Thank you for worshiping together with us.
- Make yourself ready for worship.
- Shower and get dressed, like you would to attend sanctuary worship. Or don’t: stay in your pajamas and grab a cup of coffee. Do whatever will keep you free of distractions or discomfort during this next hour.
- Silence your phone and put it in another room. Or take a selfie, maybe with your family, and post it to our church’s Facebook page. Either way, pause long enough to quiet your heart and expect to meet with God, who promises to be with us.
- Have your Bible (or Bible app) open to John 10.
- Load the March 29 YouTube video, “I Am: the Good Shepherd.” Play it when ready.
GOD GATHERS US
[You are welcome to begin the service by singing “Who You Say I Am.”]
INVITATION TO WORSHIP — FROM HEBREWS 12:1-3
Read out loud:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses,
let us look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
despising its shame,
and sat down at the right hand of God.
Let us consider him who endured such hostility from sinful people,
so that we may not grow weary or lose heart.
[Sing “God That Saves” and “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” at this time.]
PRAYER FOR RENEWAL
O God, our great shepherd,
You tenderly gather us as lambs,
carrying us with Your all-embracing love.
Yet, like sheep, we wander from You:
following our own ways,
ignoring Your voice,
doubting Your provisions.
Forgive our stubborn rebellion,
our hardened hearts,
our lack of trust.
Refresh us once again by Your quiet waters of mercy
and restore our souls by Your redeeming love.
Guide our paths, that we might follow you more closely.
Through Jesus Christ, our good shepherd, we pray. Amen.
PROMISE OF GRACE — based on Ezekiel 34:11-16, 31
This is what the Lord God says:
“Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep. I will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when his sheep have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them.
“And I will gather them and bring them into good pasture. They will lie down in good grazing land and feed on rich pasture.
“And I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down. I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.
“And you are my sheep, human sheep of my pasture, and I am your God,” declares the Lord God.
[Respond to God’s promise of grace by singing “Reckless Love.”]
GOD SPEAKS TO US
[Continue the March 29 YouTube video, “I AM: the Good Shepherd” at this point.]
RESPONDING TO GOD
DISCUSSION
Discuss with each other, or journal on your own, what you hear the Holy Spirit saying to you in this morning’s sermon.
- How is God challenging you today?
- How is God comforting you today?
- What would you like to put into action?
Meditating on Psalm 23
Listen to the song, “Psalm 23 — Surely Goodness, Surely Mercy.”
Read the song’s lyrics as you listen:
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want
In green pastures He makes me lie down
He restores my soul and leads me on for His Name
for His great Name
[Chorus:]
Surely goodness, Surely mercy
Right beside me all my days
and I will dwell in Your house forever
and bless Your Holy Name
You prepare a table right before me
in the presence of my enemies
though the arrow flies and the terror of night
is at my door; I’ll trust you Lord
Surely goodness, Surely mercy
Right beside me all my days
and I will dwell in Your house forever
and bless Your Holy Name
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
You are on my side
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
You are on my side
Surely goodness, Surely mercy
Right beside me all my days
and I will dwell in Your house forever
and bless Your Holy Name
Sing along when you feel comfortable with the song, or play it a second time to sing.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Take a moment to consider any prayer requests. If you are worshiping with others, share them aloud together.
Then spend a few minutes in prayer for one another, our community, and the world.
Close with the Lord’s Prayer:
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 debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
SENT WITH GOD’S BLESSING — Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace
who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great shepherd of the sheep,
by the blood of the eternal covenant,
equip you with everything good
that you may do His will,
working in us that which is pleasing in His sight,
through Jesus Christ,
to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
EMMANUEL REFORMED CHURCH 