Almighty God, to whom all honor belongs, you have gathered a people from every tribe and language to praise your name eternally. Join our song with all of heaven as we worship you this day in the glorious light of Christ. Amen. Hymn: “Precious Lord, Take My Hand”

In this season of Easter rejoicing, let us offer our prayers and thanksgivings saying,

O Risen Christ, Open our arms to be your mercy in the world.

For the goodness of the earth, that it may flourish with flowing waters, verdant pastures, and paths that lead us to protect and care for your creation.

O Risen Christ, Open our arms to be your mercy in the world.

For the peace and welfare of the world, that all our tables of work and worship promote the understanding and dignity that transform enemies into friends.

O Risen Christ, Open our arms to be your mercy in the world.

For all who suffer with sickness, need, or danger, that all our afflictions and fears are met with healing and the comforting presence of your voice.

O Risen Christ, Open our arms to be your mercy in the world.

For the blessings we receive and share, that we may live a life of ceaseless praise for the salvation that is ours through you.

O Risen Christ, Open our arms to be your mercy in the world.

For the saints in light, that you will wipe every tear from their eyes as they dwell with you eternally.

O Risen Christ, Open our arms to be your mercy in the world.

Holy God, you are our hope and our strength, our light and our sovereign, our shepherd and our savior. With all the saints in heaven and on earth, we praise your holy name and entrust every care to you; through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Anthem: “A Mother’s Love”

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION – Virginia Olejnik Shepherd of Souls, you call us to an abundant feast at the table of your word; open our hearts to feed on your goodness, that by the power of the Holy Spirit we might dwell evermore deeply in you. Amen.

⁹ After 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. ¹⁰ They cried out in a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” ¹¹ And 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, ¹² singing, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” ¹³ Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” ¹⁴ I 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. ¹⁵ For 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. ¹⁶ They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; ¹⁷ for 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.”

²² At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, ²³ and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. ²⁴ So 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.” ²⁵ Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; ²⁶ but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. ²⁷ My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹ What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. ³⁰ The Father and I are one.” Message: “Stuck in a Moment” Rev. Johan Dodge Question for Reflection: Rev. Johan Dodge We find ourselves today between Jesus in the Gospel of John — telling the Jews gathered around him that only his sheep hear his voice and the author of Revelation describing a dream in which all of creation is worshipping God together. How ready are you to embrace the larger vision of God that even Jesus in his early ministry couldn’t yet grasp. Where are you stuck and what does it take for you to look up and see the larger vision of God promised in the rainbow? Reflection: “M-o-t-h-e-r” Chris Wade, pianist INVITATION TO THE OFFERING – Virginia Olejnik Trusting in divine care, let us present our tithes and offerings to God who restores our lives eternally.

Offertory: “Because You Loved Me” Chris Wade, baritone

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING – Virginia Olejnik [unison] Holy God, Divine Shepherd, you have claimed us as your own and your love for your creation is overflowing. Accept our offering for the good of the world as we joyfully give thanks for our life in you. In Jesus ’name we pray. Amen.

Closing Hymn: “Let There Be Peace On Earth”