My dearest Hope Family-
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
As Maya Angelou wrote: “Continue to be who and how you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness. Continue to allow humor to lighten the burden of your tender heart…Continue to remind the people that each is as good as the other and that no one is beneath nor above you…”
Can’t you just hear Jesus saying the same thing? That we are to continue to follow his example, created by God to do and be good, and to offer compassion, kindness, and love in our world so that it is a better, kinder world place than before. Be filled with joy and laughter so that we don’t take ourselves or others so seriously that life becomes a burden to us or others. Imagine Jesus laughing with you as you face the world with a smile. God created us in God’s image-male and female God created us in God’s image. That means each of us is valued, precious, and wanted in God’s eyes-and we, as children of God, must treat one another with the same respect, compassion, empathy, honesty, decency, and love that God shows us. We are all in the same boat, sharing the same humanity, which we means that we are all equally valued and loved in God’s eyes. How can we treat another person any other way than as a beloved brother or sister, created in God’s image? Jesus would say that we can’t.
As we continue in this Easter season, celebrating Christ’s resurrection and the gift of fulfilling life here and life forever in heaven, let’s continue to go out as Easter people-living out the joy and love that we have been given. In a world that often shows the evil and sadness of sinfulness, let’s radiate the beauty of Christ’s love in what we think and say and do. Take up the challenge-BE Christ to others! What a privilege!
A blessed week of Easter 4 be with you all! Love, Pr. Jen Schaefer+
Set out and light a candle, perhaps the one you used last night at the Vigil. You may wish to have a bowl of water as a reminder of your baptism into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Prayer of the Day O Lord Christ, good shepherd of the sheep, you seek the lost and guide us into your fold. Feed us, and we shall be satisfied; heal us, and we shall be whole. Make us one with you, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; 3 he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me;
your rod and your staff— they comfort me.
your rod and your staff— they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely ] goodness and mercy ] shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely ] goodness and mercy ] shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
The Gospel John 10:11-18 In language that recalls the twenty-third psalm, Jesus describes himself as the shepherd who cares for his sheep. He is willing to die for them, and he is able to overcome death for them.[Jesus said:] 11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.” The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
HOMILY : Every year, regardless of the lectionary cycle, we are invited to live in a different world from our own- where there are a whole slew of sheep and one, good, sacrificial Shepherd. It can be a funny world to live in, since not many of us have first-hand experience living off the land, tending to a flock, or roaming about foraging for food. And it may seem silly, even a bit embarrassing and weird to do so. But Scripture is inviting us to live among the grassy slopes and rocky hillsides today. While we often ask the words of scripture to enter our world, this time, scripture is asking us to enter its world. One could do heaps of research on the ins and outs of Old Testament shepherding or the varieties of first century shepherding. One could think intently about the landscape sheep inhabit – pastures and scary valleys – as the Psalmist so vividly preaches. But we can keep it simple. Today, we are the sheep -following the shepherd, and listening for the voice of the one who calls us by name. What does this mean, then, to be a sheep? ~~~To be a sheep is, at its most basic, to be a creature. Sheep probably do not think they are God. They likely do not spend their days thinking about ambition and success and storing up wealth for themselves. They have much more pressing tasks to tend to. For instance, they must eat. And eat. And eat. And when they are done eating, they must take a little rest. Perhaps, they will find that they need some time to roughhouse and playfully pick on one another. Then they find that they need to rest some more, cuddling up in a heap, snoozing a bit in the sun or the shade of a tree, depending on their desired temperature. They do not spend their days thinking that they are the Source of all that is, the center of the universe, nor the creature at the heart of creation. Sheep, it seems, are just so happy to be sheep: eating and walking and playing and sleeping and bleating their way through life. A sheep is a creature, created and loved by their Creator. ~~~Being a sheep also means being a part of a community, a herd. They are safest and happiest as part of a big community of sheep. When one does wander off, it knows it is alone, scared, and in a precarious position. It knows that – out here on this hillside all by itself – it will be an easy and quick dinner for that wolf or other roaming predator. Sometimes, a sheep gets lost, it’s true. But most sheep know to stick together, that their body depends on other bodies forming into one large protective pile. Sheep do not think they should live all alone, independent, and never – ever – reliant upon any other sheep. A life alone would be a sad and crazy life for a sheep. Sheep know that they need other sheep, desperately – because their very lives depend on it. ~~~Sheep are followers. Now, this is where it may get a bit trickier for us to really imagine ourselves being sheep. But go with me on this, even if you think you’re a naturally skilled, born-to-be-leader. Sheep are followers because they have no idea where they are going. They do not have an internal GPS system that has highlighted all of the best pastures around. They would stay in their same pasture, eating stubby little grass. Or they would wander into a den of wolves. They need someone to call out their names (yes, sheep respond to their names). And they need someone to yell out, “Hey, over here, there’s some really thick and luscious grass for you to eat.” Sheep need a guide – someone who knows their needs and can tend to them; someone to ward off scary wolves and defend them in the face of danger; someone who will memorize their markings, knowing their distinctive identities; someone who will help bring new lambs into the world; someone who will bury those who have died from illness and age; someone who is trustworthy and someone who knows the lay of the land, the places of danger and the places of respite. ~~~There’s a video on Facebook that really shows who we are as the sheep and our relationship with the Good Shepherd. In the video, there is a long, narrow ditch running alongside a road and a field. Stuck facedown in that ditch is a sheep, frantically struggling to get out but can’t. A boy comes along and pulls that sheep out of the ditch by its back legs. Once freed, that sheep starts running around chaotically, hopping, skipping, jumping around in its freedom, only to land headfirst back in the same ditch just a short distance away. ~~~We are sheep. We can’t be anything but sheep. We are not the ruler of our lives, our herds, nor the masters of our destiny. To be a sheep is remarkably similar to being a human. Creatures who need community and who can’t help but follow – since we often have no idea where we are going in the first place. We are sheep because we are in desperate need of a Shepherd. ~~~Our Scriptures in Psalm and Gospel talk about a shepherd. And this shepherd is a particularly good shepherd. One who will lay his life down for you and me. This good shepherd will take you on a long and winding journey. And as you follow this shepherd, there may be days where you wonder to yourself: does this shepherd know what he is doing? He seems to be taking us to a far and strange land. We don’t always know where we are going or where he is leading. It’s a scary world out there. ~~~But then you will arrive at the destination. And there will be such glorious abundance, unexpected gifts of joy, and immense love – you know this is a good Shepherd, and he knows what he is doing. Your dry mouth will be replenished, and your hungry belly will be filled. You will know the comfort of being known and wanted as loved, and the grace of not having to have it all figured out by yourself. ~~~The Good Shepherd is calling you – can you hear him? He is singing out your name, he is inviting you to get close, to join the herd for the journey, to rejoice in your created goodness, and to follow him wherever he leads, even through those valleys of death. ~~~Will you follow? Will you go where he calls? Will you let him love you? Will you let him carry you when you’re wounded and heal your loneliness? Will you trust him, the Good Shepherd, with your very life? Surely, surely, his goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Jesus IS our good shepherd. Thanks be to God! Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
Alive in the risen Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, we bring our prayers before God who promises to hear us and answer in steadfast love. A brief silence.
Loving Shepherd, you know your own and your own know you. Your voice calls us to your loving embrace. Strengthen your church throughout the world that we bear witness to your expansive love. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Gracious Shepherd, you are generous with the gifts of goodness and mercy. Restore your creation to wholeness so that cities and towns, countryside and wilderness, may abound with life. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Hope-giving Shepherd, the nations and peoples are your heritage. Place into the hearts of all leaders and rulers the passion to serve. Crucify any desire to overpower others and give leaders joy in lifting up the lowly. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Abiding Shepherd, your love flows as we reach out to those around us. Move us with your Spirit, so that we lay down our lives for those in need ( especially). Help us love one another in truth and action. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Saving Shepherd, you restore us to wholeness. Help our community in our life together and give us vigor as a people of faith. In the midst of challenges and opportunities, fill us anew with you Holy Spirit. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Eternal Shepherd, you hold us securely in your loving hands. In the assurance of resurrection hope, we remember our loved ones who have died in you. Bring us, with them, to dwell in your house forever. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
In the hope of new life in Christ, we raise our prayers to you, trusting in your never-ending goodness and mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
The blessing of the living God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, surround and sustain us, keep us from harm, and fill us with courage. Amen
Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia! Let us go out into the world in peace, sharing the Good News of Jesus and his rising from the dead, as together we are led by the Spirit to serve God and share Christ’s love with all! Thanks be to God!
HOPE HAPPENINGS
We welcome all who worship with us today. Please complete one of the visitor cards at our guest table. If you would like to make Hope your church home, please speak to Pastor Jen. Everyone is welcome at Hope Lutheran Church.
Next Week’s Readings: Acts 8:26-40; 1 John 4:7-21; John 15:1-8
The April thru June Word in Season Devotionals are available on the narthex table.
LAY SERVANTS FINANCIAL INFO THRU MARCH
Altar Guild: Gail Zahs & Delores Hall Income $36,617.42
Usher: Mark Packer Expenses $32.630.25
Counters: M Outerbridge and B Musgrove Income Less Expense $ 3,987.17
PRAYER LIST
Please call the church office or email Pr. Jen with any prayer requests you may have so they may be shared with the congregation.
Please continue to hold in prayer:
Family of Arline Reeves as they mourn her death in Christ
Cyndi and Fred for healing
Ken Zwara for healing
Jenny for healing and God’s love
Vinny for healing
Ian for sure and strong presence of God’s healing grace
Doris Puerner for healing
Marirose for a healthy pregnancy
Helen for healing
Kristin, Ron and Carolyn Rasmussen’s daughter, for healing after surgery
Jean Holcomb for healing
Florence, Lou Szepi’s mom, for God’s comforting presence
Dawn Seibert for healing
Carol for healing, hope, and God’s will.
Laura Everill, daughter of Phyllis and Tom Agness, residing in a healthcare facility.
Walter Crowley, husband of Kathryn and father of Ginger Toomire recovering from pneumonia.
Joyce, sister-in-law of Elaine Dougan, recovering from brain cancer surgery.
John Greene, Millie’s husband, for strength and healing
Cheryl Burke who is in need of healing
Larry and Barbara Brady, as they focus on healing.
Pr. Pat for healing
Jason and family for healing
NEW AT HOPE
SAVE THE DATE – Hope Lutheran Bazaar scheduled for December 4, 2021.
ASCENSION THURSDAY WORSHIP – Please join us on Ascension Thursday, May 13 th as we celebrate the risen Christ’s ascension into heaven at 10:00 AM in the sanctuary or 4:30 PM in the parking lot.
HOPE LOVE PANTRY – The pantry could use canned meat, fruits, juice, juices, toiletries and snack items or monetary donations. Thank you for your continued support and donations. This is our opportunity to serve God and share Christ’s love with all.
MONDAY BIBLE STUDY on God sightings every Monday at 10:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. Bible study will return on April 19 th.
HYMN REQUESTS If there are any particular hymns that you would like to hear at worship, please submit the names to Pastor Jen at hopeluthern1@comcast.net. If our licensing agreement permits, look forward to hearing them soon.
HOPES AND DREAMS FOR HOPE – If you have a suggestion for a Hope or Dream for Hope Lutheran Church, Pastor Jen and your council would love to hear it. Please feel free to place any Hope or Dream in the mailbox in the hallway leading to the Fellowship Hall. All requests will be kept confidential, and you will receive a timely response.
2021 HOPE LUTHERAN COUNCIL MEMBERS
Pastor Jennifer Schaefer 813.391.2027 hopeluthern1@comcast.net
President Jill Mead 941.350.5209 jillmead3059@gmail.com
Vice President Linda Kraignow 941.623.9188 lindak41549@gmail.com
Secretary Roberta Balint 941.830.2381 roberta.in.paradise@gmail.com
Treasurer Karl Kaukis 405.334.1511 karl@kaukis.com
Financial Secretary Lorraine Maass 540.419.5961 yar0227@ymail.com
Pr. Cheryll Armstrong Kaukis 405.762.0564 cheryll.kaukis@gmail.com
Fran Kostrowsky 813.316.5295 fkostrowsky@gmail.com
Candy Ogden 217.899.7086 roncandyogden92@gmail.com
Donna Turner 941.276.4696 jag01@embarqmail.com
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