The Season of Easter: An Economy That Cannot Wait

Opening Announcements — Rev. Johan Dodge

Good Morning and Welcome to Worship!

Worship is often the first place that new people come into contact

with this growing community of faith. And so if you are joining us for

the first time, I say to you what I say every Sunday. You are welcome

here. Here is a place where all are welcome. For such is the love of

God for God’s Very Good Creation.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Blessed are you, Great Shepherd, who, through Jesus Christ and the

Holy Spirit, gives us goodness and mercy, leads us down right paths,

and restores our souls. We pray for the whole church, that we may be devoted to your

Word and to universal fellowship, being generous to all who

have need. .

Shepherding God, in a dangerous world,

let us hear your voice and come and go through your gate.

We pray for the earth, for green pastures and still waters, that we

may restore them to the goodness and purity that they had at

the time that you created them.

Shepherding God, in a dangerous world,

let us hear your voice and come and go through your gate.

We pray for the people of the world, their nations, and leaders,

that your wisdom and peace may govern alli, so that no one will

fear.

Shepherding God, in a dangerous world,

let us hear your voice and come and go through your gate.

We pray for all those in need, for those in want, those ill and

those dying, that we may be the banquet that you set before

them as we anoint them, feed them, and comfort them in your

name.

Shepherding God, in a dangerous world,

let us hear your voice and come and go through your gate.

We pray for ourselves, our families, and those we love. May no

one live in fear; may all dwell in your presence.

Shepherding God, in a dangerous world,

let us hear your voice and come and go through your gate.

Blessed are you, Great Shepherd, who, through Jesus Christ and the

Holy Spirit, gives us goodness and mercy, leads us down right paths,

and restores our souls. Amen.

Loving God, we pray that your Holy Spirit will strengthen us to be devoted to the teachings of your Word, that through it we may hear your voice and follow it into eternal life. Amen.

Acts 2:42-47 42They 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. 1 Peter 2:19-25 ¹⁹ F or it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. ²⁰ If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. ²¹ For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. ²²“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” ²³ When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. ²⁵ For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. 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 l 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.

Rev. Johan Dodge

Questions for Reflection: Rev. Johan Dodge

Acts 2:42—47 describes what life was like in the early church. How do

these words guide today’s church?

INVITATION TO THE OFFERING — Marylee Thomsen

Church, our God has prepared a table before us and our cup

overflows. So let us give generously from our common wealth, as our

way of praising God and giving to those in need.

May the God who calls us by name lead you out to green pastures and lead you to fellowship day by day in the safety of Christ’s fold that you might invite others with a glad and generous heart. Blessed Be the Tie that Binds Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. Amen.