4th Sunday of Easter – Worship Service
4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER
04-26-2026 10:00AM Worship (in person and online)
+ WE ANNOUNCE THE VICTORY +
THE OPENING RITE FOR EASTER 4:
L The Fourth Sunday of Easter is often called “Good Shepherd Sunday”. In today’s gospel Jesus calls himself both “the
shepherd” and “the gate” for the sheep. In a world of wolves and thieves that would do us harm, in a world of phony and
uncommitted shepherds that would do us no good…
C The Bible proclaims that we are the Lord’s people, we are the sheep of God’s flock!
But, wait a minute, I like to think of myself as stronger, smarter, and less scared than a sheep.
L In a life’s journey where we are confronted by closed, locked doors along the way… where we are challenged by detours
and dead ends… and where we face the seemingly one-way door of the physical reality of death at the very end…
C The Bible proclaims that Jesus is the door, the way, the gate to abundant and eternal life!
But aren’t there a lot of choices that might lead me to earthly success and pleasure?
L My sisters, my brothers, beneath and above all the other voices that you hear in this life, may you identify and know,
trust and follow the voice of Jesus Christ. He is the one who laid his life down for us, who loves us sacrificially, who
promises and delivers abundant living. Hallelujah!
OPENING SONG: “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” Tan #424
CELEBRATION OF NEW LIFE IN CHRIST:
L Sisters and brothers, Jesus knows his own and his own know him. Through his death and resurrection you have been
forgiven, born anew, and given life in abundance, life that does not end with death. Only by God’s grace, we are Easter
people, always rising! I invite you to celebrate the presence, the peace, the power, and the promises of Jesus Christ with
a neighbor by making the sign of the cross on their forehead, and saying –
“Receive [+] the sign of the cross. Because HE died, YOU are alive!”
THE PEACE GREETING… We share the peace, love, and forgiveness of the RISEN CHRIST!
SONG OF PRAISE: “Lord, I lift your name on high, Lord, I love to sing your praises.
I’m so glad you’re in my life, I’m so glad you came to save us.
You came from heaven to earth to show the way;
from the earth to the cross, my debt to pay;
from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky; Lord, I lift your name on high!
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY (together):
Good Shepherd, I listen for your voice in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow.
Open the gate for me, that I may come and go freely, walk the right paths of daily life, and experience your
promise of true, abundant, and eternal life. Amen.
+ WE PROCLAIM GOD’S SAVING WORD +
FIRST READING: ACTS 2:42-47
[People of the Good Shepherd – leaning on love and learning to love!]
SECOND READING: 1 PETER 2:19-25
[People of the Good Shepherd – blessing God in spite of unjust suffering for following Jesus!]
GOSPEL VERSE: “Oh, how He loves you and me. Oh, how He loves you and me.
He gave His life, what more can He give?
OH, HOW HE LOVES YOU; OH, HOW HE LOVES ME;
OH, HOW HE LOVES YOU AND ME!
Jesus to Calv’ry did go, His love for this world to show.
What He did there brought hope from despair…”
THE HOLY GOSPEL: JOHN 10:1-10
[People of the Good Shepherd – saved, free, alive!]
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE SERMON: Pastor Robert Holum
SONG RESPONSE: “Spirit Song” Tan #321
AN AFFIRMATION OF OUR FAITH:
L Today we confess our faith, our trust, and our confidence with the words of PSALM 23…
C The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not lack anything.
The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures: the Lord leads me beside quiet waters.
The Lord refreshes my soul: the Lord guides me along the right pathways 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; your rod and staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies:
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and mercy will be with me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Always, Amen!
THE PRAYERS… We pray that all people might be transformed by the GOOD NEWS of Easter!
+ WE SHARE GOD’S NOURISHING MEAL +
TITHES (10% giving) AND GIFTS
The early Christians were known for their wild and joyous compassion and love. Let’s join them! Those in the Sanctuary can put their offering in the offering plate. Those farther away can: mail a check or money order to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2169 74th Avenue, Philadelphia,
PA 19138… or contribute online through bit.ly/stpetersgiving and set up a one-time donation
or a recurring weekly gift to the categories you select… or text Give+ at 833-914-0896 and follow the instructions for your contribution. God has blessed us to be a blessing!
SONG SELECTION: ALL SAINTS CHOIR
THE OFFERTORY SONG: “Get all excited, go tell ev’rybody that Jesus Christ is King! [sing this line 3 times]
Jesus Christ is still the King of kings, the King of kings!”
OFFERING PRAYER led by the Communion Assistant:
O God, it is only by your amazing grace that we are Easter-alive today! We dedicate our gifts and our lives
to drying tears and sharing good news of peace. Make us bold and eager witnesses to others of NEW LIFE
IN CHRIST. Amen.
THE PREFACE… We prepare to celebrate the LORD’S SUPPER with humble joy!
L The Lord be with you. C And also with you.
L Lift up your hearts! C We lift them up in love for God!
L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C It is right to give God our thanks and praise.
L The Lord delivers us from sin and death… C … and grants us salvation and eternal life!
L [continues the Preface]… we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
C [singing…] “Holy, holy, holy, holy,
holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
and we lift our hearts before you as a token of our love,
holy, holy, holy, holy.
Precious Jesus, precious Jesus,
We’re so glad that you redeemed us, precious Jesus…
Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit,
come and fill our hearts anew, O Holy Spirit…”
THE EUCHARISTIC WORDS by the Celebrant, who recalls and re-enacts Jesus’ Holy Meal.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
COMMUNION AND BLESSINGS… All believers in Christ are welcome at the Lord’s Table! This morning we will come up by
the center aisle and kneel or stand at the altar. Get an empty glass as you come up if you want wine from the chalice;
we will also have a tray of poured glasses of grape juice at the altar. You may return to your seats by the side aisles. TO GIVE US LIFE, HE WAS WILLING TO DIE! WHEN WE EAT THIS BREAD AND DRINK THIS CUP, WE REMEMBER HIS DEATH… PROCLAIM HIS RESURRECTION… AND LOOK FORWARD TO HIS RETURN.
COMMUNION SONGS: Tan #686 Tan #421
THE COMMUNION BLESSING by the Celebrant after all have communed.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER by the Communion Assistant.
+ WE ARE SENT TO SHOW AND TELL +
THE BENEDICTION… Leave with a message upon your heart, on your lips, and revealed through your daily living: I have
seen the Lord. Go in the faith-filled power of the Risen Lord (+) to love God and to serve your neighbor.
CLOSING SONG: “O How I Love Jesus” Tan #291