Bulletin – Sunday, April 30, 2023 – Fourth Sunday of Easter / Rev. Patrick Woodbeck’s Farewell

Sunday, April 30, 2023
Fourth Sunday of Easter / Rev. Patrick Woodbeck’s Farewell

Approach

Lighting the Christ Candle

Loving God as we light this candle today we remember that you spoke into darkness and chaos and then there was light; you imagined this earth in its complexity and beauty and called it into being, you created humanity in your own image and gave us a home to live in. You guide us, teach us, and love us. As we light this candle today we remember that you are with us in this place and in this time.

Call to Worship

One:   Out of a world of cut-throat competition, of winners-and-losers, and too many left behind we come together.
All:      The world’s ways are not our ways. The world’s ways are not Christ’s ways.

One:   Out of a world of hatred, violence, individualism, and life-taking power we gather as God’s people.
All:      God’s ways are inclusive, expansive, and life-giving for all peoples.

One:   Come and worship the One whose love knows no limits! Swim and splash in the cleansing waters of divine community! Resurrect your spirits and souls in worship of the One!
All:      Praise be to the Everlasting One!

Hymn – “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You”

Joyful, joyful we adore you God of Glory, life, and love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before you, opening to the 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 your works with joy surround you, Earth and heaven reflect your rays,
Stars and angels sing around you, centre of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain, sound their praise eternally.

You are giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Source of grace and fount of blessing, let your light upon us shine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals join the mighty chorus, which the morning stars began;
God’s own love is reigning o’er us, joining people hand in hand.
Ever singing march we onward, victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music leads us sunward in the triumph song of life.

Prayer of Approach and Confession

Loving Shepherd, you know our names; you care for us. When we faced darkness and death, walk beside us. When we hunger for your love, fill us with your presence. When we are fearful, feed us at your table. May we dwell in your house all the days of our lives.

Even though the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. But, O Lord, we are consumed with wanting more. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. But, O Lord, other pastures seem greener. The waters aren’t always still. Our souls still thirst. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. O Lord, we long to be led by you, though we may complain along the path.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. And yet, O God, we do sometimes fear. May we feel your presence, your comfort, and your forgiveness anew. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. O God, sometimes we refuse to site down at your table. Forgive us and help us to see your overflowing mercy. Surely 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. Forgive us, God, and lead us into your house. This we ask today. Amen.

Words of Assurance

Hymn – “As the Deer”

As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you;
You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship you.
You alone are my strength, my shield,
To you alone may my spirit yield;
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you!

You’re my friend and you are my brother even though you are a King
I love you more than any other so much more than anything
You alone are my strength, my shield,
To you alone may my spirit yield;
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you!

I want you more than gold or silver only you can satisfy
You alone are the real joy-giver and the apple of my eye
You alone are my strength, my shield,
To you alone may my spirit yield;
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship you!

Time for All Ages

The Word

Scripture Reading:           Acts 2:42-47

⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

⁴³ Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All who believed were together and had all things in common; ⁴⁵ they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶ 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, ⁴⁷ 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.

Scripture Reading:           John 10:1-10

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. ² The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵ They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” ⁶ Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

⁷ So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. ⁹ I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God!

Anthem – “Jesus, Teach Me”

Jesus, teach me what I need to know.
Guide and lead me where I need to go.
In everything I say and do, teach my how to love like You.

Shine Your heavenly light.
Touch me and open my eyes.
As I go through the day, Lord, let me follow Your way.

Jesus, teach me what I need to know.
Guide and lead me where I need to go.
In everything I say and do, teach me how to love like You.

Lord, the sound of Your voice fills me with comfort and joy.
Now I know I must start listening with all of my heart.

Jesus, teach me what I need to know.
Guide and lead me where I need to go.
In everything I say and do, teach me how to love,
Teach me how to love,
Teach me how to love like You.

Meditation – “Abundant Life”

Anthem – “10,000 Reasons”

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul; worship his holy name.
Sing like never before, O my soul; I’ll worship your holy name.

The sun comes up, it’s a new day dawning, it’s time to sing your song again.
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me, let me be singing when the evening comes.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul; worship his holy name.
Sing like never before, O my soul; I’ll worship your holy name.

You’re rich in love and you’re slow to anger.
Your name is great and your heart is kind.
For all your goodness, I will keep on singing; ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul; worship his holy name.
Sing like never before, O my soul; I’ll worship your holy name.

And on that day when my strength is failing, the end the draws near and my time has come;
Still my soul will sing your praise unending; ten thousand years and then forevermore!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul; worship his holy name.
Sing like never before, O my soul; I’ll worship your holy name.
I’ll worship you holy name.
I’ll worship your holy name.

Offering / Response – “Grant Us God, the Grace of Giving”

Grant us, God, the grace of giving,
With a spirit large and free,
That ourselves and all our living
We may offer faithfully.

The Response

Prayers of the People

One:   Loving Shepherd, you lead and guide, you walk alongside, you prepare, you feed, you call, all of your sheep, even those of us who are lost, those of us who stray constantly, those of us who stay close to your comforting staff.

One:   We are grateful for the lush green pastures of our lives, and we pause now to offer our thanksgivings for the goodnesses in our lives…

One:   There are so many who walk in the shadows of fear and suffering and despair, and we pause now, to offer our prayers for the broken and bleeding places in this world…

One:   We also offer our prayers for the sheep of our own flocks, in our families and friends, in this our church and our community…

One:   O Loving Shepherd, we have all we need, as we live in You. Amen.

Hymn – “Be Thou My Vision”

Be thou my vision, O joy of my heart;
Naught be all else to me save that thou art,
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping they presence my light.

Be thou my wisdom, my calm in all strife;
I ever with thee, and thou in my life;
Thou loving parent, thy child may I be;
Thou in me dwelling, and I one with thee.

Riches I heed not, nor vain empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always;
Thou and thou only, the first in my heart,
Great God of heaven, my treasure thou art.

Great God of heaven, after victory won,
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.

Benediction

Go now with your trust in the good shepherd, and let us love, not just in words, but in truth and action. Believe in the name of Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

And may God be at your side, even in valleys of death. May Christ Jesus be the cornerstone of your life. And may the Holy Spirit abide in you…and tend you with love and mercy all the days of your life.

We go in peace to love and serve the Lord,…In the name of Christ. Amen.

Response

May the blessing of God be upon you.
May God’s love light all your way.
May the grace of Christ enfold you
And peace around you stay.
May the Spirit of God dwell within you.
May you live in joy each day.

Amen, Amen, Hallelujah, Amen!
Amen, Amen, Hallelujah, Amen!