Misericordias Domini – Third Sunday of Easter
18 April 2021
The Good Shepherd Cares for His Sheep
Our Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd (St. John 10.11–16). He is not like the hireling, who cares nothing for the sheep and only for himself, who flees when he sees the wolf coming. Rather, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who seeks out His scattered sheep to deliver them (Ezekiel 34.11–16). He gathers them and feeds them in rich pasture. He binds up the broken and strengthens the sick. He lays down His life for wandering and wayward sheep. On the cross, Christ bore in His body the attacks of the predators of sin and death and the devil for you that you might be saved. He now lives to restore your soul in the still waters of baptism, to lead you in the paths of righteousness by the voice of His Gospel, to prepare the table of His holy supper before you, that you may dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23). “For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2.25).
Parish News
Today In Church History is the 500th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther’s confession before the Holy Roman Emperor at the Diet of Worms, 18 April 1521. Luther was asked to recant His scriptural writings, preaching, and teaching of the clear Gospel of Jesus Christ. Luther said, “…It cannot be either safe or honest for a Christian to speak against his conscience. Here I stand; I cannot do otherwise; God help me! Amen.” Luther was given safe passage out of the Diet, but was then “kidnapped” by his elector Frederick the Wise on the way home to Wittenberg, to be kept safely in the Wartburg Castle. There he produced more books and translated the Scriptures into German, going on to lead the Reformation until his death in 1545. We give thanks to God for sending the faithful and courageous under-shepherd of His flock, Dr. Martin Luther, whom God used to restore the bright light of the Gospel to the fallen world.
Misericordias Domini means “the goodness of the Lord.” These are the words of Psalm 33.5, from the Introit. In Latin, verse 5 ends “misericordia Domini plena est terra” — “the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.” Psalm 33 proclaims the joy and awe of the Christian at the miraculous grandeur of the creative and redemptive acts of Our Lord. This Sunday is frequently called “Good Shepherd Sunday” because the Gospel reading is St. John 10.11-16, where Our Lord identifies Himself as our Good Shepherd. Christ as our Shepherd is also the theme of the Old Testament (Ezekiel 34.11-16) and the Epistle (1 Peter 2.21-25).
Altar Flowers are given to the glory of God by Mr. & Mrs. Rick Todd in memory of their parents.
Bach and Roll Join us Fridays at 7pm in the Parish Center to listen to recordings of Bach’s cantatas for the Easter season. This week we will listen to “Weeping, Wailing, Fretting, Fearing” (BWV 12) for Jubilate Sunday.
School Research Committee will meet Tuesday at 7pm. All are invited to join the School Research Committee to discern the feasibility of starting a school at Immanuel.
Reading discussion group explores essays and books from theology, education, and the classical tradition. The first meeting will take place Wednesday, April 28 at 6:30pm at the Climbing Cafe. Contact Emily Eckardt (enroyer@gmail.com) with any questions. Contact the church office for a copy of the first reading, “Abolition of Man” by C.S. Lewis.
Prepare for Next Sunday
Isaiah 40.25–31; 1 Peter 2.11–20; St. John 16.16–22
Hymns: 478 – 666 – 483 – 756 – 490
Order of Daily Prayer
L Make haste, O X God, to deliver me.
R Make haste to help me, O Lord.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia!
Psalm 23
Scripture Readings:
[S] from Divine Service
[M] St. John 5.1-17; Micah 2.1-13
[T] St. John 5.18-30; Isaiah 30.1-33
[W] St. John 5.31-47; Jeremiah 3.1-25
[Th] St. John 6.16-29; Ezekiel 34.1-11
[F] St. John 6.30-40; Ezekiel 34.12-22
[S] St. John 6.41-59; Ezekiel 34.23-31
Hymn of the Day or Month The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want (710)
Catechism (bulletin)
Apostles’ Creed
Kyrie: L Lord, have mercy upon us; R Christ, have mercy upon us; Lord, have mercy upon us.
Our Father
Collect of the Day (bulletin)
Luther’s Morning or Evening Prayer
L Bless we the Lord. R Thanks be to God.
