Survival of the Fittest Versus Good Shepherding

4 Easter A   April 30, 2023
Acts 6:1-9, 7:2a 51-60 Ps. 23

1 Peter 2:19-25 John 10:1-10

Lectionary Link

Sometimes in our world today, we extol freedom as a virtue, but what we actually do in practice is to allow the strong, the wealthy, and the intelligent to have the freedom to dominant and exploit those who are weak, poor, and ignorant.

We say the market is free but it is really dominated and controlled by the people with the most wealth.  How free is that for the poor?

We say that all are created equal but we often standby and let nature prove the prowess of the strong over the weak.  We can believe in theoretical equality but not in equal justice.  Equal justice means a wise tailoring of rights to the capacities of each member in society.

We promote universal education and knowledge even while we let the more learned exploit the ignorance of those who don't have the education or the capacity for advanced reasoning.

We may agree with Darwinian theory that in non-human Nature, the fittest survive mainly by exploiting the weak for their own well-being and longevity.  We may presume with human culture and civilization that we have risen above the predator-prey relationships and the dog eat dog world but we often disguise these same tendency under acceptable practices of class superiority.  We can practice the virtues as only transactional, meaning we are selectively kind when we can get an equal or better return on our kindness.  We can't make a sale unless we've learned to practice art of making friends and influencing people.  So, we in fact make virtues selfish behaviors to get better outcomes for ourselves.

The community of the Gospel of John needed to survive.  They were a minority community living within the cities of the Roman Empire.  The Gospel was written in part to provide insights for surviving behaviors for a minority community.

What survival message did the community of the Gospel of John need?

They needed the message about a good shepherd?  Why?  Because they needed to stay together.

The Roman authorities seemed to be those who were fittest to survive and thrive within the Roman Empire.  How could these small Christ-communities survive with such inequity in power relationship?

They needed unifying leadership to stay together and to help each other.  Therefore Jesus is put before the community as the model of what good leadership means.  He is the model for the right relationship to power, wealth, and knowledge.

What is good shepherding?

It is non-exploitive, it is protective of the vulnerable, it is teaching, and it is sacrificial.

Members of the Gospel of John community could not be those with leaders who were competing with each other for followers.  This meant that leadership had to have a calling for the well-being the community and not for their own position, wealth or influence.  Those who were new to the faith community could not be made pawns in power struggles among leaders.  The motive of a good shepherd is for the benefit of the flock and not for self-promotion.

A good shepherd is one who has the wisdom and the desire to protect the vulnerable.  The Christ-communities in the Roman Empire were already under threat.  Their very existence could be seen as a challenge to the existing religions of the Empire, especially the cult of the Emperor.  For those who were finding new spiritual awakening within the Christ-communities there was a need for protection and nurture and for teaching.

A good shepherd is also a teacher, or one who freely gives one's mature wisdom to those who are growing in their faith.  A good shepherd needs to be one who is good in the art of living, and one who shares that art of good living to disciples, pupils and learners.  A good shepherd is an exemplary teacher, one who can say both, "do as I say, and do as I do."

Finally, a good shepherd is sacrificial.  In the survival of the fittest theory, the weak are sacrificed to the strong.  In good shepherd practice, it is the strong who are so strong that they use their power on behalf of others.  The ancient shepherd was also a living door or gate to the sheepfold.  The shepherd slept in the door way to the fold so that any predator  had to go through the shepherd to get to the sheep.  A good shepherd practices the greater love, which lays down one's life for one's friend.  Laying down one's selfish ego life is a requirement in good shepherding.

Today, more than ever, we need good shepherding in this world which reduces virtues to transactional behaviors for class privilege.  "I'll scratch your back, if you scratch mine."  We need good shepherding in the free market world where a very few wealthy people can control a disproportionate amount of the world's resources to  the lack of a vast majority.  Good shepherd understand stewardship being beneficial to all and to our environments as well.  And in a world which claims endless knowledge and information, we need wise shepherds who can teach the art of good and kind living.  Having lots of knowledge and information does not mean that we have learn to live well.  Shepherding wisdom is about using wisdom for the good care of the people of this world and the places where we live.

We in the church have a great mission to exemplify and teach the essence of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ in our world today.  Amen.

Sunday School, April 30, 2023 4 Easter A

 Sunday School, April 30, 2023   4 Easter A

Themes:

Discuss the role of shepherd as it is presented in the Bible

The most famous chapter in the Bible is Psalm 23.  It begins, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”

This poem was believed to be written by the famous King of Israel, King David.  Before David was a king, he was the youngest boy in the family and his family job was being a shepherd.  He would take the flock of sheep out into the wilderness and on the hills.  He would look for places that had grass to eat.  He would take the sheep to rivers, brooks and streams so they could drink water.  He would protect them from being attacked by wild animals.  If they got hurt or cut, he would tend to their wounds.

David knew that he was a good shepherd.  And he believed that God was like a good shepherd because he believed that God loved him and cared for him.

David became the model king for what we call “Messiah.”  Messiah means that to “anoint” with oil.  Anointing with oil was the ritual that was used to make a person a king in ancient Israel.  In the Greek language, messiah is translated as “Christos” or in English Christ.

Christians believe that Jesus is a God Chosen Messiah.  Jesus was a Good Shepherd because of his care for people in need.

A shepherd is someone who takes care of people in need.

Sheep represent people who have needs.

Some people who are not good shepherd do not care for people in need.  They run away from taking care of people in need.

We all are sheep at times because we need help from others.  But when we have ability, wealth and knowledge to help others, we need to be good shepherds too.  We need to help others, because that is what we want when we have needs.

Sermon

Today we have read about the Good Shepherd and we have learn that Jesus is like a Good Shepherd.

  A Good Shepherd takes good care of his sheep.  How does he do that?  He finds them a pasture with grass to eat.  He finds them water to drink.  He keeps them safe from wolves and coyotes.  He takes care of them when they are injured or sick?  Why?  Because the sheep need care.

  Do you know that we are both like shepherd and sheep?  A shepherd is one who gives care to someone who needs it.  A sheep is someone who needs care.

  I’m going to play a quiz game with you?  You tell me who is the shepherd and who is the sheep.

  When a person is really, really sick, she goes to the doctor and the doctor helps by giving her some medicine.  Who is the shepherd and who is the sheep.

  A father and mother go to work and they provide money for their children to have food and clothing.  Who is the shepherd and who is the sheep?

  A boy has a dog and the boy feeds the dog every day and brushes the dog furry coat.  Who is the shepherd and who is the sheep?

  An older sister is with her baby brother, and mom leaves the room.  And the baby brother drops his bottle and starts to cry.  So the older sister picks up the bottle and gives it to her little baby brother.  Who is the shepherd and who is the sheep?

  So any of us can be a shepherd or a sheep.  Why?  Because sometimes we need things and sometimes we need care.

  But most of the time we have the ability to provide care for someone else.  So when someone needs care, we need to be like a good shepherd.

  Jesus is the good shepherd because he cared for people who needed his care.

  So, we too need to be good shepherds too.  Why?  Because people need us, and we need people too.

  Just as you and I often need help and care for ourselves.  We should learn to give care to others when we can.

  Jesus as the good shepherd has taught to care for people in need. 

How many of you are going to try to be good shepherds this week?  I know that you can be a big help to your family and friends and to other people who need your care

Intergenerational Family Service with Holy Eucharist

April 30, 2023: The Fourth Sunday of Easter 

Gathering Songs: The Lord is Present, What Wondrous Love, Soon and Very Soon

Liturgist: Alleluia, Christ is Risen.

People: The Lord is Risen Indeed.  Alleluia.

Liturgist:  Oh God, Our hearts are open to you.

And you know us and we can hide nothing from you.

Prepare our hearts and our minds to love you and worship you.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Song: The Lord is Present (Renew! # 55)

1-The Lord is present in his sanctuary, let us praise the Lord.  The Lord is present in his people gathered here, let us praise the Lord.  Praise him, praise him, let us praise the Lord!  Praise him, praise him, let us praise Jesus!

4-The Lord is present in his sanctuary, let us love the Lord.  The Lord is present in his people gathered here, let us love the Lord.  Love him, love him, let us love the Lord!  Love him, love him, let us love Jesus!

Liturgist:         The Lord be with you.

People:            And also with you.

Liturgist:  Let us pray

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Litany of Praise: Chant: Alleluia

O God, you are Great!  Alleluia

O God, you have made us! Alleluia

O God, you have made yourself known to us!  Alleluia

O God, you have provided us with us a Savior!  Alleluia

O God, you have given us a Christian family!  Alleluia

O God, you have forgiven our sins!  Alleluia

O God, you brought your Son Jesus back from the dead!  Alleluia

A reading from the First Letter of Peter

For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

Liturgist: The Word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God

Liturgist: Let us read together from Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; * I shall not be in want

Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, * 

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Litany Phrase: Thanks be to God! (chanted)

Litanist:

For the good earth, for our food and clothing. Thanks be to God!

For our families and friends. Thanks be to God!

For the talents and gifts that you have given to us. Thanks be to God!

For this day of worship. Thanks be to God!

For health and for a good night’s sleep. Thanks be to God!

For work and for play. Thanks be to God!

For teaching and for learning. Thanks be to God!

For the happy events of our lives. Thanks be to God!

For the celebration of the birthdays and anniversaries of our friends and parish family.

   Thanks be to God!

Liturgist:         The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John

People:            Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus said, "Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheep yard 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." 

Liturgist:         The Gospel of the Lord.

People:            Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon – Father Phil 

Children’s Creed

We did not make ourselves, so we believe that God the Father is the maker of the world.

Since God is so great and we are so small,

We believe God came into our world and was born as Jesus, son of the Virgin Mary.

We need God’s help and we believe that God saved us by the life, death and 

     resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We believe that God is present with us now as the Holy Spirit.

We believe that we are baptized into God’s family the Church where everyone is 

     welcome.

We believe that Christ is kind and fair.

We believe that we have a future in knowing Jesus Christ.

And since we all must die, we believe that God will preserve us forever.  Amen.

Litany Phrase: Christ, have mercy. 

For fighting and war to cease in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For peace on earth and good will towards all. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety of all who travel. Christ, have mercy.

For jobs for all who need them. Christ, have mercy.

For care of those who are growing old. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety, health and nutrition of all the children in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For the well-being of our families and friends. Christ, have mercy.

For the good health of those we know to be ill. Christ, have mercy.

For the remembrance of those who have died. Christ, have mercy.

For the forgiveness of all of our sins. Christ, have mercy.

Youth Liturgist:          The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

People:                        And also with you.

Song during the preparation of the Altar and the receiving of an offering

Offertory Song:  All Things Bright and Beautiful,     (# 405, blue hymnal)

1-All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all. 

2-Each little flower that opens,Each little bird that sings,He made their glowing colors,

He made their tiny wings.

Doxology

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. 

Prologue to the Eucharist

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, for to them belong the kingdom of heaven.”

All become members of a family by birth or adoption.

Baptism is a celebration of our birth into the family of God.

A family meal gathers and sustains each human family.

The Holy Eucharist is the special meal that Jesus gave to his friends to keep us together as the family of Christ. 

The Lord be with you

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to God.

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

It is very good and right to give thanks, because God made us, Jesus redeemed us and the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts.  Therefore with Angels and Archangels and all of the world that we see and don’t see, we forever sing this hymn of praise:

Holy, Holy, Holy (Intoned)

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Power and Might.  Heav’n and earth are full of your glory. 

Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  

Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the Highest.

(Children may gather around the altar)

The Celebrant now praises God for the salvation of the world through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Our grateful praise we offer to you God, our Creator;

You have made us in your image

And you gave us many men and women of faith to help us to live by faith:

Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachael.

And then you gave us your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, nurtured by Joseph

And he called us to be sons and daughters of God.

Your Son called us to live better lives and he gave us this Holy Meal so that when we eat 

  the bread and drink the wine, we can  know that the Presence of Christ is as near to us as   

  this food and drink  that becomes a part of us.

And so, Father, we bring you these gifts of bread and wine. Bless and sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Bless and sanctify us by your Holy Spirit so that we may love God and our neighbor.

On the night when Jesus was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, "Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Father, we now celebrate the memorial of your Son. When we eat this holy Meal of Bread and Wine, we are telling the entire world about the life, death and resurrection of Christ and that his presence will be with us in our future.

Let this holy meal keep us together as friends who share a special relationship because of your Son Jesus Christ.  May we forever live with praise to God to whom we belong as sons and daughters.

By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory

 is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now sing, 

(Children rejoin their parents and take up their instruments)

Our Father: (Renew # 180, West Indian Lord’s Prayer)

Our Father who art in heaven:  Hallowed be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done: Hallowed be thy name.

Done on earth as it is in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.

Give us this day our daily bread: Hallowed be thy name.

And forgive us all our debts: Hallowed be thy name.

As we forgive our debtors: Hallowed be thy name.

Lead us not into temptation: Hallowed be thy name.

But deliver us from evil: Hallowed be thy name.

Thine is the kingdom, power, and glory: Hallowed be thy name.

Forever and ever: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Breaking of the Bread

Celebrant:       Alleluia.  Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

People:            Therefore let us keep the feast.  Alleluia!

Words of Administration

Communion: He Leadeth Me, 

                               

Post-Communion Prayer

Everlasting God, we have gathered for the meal that Jesus asked us to keep;

We have remembered his words of blessing on the bread and the wine.

And His Presence has been known to us.

We have remembered that we are sons and daughters of God and brothers

    and sisters in Christ.

Send us forth now into our everyday lives remembering that the blessing in the

     bread and wine spreads into each time, place and person in our lives,

As we are ever blessed by you, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Closing Song: Soon and Very Soon  (Renew!, # 276).

Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King.  Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King.  Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King.  Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!  We are going to see the King.

2.  No more dying there, we are going to see the King.  No more dying there, we are going to see the King.  No more dying there, we are going to see the King.  Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!  We are going to see the King.

Dismissal:    

Liturgist: Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Let us go forth in the Name of Christ. 

People: Thanks be to God!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!

Being Rightly Related to Power, Knowledge and Wealth

4 Easter A        May 3, 2020
Acts 6:1-9, 7:2a 51-60   Ps. 23  
1 Peter 2:19-25    John 10:1-10                

Lectionary Link

In many ways, life is about our relationship to and with power, knowledge and wealth.  It is a desirable goal to have a right relationship with power, knowledge and wealth.  In our lives, we need good modeling to show us how to have the right relationship with power, knowledge and wealth.

We can come into our relationship with power, knowledge and wealth in at least three ways.  First, in being so dependent that we need all three of these expressed to us in care.  Second, by being presented with a negative relationship with power, knowledge and wealth to expose the wrong use of these human life expression, a kind of aversion therapy.   But finally, we need to experience the best possible modeling of how to express the power, knowledge and wealth of our lives.

I am not sure why we have it in the lectionary, but Good Shepherd Sunday occurs each year in the season of Easter.  It could be that it sometimes coincides with Mother's Day, and who is a better example of good shepherding than a good mother?  But this year, it does not coincide with Mother's Day.

It would be true to say that the desirable expression of the Risen Life of Christ is to live the life of a good shepherd.

The Good Shepherd discourse from John's Gospel models three facets of our relationship with power, knowledge and wealth.

The first being, "sheephood."  Yes, everyone is at times in the role of a sheep.  Why?  Because vulnerability and needing the ministry of power, knowledge and wealth on our behalf is often our life situation.  We can be the most powerful, knowledgable, and wealthy person in the world but still be in need.  Of a good meal, of surgery, of mechanical repairs on our car, a hair cut.  It is being in need of others which creates the balancing of reciprocity that is needed for all societies to function well.  As dependent sheep, we are often on the receiving end of need.  And when we are, we hope that power, knowledge and wealth will be exercise toward us for our care.  And because we all know the experience of human need, this should train us in empathy for others or we may so detest being in need that we may deny that we need help and we may fail to learn the lessons of empathy when we are in need.

Failure to learn empathy in our time of need, can lead to the abuse of power, knowledge and wealth.  In the Good Shepherd discourse, the words of Jesus refers to those who abuse power, knowledge and wealth as thieves and bandits.  Power, knowledge and wealth can be used to exploit the weak, the ignorant and naive and the poor.  People who do not learn empathy and honesty about their own need of other people, can become exploiters.  They are the leaders who are "bad shepherds" who exploit every situation for their own selfish ends.  And in the words of Jesus, he is saying, "Don't be bad shepherds.  Don't abuse your gifts of power, knowledge and wealth; put them at the service of people who are in need."

And that brings us to the metaphor for the proper use of power, knowledge and wealth.  It is the metaphor of the Good Shepherd.  Jesus is the metaphor for the Good Shepherd.  Who is more powerful, wealthier and more intelligent than God and his Son?  How do the Divine Persons of the Trinity use power, knowledge and wealth?  They use them as gifts to us.  And when these gifts are given to us, we in turn need to follow the example of the Good Shepherd in ministering to those who are needy sheep.

May God give us the grace of learning empathy from all of the times that we know personal need.  And may the power of the Risen Christ and the Holy Spirit help us to use our empathy to be good shepherds and minister to those in need.

In this way, you and I can be rightly related to the gifts of power, knowledge and wealth in our lives.  May God, raise us up from the empathy gained in our times of need, to be good shepherds to the people who need our help and care today.  Amen.

Sunday School, May 3, 2020 4 Easter A

Sunday School, May 3, 2020   4 Easter A

Themes:

Discuss the role of shepherd as it is presented in the Bible

The most famous chapter in the Bible is Psalm 23.  It begins, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”

This poem was believed to be written by the famous King of Israel, King David.  Before David was a king, he was the youngest boy in the family and his family job was being a shepherd.  He would take the flock of sheep out into the wilderness and on the hills.  He would look for places that had grass to eat.  He would take the sheep to rivers, brooks and streams so they could drink water.  He would protect them from being attacked by wild animals.  If they got hurt or cut, he would tend to their wounds.

David knew that he was a good shepherd.  And he believed that God was like a good shepherd because he believed that God loved him and cared for him.

David became the model king for what we call “Messiah.”  Messiah means that to “anoint” with oil.  Anointing with oil was the ritual that was used to make a person a king in ancient Israel.  In the Greek language, messiah is translated as “Christos” or in English Christ.

Christians believe that Jesus is a God Chosen Messiah.  Jesus was a Good Shepherd because of his care for people in need.

A shepherd is someone who takes care of people in need.

Sheep represent people who have needs.

Some people who are not good shepherd do not care for people in need.  They run away from taking care of people in need.

We all are sheep at times because we need help from others.  But when we have ability, wealth and knowledge to help others, we need to be good shepherds too.  We need to help others, because that is what we want when we have needs.

Sermon

Today we have read about the Good Shepherd and we have learn that Jesus is like a Good Shepherd.

  A Good Shepherd takes good care of his sheep.  How does he do that?  He finds them a pasture with grass to eat.  He finds them water to drink.  He keeps them safe from wolves and coyotes.  He takes care of them when they are injured or sick?  Why?  Because the sheep need care.

  Do you know that we are both like shepherd and sheep?  A shepherd is one who gives care to someone who needs it.  A sheep is someone who needs care.

  I’m going to play a quiz game with you?  You tell me who is the shepherd and who is the sheep.

  When a person is really, really sick, she goes to the doctor and the doctor helps by giving her some medicine.  Who is the shepherd and who is the sheep.

  A father and mother go to work and they provide money for their children to have food and clothing.  Who is the shepherd and who is the sheep?

  A boy has a dog and the boy feeds the dog every day and brushes the dog furry coat.  Who is the shepherd and who is the sheep?

  An older sister is with her baby brother, and mom leaves the room.  And the baby brother drops his bottle and starts to cry.  So the older sister picks up the bottle and gives it to her little baby brother.  Who is the shepherd and who is the sheep?

  So any of us can be a shepherd or a sheep.  Why?  Because sometimes we need things and sometimes we need care.

  But most of the time we have the ability to provide care for someone else.  So when someone needs care, we need to be like a good shepherd.

  Jesus is the good shepherd because he cared for people who needed his care.

  So, we too need to be good shepherds too.  Why?  Because people need us, and we need people too.

  Just as you and I often need help and care for ourselves.  We should learn to give care to others when we can.

  Jesus as the good shepherd has taught to care for people in need. 

How many of you are going to try to be good shepherds this week?  I know that you can be a big help to your family and friends and to other people who need your care

Intergenerational Family Service with Holy Eucharist

May 3, 2020: The Fourth Sunday of Easter 

Gathering Songs: The Lord is Present, What Wondrous Love, Soon and Very Soon

Liturgist: Alleluia, Christ is Risen.

People: The Lord is Risen Indeed.  Alleluia.

Liturgist:  Oh God, Our hearts are open to you.

And you know us and we can hide nothing from you.

Prepare our hearts and our minds to love you and worship you.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Song: The Lord is Present (Renew! # 55)

1-The Lord is present in his sanctuary, let us praise the Lord.  The Lord is present in his people gathered here, let us praise the Lord.  Praise him, praise him, let us praise the Lord!  Praise him, praise him, let us praise Jesus!

4-The Lord is present in his sanctuary, let us love the Lord.  The Lord is present in his people gathered here, let us love the Lord.  Love him, love him, let us love the Lord!  Love him, love him, let us love Jesus!

Liturgist:         The Lord be with you.

People:            And also with you.

Liturgist:  Let us pray

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

First Litany of Praise: Chant: Alleluia

O God, you are Great!  Alleluia

O God, you have made us! Alleluia

O God, you have made yourself known to us!  Alleluia

O God, you have provided us with us a Savior!  Alleluia

O God, you have given us a Christian family!  Alleluia

O God, you have forgiven our sins!  Alleluia

O God, you brought your Son Jesus back from the dead!  Alleluia

A reading from the First Letter of Peter

For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

Liturgist: The Word of the Lord

People: Thanks be to God

Liturgist: Let us read together from Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; * I shall not be in want

Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, * 

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Litany Phrase: Thanks be to God! (chanted)

Litanist:

For the good earth, for our food and clothing. Thanks be to God!

For our families and friends. Thanks be to God!

For the talents and gifts that you have given to us. Thanks be to God!

For this day of worship. Thanks be to God!

For health and for a good night’s sleep. Thanks be to God!

For work and for play. Thanks be to God!

For teaching and for learning. Thanks be to God!

For the happy events of our lives. Thanks be to God!

For the celebration of the birthdays and anniversaries of our friends and parish family.

   Thanks be to God!

Liturgist:         The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John

People:            Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus said, "Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheep yard 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." 

Liturgist:         The Gospel of the Lord.

People:            Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon – Father Phil 

Children’s Creed

We did not make ourselves, so we believe that God the Father is the maker of the world.

Since God is so great and we are so small,

We believe God came into our world and was born as Jesus, son of the Virgin Mary.

We need God’s help and we believe that God saved us by the life, death and 

     resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We believe that God is present with us now as the Holy Spirit.

We believe that we are baptized into God’s family the Church where everyone is 

     welcome.

We believe that Christ is kind and fair.

We believe that we have a future in knowing Jesus Christ.

And since we all must die, we believe that God will preserve us forever.  Amen.

Litany Phrase: Christ, have mercy. 

For fighting and war to cease in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For peace on earth and good will towards all. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety of all who travel. Christ, have mercy.

For jobs for all who need them. Christ, have mercy.

For care of those who are growing old. Christ, have mercy.

For the safety, health and nutrition of all the children in our world. Christ, have mercy.

For the well-being of our families and friends. Christ, have mercy.

For the good health of those we know to be ill. Christ, have mercy.

For the remembrance of those who have died. Christ, have mercy.

For the forgiveness of all of our sins. Christ, have mercy.

Youth Liturgist:          The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

People:                        And also with you.

Song during the preparation of the Altar and the receiving of an offering

Offertory Song:  All Things Bright and Beautiful,     (# 405, blue hymnal)

1-All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all. 

2-Each little flower that opens,Each little bird that sings,He made their glowing colors,

He made their tiny wings.

Doxology

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. 

Prologue to the Eucharist

Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, for to them belong the kingdom of heaven.”

All become members of a family by birth or adoption.

Baptism is a celebration of our birth into the family of God.

A family meal gathers and sustains each human family.

The Holy Eucharist is the special meal that Jesus gave to his friends to keep us together as the family of Christ. 

The Lord be with you

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to God.

It is right to give God thanks and praise.

It is very good and right to give thanks, because God made us, Jesus redeemed us and the Holy Spirit dwells in our hearts.  Therefore with Angels and Archangels and all of the world that we see and don’t see, we forever sing this hymn of praise:

Holy, Holy, Holy (Intoned)

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Power and Might.  Heav’n and earth are full of your glory. 

Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  

Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the Highest.

(Children may gather around the altar)

The Celebrant now praises God for the salvation of the world through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Our grateful praise we offer to you God, our Creator;

You have made us in your image

And you gave us many men and women of faith to help us to live by faith:

Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachael.

And then you gave us your Son, Jesus, born of Mary, nurtured by Joseph

And he called us to be sons and daughters of God.

Your Son called us to live better lives and he gave us this Holy Meal so that when we eat 

  the bread and drink the wine, we can  know that the Presence of Christ is as near to us as   

  this food and drink  that becomes a part of us.

And so, Father, we bring you these gifts of bread and wine. Bless and sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Bless and sanctify us by your Holy Spirit so that we may love God and our neighbor.

On the night when Jesus was betrayed he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, "Drink this, all of you. This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Father, we now celebrate the memorial of your Son. When we eat this holy Meal of Bread and Wine, we are telling the entire world about the life, death and resurrection of Christ and that his presence will be with us in our future.

Let this holy meal keep us together as friends who share a special relationship because of your Son Jesus Christ.  May we forever live with praise to God to whom we belong as sons and daughters.

By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory

 is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now sing, 

(Children rejoin their parents and take up their instruments)

Our Father: (Renew # 180, West Indian Lord’s Prayer)

Our Father who art in heaven:  Hallowed be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done: Hallowed be thy name.

Done on earth as it is in heaven: Hallowed be thy name.

Give us this day our daily bread: Hallowed be thy name.

And forgive us all our debts: Hallowed be thy name.

As we forgive our debtors: Hallowed be thy name.

Lead us not into temptation: Hallowed be thy name.

But deliver us from evil: Hallowed be thy name.

Thine is the kingdom, power, and glory: Hallowed be thy name.

Forever and ever: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Amen, amen, amen, amen: Hallowed be thy name.

Breaking of the Bread

Celebrant:       Alleluia.  Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.

People:            Therefore let us keep the feast.  Alleluia!

Words of Administration

Communion: He Leadeth Me, 

                               

Post-Communion Prayer

Everlasting God, we have gathered for the meal that Jesus asked us to keep;

We have remembered his words of blessing on the bread and the wine.

And His Presence has been known to us.

We have remembered that we are sons and daughters of God and brothers

    and sisters in Christ.

Send us forth now into our everyday lives remembering that the blessing in the

     bread and wine spreads into each time, place and person in our lives,

As we are ever blessed by you, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Closing Song: Soon and Very Soon  (Renew!, # 276).

Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King.  Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King.  Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King.  Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!  We are going to see the King.

2.  No more dying there, we are going to see the King.  No more dying there, we are going to see the King.  No more dying there, we are going to see the King.  Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!  We are going to see the King.

Dismissal:    

Liturgist: Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Let us go forth in the Name of Christ. 

People: Thanks be to God!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!