Easter 5

Song

Psalm

Lord, you are my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where you give me repose.
Near restful waters you lead me,
to revive my drooping spirit.

You guide me along the right path;
you are true to your name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness
no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff;
with these you give me comfort.

You have prepared a banquet for me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing.

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
for ever and ever.

Reading

Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.

or

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

Song

Silence

Litany of praise

Risen Christ, you are alive for ever; we worship you.
—We praise you, Risen Lord!

You took the lowest place to reveal the Father’s love to every human being.
—We praise you, Risen Lord!

You ascended to your Father and our Father.
—We praise you, Risen Lord!

O Christ, just as on the evening of your resurrection, you breathe your Holy Spirit upon each one of us.
—We praise you, Risen Lord!

You make us witnesses to your presence.
—We praise you, Risen Lord!

Our Father

Prayer

Jesus, Love of all loving, your compassion is without limit. We are thirsting for you, the one who tells us: “Why be afraid? Have no fear; I am here.”

Songs