Readings
Old Testament: Ezekiel 34:11-16
As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.
Ezekiel 34:12
Epistle:1 Peter 2:21-25
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.
1 Peter 2:24
Holy Gospel: John 10:11-16
[Jesus said:] I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 10:15
Collect of the Day
O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world. Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joys; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Hymns
Prayers
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
For all who have been baptized at the still waters of the font, that they would remain in the green pastures of the Holy Church, where they want for nothing and have their souls restored as their Good Shepherd ever cares for their every spiritual need, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For all pastors in Christ, especially Matthew, our Synod president; _____________, our district president; and _____________, our circuit visitor, that through their preaching and teaching we would be led in the paths of righteousness for the sake of Christ’s name, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the members of this parish and all Christians everywhere, that we would receive strength to resist sin and temptation in our lives, fearing no evil as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, knowing that our Good Shepherd is with us to heal and comfort us, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For steadfast faith in Jesus Christ, a cheerful hope in His mercy, and a sincere love for God and neighbor, which disease and distance can never destroy, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those whom God has placed in authority over us, especially Donald, our president; _____________, our governor; and all who make, administer and judge our laws, that they would be protected and work prudently in their response to the pandemic, serve with integrity and honor in all tasks, and seek the common good of all, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For the sick and suffering, for the lonely and unemployed, and for all who have requested our prayers, [including _____________,] that they would be well cared for and restored to health, and given grace to accept their time of tribulation with courage and hope, knowing that they always remain in their Good Shepherd’s loving arms, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those who come to the table their Lord and Shepherd has prepared for them, that they would receive the Holy Sacrament of His true body and blood in faith, and to the eternal nourishment of their souls, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For those who by illness or precaution are kept from the table, that they may trust in the voice of their Good Shepherd and enjoy soon the pasture of Christ’s Sacrament together with the rest of His sheep, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
For goodness and mercy to follow us all the days of our lives, that we would, together with the saints who have gone before us, dwell in the house of the Lord forever, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.
Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for us, and who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.