This is part of the worship Series
Our Living Guarantee
Series Introduction
Easter Sunday | Easter 2 | Easter 3
Easter 4 | Easter 5 | Easter 6
EASTER 4
Living the Guarantee of Everlasting Nurture
Acts 9:32-43; Revelation 7:9-17
Gathering Sentences
Alleluia! The Lord is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
The LORD is my shepherd. I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows. You find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.
Even when the way goes through a valley dark as death, I'm not afraid when you walk by my side. Your trusty shepherd's crook makes me feel secure.
You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing.
Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life.
I'm back home in the house of my LORD forever.
May all the best from God and Christ be yours.
Grace be with you.
—adapted from Psalm 23, Psalms by Eugene H. Peterson
Prayer of Confession
Note: The prayer of confession is based on Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 45; part of the prayer (in italics) will change each week to reflect the Scripture theme.
Almighty God, who raised up your Son, Jesus, overcoming death that we might also share in his righteousness, we confess that we have not lived as people already raised to new life. We have forgotten the guarantee of our own glorious resurrection. We too easily forget that you are always caring for us, and so, in our fear, we too often put our own interests over the good of all.
Merciful God, forgive our sins and make us bolder disciples. Help us to be courageous and daring, rather than compromising and shallow. Help us to live as people anticipating life and victory, rather than shrinking from death and despair. Resurrect us to your new life once again, dear God, in the name of Jesus Christ, living by your side and in our hearts. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
Note: The Assurance of Pardon remains the same throughout the Easter season.
Who is in a position to condemn?
Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us,
Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us.
Anyone in Christ is a new creation: the past is gone; the new has come.
Friends, believe the good news of the gospel.
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
—Based on Romans 8:34 Phillips & 2 Corinthians 5:17
Hymn Suggestions
"Because You Live, O Christ" Murray
"Come, Christians, Join to Sing" Bateman
"Blessing and Honor and Glory and Power" Bonar
"O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing" Wesley
"What Wondrous Love Is This" Unknown
"My Shepherd Will Supply My Need" Watts
"Precious Lord, Take My Hand" Dorsey
Ways to Involve Children and Youth
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Sermon Starter
The fourth Sunday of Easter, with Psalm 23 and the "I am the good shepherd" passage from John, is always the "shepherd Sunday" in the Revised Common Lectionary. The shift to the Acts and Revelation readings moves us away from the explicitly pastoral imagery, while reinforcing the guarantee that God always cares for us with the promise in Revelation that "God will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes."
From the Acts story, we recognize that Jesus and his resurrection power are still with us, alive in the Christian community. Imagine how Aeneas—or maybe even Tabitha—would relate the events in Lydda and Joppa. (What would it be like to wake up from the dead, looking at Peter, who might have been just a little surprised that he was able to perform such a miracle?) Everyone knows about going through great tribulations such as illness, grief, and unemployment, but the point is that we get through them. That is the guarantee of our own glorious resurrection at work. Knowing that God will get us safely through whatever may come frees us to see one another through. We are Christ to one another just as Peter was Christ to Aeneas and Tabitha.
Suggested Anthems
"God of Great and God of Small" by Natalie Sleeth (Carl Fischer CM7808), unison
"To the Glory of Our King" by Robert Leaf (CGA 173), unison
"The God of Love My Shepherd Is" by Roy Hopp (Selah 418-617), SATB
Revised Common Lectionary
Year C: Easter—Fourth Sunday of Easter
