The Fourth Sunday of Easter

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening Prayer:

Safe in your hand, O God, is the flock you shepherd through Jesus Christ your Son. Lead us always to the living waters where you promise respite and refreshment, that we may be counted among those who know you and follow you. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Psalm 100 (Enter In)” – People & Songs

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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 100 (NLT)

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 10:22-30 (NLT)

Jesus Claims to Be the Son of God

It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication. He was in the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon’s Colonnade. The people surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
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Intercession:

Good Shepherd: You have given us your Son, Jesus Christ, to lead us, protect us, and provide for all our needs. Hear the cries of all those belonging to your flock –

+ For those you have appointed to lead us here on earth, that they may follow the example of your Son, Jesus Christ…. Lord, hear us.
+ For young people you have chosen as future leaders of your people, that they may follow the example of your Son, Jesus Christ…. Lord, hear us.
+ For believers who are facing persecution today, that may have courage and receive your protection and provision…. Lord, hear us.
+ For Christians, Jews and Muslims, that we may live together peacefully and cooperatively, with just treatment for all…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those suffering from depression, that they may know they are loved by you and move from Darkness into Light…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those in any kind of need (physical, emotional, spiritual), that they may have the tender support of their believing friends…. Lord, hear us.

Good Shepherd: Your loving care brings us safe through the trials of life, hear our prayers we ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone)” – People & Songs

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Closing Declaration: – Psalm 23:6

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen