The Fourth Sunday of Easter - Online Worship - April 30, 2023
Lord of Life LIVE - The Fourth Sunday of Easter
Upcoming Services
Sunday Worship - The Fifth Sunday of Easter
”Alive, In a Perfect Place, Right Here, In the Risen Christ”
May 7, 2023, 7:00PM
Join us for Teacher Appreciation Sunday
and the last Sunday of our Faith Quest ministry for the season!
Join us in person or on YouTube for Lord of Life LIVE!
All are welcome, encouraged to visit the Prayer Cross as moved to do so.
The Lord is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed!
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
The peace of The Risen Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
Song Celebrating Hope & Life Anew
Hear Our Praises
Morgan
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)
Litany Shepherding Us In Grace Right Here In The Risen Christ
based on Psalm 23
Today we celebrate, Jesus is risen, alive, right here, from the mountains to the valleys, to lead us, to shepherd us, in grace, so we sing our praises, and 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 and the Good Shepherd. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we have failed to trust his voice, calling us to follow, that we might be restored.
(silence for reflection)
Friends, today, God shepherds us anew in grace right here! The pastures are green once again, the waters have been made still, your soul has been restored. Hear the power and grace of Easter alive in these words: Jesus saves; The Risen Jesus forgives you all your sins. Sing praises; the goodness of the King of love, will lead us, and shepherd us, and faileth, never!
Song of Trust Anew
The King of Love My Shepherd Is
Baker
The King of love my shepherd is
Whose goodness faileth never
I nothing lack if I am his
And he is mine forever
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.
Friends, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is right here, to keep us strong when we are weak, to shepherd us when we are lost, to give us light when the world is dark, to heal anger and hatred with grace. Even when we stray, he lays us on his shoulder, and leads us home!
Song of Trust Anew
The King of Love My Shepherd Is
Baker
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
In the power and grace alive right here in Easter, I believe anew: 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 of The Savior: Trust Christ speaks his living grace right here to you each day! Sing praises! Be led anew by the Good Shepherd; live in the house and love and hope of the Lord forever!
Song of Trust Anew
The King of Love My Shepherd Is
Baker
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
Loving God, as the Easter celebration continues, we thank you for the gift of faith to believe what seems so impossible. Jesus is risen indeed, and he alone is the Good Shepherd. By your Holy Spirit, living, right here, help us hear your voice and follow you. As your sheep, build us up, make us one, lead us to rescue the lost, to heal the injured, to guide one another in your living power and grace. In the Risen Christ, we pray. Amen.
The First Lesson
Acts 2:42-47
Following Peter’s preaching, life in the first Christian community continued. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
(New Revised Standard Version)
The Second Lesson
1 Peter 2:19-25
For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and the guardian of your souls.
(New Revised Standard Version)
Song of Hope & Grace Anew
There Is None Like You
LeBlanc
refrain:
There is none like You
No one else
Can touch my heart like You do
I could search for all eternity long
And find
There is none like You
(repeat)
vs. 1
Your mercy flows
Like a river wide
And healing comes
From Your hands
Suffering children
Are safe in Your arms
There is none like You
(refrain)
Gospel
John 10:1-10
“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
(New Revised Standard Version)
based on Revelation 21:5-7
As we hear The Easter Gospel, and believe anew The Risen Christ is right here raising one and all to new life, let us today boldly state our faith, trusting our God’s faithfulness and living grace will never fail us.
God who sits upon the throne says, “Behold, I make all things new. Write these words for they are trustworthy and true. It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the fountain the water of life without payment. They who conquer shall have their heritage, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.” Amen.
Faith Quest meets following the Children’s Sermon
Led, Right Here, Alive, In Grace
ACTS 2:42-47; 1 PETER 2:19-25; JOHN 10:1-10
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 this is not always possible. Maybe, others are nudging you, shepherding you or carrying you? As Jesus is risen, and risen indeed, trust He is right here to lead you in power and grace. The Good Shepherd is right here for you. What if you still get lost? What if where he is leading you is unfamiliar? What if you only hear his voice once in a while? Trust the Risen Savior is raised to lead you where you have been led before, right here, to be alive and anew, in the mighty and grace-filled arms and care of The Good Shepherd!
1. We are led in grace, right here, to be alive and anew, to go where we see The Risen Christ shepherding us.
Acts 2:42-43; John 10:4-5
A. Even when you do not know where you are going, it helps if you can at least see The Good 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 Good Shepherd. They keep their eyes on The Good Shepherd and you keep your eyes on them.
C. The Good Shepherd always has his eyes on you!
2. We are led in grace, right here, to be alive, anew, to go where we hear The Risen Christ calling out to us.
1 Peter 2:19-24; John 10:1-3,7-9
A. You know whose voice is whose. Listen to Him.
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 Good Shepherd will forever speak to you, and call you by name.
3. We are led in grace, right here, to be alive, and anew, to go along, to go where pulled, nudged, carried if necessary thanks to the best news of all!
Acts 2:44-45; John 10:9
A. Feel the touch of The Risen Christ.
B. Feel The Risen Christ taking hold of you and carrying you.
C. Feel those following The Risen Christ, nudging you along.
D. Feel The Risen Christ when you feel all alone.
E. Celebrate, be alive, and anew, right here, in the One who is forever leading us, forever here, forever gracing us, forever the Best News of all!
4. Acts 2:46-47; 1 Peter 2:25; John 10:10 - We are all being led in grace, right here, to be alive, and anew, to get from “here” to “there,” from us to The Christ, from the world to The Christ, 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 Christ, The Good Shepherd, is always there. By the way, how did you get “here”? Let us trust and follow and go where we are led, for we are led in grace, by the One who is alive, right here, 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.
Song of Hope & Life Anew
I Will Follow
Tomlin
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
(refrain)
I will follow You
Yeah
I will follow You
Yeah
...as we pray to you, Jesus,
Risen Savior, raise us to live anew, right here, in your living hope 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.
Holy Communion will take place during our service. 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.
For those worshiping with us in person, we receive communion through intinction; that is, you will receive the bread, the host, then dip into the glass of choice, either a red wine in the chalice closest to the host, or in a light colored non-alcoholic grape juice. All are welcome.
We also offer gluten free and pre-packaged options. Please take these options before arriving at the host to receive a blessing.
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.
Songs During Holy Communion
Shepherd Me, O God
Haugen
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
ZBeyond 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)
The body and blood of our Risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in the living grace of The Risen Christ, this day, this most blessed and holy morning, and on into life everlasting.
Amen.
Let us pray.
Pour out upon us the spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of those whom you have fed with one heavenly food; through Jesus Christ, The Risen Lord of life. 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!
With Easter hearts; let us go in the peace of Christ, alive and anew, right here, celebrating the love of God, and serving The Risen Lord of life.
Thanks be to God! Alleluia!
Going Anew In Life & Grace
Your Grace Is Enough
Maher
vs. 1
Great is Your faithfulness
Oh God
You wrestle with the sinner’s
Restless heart
You lead us by still waters
Into mercy
And nothing can keep us apart
So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember your promise oh God
refrain 1:
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
bridge:
So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember your promise oh God
refrain 2:
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
Your grace is enough
Heaven reaches out to us
Your grace is enough for me
God I see
Your grace is enough
I’m covered in Your love
Your grace is enough for me for me
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A most holy and blessed Easter season to each of you and your loved ones! Friends, every day is Easter! For Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Today, we celebrate as The Great Fifty Days Of Easter continue:
Sunday, April 30, The Fourth Sunday Of Easter “Led, Right Here, In The Risen Christ!” Faith Quest Sunday School meets today!
Join us next Sunday, as The Great Fifty Days Of Easter continue:
Next Sunday, May 7, The Fifth Sunday Of Easter “Alive, In A Perfect Place, Right Here, In The Risen Christ!” Join us next Sunday for Teacher Appreciation Sunday and the last Sunday of our Faith Quest ministry for the season!
As we share our worship, we give thanks for every volunteer as you bless our ministry, greeting, ushering, nursery, serving communion, live streaming, AV ministry, set up, clean up, fellowship, worship leaders, and more! You can access details and ways to sign up on our website and Facebook page! Thank you!
Friends, today as always, all who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion. 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 sanctuary.
We hope our worship 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.
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, Led In The Grace of The Risen Christ – written based on Psalm 23. “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” © 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 by Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. Used with permission. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” based on the LBW. “Hear Our Praises” © 1998 Hillsong Music, CCLI #2543402 “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #1037600 “There Is None Like You” © 1991 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music, CCLI #674545 “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “I Will Follow” © 2010 SHOUT! Music Publishing CCLI #5806878 “Shepherd Me, O God” © 1986 GIA Publications, Inc. OL #00751, Marty Haugen “Your Grace Is Enough” © 2003 Thankyou Music CCLI #4477026 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.