord, have mercy; O Lord, have mercy, have mercy
on us.
O God, you gave your only Son to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, and by
his glorious resurrection you delivered us from the power of death. Grant us so to die
daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now
and forever. Amen.
* GLORIA PATRI # 581
Glory Be to the Father
Greatorex
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in
the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen, amen.
Our Lord Jesus said:
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your
soul, and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
4
The Word
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Let us pray.
~ a brief silence ~
Living God, help us so to hear your holy Word that we may truly understand; that,
understanding, we may believe, and, believing, we may follow in all faithfulness and
obedience, seeking your honor and glory in all that we do; through Christ our Lord..
Amen.
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.
FIRST READING
Acts 4:5-12
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM
My Faith Looks Up To Thee
SECOND READING
Carter
1 John 3:16-24
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL READING John 10:11-18
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
THE SERMON
the Rev. Larry Sydow * INVITATION TO DISCIPLESHIP #187 Savior, Like Shepherd Lead US
* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
The Apostles’ Creed
Bradbury
p. 35
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Let us bring the needs of the church, the world, and all in need, to God’s loving care,
saying: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of heaven and earth, through Jesus Christ you promise to hear us when we pray to
you in his name. Confident in your love and mercy we offer our prayer. Lord, in your
mercy, hear our prayer.
Empower the church throughout the world in its life and witness. Break down the
barriers that divide, that, united in your truth and love, the church may confess your
name, share one baptism, sit together at one table, and serve you in one common
ministry. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
5
Guide the rulers of the nations. Move them to set aside their fear, greed, and vain
ambition, and bow to your sovereign rule. Inspire them to strive for peace and justice,
that all your children may dwell secure, free of war and injustice. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Hear the cries of the world’s hungry and suffering. Give us, who consume most of the
earth’s resources, the will to reorder our lives, that all may have their rightful share of
the food, medical care, and shelter, and so have the necessities of a life of dignity. Lord,
in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Restore among us a love of the earth you created for our home. Help us put an end to
ravishing its land, air, and waters, and give us respect for all your creatures, that, living
in harmony with everything you have made, your whole creation may resound in an
anthem of praise to your glorious name. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Renew our nation in the ways of justice and peace. Guide those who make and
administer our laws to build a society based on trust and respect. Erase prejudices that
oppress; free us from crime and violence; guard our youth from the perils of drugs and
materialism. Give all citizens a new vision of a life of harmony. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Strengthen this congregation in its work and worship. Fill our hearts with your selfgiving love, that our voices may speak your praise, and our lives may conform to the
image of your Son. Nourish us with your Word and sacraments that we may faithfully
minister in your name, and witness to your love and grace for all the world. Lord, in
your mercy, hear our prayer.
Look with compassion on all who suffer. Support with your love those with incurable
and stigmatized diseases, those unjustly imprisoned, those denied dignity, those who
live without hope, those who are homeless or abandoned. As you have moved toward
us in love, so lead us to be present with them in their suffering in the name of Jesus
Christ. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Sustain those among us who need your healing touch. Make the sick whole. Give hope
to the dying. Comfort those who mourn. Uphold all who suffer in body or mind, not
only those we know and love but also those known only to you, that they may know the
peace and joy of your supporting care. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
6
With thanksgiving we remember before you those saints who bore witness to the light.
Grant that we may persevere in the faith to which we have been called and at the end
behold your glory.
O God, in your loving purpose answer our prayers and fulfill our hopes. In all things for
which we pray, give us the will to seek to bring them about, for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
* SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And also with you.
~ please exchange Christ’s peace and
reconciling love with one another~
OFFERING
OFFERTORY
Holy Art Thou
Paxton
* DOXOLOGY AND PRAYER #606
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.
Blessed are you, God of all creation; through your goodness we have these gifts to
share. Accept and use our offerings for your glory and for the service of your kingdom.
Blessed be God forever. Amen.
* PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
We give you thanks, great God, for the hope we have in Jesus, who died but is risen and
rules over all. We praise you for his presence with us. Because he lives, we look for
eternal life, knowing that nothing past, present, or yet to come can separate us from
your great love made known in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
7
* LORD’S PRAYER
As our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to pray:
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not
into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the
power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Sending
ANNOUNCEMENTS RELATING TO THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH
* HYMN #394
Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation
Hawkins
* BLESSING AND CHARGE
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy
Spirit be with you all. Amen.
Go out into the world in peace; have courage; hold on to what is good; return no one
evil for evil; support the weak; help the suffering; honor all people; love and serve the
Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
* BENEDICTION RESPONSE #240
Alleluia! Alleluia! Give Thanks
Refrain 2x
Fichel
8
Announcements
Welcome to Worship at First Presbyterian Church!
Breakfast at Martin’s Capitol Cafe, every Wed. at 7:30am. You are invited!!!
Seminar of the Soul will continue to meet on Tuesday, at noon in the parlor.
Choir meets on Wednesdays, at 7:00pm.
Worship Attendants
Service Elder
Deacon Hospital Visitation this week
Chancel Guild
Lynn Karnes
Inspirational Reader
Liturgist
Doug Lunsford
Mary Hubbard
Connie Wolf
Ann Hultman
Roberta Pess
Abby Yates
Office hours: Mon. - Fri. 9am -12pm
Lynn Karnes, Administrative Assistant to the Pastor
Kent Leydens: 757-613-8424
Elana Levy: 757-876-7025
Phone: 575.622.4910; Fax: 575.622.4918
Inspiration Line: 575.622.4923
Church Website: www.fpcroswell.com
KAPS (Kids’ Arts ProgramS) Website: www.roswellkaps