St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

313 4th Street, Manistee, MI 49660

www.StPaulsManistee.com

facebook.com/SPLCManistee

May 11, 2025 Easter 4

BECAUSE HE LIVES

WE KNOW JESUS IS TRUSTWORTHY AND TRUE

WELCOME – All responses will be spoken today.

HYMN 360 “The Lord’s My Shepherd; I’ll Not Want” (Please stand for last stanza)

INVOCATION & CALL TO WORSHIP

L: We gather in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.

L: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who comforts us in our troubles, C: So that we can comfort others in their troubles with

the same comfort we ourselves have received from God.

L: For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives,

C: So also through Christ our comfort overflows to others.

L: Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. C: One generation will commend Your works to another;

they will tell of your mighty acts.

L: Our God is a God who saves.

C: He does not treat us as our sins deserve.

L: For God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us,

C: So that in Him we might become the righteousness of

God.

L: Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for

all, and therefore all died.

C: And He died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again.

L: May His Spirit inspire our giving thanks for all of His blessings to us,

C: And make us able to serve Him throughout our lives.

L: Let us pray

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. C: Amen.

FIRST LESSON: Acts 13:15-16,26-39

St. Paul points out that Jesus’ death and resurrection both fulfilled the Scripture. They prove not only that we are forgiven, but that God’s promises are trustworthy and true.

15After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying,…“Gentlemen, brothers, if you have a word of encouragement for the people, say it.” 16 Then Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and said, 26 “Gentlemen, brothers, sons of Abraham’s family, and those among you who fear God, this message of salvation has been sent to you.27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize him, and by condemning him they fulfilled the statements of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no grounds for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29When they carried out everything that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These same individuals are now his witnesses to the people. 32We are preaching to you the good news about the promise that was made to our fathers. 33 God has fulfilled this promise for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: You are my Son. Today I have begotten you.34 That God would raise him from the dead never again to be subject to decay, God said in this way: I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David. 35 Therefore he also says in another place: You will not let your Holy One see decay. 36 For David, after he had served God’s purpose in his own generation, fell asleep, was laid to rest with his fathers, and saw decay. 37 But the One God raised did not see decay. 38 So, gentlemen, brothers, let it be known to you that through this Jesus forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you, also forgiveness from everything from which you could not be justified through the law of Moses. 39 In this Jesus, everyone who believes is justified.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

SECOND LESSON: Revelation 7:9-17

God’s promise to lead all believers from great tribulation to the green pastures of heaven is trustworthy and true. St. John sees that promise fulfilled through the work of the Lamb.

9After these things I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing in front of the throne and of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and with palm branches in their hands. 10 They called out with a loud voice and said: Salvation comes from our God, who sits on the throne, and from the Lamb. 11All the angels stood around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures. They fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, 12 saying: Amen. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and might belong to our God forever and ever. Amen. 13 One of the elders spoke to me and said, “These people dressed in white robes, who are they and where did they come from?” And I answered him, “Sir, you know.” 14And he said to me: These are the ones who are coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Because of this they are in front of the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16 They will never be hungry or thirsty ever again. The sun will never beat upon them, nor will any scorching heat, 17 for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

P: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

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.

GOSPEL: John 10:22-30

Because our Good Shepherd is trustworthy and true, we eagerly listen to his voice.

22 Then the Festival of Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple area in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 So the Jews gathered around Jesus, asking, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I am doing in my Father’s name testify about me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep, as I said to you.27My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

P: The Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise be to you, O Christ!

HYMN 375 “The King of Love My Shepherd Is”

SERMON: John 10:22-30 (written by Circuit Pastor John Eich)

APOSTLES’ CREED - page 41

PRAYER & LORD’S PRAYER - page 42

HYMN 369 “Beautiful Savior”

PRAYER - page 43 C: Amen.

BLESSING - page 44 C: Amen.

HYMN 432 “I Am Jesus’ Little Lamb”

ANNOUNCEMENTS & REFRESHMENTS

THANKOFFERING BASKET BY DOOR

The members of St Paul's & the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) have joined together to do the Lord’s work here and around the world. Our guests may but are not expected to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.

PLEASE SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK IF YOU ARE VISITING.

It’s located in the entryway by the stairs going to the basement.

BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS: Are you interested in learning more about the Bible & the Christian faith, or church membership? Pastor Himm will be happy to arrange a class for you.

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version ® (EHV ®)