Today is sometimes called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” Jesus is called the “gate” of the sheep in today’s
gospel. The risen Christ opens the way to abundant life. He anoints our heads with oil and guides us beside the still waters of our baptism. Each Sunday he spreads a feast before us amid the world’s violence
and war. We go forth to be signs of the resurrection and extend God’s tender care to all creation.
(*) Please stand as you are able
(-) Please be seated
GATHERING
-PRELUDE
L: Christ is risen!
C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
-WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
L: Christ is risen!
C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
*ENTRANCE HYMN Christ the Lord is Risen Today; Alleluia! ELW 369
*THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
All turn toward the baptismal font and may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at
baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
L: Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, by whose hand we are given new birth,
by whose speaking we are given new life.
C: Amen.
L: Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, we are welcomed, restored, and supported as citizens of the new creation. Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.
L: Holy God, holy and merciful, holy and mighty, you are the river of life, … Praise to you for
the life-giving water of baptism, the outpouring of the Spirit of the new creation.
C: Wash away our sin and all that separates us from you. Empower our witness to your
resurrection. Strengthen our resolve in seeking justice for all.
L: Satisfy the world’s need through this living water… We ask this through Christ, who with
you and the Spirit reigns forever.
C: Amen.
L: Christ is risen!
C: Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
*HYMN OF PRAISE Glory to God WOV p. 29
*PRAYER OF THE DAY
L Let us pray. O God our shepherd,
C you know your sheep by name and lead us to safety through the valleys of death. Guide
us by your voice, that we may walk in certainty and security to the joyous feast pre
pared in your house, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
WORD
-FIRST READING: Acts 2:42-47
L A reading from Acts
(after the reading)
L The Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
-PSALM 23 ELW PSALM SECTION
-SECOND READING: 1 Peter 2:19-25
L A reading from 1 Peter
(after the reading)
L The Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
-LET THE CHILDREN COME
*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Alleluia. Lord, to Whom Shall We Go? ELW p. 188
*GOSPEL: John 10:1-10,
L The holy gospel according to John, the 10th chapter. C Glory to you , O Lord.
(after the reading)
L The Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to you, O Christ
-MESSAGE Pastor Megan Morrow
*HYMN OF THE DAY The King of Love My Shepherd Is ELW 502
*APOSTLES’ CREED ELW p. 105
*PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
(Each petition ends with) L Risen Lord, in your mercy, C hear our prayer.
*SHARING OF GOD’S PEACE
L The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C And also with you.
(Please share a sign of God’s peace with one another, such as Peace be with you.)
-PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS
The Offering is presented at the altar as the Offertory is sung and the Lord’s table is prepared.
-OFFERTORY Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord WOV p. 35
*OFFERTORY PRAYER
L Let us pray. Blessed are you,
C: O Lord our God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with
these gifts. With them we offer ourselves to your service and dedicate our lives to the
care and redemption of all that you have made, for the sake of him who gave himself
for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
MEAL
*GREAT THANKSGIVING DIALOGUE & PREFACE
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
P: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,…we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
*HOLY (SANCTUS) Holy, holy, holy Lord WOV p. 36
*PRAYER & WORDS OF INSTITUTION
*LORD’S PRAYER (spoken)
L Let us pray with confidence in the words our Savior gave us:
C 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.
*HOLY COMMUNION
(We invite you to come forward down the center aisle starting with the back pews. When you reach the
front, hold out your hands if you would like to receive communion, or hold your arms across your chest
to receive a blessing. If children receive communion in their home congregation, they are welcome to
receive communion at St. John’s. Just say, “Gluten free” if you would like gluten free wafers. There are
cups with red wine and white grape juice in the trays. Let us know if you’d like communion brought to
you in the pew. All are welcome at Christ’s table!)
*COMMUNION HYMNS Lamb of God WOV p. 39
You Satisfy the Hungry Heart WOV 711
-POST-COMMUNION BLESSING
*POST-COMMUNION CANTICLE Thankful hearts and voices raise WOV p. 40
*PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
SENDING
*BLESSING
*DISMISSAL
L: Go in peace. Share the good news! Alleluia!
C: Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
-POSTLUDE
ADDITIONAL WORSHIP SCHEDULES
ONLINE WORSHIP – VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT: Alliancestjohns.org
OR OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AT: Alliance NE St Johns Lutheran
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEW MEMBER CLASS– New member class will meet after fellowship TODAY, or Wednesday, May 3rd. If you or someone you know are interested in joining the St. John’s congregation,
please come to one of the classes. New members will be received in worship on Sunday, May 21
@ 9:00am, or Wednesday, May 24th @ 6:30pm.
BAPTISM–If you or someone you know would like to be baptized, please contact Pastor Megan.
CONFIRMATION CLASSES– Thursdays at 5:30pm.
MAY BRUNCH – Brunch for May will be on May 21st.
MAY FLOWERS– We would like to plant ‘annual’ flowers in the Memorial Garden, and planters in front of the church. If you would like to donate a ‘flat’ of flowers in honor/memory of a
loved one, or if you just like pretty flowers growing, please bring them to the church after May
1st. Jerry and Krestie Tolstedt will be planting the flowers. If you would like to help plant, please
contact them or the church office.
SCRIPTURES FOR WEEK OF EASTER MAY 7th– Acts 7:55-60, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16,
1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14.
COMMUNITY TABLE – Monday, May 15th & 22nd at 10:30am. Are you able to help serve? Please
contact the church office at 762-1883. We will need a cook for Community Table on June 26!
WORSHIP HELPERS – May 7- Reader– Brian Johnson, Lay Assistant– Luayne Weisgerber,
May 14– Reader– Patricia Jones, Lay Assistant– Earl Jones, May 21– Reader– Mary Crawford,
Lay Assistant– Maurine Roller.
WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY– Wednesdays @ 9:30. Led by Jody Mischnick
GRADUATES – We will be recognizing all graduates, and give them a special blessing on Sunday,
May 7th at the 9am worship, and Wednesday, May 10th at the 6:30pm worship!
ALTAR GUILD– We need volunteers to help with the Altar Guild. Contact Luayne Weisgerber
for additional information or to sign up. Thanks!
FINANCES
Actual expenses thru 4/23/2023 $53,766.00 Giving thru 4/23/2023 $42,079.23
Giving under actual expenses ($11,686.77)
16 Weeks of Budget Expenses $61,054.24 Giving under Budget Expenses ($18,975.01)
Contact us: 308-762-1883 Email: stjohnsalliancene@gmail.com or contact@alliancestjohns.org
