FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER May 11, 2025

Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church

Wisconsin Synod

Pastor Rev. Christopher Oehlke Pastor’s Phone: 1-262-909-7827

Organist Karen Davis, Mindy Kane, Church Telephone 763-682-4573

Lorraine Roush Email pastor@myimmanuel.org

WELCOME, VISITORS:     We are glad you could be with us and we welcome you back any time. Please sign our “Welcome” card found in the pew holders or sign the guest book in the narthex/entry.

Prayer Before Worship

O Lord—our Maker, Redeemer, and Comforter—we are assembled in your presence to hear your holy Word. We pray that you would open our hearts by your Holy Spirit, that through the preaching of your Word we may repent of our sins, believe in Jesus, and grow day by day in grace and holiness. Hear us for Jesus’ sake. 

SERVICE OF THE WORD

Beginning on Page 38 in the Hymnal.

HYMN (#154) “Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks”

M: The grace of our Lord (+) Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.

C: And also with you.

CONFESSION OF SINS

M: We have come into the presence of God, who created us to love and serve him as his dear children. But we have disobeyed him and deserve only his wrath and punishment. Therefore, let us confess our sins to him and plead for his mercy.

C: Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful from birth. 

In countless ways I have sinned against you and do not deserve to be called your child. But trusting in Jesus, my Savior, I pray: Have mercy on me according to your unfailing love. Cleanse me from my sin, and take away my guilt.

M: God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord Jesus Christ, he has removed your guilt forever. You are his own dear child. May God give you strength to live according to his will.

C: Amen.

PRAYER AND PRAISE

M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.

C: (Sung) Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.

Blessed are they who take refuge in him.

Your Word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.

Your faithfulness continues forever.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.

Blessed are they who take refuge in him.

PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Let us pray: O Lord Jesus Christ, you are the Good Shepherd who laid down your life for the sheep. Lead us now to the still waters of your life-giving word that we may abide in your Father’s house forevermore; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C:     (Sung) Amen.

THE WORD

FIRST LESSON Acts 13: 15, 16a, 26-39

¹⁵ After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Gentlemen, brothers, if you have a word of encouragement for the people, say it.”

¹⁶ Then Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and said, “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen.

²⁶ “Gentlemen, brothers, sons of Abraham’s family, and those among you who fear God, this message of salvation has been sent to you. ²⁷ The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize him, and by condemning him they fulfilled the statements of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. ²⁸ Though they found no grounds for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. ²⁹ When they carried out everything that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. ³⁰ But God raised him from the dead, ³¹ and for many days he was seen by those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These same individuals are now his witnesses to the people. ³² “We are preaching to you the good news about the promise that was made to our fathers. ³³ God has fulfilled this promise for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: You are my Son. Today I have begotten you. ³⁴ “That God would raise him from the dead never again to be subject to decay, God said in this way: I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David. ³⁵ “Therefore he also says in another place: You will not let your Holy One see decay. ³⁶ “For David, after he had served God’s purpose in his own generation, fell asleep, was laid to rest with his fathers, and saw decay. ³⁷ But the One God raised did not see decay. ³⁸ “So, gentlemen, brothers, let it be known to you that through this Jesus forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you, also forgiveness from everything from which you could not be justified through the law of Moses. ³⁹ In this Jesus, everyone who believes is justified.                (EHV)

M: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God. 

PSALM OF THE DAY (Sung) Hymn #360 “The Lord’s My Shepherd; I’ll Not Want”

SECOND LESSON Revelation 7:9-17

⁹ After these things I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing in front of the throne and of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and with palm branches in their hands. ¹⁰ They called out with a loud voice and said: Salvation comes from our God, who sits on the throne, and from the Lamb. ¹¹ All the angels stood around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures. They fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, ¹² saying: Amen. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and might belong to our God forever and ever. Amen. ¹³ One of the elders spoke to me and said, “These people dressed in white robes, who are they and where did they come from?” And I answered him, “Sir, you know.” ¹⁴ And he said to me: These are the ones who are coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ¹⁵ Because of this they are in front of the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. ¹⁶ They will never be hungry or thirsty ever again. The sun will never beat upon them, nor will any scorching heat, ¹⁷ for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.           (EHV)

M: The Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

VERSE OF THE DAY

M: Alleluia. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me. Alleluia.     (John 10:14)

C: (Sung) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! 

These words are written that we may believe 

that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. 

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

GOSPEL John 10:22-30

²² Then the Festival of Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, ²³ and Jesus was walking in the temple area in Solomon’s Colonnade. ²⁴ So the Jews gathered around Jesus, asking, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

²⁵ Jesus answered them, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I am doing in my Father’s name testify about me. ²⁶ But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep, as I said to you. ²⁷ My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.”              (EHV)

M: The Gospel of the Lord.

C: (Sung) Praise be to you, O Christ!

HYMN OF THE DAY (#375) “The King of Love My Shepherd Is”

SERMON TEXT John 10:22-30

SERMON THEME “Jesus is Our Eternal Shepherd”

APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate, 

was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell.

The third day he rose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. 

From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, 

the holy Christian Church, 

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

THANKSGIVING

OFFERING – Please leave offering in the plate as you depart.

HYMN (#436) “Jesus, Shepherd of the Sheep”

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

M: O Lord God, our strength, our song, and our salvation, you 

fulfilled your promises by the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, from the dead. 

C: Thanks be to God! You give us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

M: In your compassion you sent Christ, the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life to rescue the lost.

C: Drive out all doubt and gloom that we may delight in your glorious triumph.

M: Lift our eyes heavenward to see him who lives to make intercession for the saints, and grant us confidence in the greatness of his power. Keep before us the vision of your redeemed people standing before your throne and singing the song of victory:

C: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive wisdom and power and honor and glory and praise.

M: Make us instruments of your peace as we bring the good news of hope and new life to those around us. Guide us in the use of all that you have entrusted to us: our time, our talents, and our treasures.

C: Risen Lord, live in us that we may live for you.

M: Merciful Lord Jesus, grant healing to the sick, and strengthen the faith of the suffering and the dying. Assure them of your abiding presence, and comfort them with the hope of eternal life.

Special prayers and intercessions may follow.

M: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.

Silent prayer.

M: Gracious Father, you have restored to us the joy of your salvation. With happy hearts, we come before you and say:

C: Alleluia! Thanks be to God! Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER

C: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, 

thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; 

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory 

forever and ever. Amen.

M: O Lord God, our heavenly Father, pour out the Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep us strong in your grace and truth, protect and comfort us in all temptation, and bestow on us your 

saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: (Sung) Amen.

M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look on you with favor and (+) give you peace. 

C: (Sung) Amen. Amen. Amen.

HYMN (#432) “I Am Jesus’ Little Lamb”

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER May 11, 2025

Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church

THE SCHEDULE   

Thurs., May 15 6 p.m., Fishers Youth Group

Shut-In Visitors for May: Sharon Liefert and Lolene Liefert-Trulson

OUR FATHER’S BUSINESS

MOTHER’S DAY:   There will be fellowship after our worship service to recognize our mothers (hosted by our Fishers Youth Group).

Happy Mother’s Day! 

May the Lord Bless all mothers!

We thank and praise the Lord for Christian mothers. The Lord blesses and bestows upon mothers an awesome and amazing role to bring life into the world and then to nurture and to care for that life. Our mothers care not only for the physical well-being of their children but for their spiritual well-being as well. God Himself compares His love and care for us with the love and care a mother has for her children. 

“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”         (Isaiah 66:13)

QUARTERLY VOTERS MEETING is scheduled for after the worship service this morning. While the meeting is open to the entire congregation, voting is done by those men over 18 who have requested and been accepted by the voters assembly.

“BLESSED BASSINET” MAY FUND-RAISER:  The “Blessed Bassinet” is set up in the upper narthex to collect baby items and/or cash during the month of May to benefit the New Day Pregnancy and Resource Center. 

WEST SPRING CONCERT: The West Spring Showcase Concert & Art Show will be May 18 at 2 p.m. at WLHS. 

LADIES FELLOWSHIP CROCHETERS SOUGHT: Ladies Fellowship is working on a fleece blanket project and is building a list of those who would be interested in crocheting blanket edges and/or those who have an interest in learning the process. Please let Bernis Benzer or Julie Gutknecht know if you’d like to be added to either list.

ASCENSION DAY SERVICE:         Mark your calendar for the 2025 Special Ascension Day Service on Thursday, May 29, 7 p.m., at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Delano. Pastor David Russow will be preaching the sermon. Also participating will be the circuit pastors and the brass choir.

MEDITATIONS entitled “Point Me Heavenward” have arrived with daily devotions for June 1-Aug. 30. Large print editions are also available. Feel free to take additional copies of either version to share. A free-will offering would be gratefully accepted to help defray the costs.

FOOD SHELF: The most recent donations made to benefit the Buffalo Food Shelf totaled 20 pounds plus $20 in cash/checks. Silver labeled buckets are located in the coat racks in both the upper and lower narthex for this on-going service project with deliveries made monthly.

ATTENDANCE AT THE LORD’S HOUSE: 

Sunday, May 4 97

FOR THE LORD’S WORK: April 27: General Fund-$1,308; Salem-$2; Building-$10. May 4: General Fund-$1,647; Building-$15; West-$5; Salem-$7; Fishers-$5.