WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CONGREGATION

PRELUDE          “The King of Love”          Roberta Rowland-Raybold                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

*CALL TO WORSHIP – from Psalms 4

Answer me when I call on you, O God, 

for you are the defender of my cause.

Have mercy on me and hear my prayer, 

for you have the power to set me free.

The Lord does wonders for the faithful; 

when I cry out, the Lord hears me.

Many are saying, "Oh, that we might see better times!"

Put your trust in the Lord, pray that the light of God's face will shine on us.

For the Lord puts gladness in my heart; 

in God alone may I dwell in safety.

*PRAYER OF THE DAY

*HYMN 65         Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                         

Faithful Shepherd, you lead us and guide us in the way we should go.  You have set before us the way of life, having borne upon yourself our sin and death, so that we might live forever.  Yet we have wandered from your fold and strayed from your path; we have chosen to stumble in darkness, rather than walking in your light.  By your merciful Spirit, draw us back unto yourself, and set our feet on your sure path, that step by step, and day by day, we may truly glorify your holy name...

Silent Prayers of Confession

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

All who believe in the name of Jesus Christ and love one another, live in him and he lives in them." (1 John 3: 23, 24) and "There is salvation in no-one else..." (Acts 4:12)   Hear and believe the Good News: in Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

Thanks be to God! Alleluia!

*GLORIA PATRI     “Glory Be to the Father”                #581

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION 

SCRIPTURE LESSONS: 1 John 3:16-24; Psalm 23; John 10:11-18

SERMON          “Loving Shepherd”           Rev. Barrett Ingram 

*HYMN 803          My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH        The Apostles’ Creed         pg. 35

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic* Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.  

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

OFFERTORY ANTHEM      “The King of Love My Shepherd Is”

                             (Handbells)  Grace United Methodist Church

RECEIVING OF GOD’S TITHES AND OFFERINGS

*EASTER DOXOLOGY 

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; 

Praise Him, all creatures here below: alleluia, alleluia! 

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;             

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*HYMN 187        Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us                       

*BENEDICTION  

*POSTLUDE     “We Who Once were Dead”               Paul Manz