Fourth Sunday of Easter
Christ Lutheran Church
Deepening people’s connections to Christ
Bringing meaning to daily life
Making a difference in our community
Welcome to Worship!
ll are welcome, and we are glad you are with us as we pray and worship together, growing in faith as followers of Christ.
Today’s Worship Theme: Jesus knows us, and we know Jesus!
Masks are optional in the sanctuary since COVID levels have decreased in the community.
We thank you for silencing your cell phones.
We extend a special welcome to guests worshipping with us today! Please sign the visitor log in the narthex or sign in on the Zoom chat. We hope you’ll feel welcomed and spiritually nourished. If you’d like to speak to the pastor about the congregation, please let her know directly or call the church office at 314-962-6011.
We welcome young children to worship. Children’s bulletins and bags with children’s materials are available in the narthex.
We will celebrate communion together. Those on Zoom are invited to gather the bread and wine and join us for worship. All are welcome at God’s table!
This bulletin will be your guide in Worship. In our spoken readings and prayers, the congregation speaks the items in bold.
Assistive Listening Devices are available at the rear of the sanctuary. Please see an usher for instructions.
We are here to help you! To be added to our e-mail list, to have a hymnal delivered to your home, to get a printed bulletin mailed to you, or to assist you in any other way, please let us know.
Sunday, April 21, 10:30am
Click to join Zoom Worship or
Call in from any phone 312-626-6799 Meeting ID: 824 1134 3991 Password: 63119
GATHERING
PRELUDE Prelude in E Flat Major – Camille Saint-Saens
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
SILENT MEDITATION Let us prepare for worship by quieting our hearts and minds.
Please rise in body or spirit.
GREETING The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
Every week, we start out by remembering that we are God’s children. Sometimes, we take time to ask for God’s forgiveness and help because we all make mistakes! On other Sundays, we remember our baptisms, and we celebrate God’s love and the gift of life.
Blessed be the Holy Trinity, ☩ one God, the fountain of living water, the rock who gave us birth, our light, and our salvation. Amen.
Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, we are clothed with God’s mercy and forgiveness. Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.
Water is poured into the font.
We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters, and by your Word you created the world, calling forth life in which you took delight. Through the waters of the flood, you delivered Noah and his family. Through the sea, you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom. At the river, your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit. By water and your Word, you claim us as daughters and sons, making us heirs of your promise and servants of all. We praise you for the gift of water that sustains life, and above all we praise you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ. Shower us with your Spirit, and renew our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love. To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
GATHERING HYMN 782 My Shepherd, You Supply My Need
We sing in Worship because it is a way to come together and pray to God as a family. And then, we offer one another peace, promising to love, forgive, and care for one another.
SIGN OF PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you all! And also with you! Let us offer to one another a sign of God’s peace.
HYMN OF PRAISE
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray. God our shepherd, we are your people, the sheep you have gathered. Lead us beside still waters, teach us the way of your love, and feed us at your table, through Jesus, the risen one. Amen!
Please be seated.
WORD
We Lutherans call the Bible the “Living Word.” It was written a long time ago by people who were inspired by God to share about their faith. It is “living” because even today, reading the Bible helps us learn about God, and it teaches us how to bring God’s love and mercy to the world. Every week, we read from the Bible together at Worship. We call this part of the service “The Word” because we read the word of God!
Reader: Jesse Wood
FIRST LESSON Acts 4:5-12
The first lesson is from the Book of Acts, the fourth chapter.
5The next day the rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, 6with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, 10let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. 11This Jesus is ‘the stone that was rejected by you, the builders; it has become the cornerstone.’ 12There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
PSALM 23
1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.
2The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.
3You restore my soul, O Lord, and guide me along right pathways for your name’s sake.
4Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil, and my cup is running over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
SECOND LESSON 1 John 3:16-24
The second lesson is from the first book of John, the third chapter.
16We know love by this, that Jesus Christ laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. 17How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? 18Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. 19And by this, we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him 20whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; 22and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. 23And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. 24All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Please rise in body or spirit.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Reader: Reverend Roy Christell
GOSPEL John 10:11-18
A reading of the Gospel according to John, the 10th chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus said,11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The 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. 13The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I 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. 17For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18No 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.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Please be seated.
CHILDREN’S SERMON Reverend Roy Christell
SERMON Reverend Roy Christell
Please rise in body or spirit.
HYMN OF THE DAY 608 Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling
APOSTLES’ CREED
Each week, we say a creed – a statement of what we believe as Christians. We say it every week because we are all still learning about our faith, and it helps to practice it together. We use different words sometimes, but we always say that we believe that God created all things, that God came in Jesus to show us how much he loves us, and that the Holy Spirit brings life, courage, and hope.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Please be seated.
PRAYER REQUESTS
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
The Prayers of Intercession are when we pray together as God’s family. “Intercession” means we are praying for each other and for the world, not only for ourselves.
Please rise in body or spirit.
Prayer Leader: Katie Ciorba
Rejoicing that Jesus is risen and love has triumphed over fear, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need of good news.
A brief silence.
Shepherding God, gather your church here at Christ Lutheran and around the world whenever we wander from you and one another. Empower our church in ministries around the world to worship and serve alongside global companions as equal partners and coworkers in the gospel. God of grace, receive our prayer.
Nurturing God, preserve the health of biomes and ecosystems. Inspire scientists, researchers, conservation organizations, and all people entrusted with the task of caring for creation, so that we may be better stewards of the world around us. God of grace, receive our prayer.
Almighty God, lead nations and communities to share resources, cooperate in solving conflicts, and listen to the wisdom of Indigenous peoples. Help all those with power to share it and to use such power for good. God of grace, receive our prayer.
Gracious God, help this and all communities of faith to listen for your voice. Call us away from things that distract us from following you. Invite us to more deeply love and serve people who are lonely, isolated, and on the margins. God of grace, receive our prayer.
Presider
Loving God, protect the very young and the very old, those living without housing, victims of domestic abuse, and all who live with chronic illness or compromised immune systems. Guide communities to actively care for vulnerable people. We pray especially for those named in Remembering One Another in Prayer, and those named by we who gather this morning . . . God of grace, receive our prayer.
Living God, we give thanks for our ancestors in faith. Strengthen us to share the good news in our own day. God of grace, receive our prayer.
Into your hands, most merciful God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your abiding love; through Jesus Christ, our resurrected and living Lord. Amen.
Please be seated.
OFFERING
We are called to be stewards of all of God’s abundance, so that the community in which we are planted may thrive. We are also called to financially embody care for our community inside and outside our sanctuary. Please support our ministries as you are able. To support the ministry financially, you can give electronically on our website, or send a check to the office. If you give electronically, place the “I give electronically” slip from your pew in the basket if you wish.
OFFERTORY The King of Love, My Shepherd Is – arr. Mark Schweizer. Performed by Christ Lutheran Choir.
Please rise in body or spirit.
OFFERTORY HYMN 465 As the Grains of Wheat, v. 2
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Let us pray. Gracious God, we give you thanks that you have shown us the meaning of love through your son, Jesus, who gave his life for the good of the world. Help us to give our lives for one another, that all creation will know your promises. In the name of Jesus, the risen one. Amen.
MEAL
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
When Jesus was here on earth, he had meals with all different people, everywhere he went. Sometimes he even got into trouble because people didn’t like who he ate with! At the Last Supper, Jesus told his disciples they should eat with one another, so they would remember that no matter what, Jesus is right here with us, not just in our imaginations, but in the bread and wine we share together. We have Communion every week so we remember Jesus is with us, and he invites us to care for each other as he did.
It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise, O God, for with you as our shepherd, we need nothing more. At the dawn of time, you spread creation out like a banquet and in love brought forth all life on the earth. Through your prophets you promised a good shepherd, who though rejected, would become the cornerstone of salvation for every creature under heaven. Your promise has been fulfilled in your Son, Jesus of Nazareth, who showed us the fullness of love that lays down even its own life for others. He was crucified, but you raised him from the dead, and through his love we know you. Because he abides in us, and in all who listen to his voice, our cup overflows with goodness and love and our feet find safe paths leading to your house where we will live forever.
And so, with the earth and all of its creatures, with all of your children of all corners of the earth, and with all of the angels and saints, we join your joyful hymn of praise.
SANCTUS 191 Holy, Holy, Holy
THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke the bread, and gave it to his disciples saying: Take and eat, this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying, this cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sins. Do this for the remembrance of me.
PRAYER OF JESUS
We say the Lord’s Prayer together every week because when the disciples wanted to know how to pray, this is how Jesus taught them. We are reminded that God loves us like a parent. We ask God to provide what we need, help us to follow God, and to forgive us when we make mistakes. And we remember that everything belongs to God.
In faith and hope, let us join together in praying the words that Jesus taught us.
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.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen
INVITATION TO THE TABLE
Gathered together, separated by space, but not by time, let us, people of all ages and genders and histories, eat the bread and drink the wine. Christ is risen! Alleluia! All are welcome at God’s table. Come to the table and be nourished with Christ’s love in his body and blood.
For those in the sanctuary, we invite you to come forward and wait at the front pew until it is your household’s turn to receive communion. We will serve communion by intinction, with the servers dipping the bread into the wine for you.
For those on Zoom, we invite you to take time right now to break bread and know that this whole community of faith joins in the meal with you. Peace be upon you this day!
AGNUS DEI Now the Feast and Celebration, v. 1, 2, 5
Please be seated.
COMMUNION HYMNS 780 Shepherd Me, O God
789 Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us
Please rise in body or spirit.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
Each week, we are nourished and fed as we gather in the sanctuary and on Zoom to celebrate communion together. Also each week, members of this community bring the sacred meal to those who are unable to be with us for Worship. Share not only the sacrament we have celebrated but also the love of God and the Christ Lutheran Church family.
Let us pray. Mighty and compassionate God, you have brought us over from death to life through the resurrection of Jesus, your son, and you have fed us with the food of life in the sacrament. Christ is risen! Alleluia! Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you and our neighbors; through Jesus Christ. Amen.
SENDING
BENEDICTION
We come to Worship every week so we can go out and bring God’s love to the world, so we always end Worship with a Benediction–a blessing–to help us do that.
May the goodness and mercy of God follow you all the days of your lives, and at your life’s end, may you dwell in God’s house forever! Amen.
CLOSING HYMN 391 This Joyful Eastertide
CHARGE
Alleluia! Go in peace. Rejoice and be glad. Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE Fugue in E Flat Major – Camille Saint-Saens
WORSHIP LEADERS AND ASSISTANTS
We would like to thank those who helped with worship today:
Usher: Lauren Butz & Bryan Dopuch
Key Person: Lauren Butz (open) & Keith Lissant (close)
Acolyte: Lauren Dopuch
Assisting Minister: Katie Ciorba
Altar Guild: Janet Roock
Lector: Jesse Wood
Counter: Susan DeBusk
Zoom Host: Kersten Horn
Organist: Mark Ruff
Musicians: Christ Choir, Director Diane Drollinger
Preacher & Presider: Rev. Roy Christelle
Acknowledgments: Portions of today’s service are from: All Creation Sings published by Augsburg Fortress, copyright 2020; Lutheran Book of Worship published by Augsburg Publishing, copyright 1978; Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year C, Volume 1, copyright 2012, printed by Westminster John Knox Press, Creative Worship Resources, Creative Communications for the Parish, reprinted by permission, all rights reserved; Now the Feast and Celebration, copyright 1990, printed by G.I.A. Publications; Sundays and Seasons, Year C 2022, copyright 2021; and Evangelical Lutheran Worship, copyright 2006, printed by Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, Minnesota, reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-71-939, all rights reserved.
REMEMBERING ONE ANOTHER IN PRAYER
Please include the following people in your prayer life during this week. To add a name to the Prayer List, inform Pastor Meagan (pastor@christwg.org or 314-962-6012) or our Interim Contract Administrative Assistant, Sarah Bender (admin@christwg.org). Please ensure that the individual agrees to have his or her name printed in the bulletin.
ONGOING CONCERNS: Those who are suffering from chronic pain & diseases, Shelly Madden, Gege Brightman, Christine Austin, Kate and Brian Bates (John Hoffmann’s sister and brother-in-law), Evan Deck, Helga Hayes, John Hoffmann, Bev & Al Marcus (friend of John Hoffmann), Donna Munger, Doris & Harry Rahlfs (Karen Wood’s parents), Shirley Wolf, and Kerry Munger (son of Donna Munger), Brett Edwards (Becca Jordan’s brother), Greg Powers (close friend of Becca Jordan).
IN BLESSED MEMORY: For all of those who have died and all of those who grieve, that they may know the presence of God who grieves with us.
IN MILITARY SERVICE: Josh Duncan, Chris Hudson, Jesse Proctor, Scott Warr.
A congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
WELCOME, GROW, SERVE IN CHRIST
1 Selma Avenue at Lockwood
Webster Groves, Missouri 63119-3199
Telephone: 314-962-6011
E-mail: admin@christwg.org
Website: http://www.christwg.org
Rev. Meagan McLaughlin, Pastor
Pastor’s Contact Information: 314-962-6012 | pastor@christwg.org
Organist – Mark Ruff
Director of Choirs – Diane Drollinger
Interim Contract Administrative Assistant – Sarah Bender
Church Council President – Jessica Gunther
Stephen Leaders – Linda Griffith and Carolyn Crowe
Director of Senior Adult Ministries and Faith Community Nurse – Carolyn Crowe
A designated Webster University Campus Ministry congregation
A Stephen Ministry Congregation
A Reconciling in Christ Congregation
Called to Welcome and Serve 