Fourth Sunday of Easter May 3, 2020
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
May 3, 2020
ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, FALLS CHURCH, VA
DIVINE SERVICE ONE
✠ ✠ ✠
THE ENTRANCE RITE
PRELUDE Pastorale By: Franklin Ashdown
WELCOME
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
ENTRANCE HYMN #481 Scatter the Darkness, Break the Gloom
1 Scatter the darkness, break the gloom;
Sun, reveal an empty tomb
Shining with joy for all our sorrows,
Hope and peace for all tomorrows,
Life uneclipsed by doubt and dread:
Christ has risen from the dead!
2 Bearing the standard from on high
As the Lamb of God to die;
He who for us, so cruelly treated,
Lives again—our foes defeated!
Where is your sting, O death and grave?
Christ has shown His strength to save!
3 Banners of triumph, be unfurled!
Trumpets, sound throughout the world!
Crying and sighs, give way to singing:
Life from death, our Lord is bringing!
Let there begin the jubilee—
Christ has gained the victory!
In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination.
Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.
Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
KYRIE
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above and for our salvation let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Power, riches, wisdom and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are His.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God, and join in the hymn of all creation.
Blessing, honor, glory, and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
For the Lamb who was slain has begun His reign. Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray. Almighty God,
merciful Father, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit that
when we hear the voice of our Shepherd we may know Him who calls us each by name and
follow where He leads; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
✠ ✠ ✠
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
FIRST LESSON Acts 2:42–47
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (ESV)
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
HYMN #710 The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want
1 The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want;
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.
2 My soul He doth restore again
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
E’en for His own name’s sake.
3 Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill;
For Thou art with me, and Thy rod
And staff me comfort still.
4 My table Thou hast furnishèd
In presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.
5 Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me;
And in God’s house forevermore
My dwelling place shall be.
Text (sts. 1–5) and Music: Public domain
SECOND LESSON 1 Peter 2:19–25
For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (ESV)
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
ALLELUIA VERSE
Alleluia.
Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL John 10:1–10
The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the 10th chapter
Glory to You, O Lord.
[Jesus said:] “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and 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. (ESV)
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, O Christ
SERMON
Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus. Amen. Dear friends in Christ:
Today is Good Shepherd Sunday. In each year of the three-year cycles of readings, on this Fourth Sunday of Easter, we read from John 10, where Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd. This year’s reading, from the first ten verses, doesn’t actually include that self-designation. Here Jesus uses another metaphor – saying he is the door to the sheep pen. The Good Shepherd verse comes later. Still, the idea of us as sheep, and Jesus caring for us, is introduced.
Today is also Confirmation Sunday at St. Paul’s – or at least it would have been. We’ve had to postpone it because of the Covid pandemic. Good Shepherd Sunday would have been a great day for Confirmation. Then again, any Sunday will work just fine. It’s always a joyful time when we can celebrate the faith of our young people and send them forward with prayers and God’s blessing. We look forward to doing that for our five young candidates sometime in the fall.
With that being said, I’d like us to turn our attention to today’s second reading, from First Peter, chapter two. This will be the primary text for today’s sermon. We’ve been reading through First Peter during the Sundays of Easter this year and basing most of our sermons upon it. Next Sunday we will read the opening verses of chapter two. But today we skip ahead to a later part in the chapter because here Peter, like Jesus, uses “shepherd language.” He calls Jesus “the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul.”
And I’ll say a little more about those words later. But first, let us note what this text is calling us to do. Peter very specifically uses the phrase: “…for to this you have been called.” To what is he referring?
1 – Our calling
The first verse of our text spells this out: “for this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.” Peter even repeats the call, saying: “if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.”
Peter differentiates this unjust suffering from that caused by our own sin. If we sin and suffer for it, God is only so sympathetic. What God will note, however, is when we suffer through no fault of our own.
And note, too, that the call is not simply to suffer. On its own. We don’t need to seek out suffering as some kind of good. Because it’s not. The call is to endure suffering, with faith, when that suffering comes.
As we know, suffering will come. We live in a fallen world, where death is our curse. We can successfully avoid some forms of suffering, and perhaps put off others for a while, but eventually all of us will suffer. And much of it will not be the result of anything we have done.
If we examine some of the verses before our text, we can get an idea of what kind of unjust suffering Peter’s hearers needed to endure. The verse right before our text says: “Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.” This reality, of unjust masters, was one occasion for Peter’s instruction. And it reminds us that today, too, there are many people who take advantage of others and lead to their suffering.
Looking back a few more verses we see another cause. Here Peter says: “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.” Sad to say, being subject to the government can also be an occasion for enduring suffering – especially as in Peter’s day, when many governments outlawed the Christian religion, and sometimes persecuted it.
In our day, right now, many folks are having a hard time being subject to the government. Our leaders are trying to guide us through a difficult time, where we are battling a virus that is deadly to many, and there are many different opinions on how this should best be done. Some are concluding that the government’s actions are leading to their suffering. Perhaps that’s the case.
We Christians need to remember that all people are suffering right now, to some degree. And we need to obey our leaders.
Even more, we need to hear God’s call to endure. In turning to Him, God will help us with our endurance. And he will bless us in our endurance as well, as He has said.
And, we Christians also need to realize that some are suffering right now much more than others. Some of us are facing only inconveniences or minor losses, while others are experiencing major losses – such as that of a death, or that of a job, or that of a business.
We need to be extra mindful right now of the great losses many people are suffering. Let me just say very directly: if you are making it through this time with very little loss or suffering, please be generous with what you have, in order to help the others who are struggling greatly.
2 – His example
As Peter speaks to his hearers about the endurance of suffering, he then points to the example of Jesus. He tells his hearers that they can endure “because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”
Peter goes on to give the example of Christ’s suffering. But notice what he does. He could have given the story of Jesus’ suffering in a narrative form, telling of his crucifixion at the hands of the authorities, much as he did in those first speeches of his recorded in the book of Acts. But here Peter chooses a different approach. Here he uses the language of that great “suffering servant” chapter of the Old Testament, Isaiah 53. We read that chapter just a few weeks ago, on Good Friday, and perhaps it’s still fresh in your mind. Isaiah 53 always makes us wonder and marvel at how Christ’s death was predicted, and how it was so vividly described.
This chapter is quoted seven times in the New Testament. Here, Peter includes some direct quotations from it, but other times he simply employs its language. The three verses’ worth of teaching he gives here (v. 22, 23 and 24) all reflect teachings from the chapter which describe Jesus’ suffering—relating how it was done silently, but also with a purpose.
The fact that Jesus suffered silently is meant to show us an example of endurance in unjust suffering. Peter says it this way: “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” In Jesus, we have a strong example of how to fulfill our calling to endure.
3 – And what he did for us
But as Peter goes on with his quoting of Isaiah, we see that Jesus becomes more than just an example. Jesus’ suffering has a greater purpose as well. It does something even more important for us.
Peter says it like this: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.” Here we have a powerful statement of conclusion, one possibly circulated very early among the church for it is put forth also by Paul (Romans 6). And while the language of this sentence is only partially from Isaiah, the thought is straight from chapter 53. There we read: “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace.”
And if there’s any doubt that Peter wants us to see Jesus here as more than just an example, but also as one who has died for the salvation of our souls, it’s erased as Peter concludes with a direct quote from Isaiah to finish the verse. “And by his wounds you have been healed.” Beautiful!
On the tree of the cross, Jesus paid for our sins. By his wounds we have full and complete healing. Jesus did that which we could never do on our own. Jesus fulfilled his calling when we could not fulfill ours.
4 – What he continues to do for us
We still have that calling. We still have suffering to endure. Thankfully, Jesus continues to care for us – enabling our endurance, helping us as we have need.
Peter alludes to this ongoing care of the Lord by reminding us that Jesus is the “Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” As such, he is our protector. And he is our guide. He is our teacher. He is our friend. He is our good and just master. He is the one who governs our lives in all the best ways.
And, he will shepherd us for us many days as he gives and bring us to our heavenly home. In the last chapter of his letter, Peter says: “when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” Jesus is our Chief Shepherd. And we pray: “come, Lord Jesus!”
Joy Patterson grew up in the Midwest and earned advance degrees in French Literature from the University of Wisconsin. In 1992, upon reflecting on recent tragedies in the news and while caring for her father as he suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease, she wrote the hymn which we will soon sing. The opening lines certainly grab our attention. Indeed, the hymn was featured at a memorial service in Oklahoma City following the bombing of the federal building there. But the hymn also employs the language from our First Peter text today and ends with beautiful words of hope. In this time of uncertainty and suffering, it seems a fitting hymn for us today.
May God bless each of us in our calling to endure. And may we always know of Christ’s good shepherding of our lives and of our faith. In the name of Jesus, amen.
HYMN OF THE DAY #764 When Aimless Violence Takes Those We Love
1 When aimless violence takes those we love,
When random death strikes childhood’s promise down,
When wrenching loss becomes our daily bread,
We know, O God, You leave us not alone.
2 When passing years rob sight and strength and mind
Yet fail to still a strongly beating heart,
And grief becomes the fabric of our days,
Dear Lord, You do not stand from us apart.
3 Our faith may flicker low, and hope grow dim,
Yet You, O God, are with us in our pain;
You grieve with us and for us day by day,
And with us, sharing sorrow, will remain.
4 Because Your Son knew agony and loss,
Felt desolation, grief and scorn and shame,
We know You will be with us, come what may,
Your loving presence near, always the same.
5 Through long grief-darkened days help us, dear Lord,
To trust Your grace for courage to endure,
To rest our souls in Your supporting love,
And find our hope within Your mercy sure.
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His 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 into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
OFFERING Pastorale By: Johann Sebastian Bach
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
Our special prayers are offered for Stan as he mourns the death of his wife, Dorothy; for those mourners remembered last week, and for Stephanie Lehrer (Pr Lehrer’s daughter in law) who is suffering from depression.
P: Gathered in the caring arms of the Good Shepherd and Guardian of our souls, let us pray for the Church and the World:
For all who serve in the Church, who serve tables, who preach and teach and pray, and for all missionaries, that our ministry together might shepherd the flock, seek the lost and care for those in need, let us pray to the Lord: Lord have mercy.
For all who are persecuted for the sake of the gospel, especially the Church in India and Egypt, for all who have been martyred for their witness, and for the blessed community of saints who must keep separate for the sake of everyone’s health, let us pray to the Lord: Lord have mercy.
For all of those in nursing homes and senior care centers, that they might be kept safe and yet assured of their family’s love, let us pray to the Lord: Lord have mercy.
For all who care for the sick and dying, especially doctors, nurses and EMS workers, for all first responders, especially police and fire personnel, for all members of the Armed Forces, especially those sailors on the Aircraft Carrier Roosevelt, let us pray to the Lord: Lord have mercy.
For all who lead our nation, especially Donald, our President; for all who lead our state, especially Ralph, our Governor, that the Lord would bless their labors and sustain all who serve in these complex days, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all victims of rage and sudden violence, especially for abused children and spouses, for political prisoners, victims of extortion, of murder and of natural catastrophe, let us pray to the Lord: Lord have mercy.
For all in our community who are in need, for all who have requested prayer, for the sick and grieving and for those near death: especially Stan and his family as they mourn, and for Lois, Margaret and Bob, as they mourn, for Stephanie, and those we hold dear, and for those we remember in our hearts;….. That they might receive great blessing from the God Who is our Good Shepherd, let us pray to the Lord: Lord have mercy.
That we would be sustained by Christ Himself as we wait for that day when we can once again feast upon the Bread of Life, let us pray to the Lord: Lord have mercy.
O loving God, we commend to Your mercy all who have died and pray that we and all Your saints may share life in Your eternal dominion. Enable us to know that by Christ’s wounds we have been healed, and that by the power of His risen and life-giving Spirit we are empowered to serve You all our days: we ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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 us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory
forever and ever. Amen.
BENEDICTION
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine on you
and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you with favor and ✠ give you peace.
SENDING HYMN #461 Sts. 1-5, 8 I Know That My Redeemer Lives
1 I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever-living head.
2 He lives triumphant from the grave;
He lives eternally to save;
He lives all-glorious in the sky;
He lives exalted there on high.
3 He lives to bless me with His love;
He lives to plead for me above;
He lives my hungry soul to feed;
He lives to help in time of need.
4 He lives to grant me rich supply;
He lives to guide me with His eye;
He lives to comfort me when faint;
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
5 He lives to silence all my fears;
He lives to wipe away my tears;
He lives to calm my troubled heart;
He lives all blessings to impart.
8 He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same;
Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives:
I know that my Redeemer lives!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE I Know That My Redeemer Lives Setting: Wilber Held
Acknowledgments
Divine Service, Setting One from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Reprinted with permission.
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.
Scatter the Darkness, Break the Gloom: Text (sts. 1–3): © 1995 Stephen P. Starke Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, number 100012246.
When Aimless Violence Takes Those We Love: Text (sts. 1–5): © 1994, 1997 Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, number 100012246.
