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Incarnation Lutheran Church
Easter 4, Sunday, May 3rd, 2020
Prelude
O The Deep, Deep Love of Jesus/Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring- Arr. Virginia Halberg (Recorded)
Performed by Karen Zajac
Announcements
Staff Video
Dr. John Naples
Confession & Absolution
P In the name of the Father, and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
P Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C Amen.
P Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
P Most merciful God,
C we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.
P In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen.
First Reading
Acts 2:42-47 - The Message
41-42 That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.
43-45 Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met.
46-47 They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.
Second Reading
1 Peter 2:19-25 - The Message
18-20 You who are servants, be good servants to your masters—not just to good masters, but also to bad ones. What counts is that you put up with it for God’s sake when you’re treated badly for no good reason. There’s no particular virtue in accepting punishment that you well deserve. But if you’re treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God.
21-25 This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step.
He never did one thing wrong, Not once said anything amiss.
They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you’re named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls.
Sermon Hymn
The King of Love My Shepherd Is – ELW 502
Led by The Liturgical Choir
1 The King of love my shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his
and he is mine forever.
6 And so, through all the length of days,
thy goodness faileth never.
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
within thy house forever.
P. Luther - Gospel
John 10:1-10 – The Message
1-5 “Let me set this before you as plainly as I can. If a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the gate, you know he’s up to no good—a sheep rustler! The shepherd walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice. They won’t follow a stranger’s voice but will scatter because they aren’t used to the sound of it.”
6-10 Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.
Sermon
Passing of the Peace/ Offering
Offertory Music
Just Be Held – Casting Crowns
Performed by Revived
Hold it all together ev'rybody needs you strong But life hits you out of nowhere And barely leaves you holding on And when you're tired of fighting Chained by your control There's freedom in surrender Lay it down and let it go
So when you're on your knees And answers seem so far away You're not alone Stop holding on and just be held Your world's not falling apart It's falling into place I'm on the throne stop holding on and just be held Just be held just be held
If your eyes are on the storm You'll wonder if I love you still But if your eyes are on the cross You'll know I always have and I always will And not a tear is wasted In time you'll understand I'm painting beauty with the ashes Your life is in My hands
So when you're on your knees And answers seem so far away You're not alone Stop holding on and just be held Your world's not falling apart It's falling into place I'm on the throne stop holding on and just be held Just be held just be held
Lift your hands lift your eyes In the storm is where you'll find Me And where you are I'll hold your heart I'll hold your heart Come to Me find your rest In the arms of a God who won't let go
So when you're on your knees And answers seem so far away You're not alone Stop holding on and just be held Your world's not falling apart It's falling into place I'm on the throne stop holding on and just be held Just be held just be held
Just be held Just be held
“Just Be Held” words and music by Bernie Herms, Mark Hall, and Matthew West
© 2013 My Refuge Music, Be Essential Songs, Highly Combustible Music, House of Story Music Publishing,
One77 Songs, G650 Music, Pure Note Music, Songs of Universal, Inc Used by Permission. CCLI License #1581515
The Apostle’s Creed
P Let us now confess our common faith in the words of the Apostles’ Creed.
C 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.
Prayers
P Uplifted by the promised hope of healing and resurrection, we join the people of God in all times and places in praying for the church, the world, and all who are in need...
P Lord, in your mercy,
C hear our prayer.
P With bold confidence in your love, almighty God, we place all for whom we pray into your eternal care; through Christ our Lord.
C Amen.
Communion Instructions
Lord’s Prayer
P Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
C 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.
Words of Institution
Communion
Benediction
Postlude
Hallelujah Chorus – G. F. Handel
performed by Dr. John Naples
Sending
P Christ is risen, just as he said.
Go in peace. Share the good news. Alleluia!
C Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
Liturgy from SundaysandSeasons.com. Copyright 2006 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #23831.