4th Sunday of Easter
Welcome
As we begin our worship today, let us hold our world, nation and community in prayer.
A moment of silence…
Please see the video below for an urgent prayer request for Anne Collyer’s brother who is very poorly with cancer and she has asked for all of St Luke’s to pray for him for healing and a miracle. I have recorded a verbal prayer on the attached link if you would like to join in with this, or you can pray your own. Thank you.
Opening Prayer
The Bible story today draws our attention to shepherds and gates, showing us that Jesus offers a model for pastoral care and protection, so let us pray:
Risen Christ,
faithful shepherd of your Father’s sheep:
teach us to hear your voice
and to follow your command,
that all your people may be gathered into one flock,
to the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
Join in our new song with young members of our church showing us how it’s done!
Sing a Song sing a joyful Song
Birthday Box
Yesterday, Today and Forever
Everlasting God
Saying Sorry
Sometimes we go astray, like lost sheep, but Jesus is here for us, and to help draw us back into the fold.
Maybe pray this prayer of confession or make one up of your own, to say sorry for the ways we have been led astray from how God wants us to live…
Dear Lord, I am sorry for the times that I have not followed your path; for when I have not listened to you, and gone my own way. Please help me to turn around back into your fold. You come looking for me, and you find me. Help me to follow you today. Amen.
A prayer of absolution (God’s release and declaration of forgiveness and grace over us)
May God who loved the world so much
that he sent his Son to be our Saviour, shepherd and guide,
forgive us our sins
and make us holy to serve him in the world,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Lord's My Shepherd I'll not want
Reading
John 10:1-10 acted out by Anca and her family
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
10 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 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 listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Short talk from Fiona
You Restore my Soul
Prayer
Creative Prayer Activity including The Lord’s Prayer –led by Juliette and Adam
All Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name;
your kingdom come;
your will be done;
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Guide me oh Thou Great Redeemer
Closing Prayer
May Christ the Good Shepherd
be the loving guardian of your soul
and the source of your abundant life.
May God’s blessing rest upon you,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
today and forever,
Amen.
Let us go in love and peace to serve the world.
In the name of Christ. Amen.