Shepherd
Worship
THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE
Liturgical Aids
Call to Worship
We trust God to lead us, for the path through life at times seems unsure.
Like a good shepherd tending his flock, so does God lead us.
We trust that God will care for us, for our strength at times proves inadequate.
Like a good shepherd tending his flock, so does God care for us.
We trust God to protect us, for forces of evil and apathy surround us.
Like a good shepherd tending his flock, so does God keep us safe from harm.
Invocation
How comforting it is, O God, to realize that our needs are known; moreover, that it is your will that these needs be met with an abundance of good gifts. We praise you for this goodness, proof indeed of your shepherding love. How encouraging it is, O God, that we can face the day without fear, for then we can make use of the talents we have received, employing them gladly for another's good. We praise you for so enabling us to risk ourselves and yet feel secure. This too reflects in powerful fashion your shepherding love. How confirming of faith it is, O God, to discover that your ways will be the same tomorrow as they are today, for this knowledge then becomes a source of confidence and hope. We praise you for giving us a future ever supported by life--giving love. So will we be shepherded today and always. Hallelujah and amen!
Call to Confession
It is when we turn away from the Good Shepherd, whether this be through ignorance, pride, or foolishness, that we bring trouble, uncertainty, and grief upon ourselves. We expose ourselves to all of those forces around us that would undo us, this without the armor of faith and love that God would provide. In retrospect, it seems an awful bargain, yet how often it is that we stray. Let us confess this, even as we seek to return.
Prayer of Confession
God, it is truly that strange side of us which insists that we can do it on our own. Yet how often we are willing to focus life, our own living, in that way. We look away from the good that you would offer, that guidance, that care which you so readily make available. We glibly announce to others that we will do it our own way, thank you. We spurn the assistance of those whose sole motive is love, preferring instead to stew in our own juice. For time will show that the path taken without you, O God, and without your love, is a forlorn path indeed. For we need those resources of inner strength, hope, and peace which you alone can provide, which you route to us if we would but be faithful servants. That remarkably can happen yet, as we learn to depend wholly upon you, as we acknowledge you to be the Good Shepherd of our lives. May each of us boldly make that affirmation of faith. Amen.
Words of Assurance
"In this is love, not that we loved God, but that God loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins." God's motives are plain; they are born of forgiveness and love. Let us rejoice that the God who made us would so redeem us; and let us accept this good and amazing gift with gratitude.
Thanks be to God for a love so caring, so healing - one that guides us home.
Psalter Reading (Psalm 23)
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me;
Your rod and your staff they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Offering Sentences
Compared to the gift of a life, how can anything we give possibly measure up? Perhaps it is not a matter of measuring up. Perhaps it is more a matter of gratitude, giving what we can out of a glad thanksgiving, this that others too may come to know God's good news, which is life for all. Let our giving be in this spirit.
Prayer of Dedication
Gracious God, Jesus spoke of "other sheep who do not belong to this fold," affirming that it was his intent to include them too. We are part of that other fold, and so are still others. May what we offer here be used by your Spirit to awaken more and more to the wonder of your love and care - that their lives be changed here on earth and for all eternity. May our deeds likewise reflect a faithfulness to your word and holy purpose. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Benediction
Depart from this place knowing that God will be by your side during all of the coming week - guiding, supporting, challenging, and calming you. So does the Good Shepherd care for his sheep. Go, thus, in peace. Be it unto you according to your faith.
We trust God to lead us, for the path through life at times seems unsure.
Like a good shepherd tending his flock, so does God lead us.
We trust that God will care for us, for our strength at times proves inadequate.
Like a good shepherd tending his flock, so does God care for us.
We trust God to protect us, for forces of evil and apathy surround us.
Like a good shepherd tending his flock, so does God keep us safe from harm.
Invocation
How comforting it is, O God, to realize that our needs are known; moreover, that it is your will that these needs be met with an abundance of good gifts. We praise you for this goodness, proof indeed of your shepherding love. How encouraging it is, O God, that we can face the day without fear, for then we can make use of the talents we have received, employing them gladly for another's good. We praise you for so enabling us to risk ourselves and yet feel secure. This too reflects in powerful fashion your shepherding love. How confirming of faith it is, O God, to discover that your ways will be the same tomorrow as they are today, for this knowledge then becomes a source of confidence and hope. We praise you for giving us a future ever supported by life--giving love. So will we be shepherded today and always. Hallelujah and amen!
Call to Confession
It is when we turn away from the Good Shepherd, whether this be through ignorance, pride, or foolishness, that we bring trouble, uncertainty, and grief upon ourselves. We expose ourselves to all of those forces around us that would undo us, this without the armor of faith and love that God would provide. In retrospect, it seems an awful bargain, yet how often it is that we stray. Let us confess this, even as we seek to return.
Prayer of Confession
God, it is truly that strange side of us which insists that we can do it on our own. Yet how often we are willing to focus life, our own living, in that way. We look away from the good that you would offer, that guidance, that care which you so readily make available. We glibly announce to others that we will do it our own way, thank you. We spurn the assistance of those whose sole motive is love, preferring instead to stew in our own juice. For time will show that the path taken without you, O God, and without your love, is a forlorn path indeed. For we need those resources of inner strength, hope, and peace which you alone can provide, which you route to us if we would but be faithful servants. That remarkably can happen yet, as we learn to depend wholly upon you, as we acknowledge you to be the Good Shepherd of our lives. May each of us boldly make that affirmation of faith. Amen.
Words of Assurance
"In this is love, not that we loved God, but that God loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins." God's motives are plain; they are born of forgiveness and love. Let us rejoice that the God who made us would so redeem us; and let us accept this good and amazing gift with gratitude.
Thanks be to God for a love so caring, so healing - one that guides us home.
Psalter Reading (Psalm 23)
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me;
Your rod and your staff they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Offering Sentences
Compared to the gift of a life, how can anything we give possibly measure up? Perhaps it is not a matter of measuring up. Perhaps it is more a matter of gratitude, giving what we can out of a glad thanksgiving, this that others too may come to know God's good news, which is life for all. Let our giving be in this spirit.
Prayer of Dedication
Gracious God, Jesus spoke of "other sheep who do not belong to this fold," affirming that it was his intent to include them too. We are part of that other fold, and so are still others. May what we offer here be used by your Spirit to awaken more and more to the wonder of your love and care - that their lives be changed here on earth and for all eternity. May our deeds likewise reflect a faithfulness to your word and holy purpose. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Benediction
Depart from this place knowing that God will be by your side during all of the coming week - guiding, supporting, challenging, and calming you. So does the Good Shepherd care for his sheep. Go, thus, in peace. Be it unto you according to your faith.
