Description
John 10:11-18
Jesus is the Good Shepherd who is faithful and true and laid down His life for us, His sheep. As sheep know their shepherd’s voice and listen for it, we must also know the voice of the Great Shepherd. Our current culture places a weighty emphasis on our own voices being heard. Yet, God asks us to intently listen to His voice, the one that truly matters, and obey Him for He cares for us and knows the future. Do you know the voice of the Great Shepherd?
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include video countdowns, worship song videos, welcomes), CDs, or live music.]
Welcome & Time of Greeting
Time of Praise and Worship
Pouring It Out For You
Jared Anderson, Jonathan Lee, © 2010 Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Tunes (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) JLee Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) Don Quixote Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
King of Love
Adam Palmer | Jonathan Smith | Matthew Hein | Stephanie Kulla | Stuart Garrard, © 2013 All Essential Music (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) I Am “They” Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) Jingram Music Publishing (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
I’m Listening
Chris McClarney, Benji Cowart, Josh Bronleewe, © 2018 Capitol CMG Genesis, Jesus Culture Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Josh Bronleewe Music, Wordspring Music, LLC, HowieCowie Publishing, Word Music, LLC (Admin. by WB Music Corp.)
[Traditional Options]
Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty
ELW 533; LBW 250; LSB 901; LW 198, NCH 67; PH 489
Listen, God Is Calling
ELW 513; HS 98 872; LSB 833; WOV 712
I Know My Faith Is Founded
LSB 587; LW 354
Invocation
Pastor / Worship Leader
Listen! Do you hear? The Great Shepherd is calling us by name! He knows You, and loves you, and desires to keep you safe from harm.
Worshipers
We hear the voice of the Great Shepherd, and we obey His every command. He is true and good, and has proven Himself faithful over and over. Here we are, Jesus! We are here for You.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor / Worship Leader
Lord, You are the Great Shepherd. You know Your flock, and Your sheep know Your voice. Help us, Your people, to discern Your voice above all the others. Help us to follow and obey You as You lead us into the safety of Your arms. In Jesus’ name we pray,
Worshipers
Amen.
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor / Worship Leader
Although Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd, we are sometimes led astray.
Worshipers
We leave the safety of His boundaries and test other fields. We choose sin over obedience, and we stumble and fall. Oh Great Shepherd! We are lost and we need Your rescuing once again!
Pastor /Worship Leader
We are so sorry for our negligence, disobedience, and sinful actions. Forgive us, Lord, for we need You.
Worshipers
We need You, Great Shepherd!
Pastor / Worship Leader
Jesus, our Shepherd, is faithful to forgive us our sin and cleanse us. He carries us in His loving arms and returns us to Himself once again. We are grateful and satisfied with His beautiful love.
Worshipers
Thank You, Jesus! Thank you, Lord!
Pastor / Worship Leader
Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Acts 4:1-12
Peter and John shared the message of Christ with thousands of listeners and were arrested that same night. When brought before the high priest and questioned, Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaimed the name of Jesus with authority.
The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand. 5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
