The Good Shepherd Guides and Guards

The Fourth Sunday of Easter—Good Shepherd Sunday April 26, 2015

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin

and Preschool

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God’s grace… it’s the heart of it all

1515 South 15th Street Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin 53821

Church Office: 608-326-4899 gracepdc@gracepdc.net

www.gracepdc.net

Daniel Naumann, Pastor pastornaumann.gracepdc@gmail.com

Cell Phone: 608-306-1011

Debi Bahlmann, Preschool Director and Teacher bahlmann@centurytel.net Cell Phone: 608-485-2396

and Preschool

God’s grace welcomes you, no matter who you are or where you are from—and so do we. We

believe that Jesus Christ is the true Savior of all people. By his perfect life, innocent death, and

triumphant resurrection he saves all lost sinners even without our help. Jesus Christ makes us

special people, right with God and ready for life! We learn this from the Bible, God’s authentic

message of grace and guidance for us. Whether you are a first time visitor or a returning guest,

we are delighted to share our worship with you. You are always welcome here. If there is

anything we can do to make your visit more comfortable, please let us know. The restrooms

are located down the hall opposite the sanctuary, and there is also a cry room with toys across

from the coat racks. Please worship with us again soon!

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Jesus, Shepherd of the Sheep Christian Worship 436

Please stand.

Good Shepherd Sunday

P: Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make know among the nations what he has

done. C: Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.

(Psalm 105:1) P: Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. C: The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

(John 10:11) P: Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; C: I know my sheep and my sheep know me— P: just as the Father knows me and I know the Father— C: and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

(John 10:14,15) P: The Lord is my shepherd, C: I shall never be in want.

(Psalm 23:1)

P: The grace of our Lord 9 Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy

Spirit be with you. C: And also with you.

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The Lord’s My Shepherd

Christian Worship Supplement 766

P: But as Isaiah prophesied, so we must confess: C: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the

Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

P: And so our Good Shepherd was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before

her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. C: The punishment that brought us peace was upon him. By his wounds we are healed.

(Isaiah 53:7b,5b) P: Then the God of peace, through the blood of the eternal covenant, brought back from

the dead our Lord Jesus. C: He is the great Shepherd of the sheep. P: He will equip us with everything good for doing his will, and he will work in us what is

pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ. C: To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

(Hebrews 13:20)

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Please be seated.

P: Let us pray: 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.

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Acts 20:28-32 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30

Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

1 Peter 5:1-4

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

(John 10:14)

P: 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. Please stand.

John 10:11-18

P: The gospel according to John chapter 10.

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Please be seated.

Christ Be My Leader

Christian Worship 367

John 10:11-18

Following the sermon, please stand for the Creed on the next page.

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also.

They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

P: This is the gospel of the Lord.

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Please be seated.

The members of Grace Lutheran Church have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this community and around the world. Guests need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our ministry. Please stand to sing stanzas 1 and 6 of CW 149, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today,” printed on the following page.

C: I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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 into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

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P: Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd, we have heard the sweet sound of your familiar and loving

voice in the gospel and have feasted in the green pastures of your Holy Word. Bless your Word in our lives. Use its message to nourish and sustain us as we journey through this life to the next.

C: What joy it is to know that you laid down your life for the sheep—even sheep like us. P: Gracious Shepherd, we are truly confused and foolish without you. Forgive us for the times

we wander from you and stray from the call of your voice. Restore us to your fold, and protect us from the evil one. When Satan comes in the sheep’s clothing of false teaching, expose his lies and guide us in your truth.

C: Use your rod and staff to curb our sinful nature and lead us in paths of righteousness. P: Guiding Shepherd, bless your Church with faithful under-shepherds—pastors who proclaim

your death and resurrection as they minister to the souls in their care. C: Give all ministers of the gospel an unwavering devotion to your Word. P: Tender Shepherd, look with special care on all who suffer from loneliness, disease, accident,

or loss. Lift them into your comforting arms, and embrace them with the warmth of your love.

C: Carry them through life’s troubling times. Renew hope and joy in their lives.

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The King of Love My Shepherd Is Christian Worship 375, stanzas 1-3

Please stand.

P: Loving Shepherd, we pray also for your “other sheep.” Let your voice be heard in all the world. Prosper the work of our missionaries at home and abroad. Give us all the zeal and courage to share with our friends and neighbors the good news of sins forgiven.

C: Use our witness to gather the elect into one fold under your care. P: O Holy Spirit, sent by Jesus to guide us into all truth, shower your gifts and graces on all

graduates, especially those of our own congregation—Isaiah Hopp and Darcy Eberhardt. Make them truly grateful to all who have helped them with their education. Enable them to use the lessons they have learned to advance their own welfare, to serve others, and to glorify your name. As they step into an uncertain future, strengthen them through your Word and sacraments, that they may be comforted and reassured by your presence. Teach them to demonstrate true wisdom and understanding by fearing and loving you and by keeping your commandments. We pray in Jesus’ name, our Good Shepherd, who with you and the Father are one Lord, now and forever.

Special prayers.

P: Eternal Shepherd, when our days on earth come to an end and we walk through the valley

of the shadow of death, lead us safely to our eternal home. There we will enjoy your goodness and mercy forever. We join to pray the prayer you taught us:

C: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

Please be seated.

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Please be seated.

The King of Love My Shepherd Is

Christian Worship 375, stanzas 4-6

P: Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the festival of our Lord’s resurrection

may, by your grace, be brought to the fullness of Easter triumph and joy in the glory of heaven; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and 9 give you peace. C: Amen.

The music in this service folder is covered under Onelicense.net, license # A-722539, and CCLI, license # 1222450. All artwork in this folder is a product of Paramentics. © 2015 Ian M. Welch. Used by permission. All Rights Reserved. paramentics.com Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, The New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica Inc. TM

Congratulations—In honor of our two high school graduates there is special fellowship this morning. Please take time to congratulate and talk with Darci and Isaiah as you enjoy some cake! We wish them God’s richest blessings in the next phase of their lives.

Voters Meeting—There will be a congregational voters meeting today after fellowship in place of Bible Class. We hope you can stay as we discuss important ministries of our church.

Spring Clean-up—We have set the date for our Spring clean-up. It will be held Saturday, May 2nd. We will have a cook-out lunch following in the early afternoon. Thanks so much for your help in caring for our campus!

No Wednesday Night Bible Study—There will be no Wednesday night Bible Study this week.

Vacation Bible School—The dates for our VBS have been set for July 6th-10th. If you can help for one day, for all five days, or for anything in between, please speak to Liz Naumann. Thanks!

Accompanist: Jane Schaaf Ushers: Ron Falch and Ron Sutton Greeter: Bonnie Falch Offering Counters: Charlie Zahn and Luther Lind Fellowship Server: Hopps and Eberhardts Altar Care for the month of April: Donna Matti

Cleaners: Classroom side—Matti Fellowship side—Fischer Ushers: Tom Burow and Harold Miller Greeter: Donna Matti Offering Counters: Jim Boldt and Doug & Dawn Zieman Fellowship Server: no one signed up Altar Care for the month of May: Jane Schaaf and Dawn Zieman

Sunday 4/26 9:00 a.m. Worship 10:00 a.m. Fellowship 10:20 a.m. Voters Meeting Monday-Thursday 8:15-11:15 a.m. Preschool Tuesday 4/28 6:30-8:00 p.m. Catechism Class Wednesday 4/15 No Bible Basics Class Saturday 5/2 9:00 a.m. Spring Clean-up Sunday 5/3 9:00 a.m. Ascension Festival Service 10:00 a.m. Fellowship 10:15 a.m. 19 Minute Bible Study