SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2026 4th SUNDAY OF EASTER CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN CHURCH
PASTOR: Rev. Harry M. Krolus
CHURCH: 410-356-3400 CELL: 410-707-7663
Church email: ctklclcms@yahoo.com
Church Web Site: ctklchurch.org
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WELCOME to everyone who is worshiping with us today. We are glad that you are here! We pray that your worship experience here at Christ The King is spiritually uplifting and rewarding. If you are visiting, please sign our guest book and introduce yourself to Pastor Harry.
(Please turn off all electronic devices before worship begins; or, if you are using a Bible app to enhance your worship experience or to use PayPal, please enable the do not disturb function on your phone.)
AN ORDER OF MORNING SERVICE
WORDS OF GREETING
THE HANDSHAKE OF CHRISTIAN PEACE
OPENING HYMN: 470 “O Sons And Daughters Of The King” (1,2,8,9)
THE INVOCATION
P. We begin our worship this day in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C. Amen.
THE OPENING SENTENCES
P. Let us adore our heavenly Father, who created us, who sustains us, who loves us with an everlasting love and gives us the light of the knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ.
C. We praise you, O God, we acknowledge you to be the Lord.
P. Let us glory in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who though he was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, who in every respect was tempted as we are, yet without sinning; who went about doing good and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, who became obedient unto death, even death on a cross; who died and is alive forevermore; who has opened the kingdom of heaven to
all believers; who is seated at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father; who will come again, as Judge and King.
C. You are the King of glory, O Christ.
P. Let us rejoice in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, by whom we are born into the family of God, and made members of the body of Christ whose wisdom confirms us, whose wisdom teaches us, whose power enables us to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.
C. All praise to you, O Holy Spirit.
(Silence for reflection.)
THE CONFESSION OF SINS
P. O God our Father, since you have set forth the way of life for us in your beloved Son, we confess with shame our slowness to learn of him, our failure to follow him, our reluctance to bear the cross.
(Turning to the congregation the pastor continues.)
P. I now ask you before God who searches the heart:
Do you sincerely confess that you have sinned against God and deserve his punishment?
C. I do confess.
P. Do you heartily repent of your sins committed in thought, word, and deed?
C. I do repent.
P. Do you promise that with the aid of the Holy Spirit you will amend your sinful life?
C. I do promise.
P. Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for you, and for his sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of the Word, I therefore, forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
THE FIRST LESSON: Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
THE SECOND LESSON: 1 Peter 2:19-25
For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
THE CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
THE GOSPEL LESSON: John 10:1-10
“I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
THE SERMON HYMN: 710 “The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want”
THE SERMON: “The Gate”
text: John 10:7
THE APOSTOLIC CREED
I believe in God the Father, the Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered and was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He died and was buried. He descended into hell, and the third day he rose again. He entered into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Almighty Father. He will come again 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 eternal. Amen.
THE OFFERING
AN OFFERING SONG (783)
Take my life, that I may be consecrated, Lord, to thee;
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use every pow’r as thou shalt choose.
THE PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
P. Almighty God, we lift up our hearts in gratitude to you, and for all your loving kindness we bless your holy name.
For life and health, for love and friendship, and for the goodness and mercy that have followed us all the days of our life
C. We praise you, O God.
P. For the wonder and beauty of the world; and for all things true and honorable, just and pure, lovely and gracious
C. We praise you, O God.
P. For the gift of Jesus Christ, your only-begotten Son; for the grace and truth which came by him; and for his obedience unto death, even death on a cross
C. We praise you, O God.
P. For his glorious resurrection and ascension to your right hand, and for his kingdom and glory and everlasting dominion
C. We praise you, O God.
P. For the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, the Lord and Giver of life; for your holy Church throughout the world; for all the means of grace; and for the fellowship of the redeemed in heaven and on earth
C. We praise you, O God.
P. For all those who are sick or sorrowing; for those whom we now name before you and for those we name in our hearts; that you would bring healing, strength, comfort, and peace in accordance with your good and gracious will.
(Personal prayers are now brought before the Lord.)
P. Heavenly Father ...
C. We trust in your abundant mercy, O God.
P. For all the blessings of this life, the small as well as seemingly more significant
C. We thank you, O God.
ALL: Glory, thanksgiving, and praise be to you, O Father Almighty through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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.
THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
We invite to the Lord’s Table all who have been baptized, accept the Bible as God’s authoritative Word, and believe that the body and blood of the risen Christ are really present in the bread and wine; given for the forgiveness of our sins. If you prefer the individual cup, please extend one index finger as your hands are folded on the altar railing. This will alert the communion assistants of your preference. Also, if for some medical reason you are not able to consume alcohol, grape juice is available in the individual cups. The grape juice is “red” while the wine is “white”.
THE THANKSGIVING
P. The Lord be with you.
C. And with you, his servant.
P. Lift up your hearts.
C. We lift them up to the Lord.
P. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C. To do so is both right and proper.
THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION
THE WORDS OF INVITATION
P. The gifts of God for the people of God.
C. Amen.
PRE COMMUNION HYMN: “Now The Silence” (910)
Now the silence, Now the peace,
Now the empty hands uplifted;
Now the kneeling, Now the plea,
Now the Father’s arms in welcome;
Now the hearing, Now the power,
Now the vessel brimmed for pouring;
Now the body, Now the blood,
Now the joyful celebration;
Now the wedding, Now the songs,
Now the heart forgiven leaping;
Now the Spirit’s visitation,
Now the Son’s epiphany,
Now the Father’s blessing.
Now. Now. Now.
THE DISTRIBUTION
HYMN: 627 “Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Savior”
701 “Draw Us To Thee”
549 “All Hail The Power Of Jesus’ Name”
POST COMMUNION HYMN: “Sent Forth By God’s Blessing” (643)
Sent forth by God’s blessing, Our true faith confessing,
The people of God from his dwelling take leave.
The supper is ended. Oh, now be extended
The fruits of this service in all who believe.
The seed of his teaching, Receptive souls reaching,
Shall blossom in action for God and for all.
His grace did invite us, His love shall unite us
To work for God’s kingdom and answer his call.
THE BLESSING
P. May the God of peace be with you always. And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless. He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. Go in peace.
C. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: 685 “Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus”
