Fourth Sunday of Easter
THE COMMUNITY GATHERS
IN THE PRESENCE OF THE RISEN CHRIST
GATHERING MUSIC / PRELUDE
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“My Shepherd Will Supply My Need”
arr. ~ Charles Callahan
“Psalm 23:2…Beside the Still Waters”
~ Lester H. Groom
CONGREGATIONAL CENTERING
Pastor Jeffrey
CHORAL INTROIT
Chancel Choir
David Herberg, Directing“Come Now, Worship the Savior”
WORDS OF WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pastor Jeffrey
*CALL TO WORSHIP
Gail Hybarger
L: The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
P: And also with you.
L: “Come to me,” Christ says.
P: We know and hear this voice.
L: “Walk with me,” Christ calls.
P: We know and follow this call.
L: “Live with me,” Christ offers.
P: We rejoice in this promise of Life.*OPENING PRAYER (In Unison)
Gail Hybarger
O Great Shepherd, swing wide the gate of welcome this day. As we sing your praises and worship your holy name, speak to us with your wisdom, call to us and lead us home. Open our eyes and enlighten our minds, that we might hear your word and follow you by faith. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.
*HYMN
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“The Summons” ~ FWS #2130CHILDREN DEPART FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL
Parents are invited to accompany their children to Sunday School, sign them in, and return to the sanctuary for worship. After the worship service, parents are asked to return to the classroom and sign their children out.
THE COMMUNITY PROCLAIMS AND HEARS THE WORD
COLONET / L4L MISSION PRESENTATION
Pete Taylor & Mission Team
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION (In Unison)
Gail Hybarger
Guide us, O God, by your Word and Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
Gail Hybarger
Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day 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, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
L: The Word of Life.
P: Thanks be to God. Amen.HYMN
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love” ~ FWS #2223
JOYS AND CONCERNS & THE LORD’S PRAYER
Pastor Jeffrey
WORSHIP WITH TITHES AND OFFERINGS
Gail Hybarger
All that we have, and all that we need, is God’s — gifts to be shared with one another, as we live in the abundance of God’s love. As the family of God, as the sheep of Christ’s pasture, let us offer God’s gifts for all.
OFFERTORY
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Vruechten”
~ David Schack
*DOXOLOGY
“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” ~ UMH #95
ANTHEM
Chancel Choir
David Herberg, Directing
“Psalm 23…A Psalm of Hope”
~ Heather Sorenson
SCRIPTURE READING
Gail Hybarger
John 10:1-10
“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. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
L: The Word of Life.
P: Thanks be to God. Amen. REFLECTION
Pastor Jeffrey
The Gate of Hope
THE COMMUNITY RESPONDS TO THE WORD
*HYMN
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service” ~ UMH #581
*BENEDICTION
Pastor Jeffrey
*CHORAL BENEDICTION
Chancel Choir
David Herberg, Directing
“Deep Peace”
~ Douglas Wagner
POSTLUDE
Joyce Rhodes, organ
“Lord, You Give the Great Commission”
- tune – “Abbot’s Leigh”
arr. ~ Michael Burkhardt - Stand as you are able