St Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
313 4th St, Manistee, MI 49660-2901
website: stpaulsmanistee.com
facebook.com/SPLCManistee
Telephone: 231-299-1022
April 30, 2023 Easter 4 – Good Shepherd Sunday
Prayer Before Worship - Lord, thank You for making me Your sheep, nurturing me, nourishing me and guiding me.
Hymn 374
Service of Word, front of hymnal page 38
Prayer: 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 & reign with Him & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & forever. (Sing) Amen.
Old Testament Lesson: 1 Samuel 17:34-37
David describes what a shepherd is supposed to do
34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.
Psalm 23, front of hymnal, page 72
Gospel: John 10:1-10 Jesus is recognized by the sheep, and leads us to pasture
1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate 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, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Hymn 442
Sermon Text: 1 Peter 2:19-25
19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Theme: The Way of the Good Shepherd is for you
1. For your salvation
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”
2. For our Imitation
Prayer:. LORD JESUS, please keep me walking on the way of the Good Shepherd.
Apostles’ Creed, front of hymnal, page 41
Thankoffering
The members of St. Paul's have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this area & around the world. Visitors need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our church’s ministry.
Prayer of the church, front of hymnal, page 42
Special Prayers
Lord’s Prayer, page 43
Hymn 432
Continue page 43
Hymn 436
All our guests are welcome to worship Jesus the Savior with us again Kindly sign our friendship register. Graciously receive the greetings & introductions of our church family.