Lectionary Readings
Acts 9:36–43
Peter raises Tabitha from the dead; many believe in the Lord.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, leading, protecting, and feeding me.
Revelation 7:9–17
The redeemed worship at the throne of the Lamb, their shepherd.
John 10:22–30
Jesus says: My sheep hear my voice; I know them and they follow me.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
The Lord is our shepherd;
we lack nothing.
Though we may walk through the darkest valley,
we fear no evil; for God is with us.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us
all the days of our lives,
and we shall dwell
in the house of the Lord forever.
Let us worship God!
Prayer of the Day
Merciful God,
you have told us who you are,
and we still struggle to believe.
In Jesus Christ, you reveal your unending care for us,
and we give thanks.
Grant us the vision of the world you see,
a world without hunger, thirst, or tears.
Lead us into the future you are preparing, O God,
as we follow with grateful hearts. Amen.
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Thanksgiving for Baptism
At the baptismal font:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Creator God,
you drew out life-giving water from a desert rock.
We give you thanks for the water of baptism.
In being joined with Christ,
we die to what destroys
and are raised to new life with Christ.
As streams rush into rivers,
may our lives flow into yours,
joining your creative work for a world in need.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
Even if we walk in the darkest of valleys,
we have nothing to fear, for God is with us.
Let us stand before the throne of the Lamb
with confidence,
trusting in God’s desire to redeem and restore us.
Eternal God,
in the presence of our enemies,
we divide and demonize.
When you face our enemies,
you choose neither contempt nor punishment,
but set a table and make provision for us all.
Our ways are not your ways, O Creator,
and they are an affront
to the work of your hands.
Have mercy on us, O God, and heal us.
Send our risen Lord among us again
to repair relationships and restore humanity.
Set us free to share the love of Christ Jesus
just as he does at his table.
Lifting water from the font:
Hear the sound of your Shepherd’s voice:
Jesus says, I give you eternal life.
You will never perish.
No one can snatch you out of my hand.
Believe the good news.
In Jesus Christ,
we are forgiven, nurtured, and safe.
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Gracious God, Living Word,
as you revealed yourself to Mary
that Easter morning,
so reveal yourself to us.
By the power of your Spirit,
give each of us faith,
that hearing your Word
we, too, may proclaim,
“I have seen the Lord!” Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
Testimony for the church
from Jesus, the Alpha and Omega.
Revelation 22:13–14
After the readings:
These words are trustworthy and true.
Thanks be to God.
Revelation 21:5
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and might be to our God
forever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 7:12
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
Life in Christ is life eternal.
The resurrection of Jesus is the sign
that God will consummate the work
of creation and reconciliation beyond death
and bring to fulfillment
the new life begun in Christ.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.26
Prayers of Intercession
Rejoicing in God’s promise of new creation,
let us pray to the Maker of heaven and earth,
saying: God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for the church . . .
Give us the grace to stand with those
who are washed in the blood of the Lamb
and now worship at your throne in glory.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world . . .
Feed the hungry; give drink to the thirsty.
Guide them to the springs of the water of life
and wipe away every tear from their eyes.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for this community . . .
Let us be faithful disciples in this place,
devoted to good works and charity
and humbly serving others in your name.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for loved ones . . .
Walk with those who are in dark valleys.
Comfort them and protect them from harm.
Show them your goodness and mercy.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, keep us working and praying
for the coming of your holy realm of peace,
when we will share abundant life with you;
through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
As God gave us Christ,
the firstfruit of creation,
let us humbly offer
the substance of our lives
in thanksgiving to our God.
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
Eternal God, take and use these gifts
for your purpose in the world—
giving food to the hungry,
hope to the despairing,
and new life to the dead.
Teach us to live each day for you,
so that future generations
will know your goodness
and praise your glory;
in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm 22:25–31
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
You are our shepherd, O Lord,
and in you there is nothing we lack.
You lead us to green pastures and still waters;
you restore our souls.
You prepare a table before us;
the cup of blessing overflows!
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior:
Christ Jesus is one with you, O God;
he is our good shepherd,
and we are the people of your pasture.
We hear his voice and seek to follow him.
The words of institution are included here.
Remembering your goodness and grace,
we offer ourselves to you with gratitude
as we share this joyful feast.
A Memorial Acclamation
(e.g., “Christ has died”) is sung.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon this bread and cup;
make us one in the body and blood
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Let us join the great multitude
of the redeemed of the world
who worship day and night
in the presence of the Lamb.
Feed our hunger, quench our thirst,
and lead us to the water of life.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory,
now and forever.
An Amen is sung.
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion of the People
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer after Communion
At the communion table:
At your table, Giving God,
we have been fed;
our thirsty spirits have been quenched.
We give you thanks
for this taste of your kingdom meal
when wolf and lamb will feed together
and peace will reign
on your holy mountain;
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
The blessing of the eternal, triune God—
Alpha and Omega,
first and last,
beginning and end—
be with you all. Alleluia!
Revelation 22:13
Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
Revelation 22:20
The Good Shepherd
JESUS MAFA
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- Crown Him with Many Crowns (EG) DIADEMATA GTG 268, PH 151
- Come, Worship God (EG) O QUANTA QUALIA GTG 386
- Come into God’s Presence (E) COME INTO HIS PRESENCE GTG 413
WORD
- You, Lord, Are Both Lamb and Shepherd (EG) PICARDY GTG 274, STF 2102
- For All the Faithful Women (A) NYLAND GTG 324
- You Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim (E) HANOVER GTG 299, PH 477
EUCHARIST
- Shepherd Me, O God (EG) SHEPHERD ME GTG 473, STF 2058
- We Fall Down (E) WE FALL DOWN GTG 368
- You Satisfy the Hungry Heart (G) BICENTENNIAL GTG 523, PH 521
SENDING
- I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say (EG) KINGSFOLD GTG 182
- Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us (EG) BRADBURY GTG 187, PH 387
- My Shepherd Will Supply My Need (EG) RESIGNATION GTG 803, PH 172
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 23
Metrical
- My Shepherd Will Supply My Need [RESIGNATION]; GTG 803, PH 172, PAS 23A, LUYH 369
- The King of Love My Shepherd Is [ST. COLUMBA, DOMINUS REGIT ME]; GTG 802, PH 171, LUYH 824, LUYH 23D, E (altered text)
- The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want [CRIMOND, BROTHER JAMES’ AIR]; GTG 801, PH 170, PAS 23C
- The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want [Townend]; PAS 23F
Responsorial
- Shepherd Me, O God; GTG 473, LUYH 456, PAS 23G (pointed vv.), 23H (through-composed vv.)
- My Shepherd Is the Lord [Gelineau]; PH 173, PSA 18
- The Lord Is My Shepherd; PFTS2 54
- The Lord’s My Shepherd [THE PARTING GLASS]; CP2 1
Organ Music
- “Sheep May Safely Graze,” Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd, BWV 208, J. S. Bach, IMSLP.org (M)
- “Goodness,” ST. COLUMBA, Fruit of the Spirit: Chorale Preludes for Organ, David Evan Thomas, AF (M/MA)
- “RESIGNATION,” Augsburg Organ Library: Easter II, Robert A. Hobby, AF (E)
- “SANTO DOMINGO,” Augsburg Organ Library: Easter II, James Biery, AF (MA)
Piano Music
- “The Lord’s My Shepherd,” CRIMOND, The Church Pianist’s Library, vol. 20, Lyndell Leatherman, LOR (M)
- “Near to the Heart of God,” MCAFEE, In the Light of His Glory, Martha Mier, ALF (M)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “Bonse Aba,” Matthew and Shelly Armstrong, Musicspoke, SATB, acap, opt hd, solo (ME)
- “O Love,” Elaine Hagenberg, BP, SATB, pno (M)
- “Rise to Sing! The Light Is Breaking,” Eric Nelson, GIA, SATB, org, opt brass (M)
- “Where Is This Gift of Heaven?” Joseph Martin, LOR, SATB, keybd (ME)
- “O How Glorious Is the Kingdom,” Fred Gramann, ECS, SATB, keybd, opt hb (M)
Art
- The Good Shepherd, JESUS MAFA, 1973 (VDL)
- Good Shepherd, Lucinda Naylor, 2016 (EYE)
- The Good Shepherd Surrounded by Lambs, 19th century, anonymous (PD) (MET)
- Psalm 23, John August Swanson, 2010 (VDL)
