Watchword for the Week

Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good

shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

(John 10:11)

(Moravian Daily Texts 2018)

ORGAN PRELUDE

WELCOME and CALL to WORSHIP

(based on Psalm 23)

Listen! The one who knows you

is calling you by name,

inviting you into community.

Hallelujah! We will follow the voice of love.

You will find here refreshment

for your body and soul

and space to rest your weary bones.

Hallelujah! We will follow the voice of love.

A table of community is set

for you, and the enemies around and within

and all are welcome.

Hallelujah! We will follow the voice of love.

Come, let us worship the risen Lord!

Let the Lord’s name be praised!

Hallelujah!

Hymn 152 * Praise the Lord, his glories show

People’s Choice Hymns are marked with an asterisk (*)

PRAYER of APPROACH

In the life of Jesus, the good shepherd,

those who follow him are part of his flock.

Jesus knows each sheep by name,

their idiosyncrasies and foibles,

their faithfulness and their wanderings.

We too are known and understood by you,

named and loved for everything about us

that makes us who we are.

Your acceptance of us and interest in us makes

our hearts burst with thanksgiving and joy.

Lord, have mercy on us.

We talk about love,

but our actions betray us.

We talk about love,

but we neglect the poor and needy.

We talk about love,

but we fail to love one another.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Forgive us and abide in us

by the power of your Spirit

so that our lives may show

our love for Jesus Christ,

in whose body we live

and in whose name we pray. Amen.

DECLARATION of FORGIVENESS

We seek God’s grace with boldness because we

trust in Jesus Christ, the one who love us and

laid down his life for us. This is the good news of

the gospel: in Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

Thanks be to God! Amen.

CHILDREN’S TIME

Chorus (eg 433) Hevenu shalom alejchem

Hevenu shalom alejchem

Hevenu shalom alejchem

Hevenu shalom alejchem

Hevenu shalom, shalom, shalom alejchem!

SHARING GOD’S PEACE

(Children may join the Kids’ Church programme)

SCRIPTURE READINGS

1 John 3:16-24 NT p. 305 (302)

Chorus * The most Excellency is Jesus

The most Excellency is Jesus!

Shout Hallelujah, Amen!

The most Excellency is Jesus!

Shout Hallelujah, Amen!

St. John 10:11-18 NT p. 131

People may stand for the Gospel reading.

The word of God: Thanks be to God!

Hymn 427 Alleluia! Hearts to heaven

(Hymn of the Month, April 2018)

SERMON Rev. James Brown

Hymn 443 * He is Lord, he is Lord!

(Offerings are gathered and brought forward)

DEDICATION PRAYER

Gracious God, we give you thanks that you

have shown us the meaning of love through

Jesus Christ, who gave his life for us. Show

us how to share Christ’s love by giving our

lives for one another; to the glory of your

holy name. Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS See Notices overleaf

PRAYERS for OTHERS

Response: God of goodness and mercy;

hear our prayer.

The LORD’S PRAYER

(Please pray in your own preferred language / version.)

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, the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever. Amen.

Hymn 511 Your hand, O God, has guided

BLESSING and Threefold Amen (No. 819)

ORGAN POSTLUDE