Bulletin – Sunday, April 26, 2026 – Fourth Sunday of Easter
Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 26, 2026
We Gather as a People of Faith
Welcome
Candle Lighting
As we light the Christ Candle, let the power of God’s light shine through us. Dissolving the darkness and the chaos that approaches. Let this light ground us and open us to the presence of God here among us. Always the light of life, illuming our way in the world.
Minute Person
Announcements
Call to Worship
We gather here in faith, as the body of Christ. God in Christ is the gate to the Kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is justice and peace. And peace in the Holy Spirit. We enter this space, so that we might live In eternal communion with God. Where we can know and experience God’s love and grace poured out in abundance here on this sacred earth as in heaven eternal.
Hymn: Please join in the singing of the Hymn “God Ever-Moving “ (Then Let Us Sing #5)
God ever-moving, leading your people,
Smoke on the mountain, fire in the night,
Brighter than sunlight, hidden in darkness,
Whispering, roaring justice and love,
Now and forever, trusting or doubting,
Youthful or aging, your name we praise.
Now and forever, trusting or doubting,
Youthful or aging, your name we praise.
God sending Jesus filled with your Spirit,
One of your people, living your love,
Followed, forsaken, battered and broken,
Killed by an empire, risen, alive –
Now and forever, trusting or doubting,
Youthful or aging, your name we praise.
Now and forever, trusting or doubting,
Youthful or aging, your name we praise.
God never finished, end and beginning,
Judging, forgiving all that we are,
Giving our living motive and meaning,
Calling us onward, bringing us home,
Now and forever, trusting or doubting,
Youthful or aging, your name we praise.
Now and forever, trusting or doubting,
Youthful or aging, your name we praise.
Prayer of Approach and Confession:
One: My soul cries out for communion with the divine. Present in all of God’s glorious creation
All: But, with disregard for God’s sanctuary we have pillaged and destroyed the gift of the world’s habitat and wildlife which reveal to us the beauty of God’s majesty
One: In our interactions with all we meet, God’s spirit is released into the universe and love and hope grow.
All: But we neglect each other’s needs. We ignore the stranger in our midst. The opportunities to know God here and now are missed
Words of Assurance:
Every day, the Sun rises and sets. Every night, the Moon shines down upon us. The rivers flow with wild abundance. Animals roam and graze. Spring is budding new life with fresh air
We know God is alive and with us. Poured out in all of creation. Instilled within our hearts and minds to share with the world. Let us be grateful for God’s mercy, forgiveness, and hope for a new day. Each day presents a new opportunity for reunion with God
Sung Response – “Alleluia” (More Voices #50)
Alleluia, alleluia,
Alleluia, alleluia!
Time for All Ages: https://youtu.be/1Nv3sCEw9Rw?si=cYOB8hEd7ht-Rgcf
We Hear God’s Word
Please join in the singing of the hymn – “The Kingdom of God” (More Voices #146)
The kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Come, Lord, and open in us the gates of your kingdom.
The kingdom of God is justice and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Come, Lord, and open in us the gates of your kingdom.
Scripture Readings:
A Reading from the Book of 1 Chronicles 28:19-21
19 ‘All this, in writing at the Lord’s direction, he made clear to me—the plan of all the works.’
20 David said further to his son Solomon, ‘Be strong and of good courage, and act. Do not be afraid or dismayed; for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished. 21 Here are the divisions of the priests and the Levites for all the service of the house of God; and with you in all the work will be every volunteer who has skill for any kind of service; also the officers and all the people will be wholly at your command.’
The Second Reading is from the Gospel of John 10:1-10
1 ‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ 6 Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
May God speak to us through these readings of scripture.
Thanks be to God!
Sermon
Please join in the singing of the hymn – “Call on Me”
Call on me and I will answer you;
Lean on me and I will carry you through.
When life’s lessons seem too hard to learn,
I’m here for you when there’s nowhere to turn
For I’ll be with you even when you’re alone
And I’ll wait for you, for you’re one of my own.
All of your days when you follow my ways,
You’ll be building my kingdom on earth.
Search for me and I will come to you;
Let me guide you when your choices seem few.
You’ll fulfill all you were meant to be
Whenever you come and journey with me
For I’ll be with you even when you’re alone
And I’ll wait for you, for you’re one of my own.
All of your days when you follow my ways,
You’ll be building my kingdom on earth.
Tend my earth and you will see it bloom;
Plunder it and you will make it a tomb.
See how rainbows mark my covenant:
This promise of mine to all life is sent.
For I’ll be with you even when you’re alone
And I’ll wait for you, for you’re one of my own.
All of your days when you follow my ways,
You’ll be building my kingdom on earth.
Live in me and I will live in you;
I give meaning to whatever you do.
Share my love, it will come back to you;
Let faith reconcile and wholly renew.
For I’ll be with you even when you’re alone
And I’ll wait for you, for you’re one of my own.
All of your days when you follow my ways,
You’ll be building my kingdom on earth.
We Respond to God’s Word
An Invitation to Share
Offering Sung Response – “He is Lord”
He is Lord! He is Lord!
He is risen from the dead and He is Lord!
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord!
Offering Prayer
These gifts represent the generosity of our hearts. Our desire to ensure all are fed and cared for. Let us offer these to God with gratitude. For the gifts we have that we are able to share with others. That all may know the love of God poured out today through our generosity.
Prayers of the People
Invitation to Passing of the Peace
Please offer one another the peace of Christ in a way that you feel comfortable and respects others’ space.
We Go Into God’s World
Please join in the singing of the hymn – “Sent Out in Jesus’ Name” (More Voices #212)
Sent out in Jesus’ name, our hands are ready now
To make the world the place in which the kingdom comes.
Sent out in Jesus’ name, our hands are ready now
To make the world the place in which the kingdom comes.
The angels cannot change a world of hurt and pain
Into a world of love, of justice and of peace.
The task is ours to do, to set it really free.
O, help us to obey, and carry out your will.
Sent out in Jesus’ name, our hands are ready now
To make the world the place in which the kingdom comes.
Sent out in Jesus’ name, our hands are ready now
To make the world the place in which the kingdom comes.
Commissioning
The kingdom of God is near. When all are fed, when all have enough. We know God’s Kingdom is alive among us. Our hearts are filled with joy. We know God walks with us and opens the gates. To God’s mercy, justice, peace, and holy spirit. When we open our hearts to Christ risen among us. And share that love and abundance with others
Benediction
With God’s love poured out in this worship time together. In God’s warm embrace let us go now out into the world. So that through our actions and our kind wise words. We might share the spirit of the risen Christ with all we meet. With the wisdom of the Holy Spirit guiding us. May we be a light for this broken and beautiful world. As God is for each of us. Go in peace to love and serve our God. Amen, Alleluia.
The Christ Candle is extinguished.
Sung Response – “Amen! Amen! Hallelujah, Amen” (VU #974)
Amen! Amen! Hallelujah, amen!
Amen! Amen! Hallelujah, amen!
