WELCOME AND CONCERNS OF THE CONGREGATION

PRELUDE                   Prelude on “St. Columbia”               David Lasky

*CALL TO WORSHIP – from Psalm 23

L:  We rejoice in the One who leads us beside still waters,
P:  And gives us refreshment of soul.
L:  Christ our Shepherd shows us the way we should go,
P:  So that the name of God will be glorified.
L:  Though all manner of evil befall us, we will not be afraid,
P:  For the Great Shepherd of our souls is with us.
L:  We are never away from the love and mercy of the Lord,
P:  And we shall be with him for ever and ever.

*PRAYER OF THE DAY

*HYMN 475              Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

PRAYER OF CONFESSION                                         

Almighty God, you sent Jesus to be our Good Shepherd -- to gather us together; to seek us when we are lost, and to guide us into your green pastures.  Yet we have wandered from his fold and have turned away from his hand that offers us the bread and water of Life.  Forgive us for seeking out our own places and means of provision, and rejecting the gifts of your Good Shepherd.  Help us by your Spirit to trust ourselves fully into his hands, knowing that by him we will be abundantly fed and safely led, to your honor and glory forever...

Silent Prayers of Confession

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS 

All of us, like sheep, have gone astray, but now we have returned

to the shepherd and guardian of our souls. --1 Peter 2:25

In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!

Thanks be to God! 

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

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.   Amen, Amen. 

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION 

SCRIPTURE LESSONS: Acts 2:42-47; 1 Peter 2:19-25 

SERMON          “Living Example”      Rev. Barrett Ingram 

*HYMN 187              Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH    The Apostles’ Creed     hymnal, pg. 35

PASTORAL PRAYER AND THE LORD’S PRAYER 

OFFERTORY ANTHEM     “The King of Love My Shepherd Is”

                                                                                     John Ness Beck

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 837              What a Fellowship, What a Joy Devine 

*BENEDICTION  

*POSTLUDE              “Finale in D Minor”                Eric  Thiman

                        *Those who are able are invited to stand.