Fourth Sunday of Easter

Order of Worship

Download today's bulletin PDF for the entire order of worship and more. 

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.

There is salvation in no other name than yours, Lord Jesus. Even other religions hail you as one of the true prophets or one of the ways to a higher place or simply venerate you. Yet you have taught us that you are the way, the truth, and the life, and that there is no other way, no other religion, that leads to the Father but you. Help us always to point back to you, Jesus, not to healings and miracles or the wow factor, or even to good deeds and devotion or denomination, but always to you. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Your blessings to us are incomparably great, Father. We thank you for the keys, the gospel, the sacraments, the forgiveness of sins, and life now and forever richly offered to us through your Son. He is our shepherd, guiding us to these blessings of grace and mercy, leading us into his very presence through the indwelling of his Spirit. He has anointed our heads with the oil of salvation. Our cup of blessing overflows, and we are grateful to you. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

Help us to do that which pleases you, God, to fear, love, and trust in you above all else, and to do so, in part, by blessing our neighbors. We pray for the upcoming Cruise ‘n BBQ, that it will be a success so that we may help those among us who are in need. We ask also that all who are suffering and mourning among us would know the healing presence of the Good Shepherd, that they would be led back into the company of his flock, to the table where they may eat from the abundance of your mercy, and drink from your overflowing cup of grace, and where they may love one another just as you have commanded us. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

We know that there are others whom you would bring into the fold by your work in the Word, Holy Spirit. There are many others in our community and in our missions areas who need to know the Good Shepherd. We pray especially for St. Paul Lutheran Seminary, that you would use their faculty and staff to train new pastors and ministers for the work of your kingdom. We also ask that you would bless the intentions of our Outreach Committee by placing your Word in the hands and hearts of those you send by our table this weekend. Expand the reach and the labors of our IT folks, that the livestreams, devotions, and Bible studies on our website will be seen by, and bless, countless people in Rowan County and around the world. May these efforts point people to you, Christ Jesus, as the Good Shepherd who has laid down his life for the sheep. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. 

 Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy — through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen