Dear Friends,
 
Peace to you on this fourth Sunday of Easter, as we focus on the Good Shepherd. Below is a video link to our worship service, along with an order of service. We hope it's inspiring and meaningful to you. Thanks to all who contributed.
 
This week, we're experimenting with a shorter "Family Worship Service" as well that runs about 15 minutes. You can find the video link below as well. It includes a few worship songs with Peggy, the Scripture reading with Bob Bobesink, a Time with Young Disciples with Lindley, and a prayer with Scott. Please let us know what you think!
 
In addition to the worship service, again our Confirmation students will meet virtually over Zoom on Sunday with Pastor Erin at 1 pm. Our Tower senior high youth will meet over Zoom at 5 pm with Scott McElhenie. And tomorrow at 9 am Pastor Jeff will again lead an adult faith formation class, focusing on chapter 2 of Ephesians . Here is the   Zoom link  and enter the password required: 1225. You can also call in at 312-626-6799 and then enter Meeting ID (571 764 4007) and password (1225).
 
We hope you've had a chance to enjoy the gorgeous weather today, whether you've been inside or outside. The sunshine and visible signs of spring - tulips opening, flowering trees, green everywhere - are truly a gift. Hang in there, friends. We love you and we're praying for you.
 
With gratitude and Easter hope,
Pastor Jeff

4th Sunday of Easter
Worship, 4th Sunday of Easter
May 3, 2020

Family Worship - Fourth Sunday of Easter, May 3, 2020
Family Worship - Fourth Sunday of Easter,
May 3, 2020






"The Good Shepherd," Seiger Koder

Worship Bulletin
First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette
Fourth Sunday of Easter, May 3, 2020
 
Prelude
Fanfare  on TRURO                                                                             arr. Hal Hopson

Called to be faithful stewards of creation, we gather to worship:
To sing to the one who has created all that is good, beautiful and true, and who has shared everything with us. 
Called to be disciples of Jesus Christ, we come to learn:
To follow the one who meets us in every moment of our lives, in every place we find ourselves.
Called to proclaim the good news of Easter, we come to find the words:
To be taught by the Spirit, who moves in and through us as we serve the world. 

Opening Hymn
Christ the Lord Is Risen                                                              Ghanian folk song
Christ the Lord is risen! Christ the Lord is risen! Yesu.
Christ the Lord is risen! Christ the Lord is risen! Yesu.

Call to Confession
On this fourth Sunday of Easter, we listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd. We refuse to listen to the hireling and the wolf. We quiet the inner voices of judgment and despair. The Good Shepherd is here to meet us, to protect us and bless us, to forgive us and empower us. Let us together confess our sin and the sin of the world to our Good Shepherd.

Prayer of Confession
Gentle Shepherd, you guide us on the path of life, but we have allowed our fear, our greed and our cynicism to steer us off course. We have spurned others, we have taken more than our share, we have thought the world depended on us. Forgive us, God, for listening to many other voices besides yours. Forgive us for not remembering that we are your sheep, and you are our Shepherd. Forgive us when we have taken out our anxiety on our family and friends. Lead us back to your path, to loving you and loving our neighbors. Help us to unclench the fists of control and surrender to your ways of hope and courage, compassion and love. In the name of Jesus, our Good Shepherd, we pray. Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness
The Good Shepherd knows his sheep, even lays down his life for them. We are part of his flock. We are part of Christ's body. In Christ, we find wholeness and restoration. This is the good news of the gospel: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God! Amen.

Sharing the Peace of Christ
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you!
 
Our Common Life

Scripture Reading                                                                         John 10:11-18  

Time With Young Disciples                                                        Lindley Traynor

Sermon                                                                                            Rev. Jeff Lehn

Solo
The Good Shepherd                                                             Jana Alayra & Tim Macres
I am the Good Shepherd. I lay down my life for you.
Enter in, enter in, enter in.
I am the Good Shepherd. As the Father knows me, I know you.
I know you, I know you, I know you.
And no one can take you away. And no one can take you away.

You are the Good shepherd. You lay down your life for me.
Enter in, enter in, enter in.
You are the Good Shepherd. As the Father knows you, you know me.
You know me, you know me, you know me.
And no one can take you away. And no one can take you away.
              
Prayer of Great Thanksgiving 
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts . We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.

The Lord's Prayer
 Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
 
Blessing of the Bread and Cup

Communion of the People 

Communion Music - Hymn No. 473
Shepherd Me, O God 
Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, 
From death into life.

Prayer After Communion 
God, in deep gratitude for this moment, this meal, these sisters and brothers, we give ourselves to you. Take us out as changed people because we have shared the living bread and cannot remain the same. Ask much of us, expect much from us, enable much by us, encourage many through us. Keep us on your paths of life this week, so that we might remember we are loved and never alone. Amen.

Call to Offering 
In this Easter season, we are invited to participate in the kingdom emerging all around us - where Jesus is our Good Shepherd and promises to protect and guide us always. May we respond this morning with glad and generous hearts, freely giving our tithes and offerings to the ministry of this congregation. In lieu of passing the plate, we invite you to give online through our church website or smartphone app or send a check in the mail to the church office. As we gather our gifts together and offer them to God, may we do so in gratitude and praise.


Doxology -  LASST UNS ERFREUEN  
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
praise God all creatures here below;
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
 Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Prayer of Dedication   
Good Shepherd, bless all we offer you this morning-ourselves, our time and our money. As we navigate this season of sheltering in place, help us to offer the full measure of our lives to you. We surrender all. Bless and strengthen us so that we can offer your hope and peace and strength to our weary world. Amen. 

Sending Hymn No. 187, (verses 1 & 2)
Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us

Charge and Benediction
 
Postlude 
                                                          
Worship Leaders
Rev. Jeff Lehn, preaching
Rev. Erin Raska, pastoral liturgist
Peggy Massello, music director
Rose McGrath, liturgist
Bob Bobesink, scripture reader
Matt Peckman, soloist
Cecilia Chow, postlude




 Contact Us  
First Presbyterian Church of Wilmette 
600 Ninth Street
Wilmette, IL 60091-2779 
847-256-3010