GREETING (Adapted from Exodus 3:14-16)
I Am Who I Am, you have spoken
from the bush, the prophets and your Son!
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
has come to rescue those in bondage to sin!
Let us bow down before you, I Am,
and lift up prayers and songs of thanksgiving!
HYMN 347 “Spirit Song”
PSALM 64
PRAYER
(Consider some of the following economic and social issues for prayers of thanksgiving, intercession, and petition. Follow with your personal prayer list.)
Making Jesus our Shepherd Enjoying Good Shepherd’s company
The goodness of Jesus our Shepherd Enjoying his green pastures
The security in Jesus’ protection Enjoying his cool waters
The peace with Jesus as our Shepherd Enjoying knowing his voice
Those who do not know the Good Shepherd Avoiding false shepherds
Our witness to the Good Shepherd Avoiding wolves and robbers
Living under the Good Shepherd’s watchfulness People issuing false prophecy
Owning up to being like sheep People who are wolves and robbers
Those not recognizing themselves in sheep Lost sheep
Our need to be shepherded ____________________________
Following Jesus’ leadership ____________________________
Hurrying back when we wander from the Shepherd ____________________________
THE LORD'S PRAYER
SCRIPTURE LESSON
(Choose a passage of scripture to read. It can be a chapter, a paragraph, or a particular story. Daily lectionaries are available online or in print that assign a lesson each day from the gospels, epistles, Old Testament and psalms on a three-year cycle. Or you can create a plan to read a book of the Bible, or the whole Bible. Then follow the steps below.)
Read a passage of scripture. Read it out loud, very slowly and carefully as if for the first time. Continue reading until a word, phrase or sentence captures your attention. Stop there to repeat the word, phrase or sentence over and over, listening to it deeply in your heart.
Reflect on why the passage got your attention. Consider the area of your life to which this may apply. Is God saying something to you in this passage? Take time to listen carefully to whatever God may be saying to you.
Respond to God in prayer (or with journaling, music, art or whatever you choose) about what you have heard. Ask questions. Open yourself to God’s will for you.
Rest in God’s company. Be still and quiet. Move beyond thinking, practicing interior silence. Let yourself be open to God’s presence. Savor this moment with God.
PRAYER (Psalm 23; John 10:11-18)
What joy it is to be in your flock, Great Shepherd!
Following you leads to the greenest pastures.
You lead us to the still waters to refresh us.
Your voice calms us, always speaking good.
What joy it is to be in your flock, Great Shepherd!
Your voice is unique and unlike any other’s.
You know us, and we, happily, know you.
Knowing you are on guard, we fear nothing.
What joy it is to be in your flock, Great Shepherd!
Knowing you watch over us, we sleep in peace.
You are not a hired hand saving only himself.
You willingly offer your life for your sheep.
What joy it is to be in your flock, Great Shepherd!
Yet, there are other sheep that you still seek.
You make us all one flock with one shepherd.
We rejoice in your care, and follow willingly.
What joy it is to be in your flock, Great Shepherd!
Your will be done, in us and your church forever. Amen.
SILENCE AND COMMITMENT
(Pause to reflect and listen. Work to push out of your mind any distracting or irrelevant thoughts. Concentrate your thoughts on the words of the hymns and choruses you have sung, the prayers you have spoken and the scriptures you have read. Be aware of what you are feeling. Listen for anything that God might be saying to you in this time you have spent together. As God responds to your prayer-time, seek guidance for how you can best respond to God’s will. Then commit to serving God’s will for you.)
HYMN 381 “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”
CLOSING PRAYER
Your greatness, I Am, is our joy and our hope,
for you have sent your Son to be our shepherd,
the true vine and bread of life, the world’s light,
the gate, opening to grace, shutting out danger.
He has become to us the resurrection and life,
our way, our truth and our life forever and ever.
May our thoughts, words and deeds all this day,
faithfully reflect his presence and compassion. Amen.
Copyright 2020. Robert D. Ingram, 32746 Jourden Rd., Albany, Ohio 45710 (dr.bobingram@gmail.com). Used by permission.
