St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660

www.StPaulsManistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

April 26, 2026 4th Sunday of Easter

JESUS LIVES TO BE MY GOOD SHEPHERD

WELCOME – we will be using the RED HYMNAL

HYMN 436 “Jesus, Shepherd of the Sheep”

(Please stand for the last stanza)

SERVICE OF THE WORD - pages 38-44

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

O Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Good Shepherd who laid down your life for the sheep. Lead us now to the still waters of your life-giving Word that we may abide in your Father’s house forevermore; for you live and reign with him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (Sing) Amen.

FIRST LESSON: Act 2:42-47

The Good Shepherd’s flock grew as people devoted themselves to the apostolic teaching.

42 They continued to hold firmly to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of the bread, and to the prayers. 43 Awe came over every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They were selling their possessions and property and were distributing the proceeds according to what anyone needed. 46 Day after day, with one mind, they were devoted to meeting in the temple area, as they continued to break bread in their homes. They shared their food with glad and sincere hearts, 47 as they continued praising God and being viewed favorably by all the people. Day after day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

PSALM 23 – page 72

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want

SECOND LESSON: 1 Peter 2:19-25

St. Peter calls on us to follow our Shepherd and Overseer even if it means we will suffer for doing good.

19 For this is favorable: if a person endures sorrows while suffering unjustly because he is conscious of God. 20 For what credit is it to you if you receive a beating for sinning and patiently endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and endure it, this is favorable with God.21 Indeed, you were called to do this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example so that you would follow in his steps. 22 He did not commit a sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. 23When he was insulted, he did not insult in return. When he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself carried our sins in his body on the tree so that we would be dead to sins and alive to righteousness. By his wounds you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but you are now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

VERSE OF THE DAY:

Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me. Alleluia.

(Sing) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

These words are written

that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ,

the Son of God. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

GOSPEL: John 10:1-10

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is the gate through which we enter the green pastures of salvation.

1 “Amen, Amen, I tell you: Anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the door, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The doorkeeper opens the door for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own sheep, he walks ahead of them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6Jesus used this illustration in speaking to the people, but they did not understand what he was telling them. 7So Jesus said again, “Amen, Amen, I tell you: I am the door for the sheep. 8 All who came before mewere thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the door. Whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.10 A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

HYMN 375 “The King of Love My Shepherd Is”

SERMON: John 10:1-10

Jesus Is the Only Door for Sheep

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41

RESPONSIVE PRAYER - page 42

LORD’S PRAYER

HYMN 360 “The Lord’s My Shepherd; I’ll Not Want”

PRAYER - page 43

C: Amen. (sung)

BLESSING - page 443

C: Amen. Amen. Amen. (sung)

HYMN 432 “I Am Jesus’ Little Lamb”

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS

THANKOFFERING BASKET by water cooler near kitchenette

The members of St Paul's have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area and around the world. Our guests may but are not expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.

Guests, please sign the Guest Book in the entryway.

THIS WEEK AT ST. PAUL’S

❖ Tuesday, 10 am - Ladies’ Book Study – “Taboo” at parsonage

❖ Tuesday, 3:30 pm - Youth Catechism Class at Pastor’s house

❖ Tuesday, 7 pm - Bible Study on Romans at Pastor’s house

❖ Sunday, 9 am - Sunday School & Adult Bible Class

❖ Sunday, 10 am – WORSHIP

All Scripture readings are from the NIV 2011. Used by permission.