David Koll

This call to worship originally appeared in "The Lord, Our Shepherd—Lent 4: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death..."Call to WorshipCome, let us sing for joy to the Lord.Let us shout aloud to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving, and extol him with music and song.For the Lord is the great God, the great king above all Gods. Come, let us bow down in worship,Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. —Psalm 95:1–3, 6–7 NIVRevised Common LectionaryYear A: Lent—Third Sunday in LentYear A: Season after Pentecost—Reign of Christ—Proper 29 (34)

This gathering litany originally appeared in "The Lord, Our Shepherd—Lent 1: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want."Litany of Response:When the advertisements offer us everything, if we only have the money;and you offer everything if only we do without,Lord, help us to say “no” to the world and “yes” to you. When the easier way to succeed means we lose our integrity, but the harder waymeans we lose our pride,Lord, help us to say “no” to the world and “yes” to you. When society wants us to conform and be nice, and you want us to rebel and be real,Lord, help us to say “no” to the worldand “yes” to you. When our friends don't respect what we count as important,but you call us to persist and overcome, Lord, help us to say “no” to the world and “yes” to you. When we feel alone and forsaken by youand are tempted to forsake you in turn,but you have promised your enduring presence even when we don’t feel it,Lord, help us to say “no” to our doubtsand “yes” to you. When we have come to a crossroads and we don't know where to turn,but you call us to walk in faith with you, Lord, help us to say “no” to our doubtsand “yes” to you. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who has been preached among youis not one who is “yes” and “no.”He is God’s “yes”—For it is he who is the “yes” to all God’s promises. —David Koll © 2002 ReformedWorship.org CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

This litany originally appeared in "The Lord, Our Shepherd," a series for Lent based on Psalm 23.Litany of ConfessionThis litany for two leaders and a congregation is based on Isaiah 53 and weaves together scripture passages about the Lord as the Good Shepherd and people as sheep.Reader 1: Israel is a scattered flock that lions have chased away. —Jeremiah 50:17Reader 2: My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains.—Jeremiah 50:6People: We all, like sheep, have gone astray. —Isaiah. 53:6Reader 1: Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? —Luke 15:4Reader 2: When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. —Matthew 9:36People: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way. —Isaiah. 53:6Reader 1: He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds we have been healed. —1 Peter 2:24Reader 2: For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. —1 Peter 2:25People: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. —Isaiah 53:6Revised Common LectionaryYear B: Season after Pentecost—Proper 24 (29)

This is part of the worship series"The Lord, Our Shepherd"Introduction Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 Palm Sunday | Maundy Thursday | EasterHome DevotionsDaily Devotional Guide This home devotional guide covers the six weeks of Lent on the theme of Psalm 23.Week OneHere you will find a Scripture reading and a reflection question for each day of the week. Use this material as an individual or around the table with your family. Keep in mind the words from Psalm 23:1 that form the theme for the week, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” May God bless us all as we seek to deepen our walk with him.Sunday: Philippians 4:19Q. What is one of the things God said to you through the message presented this morning?Monday: 1 Peter 2:24–25Q. As Peter tells us, we are like “sheep going astray.” What are some of the things you have done that show this is true? How do you know you have “returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls”?Tuesday: John 10:14–16Q. Who might be some of the “other sheep” that are mentioned in v. 16? Take a moment to pray for them.Wednesday: John 10:14-16Q. What does the prayer of v. 14 have to do with the statements in vv. 7–10? When can you offer this prayer?Thursday: Proverbs 8:10–19Q. Who is the “speaker” in these verses, and what do they have to do with following the Good Shepherd?Friday: Psalm 73:23–26Q. What events in your life have been teaching you the truths stated in these verses?Saturday: Isaiah 40:10–11Q. Of the three verbs in v. 11 (gathers, carries, and leads), which best describes what God has been doing for you lately?Week TwoHere you will find a Scripture reading and a reflection question for each day of the week. Use this material as an individual or around the table with your family. Keep in mind the words from Psalm 23:2 that form the theme for the week, "He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters; He restores my soul."  May God bless us all as we seek to deepen our walk with him.Sunday: Isaiah 49:8-12Q. As you listen to God speak once again in these words from this morning's message, what phrase speaks to your heart?Monday: Revelation 7:13-17Q. Read over these verses carefully, and then mention some of those you have known in life who are now in heaven, experiencing this promise right now; also spend some time reflecting on the ways we can and do experience this promise here on earth.Tuesday: Revelation 22:17Q. Why do you think the Triune God invites us to "Come"?Wednesday: Psalm 73:21-28Q. What is God doing in your life to change you from the "brute beast" of v. 22 into a lamb that follows the Good Shepherd?Thursday: Psalm 34:1-10Q. How can we "taste" God (v. 8)? What are some of the ways that are suggested in these verses?Friday: Psalm 37:1-11Q. What events in your life cause you to "fret" or to "be envious" (v. 1) and what are the responses and alternatives given in these verses?Saturday: Ezekiel 34:11–16Q. As you consider the actions of God, the Shepherd, which are spoken of in these verses, which ones have you experienced personally, which ones are you praying for regarding yourself, and which ones are you praying for regarding someone else?Week ThreeHere you will find a Scripture reading and a reflection question for each day of the week. Use this material as an individual or around the table with your family. Keep in mind the words from Psalm 23:3 that form the theme for the week, “He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.” May God bless us all as we seek to deepen our walk with him.Sunday: Isaiah 6:1–8Q. Do you often sense the guilt-lifting impact of vv. 6–7 as they follow the story of vv. 1–5? Do you often sense the response of v. 8?Monday: Psalm 103:1–5Q. As you review the list of blessings cited in these verses, what are some other items you would add to the list?Tuesday: Psalm 103:6–12Q. As we're told that God "does not treat us as our sins deserve",(v. 10) and that He "removes our transgressions from us" (v. 12), how is His "righteousness" and 'Justice" expressed (v. 6)? As you bring to mind the gracious work of Christ, what is your response?Wednesday: Psalm 103:13–22Q. What is said about God's righteousness in these verses that makes you respond with the words, "Praise the Lord, 0 my soul"?Thursday: Hebrews 10:19–25Q. What most often stands in the way of your approaching God: a lack of confidence (see v. 19) or a lack of habit (v. 25)? What would Jesus tell you relative to each of these issues?Friday: Isaiah 48:10–11Q. What events in your life have felt like "the furnace of affliction"? Have you been able to see ways that this served to add to God's glory and fame (vv. 9, 11)?Saturday: Psalm 5:1–8Q. This is the psalm we used to begin this week. What words express your state of mind today? Week FourHere you will find a Scripture reading and a reflection question for each day of the week. Use this material as an individual or around the table with your family. Keep in mind the words from Psalm 23:4 that form the theme for the week, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. ” May God bless us all as we seek to deepen our walk with him.Sunday: Isaiah 43:1–7Q. As you read over these verses from our passage today, what words especially resonate in your heart? As the extended verses (vv. 3–7) speak of God's "gathering" task, who are some persons you are aware of that God may be gathering through your worshiping community? Will you pray for them this week?Monday: 2 Corinthians 4:5–12Q. As you review this passage, take note of the descriptive words in vv. 8–9. When have you experienced the "negative" words, and then have you experienced the "positive" words?Tuesday: James 1:2–4Q. What is it, according to James, that keeps us going in "trials"?Wednesday: 1 Peter 1:6–9Q. Yesterday we heard James' words on trials, and today we read Peter's perspective. What is Peter's explanation of "trials" in our life?  (Be sure to note verse 9.)Thursday: Romans 8:34–39Q. This classic passage speaks of our comfort in the face of the reality of "facing death all day long" (v. 35). What forms of attack listed in v. 35 have you encountered lately? What have you done about them? What does God ask you to do?Friday: 1 Corinthians 15:35–54 (or verses 50–54)Q. What "higher reality" is described in these verses, and how does knowing this reality help us in "the valley of the shadow of death"?Saturday: Hebrews 12:7–11Q. This passage introduces the concept of "discipline", which we will consider next. How do the words of Hebrews 12:7 speak to our experience of "life in the valley"? Can you identify a personal example of "hardship" that has served to train and mature you?Week FiveHere you will find a Scripture reading and a reflection question for each day of the week. Use this material as an individual or around the table with your family. Keep in mind the words from Psalm 23:4 that form the theme for the week, “Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” May God bless us all as we seek to deepen our walk with him.Sunday: Hebrews 12:7–11Q. As you once again read over these verses from our passage today, what words especially resonate in your heart?Monday: Hebrews 12:1–6Q. Looking especially at the first three verses in this passage, what is the "spiritual lesson" you find/or today? How does this relate to the words of Hebrews 12: 4–11?Tuesday: Isaiah 38:9–20Q. Take note of the range of emotions displayed in these verses. How is ii possible to move from the agony of the first few verses and arrive at the acceptance of v. 17?Wednesday: Hebrews 5:7–8Q. If Jesus was "perfect" from birth, how is it possible that He "learned obedience"? What does this say about our learning process?Thursday: Isaiah 32:17–20Q. How would you describe this picture of "maturity" with modern images? What does this passage say to your heart?Friday: 1 Peter 5:5–11Q. What are some of the elements of "submission" (v. 5a) that this passage calls us to learn in life? (Answer by looking at vv. 5b– 11)Saturday: Hebrews 1:8–9Q. Tomorrow morning we will consider the "anointing" of Jesus, and the anointing of our own heads. What does this "anointing" mean to you at this point in your spiritual journey? Week SixHere you will find a Scripture reading and a reflection question for each day of the week. Use this material as an individual or around the table with your family. Keep in mind the words from Psalm 23:5 that form the theme for the week, “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." May God bless us all as we seek to deepen our walk with him.Sunday: Hebrews 1:6–7Q. As you once again read this passage, what have you learned today about the reality of "anointing"?Monday: Isaiah 26:1–9Q. As you read this extended passage about God's work, what are some of the striking aspects of experiencing the "oil of peace"?Tuesday: Psalm 103:1–8Q. This cherished psalm speaks of the "oil of healing". Identify as many statements as you can that describe God's work of healing in our lives.Wednesday Ephesians 1:7–14Q. God anoints us with His Spirit (v. 13). What are some of the marks of the "oil of humility" that are assumed and mentioned in this passage?Thursday: Isaiah 61:1–3Q. How can we live out the anointed lifestyle described in this passage? What particular people can we pray for today who need the "oil of gladness" mentioned in v. 3. (Can we accompany our prayers with an invitation to sit next to us Easter Sunday?)Friday: Revelation 19:6–9Q. In our Good Friday service tonight we consider the table that is spread before us by the Good Shepherd (See Psalm 23:5). What do these words in revelation say about that table?Saturday: Psalm 6Q. This psalm is a good one to read between Good Friday and Easter. What words seem appropriate for you to hear and to say during this "in between period." What words do you need to offer to God in prayer for yourself! What words do you need to offer on behalf of others?Sunday: Matthew 28:1–10; Psalm 23:6; Psalm 16:9–11Q. These are the passages we use today in our Easter worship. What is it that makes Easter such a great day of celebration?

This is part of the worship series"The Lord, Our Shepherd"Introduction Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 Palm Sunday | Maundy Thursday | EasterHome DevotionsEASTER SUNDAYSurely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. ScripturePsalm 16:9-11; Matthew 28Sermon“Secure Forever”Sermon IdeasPsalm 23 and Psalm 16 proved to be amazingly appropriate and inspiring for an Easter morning message. We began with the Easter story in Matthew 28, and then sprang from the doubt expressed by the disciples to the doubt we experience today. The words of Psalm 23’s conclusion are not always so confidently spoken by Christians today, and our experience of life does not always seem to be “goodness and love.” We distinguished between the “gift” (our definition of goodness and love) and the “giver” (Jesus—the divine definition of goodness and love.) We then entered into the hope we have with Jesus at our side in life and in death, concluding with the joyful affirmation of our faith and hope in the words of Psalm 16:9–11.Song Suggestions“Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen” Brokering“Celebrate Jesus” Oliver“Celtic Alleluia” O'Carroll, Walker“I Know That My Redeemer Lives” (anthem, from Handel’s Messiah)“Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” RoundsRevised Common LectionaryYears A, B, C: Easter—Easter VigilYear A: Easter—Resurrection of the Lord

This is part of the worship series"The Lord, Our Shepherd"Introduction Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 Palm Sunday | Maundy Thursday | EasterHome DevotionsMAUNDY THURSDAYYou prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.ScriptureRevelation 19:6–9Sermon“The Last Supper?”Sermon IdeasPsalm 23 refers to a table in the presence of enemies. From there the jump to Jesus’ institution of the Lord’s Supper is obvious. Jesus’ past sacrifice has present relevance for each of us as persons who need to “feed” on Christ daily. The passage from Revelation turned the focus to the actual last supper spoken of in Scripture, and it directed us from remembrance of the past to the anticipation of the future that must be part of our celebration of the sacrament. This service primed us for the Easter morning as we anticipated the last words of Psalm 23: “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!” Thus, the description of the sacrament as a past, present, and future feast was complete.Song SuggestionsNote: We created a service of lessons and carols for this evening service, using a variety of Scriptures, Passion season music, and Lenten readings. The litanies we used for this service (as well as for Palm Sunday and Easter) came from the sourcebook Stages on the Way.“A New Commandment” unknown“Come to the Table” Michael Card“There Is a Redeemer” Green“We Will Dance” RuisLitany of ConfessionReader 1: Israel is a scattered flock that lions have chased away. —Jeremiah 50:17Reader 2: My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains.—Jeremiah 50:6People: We all, like sheep, have gone astray. —Isaiah. 53:6Reader 1: Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? —Luke 15:4Reader 2: When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. —Matthew 9:36People: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way. —Isaiah. 53:6Reader 1: He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds we have been healed. —1 Peter 2:24Reader 2: For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. —1 Peter 2:25People: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. —Isaiah 53:6Revised Common LectionaryYear A: Lent—Fourth Sunday in Lent

This is part of the worship series"The Lord, Our Shepherd"Introduction Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 Palm Sunday | Maundy Thursday | EasterHome DevotionsSIXTH SUNDAY IN LENT: PALM/PASSION SUNDAYYou anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.ScriptureHebrews 1:8–9; Mark 11:1–11; Luke 7:36–8:3Sermon“Anointed by God”Sermon IdeasAlthough the early part of the service celebrated the kingly anointing of Jesus on Palm Sunday theme, we moved into the suggestion of Psalm 23 that our heads are also anointed. The classic book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller describes a number of ways shepherds use oil, and we used these to discover the types of anointing oil we need to receive from Jesus. We then discussed the sense of appointment, the sense of sorrow, and the sense of joy that Jesus experienced in his anointing, and which we need to carry in our own anointing.Song SuggestionsCelebrating the kingship of Jesus on Psalm Sunday is an activity that can naturally involve children. The number of songs appropriate for children and congregations are numerous.“All Glory, Laud, and Honor” Theodulph of Orleans“Hail and Hosanna” Brumm“Hail to the Lord’s Anointed” Polman“Hosanna! Hosanna!” Kamp“Trotting, Trotting Through Jerusalem” ReidLitany of ConfessionReader 1: Israel is a scattered flock that lions have chased away. —Jeremiah 50:17Reader 2: My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains.—Jeremiah 50:6People: We all, like sheep, have gone astray. —Isaiah. 53:6Reader 1: Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? —Luke 15:4Reader 2: When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. —Matthew 9:36People: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way. —Isaiah. 53:6Reader 1: He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds we have been healed. —1 Peter 2:24Reader 2: For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. —1 Peter 2:25People: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. —Isaiah 53:6Wednesday "Strolling With the Shepherd" ServiceOpening Hymn“Beautiful Savior” SeissOpening PrayerScripture ReadingColossians 1:15–20Response: “ABC Adoration”[Ahead of your time together, invite members of your worshiping community to send in attributes and names of God beginning with each letter of the alphabet (Almighty, Beautiful, Creator…) and create slides with all these words set to music to share at this time. You could also invite them to send in a photo to go along with the word. Alternatively, you could invite those gathered to suggest attributes and you create a list of those words together, maybe writing them on big pieces of paper and have volunteers hold them surrounding those gathered. Or you could form intergenerational groups to work on creating a list together.]Scripture ReadingColossians 1:15–23 ResponsePrayer of Thanks and CommitmentTime of ReflectionWhat have you been learning so far this Lent season? What has God been saying to you?What do we need to pray about tonight?Time of PrayerParting ScripturePhilippians 2: 6–11Song“He Is Lord” Attr. VestClosing PrayerRevised Common LectionaryYears A, B, C: Lent—Liturgy of the PassionYear A: Lent—Fourth Sunday in LentYear B - Lent - Liturgy of the Palms

This is part of the worship series"The Lord, Our Shepherd"Introduction Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 Palm Sunday | Maundy Thursday | EasterHome DevotionsFIFTH SUNDAY IN LENTYour rod and your staff, they comfort me.ScriptureHebrews 12:7–11Sermon“Comforting Discipline”Sermon IdeasPsalm 23 brings together the ideas of comfort and discipline. Though they often seem to be at odds with one another, the Bible teaches that they go together. According to Hebrews 12, the presence of God’s discipline in our lives is actually a reason for comfort. Through the uses of a shepherd’s rod and staff (as explained in Phillip Keller’s book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23) we were able to see various forms and expressions of God’s discipline in our life. We used the terms encourager and challenger to describe two of the roles God plays for us, and which God wants us to perform for one another in his name.Song Suggestions“Cry of My Heart” Butler“My Jesus, I Love Thee” Featherstone“You, Lord, Are Both Lamb and Shepherd” Dunstan  (also available as an anthem by Al Fedak entitled “Christus Paradox,” GIA G-5463)“Step by Step” BeakerLitany of ConfessionReader 1: Israel is a scattered flock that lions have chased away. —Jeremiah 50:17Reader 2: My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains.—Jeremiah 50:6People: We all, like sheep, have gone astray. —Isaiah. 53:6Reader 1: Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? —Luke 15:4Reader 2: When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. —Matthew 9:36People: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way. —Isaiah. 53:6Reader 1: He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds we have been healed. —1 Peter 2:24Reader 2: For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. —1 Peter 2:25People: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. —Isaiah 53:6Wednesday "Strolling With the Shepherd" ServiceGathering LitanyCome, let us sing for joy to the Lord.Let us shout aloud to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving, and extol him with music and song.For the Lord is the great God, the great king above all Gods. Come, let us bow down in worship,Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. —Psalm 95Hymn“Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” Thrupp, LyteOpening PrayerScripture Reading for two voices with Sung RefrainPsalm 22:1–11 with "What Wondrous Love" Anon.[The text and music for the sung refrain comes from the first eight measures of the stanzas of “What Wondrous Love” from S. Mead’s, A General Selection, 1811, P.D. This reading also appears in the hymnal Lift Up Your Hearts, #165 (Faith Alive, 2013).] Reader 1:My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?   Why are you so far from saving me,   so far from my cries of anguish?My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,   by night, but I find no rest. Reader 2:Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;   you are the one Israel praises.In you our ancestors put their trust;   they trusted and you delivered them.To you they cried out and were saved;   in you they trusted and were not put to shame. Sung: What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul! What wondrous love is this, O my soul!  Reader 1:But I am a worm and not a man,   scorned by everyone, despised by the people.All who see me mock me;   they hurl insults, shaking their heads.“He trusts in the Lord,” they say,   “let the Lord rescue him.Let him deliver him,   since he delights in him.” Sung:When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,when I was sinking down, sinking down… Reader 2:Yet you brought me out of the womb;   you made me trust in you, even at my mother’s breast.From birth I was cast on you;   from my mother’s womb you have been my God.Do not be far from me,   for trouble is near   and there is no one to help. Sung:To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing,to God and to the Lamb I will sing.  Reader 1:I will declare your name to my people;in the assembly I will praise you.You who fear the Lord, praise him!  All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! Reader 2:For he has not despised or scorned   the suffering of the afflicted one;he has not hidden his face from him   but has listened to his cry for help.From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;   before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows.The poor will eat and be satisfied;   those who seek the Lord will praise him—   may your hearts live forever! Readers 1&2:All the ends of the earth    will remember and turn to the Lord,and all the families of the nations    will bow down before him,for dominion belongs to the Lord    and he rules over the nations.All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;    all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—    those who cannot keep themselves alive. Sung:And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on;and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be,and through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,and through eternity I’ll sing on.A Time of ReflectionWhat have you been learning so far this lent season? What has God been saying to you?What do we need to pray about tonight?A Time of PrayerParting Scripture I Peter 1:6–9 Closing PrayerSong “Beautiful Savior” SeissRevised Common LectionaryYears A, B, C: Holy Week—Good FridayYear A: Lent—Fourth Sunday in Lent

This is part of the worship series"The Lord, Our Shepherd"Introduction Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 Palm Sunday | Maundy Thursday | EasterHome DevotionsFOURTH SUNDAY IN LENTEven though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. ScriptureIsaiah 43:1–2Sermon“Facing Death”Sermon IdeasWe all face death—our own and the death of the ones we love. This reality is certainly an appropriate focus during Lent. It’s also important to reflect on the various “valleys” and “dark shadows” we go through in any given year in the course of a lifetime. Isaiah 43:1–2 reminds us that the valley is not a wrong turn, but is rather a time of training and an opportunity for genuine discovery of God. I will be with you, says God. I have called you by name; you are mine. Our time in the valleys, even the valley of the shadow of death, offers a unique opportunity to discover the reality that God is with us.Song Suggestions“Children of the Heavenly Father” Sandell Berg“How Firm a Foundation” J. Rippon's Selection of Hymns, 1787, alt.“Now Behold the Lamb” FranklinLitany of ConfessionReader 1: Israel is a scattered flock that lions have chased away. —Jeremiah 50:17Reader 2: My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains.—Jeremiah 50:6People: We all, like sheep, have gone astray. —Isaiah. 53:6Reader 1: Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? —Luke 15:4Reader 2: When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. —Matthew 9:36People: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way. —Isaiah. 53:6Reader 1: He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds we have been healed. —1 Peter 2:24Reader 2: For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. —1 Peter 2:25People: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. —Isaiah 53:6Wednesday "Strolling With the Shepherd" ServiceGathering LitanyCome, let us sing for joy to the Lord.Let us shout aloud to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving, and extol him with music and song.For the Lord is the great God, the great king above all Gods. Come, let us bow down in worship,Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. —Psalm 95:1–3, 6–7 NIVHymn“Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us” Thrupp, LyteOpening PrayerScripture ReadingsIsaiah 53:4–6, Psalm 116:1–7, John 11:17–26[For each of the following readings, take special note of what is said about walking through "the valley of the shadow of death."]A Time of ReflectionWhat have you been learning so far this lent season? What has God been saying to you?What do we need to pray about tonight?A Time of PrayerSong“The Lord Is Saying” SeerveldParting ScriptureIsaiah 60:18–22Closing PrayerRevised Common LectionaryYear A: Lent—Fourth Sunday in Lent

This is part of the worship series"The Lord, Our Shepherd"Introduction Lent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 Palm Sunday | Maundy Thursday | EasterHome DevotionsTHIRD SUNDAY IN LENTHe guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.ScripturePsalm 5 (esp. vv. 7–8)Sermon“God Guidance?”Sermon IdeasAn ad campaign by the American Dairy Association inspired the title of the message and the introduction I used. A website on calcium listed some of the essential reasons why we need milk in our life. These provided an easy springboard for me to list the reasons we need God’s guidance in our life. (Both calcium and Jesus (a) form and maintain us, (b) enable and promote healing, and (c) prevent hypertension and deformity.) From there we worked into the task of finding Jesus, which is what worship is about, as suggested in Psalm 5. We recognized the importance of righteousness, spoken of in Psalms 5 and 23, then focused on the provision of Jesus as “the righteous one” who is both our Shepherd and our sacrificial Lamb. Jesus’ sacrifice makes it possible to live in and be guided by the presence of God.Song Suggestions“He Leadeth Me” Gilmore“Hear, O Lord, My Urgent Prayer” (Psalm 5) Post“Lead Me, Guide Me” Akers“Lead Me, Lord” Wesley, Strickling“You, Lord, Are Both Lamb and Shepherd” DunstanLitany of ConfessionReader 1: Israel is a scattered flock that lions have chased away. —Jeremiah 50:17Reader 2: My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains.—Jeremiah 50:6People: We all, like sheep, have gone astray. —Isaiah. 53:6Reader 1: Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? —Luke 15:4Reader 2: When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. —Matthew 9:36People: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way. —Isaiah. 53:6Reader 1: He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds we have been healed. —1 Peter 2:24Reader 2: For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. —1 Peter 2:25People: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. —Isaiah 53:6Wednesday "Strolling With the Shepherd" ServiceReflective Music“Healer of My Soul” Talbot Opening PrayerGathering LitanyShout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.Give thanks to Him, and praise His name.For the Lord is good, and his love endures forever;his faithfulness continues through all generations.—Psalm 100 NIVHymn“Joyful Joyful, We Adore Thee” Van DykeScripture ReadingsIsaiah 58:11, Psalm 139:7–10, John 16:12–16[For each of the readings, take special note of what is said about "guidance".]A Time of ReflectionWhat have you been learning so far this Lent season? What has God been saying to you?What do we need to pray about tonight?A Time of PrayerClosing Song“Take Time to Be Holy” Longstaff Parting ScriptureHebrews 12:1–3Closing PrayerRevised Common LectionaryYears A, B, C: Lent—Ash WednesdayYear A: Lent—Fourth Sunday in Lent