Fourth Sunday of Easter
May 8, 2022
Prayer of the Day
O God of peace, you brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep. By the blood of your eternal covenant, make us complete in everything good that we may do your will, and work among us all that is well-pleasing in your sight, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Scripture
Acts 9:36-43
Psalm 23
Revelation 7:9-17
John 10:22-30
Sermon
“By Hook or by Crook”
John 10:22-30; Psalm 23
Even after Easter, death continues to prowl around the edges of the flock. We hear today of the death of an early disciple, Tabitha. But Peter, so timid earlier, prays boldly to the God of life and then commands her lifeless body to get up. And up she gets. Peter and Tabitha live in the sturdy, steady presence of the Good Shepherd. Jesus has already passed from death to life. In him, we have nothing to fear. We walk through death’s dark valley; we meet evil and enemies; we are tempted in many directions. But we do not fear. The Shepherd is faithful, and his Father’s hold on us is sure. Whatever we walk through, we look forward to the day when we will be brought into the unending green pastures of our God and join the final feast around the throne of the Lamb.
Hymns
The Day of Resurrection
You, Lord, Are Both Lamb and Shepherd, ACS 954
The King of Love My Shepherd Is, LBW 456
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today, LBW 128
In our prayers we remember Norwood Senior Care (Bethesda Rehab & Senior Care).