Everything you need for April 30 online worship.
Preparations for Worship:
- Do your best to eliminate distractions like the phone, TV, etc.
- Worship actively! Whether you are by yourself or with others, try reading the parts of the service aloud (responses, lessons, and prayers).
- This service is for children too. Help them participate. Ask those who have that ability to read a prayer or lesson aloud. Take a moment to describe what’s happening. Ask questions. Encourage little ones to draw what they are hearing while you all listen. Unlike our more typical Sunday worship at church, you can pause at any time for questions and discussion.
- Before you begin, load each of the videos below. (You might first have to get past a distracting ad.)
- Pause for a moment of quiet meditation. Then pray:
“Heavenly Father, I have come to worship you. Draw near to me in your gracious Word, and assure me of your loving kindness. Curb my wandering thoughts, that with undivided attention I may hear your voice and speak your praise. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.”
GATHERIING RITE ON BAPTISM
In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
Surely we were sinful at birth, sinful from the time our mothers conceived us.
But we were washed, we were sanctified, we were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
As baptized children of God, we confess our sins.
Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son T and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
O Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Good Shepherd who laid down your life for the sheep. Lead us now to the still waters of your life-giving Word that we may abide in your Father’s house forevermore; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
LESSON – 1 PETER 2:19-25
19For this is favorable: if a person endures sorrows while suffering unjustly because he is conscious of God. 20For what credit is it to you if you receive a beating for sinning and patiently endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and endure it, this is favorable with God.
21Indeed, you were called to do this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example so that you would follow in his steps. 22He did not commit a sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. 23When he was insulted, he did not insult in return. When he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself carried our sins in his body on the tree so that we would be dead to sins and alive to righteousness. By his wounds you were healed. 25For you were like sheep going astray, but you are now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
GOSPEL – JOHN 10:1-10
“Amen, Amen, I tell you: Anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the door, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The doorkeeper opens the door for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own sheep, he walks ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6Jesus used this illustration in speaking to the people, but they did not understand what he was telling them.
7So Jesus said again, “Amen, Amen, I tell you: I am the door for the sheep. 8All who came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the door. Whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.
10“A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
DEVOTION – ACTS 2:42-47
CONFESSION OF FAITH
I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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 into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
OFFERING
Offerings may be given on-line at tithe.ly/risensavior, mailed to the church, or dropped off at the church.
Our members have joined together in faith and love to do the Lord’s work in this community and around the world. Guests need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our ministry.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Loving Father, Your Son is the great Shepherd of the sheep, who faithfully gathers His flock to Himself in the pastures of the Church.
Grant us steadfast faith to hear His voice and follow Him, even through the valley of the shadow of death, that we may receive our portion in His abundant life.
Holy Father, by the work of Your Spirit through the Means of Grace, You daily add to the number of believers.
Grant Your people courageous hearts and bold tongues to proclaim Your truth, trusting that You will gather more in keeping with Your gracious will.
Shepherd of Israel, You have clothed us with Christ’s righteousness and taught us to love all that is good, beautiful and true. Bless all artists and artisans, composers and musicians, and craftsmen and writers, that they may employ all their skills for Your glory and, in service to the Gospel, testify to Your saving death and resurrection. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Merciful Shepherd, Your wounds are our healing and Your voice our certainty. Hear us on behalf of those who suffer in body or mind, who grieve, or to whom death draws near. We pray especially for those we name in our hearts. Grant them healing according to Your will, grace to sustain them in trouble and the sure hope of everlasting life.
Return them to health and livelihood.
Heavenly Father, in the wake of Your Son’s resurrection, Your people devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.
You have put our sins to death in Christ’s body on the tree, so bring life to our faith by His Spirit, that in Your continual grace we may bring forth the fruit of holy lives.
Lord of the Church, we praise you for the opportunities you have provided to preach and teach the gospel through our Lutheran schools. You have blessed enrollment with a 20-year high so that more students can sit at Jesus’ feet and learn from him. Keep these ministries focused on the mission you have given to preach the good news to all creation. As parents carry out their calling to train their children in your saving way, may our schools assist in this important task. Also, bless the work of our synod’s Commission on Lutheran Schools, which supports and equips our Lutheran schools.
Relieve stress on children and parents, remove divisions, and renew the zeal of your servants to care for your precious lambs.
All these things and whatever else You know that we need, grant us, Father, for the sake of Him who taught us to pray…
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.
THE LORD’S BLESSING
Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace. Amen