May 8, 2022 – Fourth Sunday of Easter

You can follow the order of the service here.

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Announcements

Mother's Day Litany

P: Lord, on this day set aside to honor and remember mothers, we give you thanks for our mothers. We are grateful that you chose to give us life through them, and that they received the gift of life from your hands, and gave it to us. Thank you for the sacrifices they made in carrying us and giving us birth.

We thank you for the women who raised us, who were our mothers in childhood. Whether birth mom, adopted mom, older sister, aunt, grandmother, stepmother or someone else, we thank you for those women who held us and fed us, who cared for us and kissed away our pain. We pray that our lives may reflect the love they showed us, and that they would be pleased to be called our moms.

P: We pray for older moms whose children are grown.
C: Grant them joy and satisfaction for a job well done.

P: We pray for new moms experiencing changes they could not predict.
C: Grant them rest and peace as they trust you for the future.

P: We pray for pregnant women who will soon be moms.
C: Grant them patience and good counsel in the coming months.

P: We pray for moms who face the demands of single parenthood.
C: Grant them strength and wisdom.

P: We pray for moms who enjoy financial abundance.
C: Grant them time to share with their families.

P: We pray for moms who are raising their children in poverty.
C: Grant them relief and justice.

P: We pray for step-moms.
C: Grant them patience and understanding and love.

P: We pray for moms who are separated from their children.
C: Grant them faith and hope.

P: We pray for moms in marriages that are in crisis.
C: Grant them support and insight.

P: We pray for moms who have lost children.
C: Grant them comfort in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

P: We pray for those who made the painful decision to abort.
C: Grant them healing and peace.

P: We pray for moms who chose adoption for their children.
C: Grant them peace and confidence as they trust in your providence.

P: We pray for adoptive mothers.
C: Grant them joy and gratitude for the gift you have provided.

P: We pray for girls and women who think about being moms.
C: Grant them wisdom and discernment.

P: We pray for women who desperately want, or wanted, to be moms.
C: Grant them courage and connection on the journey.

P: We pray for all women who have assumed the mother's role in a child's life.
C: Grant them joy and the appreciation of others.

P: We pray for those people present who are grieving the loss of their mother, especially for those for whom this is the first Mother's Day without her.
C: Grant them comfort and hope in Christ's resurrection.

P: Lord, we thank you for the gift of motherhood. We thank you for the many examples of faithful mothers in scripture, like Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth, and Lois. We are mindful this day of all these women, and especially Mary the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, who had the courage in faith to say "yes" to your calling. May these women gathered here today emulate these examples of faith. And may they model for all the rest of us what it means to be your disciple. Bless them on this special day; in the name of Jesus Christ.
C: Amen.

Entrance Hymn

The King of Love My Shepherd Is

ELW #502
1The King of love my shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his
and he is mine forever.
2Where streams of living water flow,
my ransomed soul he leadeth
and, where the verdant pastures grow,
with food celestial feedeth.
3Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
but yet in love he sought me,
and on his shoulder gently laid,
and home, rejoicing, brought me.
4In death's dark vale I fear no ill,
with thee, dear Lord, beside me,
thy rod and staff my comfort still;
thy cross before to guide me.
5Thou spreadst a table in my sight;
thine unction grace bestoweth;
and, oh, what transport of delight
from thy pure chalice floweth!
6And so, through all the length of days,
thy goodness faileth never.
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
within thy house forever.

Greeting

P: The boundless grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the wisdom of God, and the light of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.

Kyrie

P: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

P: For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

P: 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.

P: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.

P: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C: Amen.

Canticle of Praise

Refrain
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.
1Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Power and riches and wisdom and strength,
and honor and blessing and glory are his.
Refrain
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.
2Sing with all the people of God
and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing and honor and glory and might
be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
Refrain
This is the feast of victory for our God,
for the Lamb who was slain,
has begin his reign.
Alleluia. Alleluia.

Prayer of the Day

P: O God of peace, you brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep. By the blood of your eternal covenant, make us complete in everything good that we may do your will, and work among us all that is well-pleasing in your sight, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.

A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Acts 9:36–43

36Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. 37At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. 38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, Please come to us without delay. 39So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, Tabitha, get up. Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. 41He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. 42This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.

A Reading from the Psalms

Psalm 23

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.
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.

A Reading from the Revelation to John

Revelation 7:9–17

9After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. 10They cried out in a loud voice, saying,

Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!

11And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12singing,

Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and might
be to our God forever and ever! Amen.

13Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from? 14I said to him, Sir, you are the one that knows. Then he said to me, These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15For this reason they are before the throne of God,
and worship him day and night within his temple,
and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.
16They will hunger no more, and thirst no more;
the sun will not strike them,
nor any scorching heat;
17for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

A Reading from the Gospel of St. John

Bon pasteur BnF Ethiopien 389 fol 1v

John 10:22–30

P: The holy gospel according to St. John, the 10th chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.

22At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, 23and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. 24So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly. 25Jesus answered, I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; 26but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. 27My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. 30The Father and I are one.

P: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Hymn of the Day

Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us

ELW #789
1Savior 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.
2We 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.
3You 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.
4Early 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

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.

Offertory

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with your with your free Spririt.

Offering Prayer

P: Living God, you gather the wolf and the lamb to feed together in your peaceable reign, and you welcome us all at your table. Reach out to us through this meal, and show us your wounded and risen body, that we may be nourished and believe in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

P: God in your mercy,
C: hear our prayer.

Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.

Blessing

P: God, the Author of life, Christ, the living Cornerstone, and the life-giving Spirit of adoption,  bless you now and forever.
C: Amen.

Dismissal

P: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
C: Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
P: Go in peace. Tell what God has done.
C: Thanks be to God.

Sending Hymn

Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing!

ELW #385
1Good Christian friends, rejoice and sing!
Now is the triumph of our king!
To all the world glad new we bring:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
2The Lord of life is ris'n this day;
death's mighty stone is rolled away;
let all the earth rejoice and say:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
3Praise we the songs of victory
that love, that life which cannot die,
and sing with hearts uplifted high:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
4Your name we bless, O risen Lord,
and sing today with one accord,
the life laid down, the life restored:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Weekly Announcements

We remember in our prayers

Altar Flowers Dedication

The flowers on the altar are given by Lori Edwards and Becky Schoon in honor of their mom, Mary Ellen Schoon.

Pastor Away

Because of a prior commitment before assuming the role of interim pastor, Pastor Knight Wells is leading a travel group to the Passion Play of Oberammergau, Germany, as well as other sites along the Adriatic Coast. This trip was originally scheduled for 2020, but because of the world-wide covid pandemic, was postponed until this year. Pastor Knight Wells will be out of the office May 15–25. Please keep Pastor, his wife Susan, and the group in your prayers for travel safety and health during this time. For any special needs during this time, you can contact Megan at the church office.

Cancelation

Stretch & Prayer Group will not meet today, May 8.

Home Sweet Home Ministries

Home Sweet Home Ministries has a need for supplies for bag lunches. OSLC is currently collecting water bottles and single-serve bags of chips. We will also accept monetary donations and do the shopping for you. You can leave donations in the narthex.

Altar Flower Sign-Up

Consider signing up to sponsor the altar flowers for a week. An updated flower chart is located on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall. Cost is $25 a vase. There are still plenty of openings in the months and weeks ahead.

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