brandonredeemer
- May 2, 2020
- 8 min read

May 3, 2020 Worship Service

4th Sunday of Easter Worship Service on May 3rd at 10 a.m.

I will launch this service at around 9:30 a.m.

These Services will be provided by Zoom again. The Zoom password that you will need if asked: 762034

We will be holding Sunday Church Services this way until further notice. Every Sunday, there will be a Church Service using Zoom.

Thank you,

Jeremy Grasby

EASTER 4, May 3, 2020 Redeemer Lutheran ZOOM worship

P=Pastor L=Leader C=Congregation

Please Note regarding this service: adapted from Rev. Rick Pryce service for home worship. Rev. Pryce is pastor at Lunenburg Parish, Nova Scotia. There are members of his parish who are related to, friends with, or co-workers with someone in Portapique community. Please keep him and other clergy in prayer as they struggle to support their communities, preside at graveside services and counsel survivors and grieve stricken people

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Greeting

P. The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and

the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

C. And also with you.

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Invocation

P. The Good Shepherd cares for the sheep.

The Good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

The Good Shepherd does not let death have the last word.

Christ is risen!

C. Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!

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Hymn (Read or sung together) ELW 778 "The Lord's My Shepherd"

(Hymn lyrics printed under OneLicence # 11411292)

1. The Lord’s my shepherd; I’ll not want. He makes me down to lie

in pastures green; he leadeth me the quiet waters by.

He leadeth me, he leadeth me the quiet waters by.

2. My soul he doth restore again, and me to walk doth make

within the paths of righteousness, e’en for his own name’s sake;

within the paths of righteousness, e’en for his own name’s sake.

3. Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale, yet will I fear no ill;

for thou art with me, and thy rod and staff me comfort still;

for thou art with me, and thy rod and staff me comfort still.

4. My table thou hast richly spread in presence of my foes;

my head thou dost with oil anoint, and my cup overflows;

my head thou dost with oil anoint, and my cup overflows.

5. Goodness and mercy all my life shall surely follow me,

and in God’s house forevermore my dwelling place shall be;

and in God’s house forevermore my dwelling place shall be.

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Prayer of the Day (Prayer used by permission of Augsburg Fortress (modified slightly))

P: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Let us pray.

All: O God our shepherd, you know your sheep by name and lead us to safety through the valley of death. Guide us by your voice, that we may walk with faith and security to the joyous feast prepared in your house, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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Scripture Readings

First Reading: Acts 2:42-47

(Today’s reading is a description of life in the community following Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost, when the Spirit was poured out on God’s people. The new community is sustained in worship and fellowship, shares what they have, and ensures that everyone has enough.)

[The baptized] devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Word of God. Word of life.

C. Thanks be to God.

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Psalm: Psalm 23 NRSV (full verse by full verse)

1) The Lord is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

2) He makes me lie down

in green pastures;

he leads me beside still waters;

3) he restores my soul.

He leads me in right paths

for his name’s sake.

4) Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I fear no evil;

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff—

they comfort me.

5) You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6) Surely goodness and mercy

shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell

in the house of the Lord my whole life long.

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Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:19-25

(Doing the right things does not guarantee that one will not experience difficulties, hardships, rejection, or even suffering. Here Christ is presented as the model for our path of endurance and loyalty to God, particularly amid adversity.)

It is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

Word of God. Word of life.

C. Thanks be to God.

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Gospel Acclamation:

All: Alleluia, Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

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Gospel:

P. Holy Gospel according to St. John 10:1-10 (Jesus uses an image familiar to the people of his day to make a point about spiritual leadership. Those who listen to Jesus are led to abundant life.)

C. Glory to you, O Lord

[Jesus said:] “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Here ends the Gospel

C. Praise to you, O Christ.

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Reflection

(by Rev. Rick Pryce of Lunnenburg Parish, Nova Scotia)

I believe Rev. Pryce's reflection is relavent in that he, his congregation and their community have been so closely impacted by the events at Portapique, NS., on April 18 & 19, 2020)

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Apostles' Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven,

he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

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Offering Prayer

(we lift this prayer in acknowledgement and thankfulness of the offerings which have been given in support of Redeemer's ongoing ministry)

Let us Pray: Merciful God, our ordinary gifts seem small, but you make of them an abundance, just as you do with our lives. We offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us:

Our selves, our time our possessions and our envelope offerings, signs of your gracious love. Receive all we offer for the sake of Jesus Christ who offered himself for us.

Amen.

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Prayers of the People

* Celebrating the victory of love over death, we offer our prayers to God.

[Short pause]

* Good Shepherd, you promise to care for us. May this promise sink deep in our hearts, that we may continue to learn to trust.