The Fourth Sunday of Easter - Online Worship - April 25, 2021

The Lord is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed!

Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

vs. 1
May our homes be filled with dancing,
May our streets be filled with joy,
May injustice bow to Jesus,
As the people turn to pray.

refrain:
From the mountains to the valleys
Hear our praises rise to You,
From the heavens to the nations,
Hear our singing fill the air!

vs.2
May Your light shine in the darkness,
As we walk before the cross,
May Your glory fill the whole earth,
As the water o’er seas.

(refrain)

Today we celebrate Jesus is alive, and we are alive and anew, in the living grace of The Risen and Living Shepherd, so we worship in the name of The Father, and of The Son and of The Holy Spirit.

Amen. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.

Friends, our God is a faithful God! Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we have failed to trust The Shepherd leading the way, calling us to follow, restoring one and all.

(silence for reflection)

Friends, the pastures are green, the waters have been made still, your soul has been restored. The Risen and Living Shepherd leads us to be alive and anew, in the living grace of these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. 

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me, even in the presence of my enemies, you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Friends in faith: The King of love our Shepherd is alive to keep us strong when we are weak, give us light when the world is dark, guide us when we are lost, to heal anger and hatred with love and mercy. You are alive and anew. The Lord truly hears our praises, from the mountains, to the valleys; and guides, and guards, and keeps, our lives forever!

Loving God, as the Easter celebration continues, we thank you for faith to believe what seems impossible. Jesus is risen indeed; Jesus alone is The Good and Risen and Living Shepherd. By your Spirit, bless us to hear your voice and to follow you. As your sheep, raise us up to be alive and anew, lead us to rescue the lost, to heal the injured, to guide one another in your power and living grace. In The Risen Christ, we pray. Amen.

Jesus continued to teach his disciples saying, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away – and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, because I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

(New Revised Standard Version)

ACTS 4:5-12; 1 JOHN 3:16-24; JOHN 10:11-18

How do you get from “here” to “there”?  Can you always see where you are going?  If you are unfamiliar with where you are going, are you able to follow someone who knows the way?  Does verbal direction and warning from another help, or would you not listen any way?  Holding someone’s hand is a great way to feel security, but not always possible.  Maybe, others are nudging you, herding you, carrying you?  As Jesus is risen, and risen indeed, trust He is here to shepherd you, to lead you, to raise you up, to be alive and anew in living grace.  The Good Shepherd is here for you.  What if you still get lost?  What if where he is leading you feels unfamiliar?  What if you only hear his voice once in a while?  Trust The Risen Savior is alive leading you anew where you have been led before, right into the mighty grace-filled arms and care of The Good and Living Shepherd!

1. We are alive and anew in living grace, to go where we see The Risen Shepherd leading us.  Acts 4:7-12; 1 John 3:16; John 10:11-13

A. Even when you do not know where you are going, it helps if you can at least see The Risen and Living Shepherd.

B. Sometimes it is hard to see the leader.  At times like these, there is reassurance in following others who can clearly see The Risen Shepherd.  They keep their eyes on The Risen Shepherd and you keep your eyes on them.

C. The Risen and Living Shepherd always has his eyes on you!

2. We are alive and anew in grace, to go where we hear The Risen and Living Shepherd calling out to us.  1 John 3:23; John 10:11, 14-18

A. You know whose voice is whose.  Listen to The Risen Shepherd!

B. If you need to, ask Him to speak up.  If you need to, listen more carefully.  If you need to, ask another sheep what Jesus is telling them.  If you need to, make all else as quiet as possible.

C. The Risen and Living Shepherd will forever speak to you, and call you by name.

3. We are alive and anew in living grace, to go along, to go where pulled, nudged, carried if necessary, by The Risen and Living Shepherd.  Acts 4:12; 1 John 3:17-18; John 10:13-14

A. Feel the touch of The Risen Shepherd.

B. Feel The Risen Shepherd taking hold of you and carrying you.

C. Feel those following The Risen Shepherd, nudging you along

D. May you feel The Risen Shepherd when you feel all alone.

4. Psalm 23; Acts 4:12; 1 John 3:24; John 10:11,18 - We are all alive and anew in living grace, to get from “here” to “there,” from us to The Risen Shepherd, from the world to The Risen Shepherd, from one green pasture to The Greenest Pasture of them all, from `what was’ to `What Is.’  When you stray on your spiritual journey, The Risen Shepherd, The Good Shepherd, The Best Shepherd, The Living Shepherd, is always there.  By the way, how did you get “here”?  Trust, follow, go where you are led, for you are alive and anew in living grace, thanks to The One who shepherds you, The One who is faithful, The One who is risen, and risen indeed! Alleluia!

Offering is available for our indoor services. Find a Lord of Life with a volunteer bucket to deposit offering in person as you leave worship today. If you find yourself wanting to offer your gifts to Lord of Life, you can do so online using the link below. You can also drop offering at anytime in our secure mailbox at Lord of Life located in the parking lot.

vs. 1
The King of love my shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his,
And he is mine forever.

vs. 2
Where streams of living water flow,
My ransomed soul he leadeth,
And, where the verdant pastures grow,
With food celestial feedeth.

vs. 3
Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love he sought me,
And on his shoulders gently laid,
And home, rejoicing, brought me.

vs. 6
And so, through all the length of days,
Thy goodness faileth never.
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise,
Within thy house forever.

...as we pray to you, living Jesus,
Risen Savior, raise us to live anew, in your living hope and peace and grace.

All these things and whatever else you see we need, grant to us we pray, for into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy, through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord and Savior.
Amen.

The peace of The Risen Christ be with you always.
And also with you.

Holy Communion will take place after the closing Benediction. If you are not worshipping with us in person but would like to receive Communion, we will be offering Drive Through Communion at our building at 16200 Dodd Lane, Lakeville, Minnesota, following our indoor service. Drive Through Communion will be available between 10:15am & 10:30am.

In order to better serve you in this troubling times, the way we receive Communion has changed slightly. You will be offered a self-contained Communion serving. Each capsule has two layers. The first layer is a thin, clear, cellophane layer which reveals the host. Under the second layer you will find the alcohol free juice. Volunteers will be happy to take you waste after you receive Communion.

In the night in which he was betrayed our Lord Jesus took bread and gave thanks; broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat, this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

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 Risen Lord bless you and keep you. The Risen Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Risen Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace, for you are alive and anew, right here, in the living grace of Jesus Christ. In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Let us go in the peace of the living Christ, alive and anew, celebrating the love of God, and serving The Risen Lord of life.
Thanks be to God! Alleluia!

Where You go, I’ll go;
Where You stay, I’ll stay;
When You move, I’ll move.
I will follow.

All Your ways are good;
All Your ways are sure;
I will trust in You alone.
Higher than my sight,
High above my life;
I will trust in You alone.

refrain:
Where You go, I’ll go;
Where You stay, I’ll stay;
When You move, I’ll move.
I will follow You.
Whom You love, I’ll love;
How You serve, I’ll serve;
If this life I lose,
I will follow You, yeah.
I will follow You, yeah.

Light unto the world,
Light unto my life –
I will live for You alone.
You’re the One I seek,
Knowing I will find
All I need in You alone.
In You alone.

(refrain)

bridge:
In You, there’s life everlasting.
In You, there’s freedom for my soul.
In You, there’s joy, unending joy;
And I will follow.

Where You go, I’ll go;
Where You stay, I’ll stay;
When You move, I’ll move.
I will follow.
Whom You love, I’ll love;
How You serve, I’ll serve;
If this life I lose, I will follow.

(refrain)

I will follow You, yeah.
I will follow You, yeah.

refrain:
Shepherd me, O God,
Beyond my wants,
Beyond my fears,
From death into life.

vs. 1
God is my shepherd,
So nothing shall I want,
I rest in the meadows
Of faithfulness and love,
I walk by the quiet waters of peace.

(refrain)

vs. 2
Gently you raise me
And heal my weary soul,
You lead me by pathways
Of righteousness and truth,
My spirit shall sing
The music of your name.

(refrain)

vs. 3
Though I should wander
The valley of death,
I fear no evil,
For you are at my side,
Your rod and your staff,
My comfort and my hope.

(refrain)

vs. 4
You have set me
A banquet of love
In the face
Of hatred,
Crowning me with love
Beyond my pow’r to hold.

(refrain)

vs. 5
Surely your kindness
And mercy follow me
All the days
Of my life;
I will dwell in the house
Of my God forevermore.

(refrain)

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Join us next Sunday, May 2, 9:30 a.m., as we celebrate, The Fifth Sunday of Easter, “Alive And Anew, To Grow In Living Grace!” Worship to include a Children’s Message and a Sermon from Pastor Jamie! Worship to be 30 minutes, and to conclude with Holy Communion! Join us in-person or via our live stream efforts on our Facebook page, under “videos.”

As we share worship in this new way, we are seeking volunteers to assist with greeting, ushering, serving communion, live streaming, AV ministry, set up, clean up, worship leaders, and more! You can access details and ways to sign up on our website and Facebook page! Thank you!

All who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion. Communion will be offered to you as you exit the sanctuary, as we share pre-packaged single servings of communion, including a wafer and grape juice. Carefully pull back the first tab to expose the host, the body of Christ, given for you; then pull back the second tab to expose the blood of Christ, shed for you! Please ask for assistance or clarification as you are served!

For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving! Offering is collected in baskets by the ushers as you exit the building. For those who are not able to join us for worship, you are invited to receive drive-through communion, available Sundays, 10:15-10:30 a.m. at the front curb near the church entrance.

We hope having the service provided for you in this way, will touch you, comfort you, reassure you, and grace you in some way! If you believe others you know would be blessed to receive this bulletin, the sermon notes, or our live stream links, please forward these to them.

In this time when we are committed to safety and social distancing, please trust we are equally committed to keeping us socially and spiritually connected! On behalf of the Kingdom of God, thank you for the ways you make God and neighbor first!

From everyone on every level of leadership and service, we continue to pray for you and to give thanks to God for each of you! Please contact Pastor Jamie if he can serve you in any way: jamie.thompson@lordoflifemn.org

We pray The Holy Spirit breathes anew on us to be God’s people and to be God’s Church, as together we make known and we trust anew God’s gifts of hope, peace, justice, clarity, calm, and comfort forever break forth in new ways for you and your loved ones, today, and as we share every gift of God’s light, love, and grace!

Acknowledgments for today’s service include:

Litany Alive & Anew, In The Grace of The Risen Shepherd, written based on Psalm 23. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” based on the LBW. © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) and With One Voice Hymnal Supplement © 1995 Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis & Board of Publication, Lutheran Church In America, Philadelphia; and Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006 Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. Used with permission. “The Lord Is My Shepherd” © 1979 Joe Wise & 1987 GIA Publications, Inc., OL #03123 “You Never Let Go” © 2005 Thankyou Music CCLI #4674166 “Hear Our Praises”© 1998 Hillsong Music, CCLI #2543402 “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #1037600 “I Will Follow” © 2010 SHOUT! Music Publishing, CCLI #5806878 “Shepherd Me, O God” © 1986 GIA Publications, Inc. OL #00751 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.