Welcome
Below you will find prayers, songs, readings, and a message to help you experience worship. You can light a candle, like we do at church, to remind you of the presence of the Holy Spirit. You can have a bowl of water in the vicinity to remind you of your baptism, and to use during the ‘Thanksgiving for Baptism’ portion of worship. Whether you are alone or with others, we hope that you can feel each other’s presence, and the presence of God, as we find creative ways to worship together, even though we are not in the same building. One good thing about virtual worship is that if you really like a song, you can listen to it again! Do what you need to do to worship God wherever you are.
Thanksgiving for Baptism
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Read these words to yourself our out loud. Mark the sign of the cross on your hand or forehead or in the air space in front of you. If you are with other people, you can mark the sign of the cross for each other.
Alleluia! Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia! We give you thanks, holy and gracious God, for you created the waters of the earth: oceans, streams, lakes, and rivers. You led your people through the sea and called them to life in covenant with you. Your Son was baptized in the river Jordan to begin his mission among us. You pour out your Holy Spirit to renew the all of the earth. Through this water remind us of the gift of baptism. Renew us in your promise so that we may serve this world in all its need; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Opening Song
Now all the Vault of Heaven Resounds
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Now all the vault of heav’n resounds in praise of love that still abounds: “Christ has triumphed! He is living!” Sing, choirs of angels, loud and clear! Repeat their song of glory here: “Christ has triumphed! He is living!” Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Eternal is the gift he brings, therefore our heart with rapture sings: “Christ has triumphed! He is living!” Now still he comes to give us life and by his presence stills all strife. “Christ has triumphed! He is living!” Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Oh, fill us, Lord, with dauntless love; set heart and will on things above that we conquer through your triumph; grant grace sufficient for life’s day that by our lives we truly say: “Christ has triumphed! He is living!” Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Adoring praises now we bring and with the heav’nly blessed sing: “Christ has triumphed! Alleluia!” Be to the Father, and our Lord, to Spirit blest, most holy God, all the glory, never ending! Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
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 with you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Reading
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.
Anthem
Shepherd Me, O God
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Children’s Moment
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Reading and Message
John 10:1-10
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[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 the shepherd, 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 away 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.”
Hymn of the Day
Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us
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Savior, like a shepherd lead us; much we need your tender care. In your pleasant pastures feed us, for our use your fold prepare. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have bought us; we are yours. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have bought us; we are yours.
We are yours; in love befriend us, be the guardian of our way; keep your flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, hear us children when we pray. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, hear us children when we pray.
You have promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be; you have mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse, and pow’r to free. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, early let us turn to you. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, early let us turn to you.
Early let us seek your favor, early let us do your will; blessed Lord and only Savior, with your love our spirits fill. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have loved us, love us still. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have loved us, love us still.
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
We pray for the church, the earth, and the world.
For the church, O God, we pray: that we will hear and follow your voice calling to us in the word; that bishops and pastors be sustained for their shepherding tasks; that churches devastated by the virus be upheld; that in this time churches find ways to continue their ministries of education and service: Lord, hear our prayer.
For the earth we pray: that lands and waters be renewed; that animals and plants enjoy safe growth; and that rain and soil nurture the fields. Lord, hear our prayer.
For the nations of the world we pray: that heads of state and legislators cooperate for the good of all; that medical experts be heeded; that government moneys serve the nations’ greatest needs; that during Ramadan Muslims are granted release from prejudice: Lord, hear our prayer.
For a world so economically divided, we pray: that the millions of those unemployed be given food and shelter now and jobs in the future; that children find a fruitful means of education; that refugees be safeguarded from violence and prejudice; that, those who have means become ever more generous to those who endure great want: Lord, hear our prayer.
For all in need we pray: that those afflicted with the coronavirus be cared for; that the sick be healed; that those in despair find hope; that those who are lonely be comforted; that medical workers be safeguarded; that those we name here receive the best possible care: Lord, hear our prayer.
We praise you for those who have died in the faith. We pray that at our end, as sheep of your own fold, as lambs of your own flock, we will be gathered into your mercy, through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
Into your everlasting arms we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your care for us, through Jesus Christ, our guardian and friend. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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.
Sending Song
All People That on Earth Do Dwell
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All people that on earth do dwell, sing to the Lord with cheerful voice; him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell; come ye before him and rejoice.
Know that the Lord is God indeed; without our aid he did us make. We are his folk, he doth us feed, and for his sheep he doth us take.
Oh, enter then his gates with praise; approach with joy his courts unto; praise, laud, and bless his name always, for it is seemly so to do.
For why? The Lord our God is good: His mercy is forever sure; his truth at all times firmly stood, and shall from age to age endure.
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the God whom heav’n and earth adore, from us and from the angel host be praise and glory evermore.
Franciscan Sending
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Read this out loud. If you are with other people, take turns reading the parts out loud.
May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.
May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.
And the Blessing of God, who Creates, Redeems, and Sanctifies, be upon you and all you love and pray for this day, and forevermore. 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, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen.
Dismissal
Christ is risen, just as he said. Go in peace. Share the good news. Alleluia! Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
Worship Assistants:
Music: Lori, Ian
Message: Pastor Kristin
Readers: Wendy, Dawn, Jeremy, Renee, Pat
Children’s Moment: Maddy Jo
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2005 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #22432. 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 with permission. CCLI#116214