DID YOU MISS SERVICE ON SUNDAY?
GET WHAT YOU NEED RIGHT HERE!
BULLETIN FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 21ST, 2024
SUNDAY, APRIL 21ST, 2024
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
INTRODUCTION
The image of the good shepherd shows us how the risen Christ brings us to life. It
is the relationship between the shepherd and the sheep, one of mutual
knowledge and love, that gives the shepherd authority. The shepherd’s
willingness to lay down his life for the sheep shows his love. First John illustrates
what it means to lay down our lives for one another by the example of sharing our
wealth with any sibling in need.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
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.
FIRST READING
ACTS 4:5-12
Peter and John had been arrested the previous day because they were
proclaiming the news of the resurrection to the people. In today’s reading, Peter
is filled with the Holy Spirit so that he can proclaim salvation in Jesus’ name to
the religious authorities.
5The next day [the] rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, 6with
Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the
high-priestly family. 7When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they
inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8Then Peter, filled
with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9if we are
questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and
are asked how this man has been healed, 10let it be known to all of you, and to
all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the
name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from
the dead. 11This Jesus is ‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
it has become the cornerstone.’
12There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven
given among mortals by which we must be saved.”
PSALM
PSALM 23
(Response) The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. (Ps. 23:1)
1The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not be in want.
2The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures
and leads me beside still waters.
3You restore my soul, O Lord,
and guide me along right pathways for your name’s sake.
4Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil;
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
(Response) The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. (Ps. 23:1)
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil, and my cup is running over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
(Response) The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. (Ps. 23:1)
SECOND READING
1ST JOHN 3:16-24
Jesus’ death on our behalf is the clearest demonstration of divine love. This is the
very love we share with others, not just through our words but especially through
our deeds. In sharing such love we fulfill God’s commandments.
16We know love by this, that [Jesus Christ] laid down his life for us—and we
ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17How does God’s love abide in
anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet
refuses help?
18Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 19And
by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before
him 20whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and
he knows everything. 21Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have
boldness before God; 22and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we
obey his commandments and do what pleases him.
23And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son
Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24All who
obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we
know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. Jesus says, I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me. Alleluia. (John 10:14)
GOSPEL READING
JOHN 10:11-18
In language that recalls the twenty-third psalm, Jesus describes himself as the
shepherd who cares for his sheep. He is willing to die for them, and he is able to
overcome death for them.
[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.”
LICENSES & EXPIRATION DATES
Worship Service Content is used via permission through Augsburg Fortress Liturgies
Annual License #SB144368. The next Subscription Renewal Date is 2/28/2025.
Our Hymns and Worship Music are used via permission through CCLI One
License #11327166. The next Subscription Renewal Date is 1/31/2025.
SERMONS
(AVAILABILITY VARIES PENDING ON THE MINISTER)