Easter 4: Shepherd: A Verb

Sunday, April 30, 2023
10:30 AM 11:30 AM 10:30 11:30

Union Presbyterian Church 200 E Main St Endicott, NY, 13760 United States (map)

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We meet Jesus as he is describing his ministry as one of shepherding his people. What does it meant o call Jesus the Good Shepherd?

Join us as we continue in our celebration of the Easter season. We would love to see you in our beautiful sanctuary, or to have you join us right here online. You are invited!

Easter 4: “Shepherd: A Verb” 

Psalm 23; John 10:1-10

April 30, 2023   

Union Presbyterian Church   

Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow   

Liturgist: Karl Wokan Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube    

  Announcements Karl Wokan 

Prelude Colin DeLap

 “All Creatures of Our God and King,” William Henry Draper

Used by permission, CCLI License #CSPL068847

Welcome Rev. Pat Raube 

*Call to Worship    Karl Wokan 

Creator of the world, eternal God:

You are our Shepherd.

Compassionate Christ, persistent lover:

You are our Seeker.

Spirit of God, Holy Breath:

You are our Guide.

Blessed Trinity of love:

We come to worship

* Hymn #307 W & R “Good Christians All, Rejoice”, Cyril Alington

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.       

Good Christians all, rejoice and sing!
Now is the triumph of our King!
To all the world glad news we bring:
"Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!"

The Lord of life is risen today;
Death's mighty stone is rolled away:
Let every tongue rejoice and say:
"Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!"

We praise in songs of victory
That love, that life, which cannot die,
And sing with hearts uplifted high:
"Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!"

Your name we bless, O risen Lord,
And sing today with one accord
The life laid down, the life restored:
"Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!"

* Call to New Life   

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace (unison)   

God our Good Shepherd, you know that we can lose our way. We are prone to wander, prone to stray. But you, loving protector, seek us out, in all the highways and byways where we land, wondering how on earth we got there. Seek us God, and find us. Find us, God, and heal us.

~A pause for silent prayer~

From your goodness, O Lord, we have already received, grace upon grace. Lift us up, loving God, and by the power of your Holy Spirit, set us on your path, whole and well, and ready to follow our son Jesus, our Teacher and Redeemer. Amen.

* Words of Assurance   

With the whole church: 

We affirm that we are made in God’s image,  

befriended by Christ, and empowered by the Spirit. 

With people everywhere: 

We affirm God’s goodness at the heart of humanity,  

planted more deeply than all that is wrong.  

With all creation: 

We celebrate the miracle and wonder of life and the unfolding purposes of God, forever at work in ourselves and the world. Thanks be to God. Amen! 

*Sharing of the Peace  

Peace is flowing like a river, flowing out to you and me.

Flowing out into the desert, setting all the captives free.

May the peace of God be with you.  

And also with you.  

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.  

Scripture Reading Psalm 23 

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
You make me lie down in green pastures,
and lead me beside still waters; you restore my soul.
You lead me in right paths for your name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will 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 forever.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube  

Music: “In the Garden” (Public Domain)

Scripture Reading John 10:1-10 

“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 

This is the Good News we have received, in which we stand,

and by which we are saved.

Thanks be to God!   

Sermon ”Shepherd: A Verb” Rev. Pat Raube   

* Affirmation of Faith from the Iona Community, Scotland

We believe in God above us, maker and sustainer of all life, of sun and moon, of water and earth, of humanity in all its glorious array.

We believe in God beside us, Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, born of a woman’s womb, servant of the poor. He was tortured and nailed to a tree. A man of sorrows, he died forsaken. He descended into the earth to the place of death. On the third day he rose from the tomb. He ascended into heaven to be everywhere present, and his reign of love, justice, and peace will come on earth.

We believe in God within us, the Holy Spirit of Pentecostal fire, life-giving breath of the church, Spirit of healing and forgiveness, source of resurrection and life everlasting. Amen.

Anthem “Shepherd Me, O God,” Marty Haugen, Mark Hayes Choir

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.        