A Shepherd That Cares

Today’s guest speaker is Don Herschell.
 
All of the information normally found in our bulletin is below the video. Simply click on "Read More" to load the rest of the bulletin. You can use this to follow the service, as well as to pray our unison prayers. All joys and concerns that we know, as well as our continuing prayer list is within the Joys and Concerns. Announcements can be found at the bottom of this service.

​Mission Study Day is May 22

Everyone in the North Buffalo Church family is invited to our Mission Study Day. As we begin our search for a new pastor, this will be an exciting and informative way to look at who we are as a congregation, what we are looking for in a minister, and what we hope for the future of our church and its ministry.

The event will be held in the fellowship hall on Saturday, May 22, starting at 10 a.m. It will include a catered luncheon by Crystal’s Catering and will end by early afternoon. As a precaution, the church will supply bottled water, but those who want other drinks should bring them along.

Representatives from Washington Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry will be on hand to lead the meeting and guide the discussion. We will also be sharing the results of the congregational survey. 

To get an idea of how many will be attending the meeting and luncheon, we are asking participants to fill out this form and submit it to the church by Sunday, May 16. We will hold a congregational meeting following the service that day.
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Set aside the date so that you can be part of this important event. See you there!

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Prelude                     “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”                                        #608
           
ANNOUNCEMENTS                                            
CALL TO WORSHIP:          
Leader: Jesus the Good Shepherd calls our names to come and follow him.
PEOPLE: His voice, speaking our names, draws us to him.
Leader: We follow without fear, for the shepherd cares for us.
PEOPLE: Our hearts rejoice and we can place our trust in the Good Shepherd.
Leader: Come, let us enter the gate with thanksgiving!
PEOPLE: Let us go forth confidently with songs of praise! Amen

HYMN:                          “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”                               #601
 
PRAYER OF CONFESSION:                                                                                        (Unison)
Gentle Shepherd, You guide us in right paths, You lead us in the ways of righteousness, but we have allowed our anger, our rage, our greed, and at times even hate, to direct our paths. We have overreacted, we have taken more than our share, we have despised others that seem to have it all. Forgive us, God, for not following Your ways. Forgive us for not remembering that we are Your sheep, and You are our Shepherd. Forgive us when we have not listened for Your voice and instead have acted in the ways of the world. Guide us back to Your path, to loving You and loving our neighbors. Help us to unclench our fists and extend our hands in hope and healing, forgiveness and love. In the name of Christ our Shepherd we pray. Amen.
 
Time of silent prayer
Assurance of Pardon
Children’s Moment
 
Prayer of Illumination
 
 
Scripture Reading:                                                                                   
               Old Testament:  Psalm 23      New Testament:  John 10:11-18
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Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

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John 10:11-18
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

SERMON:                                “A SHEPHERD THAT CARES”                                                                                              
HYMN:                                    “God Will Take Care of You”                                            #56
*Apostles’ Creed
Presentation of our tithes and offerings                   (Offering plates located at door)
 
Offertory                                                                                                                                 
 
Prayer of Dedication
 
Concerns and Celebrations        ​

Birthdays: Levi Miller, Shirley Taggart, Lucy Kime, Dave Diesel, Debbie Jochynek, Doreen Diesel

Anniversaries: Rick & Marlene McFeely, and Christopher & Kathy Marton

JOYS AND CONCERNS
Added to our prayer list last Sunday were Michael Durila, Jr., Frank Phillips, Justin Hagon, Marge Shape and Ed Caffrey. 
Also added this week was Michael Durila, Sr.  
Nelson Huffman was admitted to the hospital for various tests on Thursday.
​Ed Horne is in Shadyside Hospital with near heart failure.

Continued prayers for Roma Grose, Susan Schively, Melissa Pedigo, Aaron Blake, Lisa Phillips, Dixie Avoila, Chuck Dicks, Randy Moore, Karen Eisiminger, Kelley Gump, Mary Ann McFeeley, Ed Horne, June and Keith McGill, Chuck Montecello,  Glenn Miles,  Roger Riggs, Doug Ward, Rick McFeeley, Deron Wood, Dana Wilson, Marge McWreath, Tim Knabenshue, Bill Stewart, Adam Moore, Cris Miller, Frank Huffman and Nellie Baker.  ​

Prayers of the People                                                                  
The Lord’s Prayer
 
HYMN:                         “He Leadeth Me, O Blessed Thought”                    #606                                         
          
Postlude and Benediction

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COVID GUIDELINES for Church Services:  Face masks, hand sanitizer, social distance & seating 6 feet apart, no congregational singing, please participate in responsive readings at your seat if comfortable.
We welcome all who have come to join us in the worship of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Please come again.  If you are visiting with us today, please let us know that we might welcome you into our church family.
Announcements:  Please plan to come and help out at the Church Work Day On Saturday, May 1st at 9:00 AM.  There’s a job – big and small - for everyone!!
REMEMBER OUR FOOD COLLECTION:  And Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.”  Mark 6:37. Please remember our food pantry is available to anyone in need.  Replenish with your hands and listen for the need with your ears.  Contact Becky Phillips with any need in the community or to donate. 

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