(Watch directly on YouTube here)
(Download a pdf of the full bulletin here)
PRELUDE
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
RINGING OF THE BELL
Please stand as you are able.
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
Alleluia! Christ is risen. Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne
and to the Lamb! Amen.
Let us give thanks for the gifts of baptism.
Merciful God,
you are the one who was, who is, and who is to come.
You lead us beside still waters.
We thank you for the waters of creation:
morning dew, gentle rain, roaring waves.
We thank you for the waters that nourish us.
Blessed are you.
You guide us to springs of the water of life.
Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness
who accompanies us on our journeys.
We give you thanks for your life-giving death and resurrection.
We praise you for joining us in joy and sorrow.
Blessed are you.
You guide us to springs of the water of life.
Holy One, we thank you for the gifts and grace of baptism,
and for making us a new creation. We join with saints and angels,
giving you honor and praise, now and forever. Amen.
GATHERING HYMN “Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia!” Hymn #364
GREETING
The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the
communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
And also with you.
HYMN OF PRAISE “Glory in the Highest” (see next page)
Words and music by Jonathan Rundman. ©2006 Jonathan Rundman and Salt Lady Music (ASCAP) www.jonathanrundman.com All rights
reserved. Used by permission. CCLI License # 2561118
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray. O God our shepherd, 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 prepared 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.
Please be seated.
WORD
FIRST READING Acts 2:42-47
Today’s reading is a description of life in the community following
Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost, when the Spirit was poured
out on God’s people. The new community is sustained in worship
and fellowship, shares what they have, and ensures that everyone has enough.
42 [The baptized] devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and
fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
43 Awe came upon everyone because many wonders and signs
were being done through the apostles. 44 All who believed were together
and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions
and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had
need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple,
they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous
hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And
day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
PSALM PSALM 23 Hymn # 778
“The Lord’s My Shepherd”
Verse 1 (Choir)
Verse 2 (Men)
Verse 3 (Women)
Verse 4 (Choir)
Verse 5 (All)
SECOND READING 1 Peter 2:19-25
Doing the right things does not guarantee that one will not experience
difficulties, hardships, rejection, or even suffering. Here Christ
is presented as the model for our path of endurance and loyalty to
God, particularly amid adversity.
19 It is a commendable thing if, being aware of God, a person endures
pain while suffering unjustly. 20 If you endure when you are
beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when
you do good and suffer for it, this is a commendable thing before
God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered
for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.
22 “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
23 When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered,
he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the one who judges
justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that,
having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds
you have been healed. 25 For you were going astray like sheep, but
now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S SERMON Pastor Chris Steubing
Please stand as you are able for the gospel reading.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
GOSPEL John 10:1-10
The holy gospel according to John.
Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus uses an image familiar to the people of his day to make a
point about spiritual leadership. Those who listen to Jesus are led to abundant life.
[Jesus said:] 1 “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the
sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a
bandit. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the
sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear
his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4
When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and
the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will not follow
a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know
the voice of strangers.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech with them,
but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
7 So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate
for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and bandits, but
the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by
me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The
thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may
have life and have it abundantly.”
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON Pastor Chris Steubing
HYMN OF THE DAY “Have No Fear, Little Flock” Hymn #764
Please stand as you are able.
THE APOSTLES’ CREED
Together with the whole church, we confess our faith:
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead.*
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE PRAYERS
...Merciful God, receive our prayer.
SHARING THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
Let us share the peace with one another.
OFFERING
OFFERING MUSIC “Make Me”
Words and music by Chris Steubing. ©2024 Christopher Dale Steubing and Steubing Music (ASCAP). All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
CCLI License # 2561118
Congregation sings on refrain.
Verse 1:
The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not be in want
He makes me lie down in pastures of green
And leads me by refreshing waters
To restore my soul
Refrain:
Make me, make me whole again,
Make me love again, Restore my soul
Verse 2:
You set up a mercy feast right in front of my enemies
Even though I walk through the valley of death
I’m not afraid for you are with me
I catch my breath, yeah. (Refrain)
Bridge:
With you I’ll never be alone
In you, in you I’ve found my home
You lift me up, you fill my cup and it’s overflowing
You set me free, you’re all I’ll ever need
Make me whole, Lord restore my soul (interlude)
(Refrain 3x)
Please stand as you are able as the offering is brought forward.
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray. Blessed are you, O God, ruler of heaven and earth.
Day by day you shower us with blessings. As you have raised
us to new life in Christ, give us glad and generous hearts, ready
to praise you and to respond to those in need, through Jesus
Christ, our Savior and Lord, Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer (Sung)
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 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.
BENEDICTION
God Almighty, who is the beginning and the end, Jesus Christ, the
firstborn of the dead, and the Spirit, our advocate and peace,
bless you now and forever.
SENDING HYMN “What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine” Hymn #774
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Praise the Lord. Alleluia! Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
POSTLUDE
--------------------------
Joint Outdoor Worship and Picnic with Canyon Lake United Methodist Church
Date: Sunday, May 3rd 10:30 a.m.
Where: Canyon Lake Hills Property Owners’ Park
1045 Scenic Dr
Canyon Lake, TX 78133
Our two congregations have partnered to learn and experiment with fresh approaches to gospel outreach in our community. This service will include a special blessing and sending as we go into our daily lives as witnesses for Christ. Come for worship and stay for a picnic in the park! Please bring a side dish or a dessert to accompany hamburgers and hotdogs provided by Canyon Lake United Methodist Church. There will be some picnic tables available but please bring lawn chairs.
----------------------
Church Staff and today’s worship leaders:
Pastor—Rev. Chris Steubing
Visitation Pastor—Rev. Judi Miller
Our Reader—Gerry Whitman
Our Liturgist—Ken Kleid
Organist/Pianist—Jimmy Cheung
Choir and Hand Bell Director—Wendy Kuenemann