FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY
APRIL 25, 2021 | 10:00 AM
WELCOME TO ONLINE WORSHIP AT FIRST CHURCH!
Welcome to all who gather to worship online today! We hope you feel the warmth of God’s presence and welcome right where you’re at. If this if your first time joining us online, we are honored by your presence and hope to see you again soon! To stay informed, please subscribe to our weekly email.
Today's service was made using video from this week's sanctuary worship service. We invite you to join us in-person next Sunday at 10:00 AM.
ABOUT US
First, we’re not just friendly, we’re friends! Our primary belief is that everyone (no exceptions!) is created in the loving image of God, who is love itself.
Second, in everything we do, we strive to live our mission: By the power of Christ, we are blessed to be a blessing!
WE GATHER TO WORSHIP
(the people’s words in bold print)
PRELUDE
"Sheep May Safely Graze"
MUSIC: J. S. Bach, adapt. Dwight Blazin
CHIMING THE HOUR
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CALL TO WORSHIP
We gather to worship the Good Shepherd
who lays down his life for his sheep.
The Lord Jesus is our shepherd -
He knows us, and we belong to him.
Easter people, Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed!
OPENING PRAYER
We are your people, loving God - the sheep of your pasture, the flock you have gathered. Lead us beside still waters; teach us the way of righteousness; and feed us at your table; through the risen Christ, Jesus the good shepherd, we pray. Amen!
PIANO PRAISE
"Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us"
MUSIC: W. Bradbury, arr. James Koerts
CALL TO CONFESSION
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Lord, have mercy on us. We talk about love, but our actions betray us. We talk about love, but we neglect the poor. We talk about love, but we fail to love one another. Lord, have mercy on us. Forgive us, and abide in us by the power of your Spirit so that our lives may show our love for Jesus Christ, in whose body we live and in whose name we pray. Amen.
CALL TO CONFESSION
WE EXPERIENCE GOD’S WORD
THE PSALTER - PSALM 23 (read together)
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
SOLO
Brad Thoreson
"Good Shepherd of My Soul"
TEXT and MUSIC: Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty, Stuart Townend, and Fionan de Barra
THE GOSPEL- JOHN 10:11-18
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
MESSAGE
"The Good Shepherd"
Rev. Lisa Martin
WE RESPOND TO GOD’S WORD
DECLARATION OF OUR FAITH
I believe in Jesus, the good shepherd. His wisdom leads me to the best opportunities, his word comforts me when I'm anxious or afraid, his arm steadies me when I feel weary and heavy-laden, his wounded body displays the cost of my rescue. I believe that I do not find him but he finds me, that the love he gives me is to be shared with others, that he treasures my name and prepares a place for me, that his fold transforms earth and heaven. I believe in Jesus, the good shepherd. Amen.
PIANO PRAISE
"The King of Love My Shepherd Is"
MUSIC: ST. COLUMBA, arr. Brad Thoreson
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & 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.
WE DEPART TO SERVE
OUTDOOR BENEDICTION
CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE
“God Be with You Till We Meet Again”
(RANDOLPH)
God be with you till we meet again;
By His counsels guide, uphold you,
With His sheep securely fold you;
God be with you till we meet again.
GOD’S TITHES + OUR OFFERINGS
If you wish to contribute to the work of First Church, you may give online using the button below, or mail your gift to
First Presbyterian Church
810 Georgia Avenue
Lynn Haven, FL 32444.