Welcome
Below you will find prayers, songs, readings, and a message to help you experience worship. You can light a candle to remind you of the presence of the Holy Spirit, or you can have a bowl of water in the vicinity to remind you of your baptism. Whether you are alone or with others, we hope that you can feel each other’s presence, and the presence of God, as we worship together, even though we are not in the same building.
Thanksgiving for Baptism
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Alleluia! Christ is risen. United in the life we share in Christ, let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.
We thank you, risen Christ, for these waters where you make us new, leading us from death to life, from tears to joy. We bless you, risen Christ, that your Spirit comes to us in the grace-filled waters of baptism, like rains that nourish our earth, like streams that remind us of your presence, like cups of cool water shared with strangers. Breathe your peace on your church when we hide in fear. Clothe us with your mercy and forgiveness. Send us companions on our journey as we share your life. Make us one, risen Christ. Cleanse our hearts. Shower us with life. To you be given all praise, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God, now and forever. Amen.
Opening Song
Shepherd Me, O God
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Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.
God is my shepherd, so nothing shall I want, I rest in the meadows of faithfulness and love, I walk by the quiet waters of peace. Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.
Gently you raise me and heal my weary soul, you lead me by pathways of righteousness and truth, my spirit shall sing the music of your name. Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.
Though I should wander the valley of death, I fear no evil, for you are at my side, your rod and your staff, my comfort and my hope. Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.
You have set me a banquet of love in the face of hatred, crowning me with love beyond my pow’r to hold. Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.
Surely your kindness and mercy follow me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of my God forevermore. Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.
Prayer of the Day
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Let us pray. O Lord Christ, good shepherd of the sheep, you seek the lost and guide us into your fold. Feed us, and we shall be satisfied; heal us, and we shall be whole. Make us one with you, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Psalm
Psalm 23
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1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
3he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
4Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me;
your rod and your staff — they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD my whole life long.
Children’s Moment
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Gospel and Message
John 10:11-18
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[Jesus said:] 11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
Hymn of the Day
The King of Love My Shepherd Is
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The King of love my shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never; I nothing lack if I am his and he is mine forever.
Where streams of living water flow, my ransomed soul he leadeth and, where the verdant pastures grow, with food celestial feedeth.
Perverse and foolish oft I strayed, but yet in love he sought me, and on his shoulder gently laid, and home, rejoicing, brought me.
In death’s dark vale I fear no ill, with thee, dear Lord, beside me, thy rod and staff my comfort still; thy cross before to guide me.
Thou spreadst a table in my sight; thine unction grace bestoweth; and, oh, what transport of delight from thy pure chalice floweth!
And so, through all the length of days, thy goodness faileth never. Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise within thy house forever.
Apostles’ Creed
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With the whole church, let us confess our faith.
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
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Held together in one body by the Spirit of Christ, let us pray for the church and the world, and all who are in need.
God of goodness and mercy, we pray for the church: that congregations persevere in their ministries of nurture of congregations and communities. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for members of other world religions: that there be an end to interreligious strife; and that during Ramadan those who are Muslim be strengthened for lives of prayer and service. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for justice in our land: that our criminal legal system continue to be reformed; that ethnic and economic prejudices cease; and that there is peace in our homes and neighborhoods. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who are hungry, those who are unemployed, those living in refugee camps, and all who are seeking a better life. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all who are sick or suffering: for those stricken with the coronavirus, especially in India and Brazil; for the children who have known continual sorrow; and for those experiencing loneliness and isolation. Lord, hear our prayer.
We praise you for all the sheep of your fold, each lamb of your own flock. Bring us with all the saints to dwell in your house forever. Lord, hear our prayer.
In the hope of new life in Christ, we raise our prayers to you, trusting in your never-ending goodness and mercy, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. 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.
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, Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer, bless you now and forever. Amen.
Dismissal
Christ is risen! Go in peace. Share the good news. Alleluia! Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
Sending Hymn
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
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Joyful, joyful we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love! Hearts unfold like flow’rs before thee, praising thee, their sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the gloom of doubt away. Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day.
All thy works with joy surround thee, earth and heav’n reflect thy rays, stars and angels sing around thee, center of unbroken praise. Field and forest, vale and mountain, flow’ry meadow, flashing sea, chanting bird, and lowing fountain call us to rejoice in thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest, wellspring of the joy of living, ocean-depth of happy rest! Thou our Father, Christ our brother, all who live in love are thine; teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine!
Worship Assistants
Music: Lori
Message: Pastor Kristin
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2005 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted and streamed by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS002432. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Hymns reprinted and streamed with permission. CCLI#1162147.