APRIL 21st SERVICE Passcode required: hy7Tt?GC
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Zoom Meeting, Sundays @ 11:00 a.m.:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83025269997?pwd=VW1ZUXlsSTdkcWl0SC90SWRvK2dHUT09
For those not using computer for the worship service:
PhoneNumber: 1 253 215 8782
Meeting ID: 830 2526 9997
Password: 958432
April 21, 2024
“I am the good shepherd,
and the good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep.
I am the good shepherd.
I know my sheep, and they know me.”
Worship Theme: We are named after the Good Shepherd we find in our gospel reading for today. We celebrate the reality that the Good Shepherd is love!
Pastor: Nathan Whittaker
First Reading: Genita Wea
Second Reading: Quiana Montgomery
Assisting Minister: Merlean Locke
Musician: Anita Tucker
We pray that you are blessed with the Word of God today.
May the spirit of the living God abide with you always!
Welcome
P: Blessed be ✝ God, who creates and sustains all life; who redeems and restores us to new life; and who works within us and this world,
C: Amen.
Confession and Forgiveness
P: Before God and in the company of our siblings in Christ, let us confess our sin.
Silence for reflection.
P: Gracious God,
C: we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
P: God’s love for you is total and complete. No matter who you are, no matter what happens, and no matter what you do, God still loves you. Even more, in God’s good pleasure and in the name of Jesus Christ ✝ your sins are forgiven now and forever.
C: Amen.
Opening Hymn ELW 502 – The King of Love My Shepherd is
The King of love my shepherd is,
Whose goodness fails me never;
I nothing lack if I am his
And he is mine forever.
Where streams of living water flow,
My ransomed soul he's leading,
And, where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feeding.
Confused 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 you, dear Lord, beside me,
Your rod and staff my comfort still,
Your cross before to guide me.
You spread a table in my sight,
Your saving grace bestowing;
And, oh, what transport of delight
From your pure chalice flowing!
And so, through all the length of days
Your goodness fails me never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing your praise
Within your house forever.
Greeting
P: The grace of God that is Christ’s gift to all, the love of God that sustains us all, and the unity of the Spirit who binds us in peace be with you all.
C: And also with you.
Call to Worship TFF p.72-76
AM: This is the day that the Lord has made;
C: we will rejoice and be glad in it!
AM: The Lord is my strength and my song.
C: The Lord has become my salvation.
AM: Open to me the gates of righteousness;
C: I will go through them and praise the Lord.
AM: I shall not die, but live,
C: and declare the works of the Lord.
AM: This is the day that the Lord has made;
C: we will rejoice and be glad in it!
Kyrie TFF pp. 26-27
AM: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
AM: For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
AM: For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
AM: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
AM: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C: Amen.
Prayer of the Day
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: 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.
C: Heal us and we shall be whole. Make us one with you as coheirs and siblings, in your name, we pray, Amen.
First Reading Acts 4:5-12
1 5 The next day the leaders, elders, and legal experts gathered in Jerusalem, 6 along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and others from the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and asked, “By what power or in what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, answered, “Leaders of the people and elders, 9 are we being examined today because something good was done for a sick person, a good deed that healed him? 10 If so, then you and all the people of Israel need to know that this man stands healthy before you because of the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. 11 This Jesus is the stone you builders rejected; he has become the cornerstone! 12 Salvation can be found in no one else. Throughout the whole world, no other name has been given among humans through which we must be saved.”
R: Word of God, word of life.
C: Thanks be to God.
Psalm of Response Psalm 23
AM: The Lord is my shepherd.
P: I shall not want.
AM: He makes me lie down in green pastures
P: he leads me beside the still waters.
AM: He restores my soul:
P: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
AM: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.
P: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.
AM: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies:
P: you anoint my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
AM: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
P: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Second Reading 1 John 3:16-24
16 This is how we know love: Jesus laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 But if someone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but refuses to help—how can the love of God dwell in a person like that? 18 Little children, let’s not love with words or speech but with action and truth. 19 This is how we will know that we belong to the truth and reassure our hearts in God’s presence. 20 Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts and knows all things. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts don’t condemn us, we have confidence in relationship to God. 22 We receive whatever we ask from him because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 23 This is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love each other as he commanded us. 24 Those who keep his commandments dwell in God and God dwells in them. This is how we know that he dwells in us, because of the Spirit he has given us.
R: Word of God, word of life.
C: Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation TTF 98 – Open Our Eyes, Lord
Open our eyes, Lord; we want to see Jesus,
to reach out and touch him and say that we love him.
Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen.
Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus.
Gospel John 10:11-18
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the 10th chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord!
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 When the hired hand sees the wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away. That’s because he isn’t the shepherd; the sheep aren’t really his. So the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. 13 He’s only a hired hand and the sheep don’t matter to him.
14 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own sheep and they know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. I give up my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that don’t belong to this sheep pen. I must lead them too. They will listen to my voice and there will be one flock, with one shepherd.
17 “This is why the Father loves me: I give up my life so that I can take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I give it up because I want to. I have the right to give it up, and I have the right to take it up again. I received this commandment from my Father.”
P: The Gospel of our Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
Hymn of the Day TFF 254 – Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us
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.
Sermon
Passcode: hy7Tt?GC
Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended into hell. 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 again 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.
Music Group Selection
Prayers of the Congregation
AM: Rejoicing that Jesus is risen and love has triumphed over fear, we pray for the church, the world, and all those in need of good news.
Silence
Shepherding God, gather your church whenever we wander from you and one another.
C: Empower our church in ministries around the world to worship and serve alongside global partners in the gospel.
AM: Nurturing God, preserve the health of biomes and ecosystems.
C: Inspire scientists, researchers, conservation organizations, and all people entrusted with the task of caring for creation.
AM: Almighty God, help all those with power share it and use it for good.
C: Lead nations and communities to share resources, cooperate in solving conflicts, and listen to the wisdom of Indigenous people.
AM: Gracious God, help our community of faith listen to your voice. Call us away from things that distract us.
C: Invite us to love more deeply and serve people who are marginalized by gender and sexuality.
AM: Loving God, protect the very young and the very old, the lonely and the isolated, the sick and the dying, especially those in our congregation: Norma, Jerelene, Rozetta, Orelia, Sharee, Rosa, Jeanie, Maurnitta, John and Ella.
C: Guide us to actively care for people who are vulnerable and enter the lives of those you’ve called us to serve.
AM: For what else do the people of God pray? We invite those joining us via zoom to offer their prayers first.
Prayers to consider:
- Peace in Ukraine, Russia, Israel, and Palestine, and all in armed conflict
- Women’s rights
- LGBTQ+ safety and care
- End of racism in America
- Ceasing of gentrification in the Central District
- Low Income Housing Institute Project
- Those impacted by weather and nature)
AM: We now invite those in the sanctuary to offer up their prayers.
After the petitions:
AM: Lord, in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.
P: Into your hands, most merciful God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your abiding love, through Jesus Christ, our resurrected Lord of life,
C: Amen.
Peace
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
(We now greet one another with: “Peace be with you.”)
Gathering of Offerings
Offering Prayer
P: Let us pray. Gracious Provider, we gather with hearts filled with gratitude for the love you give us. As we offer our tithes and offerings, we are reminded of the importance of generosity and stewardship in every aspect of our lives.
C: May these gifts reflect the love we have experienced in Christ as you use these offerings to bring justice, mercy, and hope to a world in need. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
Great Thanksgiving
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
P: It is indeed right and proper that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our brother; who is the Good Shepherd. And so, with the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join the unending hymn:
Holy, Holy, Holy TFF p.38
Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of power and might.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
P: We give thanks that on the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying,
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Lord’s Prayer
P: Let us pray, with confidence, the words our brother gave us:
C: 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.
Communion Hymn TTF 39 – Lamb of God
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace, grant us peace.
Communion
Wine is served in individual glasses.
Grape juice is available in the center of the tray.
Prayer after Communion
P: Let us pray. God of our ancestors and of all people, we thank you that as the broken bread was gathered into one loaf, the broken fragments of our history are gathered up and healed by this redeeming act of Christ.
C: Send us forth in peace and form us into what we just received: your love and grace for all people. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Blessing
P: Beloved in the Lord, God has shown you what is good. What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Do so with the love, grace, and power of the Father, Son ✝, and Spirit given to you.
C: Amen.
Sending Hymn TFF 151 – He Leadeth Me
He leadeth me: oh, blessed thought!
Oh, words with heav'nly comfort fraught!
Whate'er I do, where'er I be,
still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.
Refrain:
He leadeth me, he leadeth me,
by his own hand he leadeth me.
His faithful foll'wer I would be,
for by his hand he leadeth me.
Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom,
by waters calm, o'er troubled sea,
still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.
Refrain
Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine,
nor ever murmur nor repine;
content, whatever lot I see,
since 'tis my God that leadeth me.
Refrain
And when my task on earth is done,
when by thy grace the victory's won,
e'en death's cold wave I will not flee,
since God through Jordan leadeth me.
Refrain
Dismissal
We’ve Come This Far by Faith
We’ve come this far by faith
Leaning on the Lord
Trusting in His holy word.
He’s never failed me yet.
Oh……. Can’t turn around,
We’ve come this far by faith!
Closing Blessing
Acknowledgments
All songs come from This Far By Faith: An African American Resource for Worship (Minneapolis: Augsburg Press, 1999) reprinted with permission under onelicense.net license #A-738102, unless otherwise acknowledged. All Scripture passages are from Common English Bible © 2012. Elements taken from sundaysandseasons.com.; Copyright © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. He Leadeth Me (TFF 151), Text: Joseph H. Gilmore, 1834-1918 (alt.); Tune: HE LEADETH ME, William B. Bradbury, 1816-1868. Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us (TFF 254) Text: Dorothy A. Thrupp, 1779-1847; Tune: BRADBURY, William B. Bradbury, 1816-1868. The King of Love, My Shepherd is (ELW 502) Text: Henry W. Baker, 1821-1877; Tune: ST. COLUMBA.
Announcements for April 21, 2024
- Welcome to our visitors. Please take a moment to sign our guest book in the narthex. You are always welcomed here!
- Voters’ Assembly today immediately following the worship service. Lunch will be provided.
- Portals of Prayer for April through June are available on the narthex table.
- Rozetta Marshall has been moved to: Queen Anne Healthcare, 2717 Dexter Ave. N., Sea 98109, 206-284-7012. She can have visitors from 8am to 8pm. Gene Allen is looking for a health caregiver so that she can return home soon. Please keep Rozetta, and Gene Allen in your prayers.
- Please keep Candice Allen in your prayers as she has relocated to Aurora, Colorado and continues her military career. Pray for our U.S. military and all first responders who rush to help others and keep us safe.
- Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) and residents. Good Shepherd is working with LIHI volunteers to put together welcome kits for the tenants’ needs. A list of suggestions for the kits is on the narthex table. There is a collection basket in the narthex for your donations, feel free to contact Steve for more information regarding donations. The grand opening celebration for Good Sheperd House will be May 29th at 9:30a.m. The actual date is pending but will be sometime in mid-May.
List of suggested items include, Bath towels, hand towels wash cloths, Shampoo, conditioner, bath soap, hair brush/comb, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, socks, cleaners/disinfectants, welcome cards. Kitchenware, detergent, bedding.
Prayer Requests –
To update/add prayer requests,
please contact us at (206) 325-2733
or lcgs22un@outlook.com
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Our Mission Statement:
Led by the Holy Spirit,
the mission of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd is to give glory to God
for the building of His Kingdom by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
worshipping the Triune God, and reaching out in love to the community.