Fourth Sunday of Easter, 21 April 2024, 11:00 AM Worship Service | Fourth Sunday of Easter, 21 April 2024, 11:00 AM Worship Service Thank you for joining us online. Click here: www.poplakewood.org to download our... | By Prince of Peace Lutheran Church - Lakewood, WA | Of my soul. Yes, you do. I think Good morning. Welcome to God's house. As we have another opportunity to worship and praise our risen lord and savior, Jesus Christ. This is the fourth Sunday of Easter which historically in our lectionary series is better known as Good Shepherd Sunday. Uh in each of the three years of the lectionary, part of John chapter ten is read which is part of Jesus exposition on the good shepherd. So, today, we again have part of John chapter 10 red. Uh few announcements before we begin. Our worship schedule is the same this week and next week. You can ignore the time for the early service next week. It's eight o'clock, not nine o'clock. So, don't come at nine o'clock unless you want to do Bible study. Oh, come at 9 o'clock too. You can do Bible study. Uh this Thursday, we have the the Isaiah study at 11 o'clock followed by the meditation service at 1230. In the evening at 6 o'clock is the church council beginning the process of putting together the self-study document Uh in preparation for the constitution of a call committee. Uh they'll be reviewing the documents that they got from the district regarding demographics for the area and starting to answer some of the questions. Uh anybody is invited to join in to that meeting if you would like. It's at 6 o'clock in the fellowship hall. Uh Tom Cabe is going to be the chair of the call committee and so if you'd like to be a part of that, let him know or let Neil Rogers know and you know, your your input into this whole process is valued and treasured. We want to we want everybody involved so that we were together the best documents to get the pastor that's going to meet the needs of Prince of Peace as it moves forward for the next thirty, 40, 50 years. So, I'm not sure the pastor will stay here for another 50 years but you guys will all have to stay here for the next 50 years. Demographic study. There's a copy of it in the library, in a binder. There's a copy in the church office. Uh if you would like an electronic version of it, let me know or let Neil Rogers know and we can send you a copy of it. Um by Email. Uh it's very interesting. Is it identifies many of the trends that that you may or may not have seen happening in the Lakewood area. May 5th between services is congregational meeting. Uh it will be the the semi annual meeting, updates on things, reports, financials, they'll also be a discussion, I'm sure of the self the survey for service, times, and things. Uh and as well as hopefully constituting the call committee. So, you're presence is requested for that meeting and it will be between services. So, we'll have the eight o'clock service on the fifth and we'll have the the meeting. Then, we'll have the late service and afterwards, I've been told that we're going to hopefully be able to do another fundraiser for the food closet and that will be a taco bar after the second serve us. So, you know, come early, stay late. Marty. The surveys. The survey that the self-study and whatever. I that was all Okay, never. We're we're talking too many studies now. The the self study for the congregation. Yes. Uh I think there might be a copy or two of the questionnaire set. What do you want to do with it when they've done with it? And they put it out. It's the only one that I saw out there was the worship study. Okay and that that's not what we're getting to. That that self-study document will be a living, breathing document that will be created as we go forward and so any information that you have, if you'd like to add to it, comes to the call committee then or you can start with with Tom. Or kneel? Great. Great. They're not telling It's in the copy that's in the library is not What's in the library is the demographic report from the district. It's not a survey. The self-study document that the congregation is going to complete is a set of questions and and that's something that the self study of the the call committee will be answering those questions as it goes forward. And it's what about 10 pages long? With, you know, plenty of to expand like like an essay test So, but we'll have more information on that at the the meeting on the fifth as well and and copies of that self-study questionnaire document will be available. Let's see. Uh we did go to World Vision this week. There are some things in the fireside room. Uh please go take a look and if there's anything you can use or anything that you know a neighbor or someone else can use, please take it. Um we're proudly there's a couple things in there. I think there's a bed in there that's broken and some other stuff. We're going to be getting that stuff out of here really soon. Uh and then we'll be back to Will Griffin again next month. Wasn't a real big donation this time. Their contributions have been down. So, as a result, we're not getting as much stuff, right? Um if anybody wants one of those really big, fluffy, round pillows, we got one again. So, and then we are are continuing to look for individuals who can willing to volunteer for treasurer bookkeeper position. Uh assistance in the church office secretarial needs, as well as trustees. We could use like a whole herd of trustees. So, if you're willing and and able to volunteer for any of those things, just little pieces of it. It would be greatly appreciated. Uh with that, invite you to rise. We begin our worship this morning with hymn number five hundred forty-nine. All hail, the power of Jesus name. In the name of the father and the son, and the Holy Spirit. Beloved in the Lord, let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto god, our father. Beseeching him in the name of our lord Jesus Christ, to grant us forgiveness. Our help is in the name of the Lord. May heaven and earth. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord. And you forgave the iniquities Oh almighty god, merciful father, I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto you all my sins and iniquities, with which I have ever offended you, and justly deserve your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them, and sincerely repent of them. And I pray you of your boundless mercy, and for the sake of the holy innocent bitter, suffering to death, of your beloved son, Jesus Christ, to gracious and merciful to me a poor sinful being. Upon this, your confession, and by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the word, announce the grace of God unto all of you. And in this dead, and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I am the good shepherd. The Lord is my shepherd. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He believes me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For you are with me. For your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. In the house of the Lord forever I am the good shepherd. That I lay down my life have mercy upon us. Glory be to god on high bless thee the only begotten son takest away the sin mercy upon father The lord be 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 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. Please be seated for our reading. First reading for the fourth Sunday after Easter. Comes from Acts four. As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple, and the sadducees came upon them. Greatly annoyed, because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them, and put them in custody until the next day. For it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five On the next day there are rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem. But that is the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander and all who were of the high priestly family. And when they had set them in the midst they inquired. By what power? Or by what name did you do this? Then Peter filled the Holy Spirit said to them, rulers of the people and elders. If we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed. Let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God from the dead. By him, this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in noone else, but there is no other name under heaven given among men. By which we must be saved. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Our Psalm today is the twenty-third Psalm we will chant it responsibly. The lord is my shepherd he makes me lie down in green pastures leads me he restores my soul. He leads for his name even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are within You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of the epistle comes from first John chapter three. By this we know love. That he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need. Yet closes his heart against him. How does God's love abide in him? Little children. Let us not love word or talk but in deed and in truth. By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him. For whenever our heart condemns us God is greater than our heart. And he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God. Thank you. Whatever we ask we receive from him. Because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment. That we believe in the name of his son Jesus Christ. In love one another. Just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in him. Then he in them. And by this we know that he abides in us. By the Spirit whom he has given us. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Please rise for the gospel reading. The Holy Gospel according to Saint John the tenth chapter. Jesus said, I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees. And the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he has a hired hand. And cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own me. Just as the father knows me and I know the father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also. And they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock. One shepherd. For this reason the father loves me. Because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me. But I lay it of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my father. This is the Gospel of the Lord. Let us join together now in confessing our faith in the words of the night scene creed. I believe in one god, the father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible, and in one lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of god, begotten of his father before all world light of light, very god, a very god, begotten not made, being of one substance with the father, by whom all things were made, who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And sits at the right hand of the father, and he will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end, and I believe in the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the father and the son, who with the father and the son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets, and I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic church. I acknowledge one baptism for the and I look for the resurrection of the dead. The world to come. Please be seated as we continue with the hymn of the day. Hymn number seven hundred nine. The king of love, my shepherd is. Grace and peace to you from god our father, and our risen lord and savior, Jesus Christ. Amen I'm sure you've heard it. You've probably said it What goes around comes around. Sometimes people use shorthand for this. And what do they call it? Karma. The idea that when something bad happens to someone, it's because they were mean or rude to others. They deserve it. When someone races past you on a freeway, on the right-hand side, gets up ahead a couple of miles and you see their car pulled over to the side of the road. The state patrol trooper parked behind them with lights flashing. You say, ah, karma. He got what he deserved. You know, the idea of karma makes us feel good because we think bad things should happen to bad people. They are getting what they deserve. That's not always to whom bad things happen. Sometimes they happen to you and me and we're not bad people. When we need to see things, bad things sometimes happen to good people. Karma is not an idea that we as Lutheran s or Christians for that matter subscribed to There is no secret supernatural force that meets out good and evil in accordance with the works of an individual. There is not a cosmic balance in the universe that for good and evil. And when evil occurs, the perpetrator of evil must repay the cost. If that was the case, we would all be in a world of hurt as we are all born in sin and every day, we add to the burden of sin in the world. Instead of getting what we deserve we are in fact saved by grace, by the grace of god, and it is a gift, the gift of his only son, who lived, died, and rose again to defeat the devil, the evil one, once and for all, and ultimately, can something Satan and all evil in the depths of the lake of fire. John in his first letter speaks in broad concepts that carry with them some significant theological points for us to ponder. The word love flows through John's letter repeatedly. God's love for us and the love we have in response. The heart also is mentioned many times In his in his letter. Including today. In verses sixteen through eighteen of John's first letter chapter three, the beloved disciple dispels the concept of karma and points to the way we are expected to live in this world where let's face it, people are often sinful. Verse sixteen. By this, we know love. That he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him. How does God's love abide in him? Little children Let us not love in word or talk. But in deed and in truth. The love of God shown to us is really beyond our ability to fathom. God who created mankind only to be spurned by ego seeking equality. Did not look at Adam and Eve with eyes of hatred. And anger. No baby it was worse. Maybe it was like my mother did to me when I was growing up. When she would say I am so disappointed in you. I tried that on my kids. It didn't work very well, did it? Well, Corinne did. We won't say anything about Justin. He's not here. God was disappointed in them. He was angry at the serpent, the deceiver, and he promised Satan's ultimate demise at the hands of Jesus or maybe at the feet of Jesus as he would crush his head. But for Adam and Eve, God still loved them and promised to give them a redeemer, to restore them, to a right relationship with God the Father. We know that redeemer. And it is Jesus, who laid down his life for Adam, Eve, all their descendants for you and for me It is this redeemer who called us to love our neighbor throughout his earthly ministry. Jesus called us to be like him and to love our neighbor as ourselves. And Jesus love for creation led him to endure the shame and agony of the cross for his family. Or who believe and are baptized. Jesus did not reject those that cried out, crucify him on that Friday morning. Instead, just a few hours later, he forgave them from the cross, not withholding. Not holding their selfish desires against them. Just as Jesus laid down his life for worthless sinners around him in Jerusalem, he gave his life for each of us. In so doing, Jesus lived out the gospel message of hope for us. And in his resurrection, Jesus bodily rose from the dead, and bestowed peace on the disciples who had abandoned him, just three days earlier. Again, showing what true love as we are called by the Holy Spirit, we are called to a life emulating Christ in the world. We are called to share the good news of salvation to a sin-sickened world. We are called to love one another with a love like Christ's. As heirs of the kingdom, He expects each and everyone of us to love and care for our brothers and sisters. That is what family does. Well, most of the time. Part of the time some other time. Well, it's what we're supposed to do. And in the kingdom of heaven, the now waiting for the not yet, we are given love by god and we are directed to share it. As John continues, he intimates that having a heart open to love others is part of being born again As he says, but if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him. How does god's love abide in him? John implies that it takes action on our part to close our heart to a brother. It is a decision on our part to refuse to care for them. This sets us up to be in conflict with the will of god and the desire of Christ for the liberal sharing of god's love. In our broken world. It is all too common. This occurs in families and in our Christian communities. When someone offends us, we fall back on that whole karma thing. And Smugly say, that they will get what they deserve. Well, thanks be to God. That we don't get. exactly what we deserve for our sins. This attitude is what John points to in the gospel reading today. When he highlights the difference between the good shepherd and the hired man. The hired man runs away from the sheep when they are threatened. While the good shepherd defends the sheep. The one employed to care for the sheep has other interests. That are of greater importance in his mind than the animals he has paid to tend. While the shepherd loves the sheep and will go to great lengths to find and the lost. It is his love for the sheep that leads him to put his life on the line when the wolf draws near to attack. The shepherd will use his best efforts to meet the needs of the sheep and protect them. Dean alright? I do that too. While the sheep, while the hired sheep tender, may say that he will give his all to protect the sheep. His talk is sheep. He does not stand firm in his commitment to the promises he makes. While the good shepherd out of love for his sheep defends without counting the cost. You know, in some ways, it's like a teacher in a classroom who works with the same students every day. They get to know the children and develop a love for them. They strive to do their best job so the children can learn and excel This often calls for working far beyond the hours of the school day. Whereas a substitute teacher, who will faithfully can do their job and teach the students when they are called. They do not have the same level of love for the students. They do not have, they do not have or take the time to get to know each child and what motivates him or her and when the day is done, they are done. When problems arise in the classroom, they go home and often vow never to return to that facing those difficulties. The good teacher seeks to meet the needs of the children in their care and opens their hearts to the child in need. Seeking to find what motivates the child. And how they learn best. And reaching out to help them excel. John commends us in verse eighteen in his letter saying, little children, let us not love in word or talk, but in deed, and in truth. In every community, there are people that we will resist, that will resist obeying God's will, to provide for them in need. It is part of our broken human nature, that lends us, that leads us to turn a blind eye to the needs of others. In our society, we are frankly overwhelmed by the needs of others. The news media daily speaks of the crisis of homelessness in our cities and communities. Every siren we hear reminds us that someone is hurting to the point of needing intervention. Hospitals are filled with sick and dying people who are in need. Weekly, we serve many families in our community through our food closet compassion, fatigue, can easily and rapidly set in. We cannot meet all the needs that we become aware of. But we can touch the lives and hearts of the people we presently know in our families, in our churches, and in our communities. As the good shepherd walked with his sheep. And cared for them. We too can walk with our brothers and sisters. And support them in their time of need. And distress. You might ask a phone call to a fellow believer who is struggling with life or health issues. Or a phone call to someone you haven't seen in church in the last couple of weeks. Just to see how they are doing. A ride to church, or to other events for someone who had no longer has a car or a license or feels safe driving. Sharing a meal with someone living on a fixed income. Or just sitting down and visiting and showing that you care. These are but a few ways the good shepherd has given us to touch lives and hearts. In our everyday lives, we encounter many more ways that we can keep our hearts open and share god's blessings with people in need. As Jesus welcomes us into his family by the grace of the gospel, we in turn, share his love with those he brings to our attention. He promises to give us what we need to serve our neighbor. He empowers us to be light in the darkness and strengthens us to fend off the attacks of the evil one to protect our brother. Each week, as we come to worship, God promises to strengthen us through the liberal use of word and sacrament. Including God's word spoken, chanted, sung, and proclaimed for the uplifting of the body and the building up of faith. In addition, we receive the word made flesh. In the sacrament of Holy Communion, where we partake of Christ's true body and blood, for the forgiveness of our sins, and the assurance of our salvation. As we are filled with gospel, we are invited to go and serve the Lord by caring for our brothers and sisters. May God wrap you in his grace and strengthen you in faith and service to life everlasting. Amen. May the peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds and the one true faith, the life everlasting. Let us pray for the whole church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. Shepherd of Israel in your son, Jesus Christ, you have sought out your sheep, and gathered us into your flock. Keep us always in your fold, and guard us from the, from every wolf and snare. Lord, in your mercy, Heavenly Father, you alone gather us as your sheep and send faithful shepherds to us. Call us, call all who have wandered from your flock, and bless the faithful shepherds, who gather them through the voice of your word. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Heavenly Father, your son has called us to love our brothers. Turn us in love toward the neighbors closest to us, especially within our own homes, that we may daily show our confidence in god by deed and truth, Laying down our lives as Christ first did for us. Lord, in your mercy, hear our Eternal lord, through the Paschal Lamb, you have brought peace between man and god. By your gift of good government, grant peace and good days also to our citizens, and between the nations of the world. That we, and all our neighbors, may lead quiet lives in Godly contentment. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Heavenly father, by the first fruits of Christ's life from the dead, you secured forgiveness for our troubled consciences. Bless also, with temporal help, and well being, those who suffer among us, especially those, for whom our prayers are requested. Alda, Judy, Dan, Joan, Dory, Cindy, Betty, Sharon, Kirk, Mick, Randy, Eric, Cathy, Rick John, Caroline, Susie, George, Cecina, Marge, Baylor, Andrea, Mike, Ron, George Junior, Jennifer, Doug, Karen, Ursula, Anita, John, Lori, Jess, Lorita, Margie Stewart friends of Ian and Ivy who recently lost their daughter. Friends and family of Bill Mazza who mourned his passing and also those who continue to mourn the death of Jean of Dean Johnson. As well as Jesse Junior, Robin, Denise, Jim, Inga, Martha, Ruth, Mike, Josh, Diana, James, Rick, Carla, Marty and Karen, Harvey, Renee, Paul, Tim, Margo, Jeannie, Carson, Amy, Sydney, Irene, Eunice, and Joanna. Grant them aid in this moment, dear Lord. And even more so, give them true immortal health in the world to come. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Oh lord, our shepherd, you calm all fears in this valley of the shadow of death, and you prepare the holy table of your son's testament, for us in the presence of our enemies. Grant us repentance, and faithful hearts, in every tribulation, or besetting sin, lead us to find comfort and strength in your overflowing mercy, given to us here in this sacrament. Lord, in your mercy. Lord god, out of your fatherly goodness, you have remembered us, poor, miserable sinners, and given your beloved son to be our shepherd. Not only to nourish us by his word, but also to defend us from sin, death, and the devil. Grant us your Holy Spirit, that even as this shepherd knows us, and helps us in every affliction, we also may know him, trust him, seek him and seek help and comfort in him. Heartily obey his voice and obtain eternal salvation. Through the same Jesus Christ, our lord, your son, our lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. One god, now and forever. Lord be with you Lift up your heart. Let us give thanks to the lord our god. It is truly meat, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places, give thanks to you. Holy lord, almighty father, everlasting god, and most especially we are bound to praise you on this day for the glorious resurrection of your son, Jesus Christ, the very Paschal Lamb, who was sacrifice for us and bore the sins of the world By his dying, he has destroyed death and by his rising again, he has restored to us a everlasting life. Therefore, with Mary Magdalene, Peter and John, and with all the witnesses of the resurrection, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of we lord and magnify your glory our name evermore praising you who and saying 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. Our lord Jesus Christ. On the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it and gave it to his disciples and said, take this is my body which is given for you this do in remembrance of me. In the same way also. after supper, he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, gave it to them saying, drink. This cup is the New Testament in my blood. Shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do as often as you drink it in remembrance of me. The peace of the lord be with you always Welcome to the Lord's Table. During the body of Christ given for you. Judy, the true blood of Christ, shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins. Body and blood of our lord and savior Jesus Christ. Strengthen and preserve your body and soul to life everlasting. Depart in peace. The blood of Christ. From the blood of Christ shed for the body and blood of our lord and the life everlasting. The part. Welcome to the Lord's Table. For the blood of Christ shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins Ruth, the blood of Christ shed for you for the forgiveness of Judith, the blood of Christ shed to you for the forgiveness of your sins. The blood of Christ, shed for you, forgive personally the blood of Christ shed for you the body and blood of our lord and sa serve his body and soul, the life everlasting. Depart in peace as without the body of Christ. She's a blessing of our lord and sa receive the blessing of our lord and savior Jesus as one of his precious sheep the good shepherds always watching was Marty, the true blood of Christ, shed for you. The body and blood of our lord and savior Jesus Christ. Stre your body and soul apart. Please rise for the new diminish. I see my salvation if thou hast vials of thy people the father Oh give thanks to the Lord for he is good Let us pray. We give thanks to you, almighty god, that you have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore you that of your mercy, you would strengthen us through the same in faith toward you, and in fervent love toward one another, through Jesus Christ, your son, our lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one god, now and forever. Amen. Amen. The lord be with you. Bless we the Lord. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his continents upon you and give you peace. We close our worship with hymn number seven hundred eighty-one. We give thee but thine own. Go in peace and serve the lord. Thanks be to god Alright, send it over. A blessed week.