Description
John 10:22-30
The Jews asked Jesus if He was the Messiah during the Feast of Dedication. Jesus wasn’t keeping His identity a secret; in fact, Jesus told them plainly that He and His Father were one, but the people did not believe and chose to eventually crucify Him. Jesus protects His people from eternal danger just like a shepherd protects his sheep. Believers will suffer on earth, but Satan cannot harm their souls or steal their eternal life with God.
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
He Shall Reign Forevermore
Chris Tomlin | Matt Maher, © 2015 S. D. G. Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), Sixsteps Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), Worship Together Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC), I Am A Pilgrim Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC)
My Redeemer Lives
Reuben Morgan, ©1998 Hillsong Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
From The Inside Out
Joel Houston, ©2005 Hillsong Publishing
[Traditional Options]
The King Of Love My Shepherd Is
BH 75 215; CH 683; EH 645/646; ELW 502; HWC 468; HLC 46; LBW 456; LSB 709; LW 412; NCH 248; PH 171/174; UMH 138; WIS 425
Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me
ELW 767; LBW 333; LSB 722; LW 512
The Day of Resurrection
BH 91 164; EH 210; ELW 361; HWC 226; HLC 168; LBW 141; LSB 478; LW 133; NCH 245; PH 118; WC 247; UMH 303; WAR 298; WHM 261
Invocation
Pastor Listen! Do you hear the voice of the Great Shepherd calling His sheep?
ALL We are the sheep, the sheep of His pasture.
Pastor Christ is our sufficient shepherd. There’s nothing we want or need, for eternal life is found in Him alone.
ALL We are the sheep, the sheep of His pasture.
Pastor No one can snatch us from the hand of our Shepherd.
ALL We are the sheep, the sheep of His pasture.
Opening Prayer / Theme Introduction
Pastor/Worship Leader speaks
Pastor Father, we long to hear Your voice leading us through Your gates and calling us home.
While we are here on earth, we pray for strength, endurance, and guidance to go to the
dark places and bring Your light. You don’t promise us easy lives; in fact, you warn us of
suffering for Your name. But you promise us eternal protection and peace. Lord, no one
can snatch us from your palm, and we are so incredibly grateful to You.
ALL All honor, glory, power, worship, and praise be to the Lord Almighty- the
Good Shepherd. Amen!
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Jesus, You say that Your sheep hear Your voice and listen. We confess that we ignore
Your voice. We fill our days with busyness instead of solitude, work instead of Sabbath,
and our own checklists instead of time asking You to use us as Your servants.
ALL We repent, Lord.
Pastor And while we are foolish, going in our own paths, and chasing our desires, You still love
and call us by name. Just like the shepherd left his flock of 99 sheep to find the lost 1,
You died to save us and forgive us.
ALL We don’t deserve Your love.
Pastor We thank you for your reckless love that fights for us, redeems us, and ultimately saves
us from sin.
ALL In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Acts 9:36-43
A kind woman named Tabitha became ill and died. Believers summoned for Peter to come right away. Peter prayed for Tabitha who opened her eyes and sat up- truly a wonderful miracle from the Lord!
There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas[a]). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. 37 About this time she became ill and died. Her body was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room. 38 But the believers had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him, “Please come as soon as possible!” 39 So Peter returned with them; and as soon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them. 40 But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, “Get up, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up! 41 He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive. 42 The news spread through the whole town, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And Peter stayed a long time in Joppa, living with Simon, a tanner of hides.
