(Image: “The Good Shepherd” Stained Glass, 1508-1519 Le Breton, Jacques;
Gaudin, Jean Cathédrale d’Amiens)
©Order of Worship for Sunday April 21, 2024
Fourth Sunday of Easter
For the Avent Ferry UMC Worship Video Click Here (Link opens in a new window)
The worship video will be available live at 11:00 am
Prelude:…………..“Morning Has Broken”………..Greg D.
Call to Worship:……….“Day of Arising”…………….Choir
Trad. Gaelic melody
Coming of the Light:……………………………………..
Greetings:……………………………………Pastor Steven
Opening Prayer: …………………………………..…Ian D.
Psalm 23
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
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.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
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. Amen.
Opening Hymns:“God Is Good, All the Time” #3026 W&S
Words and Music: Dean McIntyre © 2003 Abingdon Press
God is good, God is good all the time.
God is good, God is good all the time.
1. In our doubts, hopes and fears, joys and tears,
God is good, God is good all the time.
God is good, God is good all the time.
God is good, God is good all the time.
2. When there’s no one to share our despair,
God is good, God is good all the time.
God is good, God is good all the time.
God is good, God is good all the time.
3. When there’s love to be found all around,
God is good, God is good all the time.
God is good, God is good all the time.
God is good, God is good all the time.
4. When our sorrows we bring, let us sing:
God is good, God is good all the time.
God is good, God is good all the time.
God is good, God is good all the time.
5. As our thanks and our praise now we raise,
God is good, God is good all the time.
“You Feed Us, Gentle Savior” #3169 W&S
Words: Steve Garnaas-Holmes Music: Hal H. Hopson
© 2009 Steve Garnaas-Holmes © 1983 Hope Publishing Company
1. You feed us, gentle Savior, the bread that makes us whole,
the wine of your compassion poured out into our soul.
The food of your own presence, your Spirit, strong, within,
The grace that heals us deeply and overcomes our sin.
2. You bind us, gentle Savior, and weave us into one,
one flesh and blood made holy, the Body of your Son.
We gather here in hunger, one hunger, all the same;
and with one grace you bless us together in his name.
3. You call us, gentle Savior, and send us in your name.
You teach and heal and show us how we can do the same.
So, strength-ened by your Spirit and nourished by your grace,
we go to be your presence in love, in every place.
Passing of the Peace:……………………………Pastor Steven
Let us offer signs of reconciliation and peace to one another.
Gloria Patri:………“Glory Be to the Father” #71 UMH
Words: Lesser Doxology, 3rd-4th century
Music: Henry W. Greatorex, 1851
Glory be to the Father
and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen. Amen.
Announcements:………………………………………….Lorri B.
Giving of our tithes and offerings …………………
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Offertory:…….“The Day of Resurrection”……..Handbell Choir
Music: Henry Smart Arr. Frances L. Callahan
Offertory Response:…..“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” (The Doxology) #95 UMH
Words by Thomas Ken, 1674
Music attributed to Louis Bourgeois, 1551
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer After Receiving:………………………….Pastor Steven
Prayers of the People:………………….……….Pastor Steven
Anthem:……….“Hymns of Early America”……..Handbell Choir
Arr. Judy Hunnicutt
Gospel Lesson:…………….John 10:11-18………Ian D.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 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.
The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 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. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 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.”
Hymn of Preparation:..“Gentle Shepherd” #3096 W&S
Words: Gloria Gaither Music: William J. Gaither © 1974
William J. Gaither, Inc.
Gentle Shepherd, come and lead us, for we need you to
help us find our way. Gentle Shepherd, come and feed
us, for we need your strength from day to day. There’s
no other we can turn to who can help us face another
day; gentle Shepherd, come and lead us, for we
need you to help us find our way.
Sermon:….“Following the Good Shepherd”……Pastor Steven
Closing Hymn:..“Day of Arising” #3086 W&S
Words: Susan Palo Cherwien Music: Gaelic melody
Words: © 1996 Susan Palo Cherwien
1. Day of arising, Christ on the roadway,
unknown companion walks with his own.
Whey they invite him, as fades the first day,
and bread is broken, Christ is made known.
2. When we are walking, doubtful and dreading,
blinded by sadness, slowness of heart,
yet Christ walks with us ever awaiting
our invitation: Stay, do not part.
3. “Lo, I am with you,” Jesus has spoken.
This is Christ’s promise, this is Christ’s sign:
when the church gathers, when bread is broken,
there Christ is with us in bread and wine.
4. Christ our companion, hope for the journey,
Bread of compassion, open our eyes.
Grant us your vision, set all hearts burning
That all creation with you may rise.
Dismissal with Blessing:……………………Pastor Steven
Postlude:……………………………………………………..Greg D.
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Sunday April 21st Worship Service