Easter 4a

Overview

Scripture for the Day:

 Acts 2:42-47
 Psalm 23
 1 Peter 2:19-25
 John 10:1-10

Liturgical Color:

 

1st Reading

 Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)

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

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. NIV®. COPYRIGHT © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Psalm

 Psalm 23 (NIV)

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
    He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
    he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
Even 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.

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

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. NIV®. COPYRIGHT © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

2nd Reading

 1 Peter 2:19-25 (NIV)

19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But 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. 21 To 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.”

23 When 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 sinsand live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. NIV®. COPYRIGHT © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Gospel

 John 10:1-10 (NIV)

“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. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

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

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. NIV®. COPYRIGHT © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Contemporary Song Suggestions for the Day: 

 HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING  Chris Tomlin \ Ed Cash \ Matt Redman | 2006 | CCLI Song #4822372

 YOU ARE MY SHEPHERD  Jennie Lee Riddle \ Jonathan McElhenny Lee | 2010 | CCLI Song #5720095

 THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD  John-Paul Gentile \ William Matthews | 2011 | CCLI Song #5986547

 JOYFULLY  Ed Cash \ Kari Jobe \ Mia Fieldes | 2008 | CCLI Song #5265378

 DWELL  Aaron Keyes \ Jess Cates | 2011 | CCLI Song #5880997

 MY DELIVERER  Ben Cantelon \ Jason Ingram | 2012 | CCLI Song #6273785

 SAFE IN YOUR ARMS  Chris Tomlin \ Martin Smith | 2012 | CCLI Song #6453536

 YOU NEVER LET GO  Beth Redman \ Matt Redman | 2005 | CCLI Song #4674166

 HELP ME FIND IT  Ben McDonald \ David Frey \ Jason Ingram | 2011 | CCLI Song #6223481

 INFINITE GRACE  Marc Byrd \ Sarah Hart | CCLI Song #1439844

 OCEANS (WHERE FEET MAY FAIL)  Joel Houston \ Matt Crocker \ Salomon Ligthelm | 2012 | CCLI Song #6428767

 LORD WE COME  Paul Baloche \ Travis Cottrell | 2009 | CCLI Song #5612299

 WONDERFUL  Brenton Brown \ Doug Bacon | 2008 | CCLI Song #5232033

 ONE WAY  Joel Houston \ Jonathon Douglass | 2003 | CCLI Song #4222082

 PLEASING TO YOU  Jared Anderson | 2007 | CCLI Song #5064380

 WE WILL RUN  Lisa Gungor | CCLI Song #5665208

 THE STAND  Joel Houston | 2005 | CCLI Song #4705248

 NOTHING IS HOLDING ME BACK  Bryan Torwalt \ Katie Torwalt | 2011 | CCLI Song #6096027

 GUARDIAN  Ben Cantelon \ Nick Herbert \ Stuart Garrard | 2012 | CCLI Song #6273778

 I WILL FOLLOW  Chris Tomlin \ Jason Ingram \ Reuben Morgan | 2010 | CCLI Song #5806878

    This week’s worshipcurrent pick for Holy Communion/Eucharist
    Found exclusively on worshipcurrent

Hymn Suggestions for the Day:

 THE LORD’S MY SHEPHERD I’LL NOT WANT  Francis Rous | Public Domain | Hymnary

 HAVE NO FEAR LITTLE FLOCK  Heinz Werner Zimmermann \ Marjorie A. Jillson | 1973 Concordia Publishing House | Hymnary

 THE KING OF LOVE MY SHEPHERD IS  Henry Williams Baker | Public Domain | CCLI Song #1442453 | Hymnary

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