April 26, 2026 - Confirmation Sunday

SERVICE OF WORD AND SACRAMENT

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER—HE LIVES TO BE MY GOOD SHEPHERD

Without the resurrection of Jesus, I would have to choose my own direction in life. I would be terrible at it, because, like a sheep, I can generally see only what’s in front of me at the moment, and I get myself into trouble. It is especially difficult for me to look far into my future as planned by Jesus. If he had not risen from the dead, I would be on my own.

But he lives, and it makes a difference. I have the reliable direction of the Good Shepherd. He feeds us with his Word. He protects us from the roaring lion, Satan. He is leading us into the green pastures of eternal life. For centuries, the Church has observed this Fourth Sunday of Easter to celebrate that Jesus lives to be our Good Shepherd.

OPENING HYMN HL620 E PA97b All are Welcome!

1 With Great pleasure and with joy,
we have fellowship again,
once again we reach out
to each other.
With rejoicing in our hearts,
overflowing with our love,
we give thanks to God this day,
for each other. (refrain)

Ref All are welcome, all are welcome,
everyone who's present here,
we rejoice to say to you
All are welcome, all are welcome,
once again we gather here,
all are welcome!

2 God has blessed us every day,
ever present, every way,
and again we gather here,
all are welcome.
God has blessed us with his love,
and protected everyone,
and hes's kept us from all harm,
all are welcome! (refrain)

3 May God keep us in his love,
so that we in one accord,
can draw closer to our Lord,
and adore him.
In the sweet by and by,
when forever we'll abide,
no more sorrow or lament,
all are welcome! (refrain)

Text: Benjamín Alicea-Lugo (b. 1952)
Text: © 2016 Multilingual Church Media. Used by permission: Onelicense no. 717826

Please Stand

INVOCATION

The grace of our Lord T Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.
And also with you.

CONFESSION OF SINS CW93 p26

God invites us to come into his presence and worship him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us acknowledge our sinfulness and ask him to forgive us.

Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful, and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.

God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son T and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

THE WORD

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray.

O Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Good Shepherd who laid down your life for the sheep. Lead us now to the still waters of your life-giving Word that we may abide in your Father’s house forevermore; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

Be Seated

FIRST READING Acts 2:42–47

The Good Shepherd’s flock grew as people devoted themselves to the apostolic teaching.

42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 23

1The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

SECOND READING 1 Peter 2:19–25

St. Peter calls on us to follow our Shepherd and Overseer even if it means we will suffer for doing good.

19For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

22“He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

VERSE OF THE DAY CW93 p30 These Words are Written

♫ Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
These words are written that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Please Stand

GOSPEL (in English and Karen) John 10:1–10

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, is the gate through which we enter the green pastures of salvation.

1“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

7Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise be to you, O Christ.

Be Seated

CHILDREN'S MESSAGE

HYMN OF THE DAY 552 The King of Love My Shepherd Is

1 The King of love my shepherd is,
whose goodness fails me never;
I nothing lack if I am his,
and he is mine forever.

2       Where streams of living water flow,
    my Savior gently leads me,
and where the verdant pastures grow,
    with food celestial feeds me.

3 Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
but yet in love he sought me
and on his shoulder gently laid
and home, rejoicing, brought me.

4 In death’s dark vale I fear no ill
with you, dear Lord, beside me,
your rod and staff my comfort still,
your cross before to guide me.

5        You spread a table in my sight,
    a banquet here bestowing;
your oil of welcome, my delight;
    my cup is overflowing!

6       And so through all the length of days
    your goodness fails me never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing your praise
    within your house forever!

Text: Henry W. Baker, 1821–1877, alt.
Text: Public domain

SERMON

Please Stand

CONFESSION OF FAITH Nicene Creed 325 & 381 AD

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Be Seated

OFFERING PRESENTED BEFORE THE ALTAR

CONFIRMATION RITE

PRAYER

Friends in Christ, the Word of God urges us to pray for one another and especially for the youth of the church. On this special day, it is fitting that we bring our prayers before God, firmly believing that he alone is able to strengthen us by the power of the Holy Spirit and keep us faithful to the Savior until we die. Let us pray.

Lord God Heavenly Father, we thank you for shining the light of your holy Word in our hearts. Do not let Satan or this evil world put it out. Be merciful to these brothers and sisters, dear Father, for there are many powerful temptations around us. We are weak, and constantly need wisdom and strength from your Word so that we may know your will, your love, and your guidance for our lives. The devil and the world set many things before us, to distract us from your Word, lead us into idolatry and superstition and take your truth from us. Because you have revealed yourself to us as a gracious and merciful God, abounding in steadfast love, defend us from such great evils. Receive our praise and give peace to your church. Keep the enemies of your Word from harming us in body or spirit, so that your gospel may enlighten and sanctify us all our lives, and we may confess, praise and worship you. Eternal God, you are our only refuge. To you, and your Son, and the Holy Spirit be the highest praise, now and forever.
Amen.

Text: Adpated from a prayer by Nicholas von Amsdorf, 1546, during the Smalcald War. Used in Loehe's service of Catechization. Reprinted from Praying with the Readings: Prayers of the Church… for Minor Festivals and Occasions, copyright © 2022 Paul C. Stratman. Used with permission.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Jesus, Good Shepherd and Gate for your sheep, continue to give us life, that we may enjoy it to the full.