May 11th, 2025 Worship

Introduction & Welcome (0:00 – 4:00)

Opening Prayer & Greeting

• Welcome to Fourth Sunday of Easter
• Invocation for hearing God’s voice and following His leading

Connection to Mother’s Day & Easter Season

• Celebration of nurturing voices in our lives
• Reflection on Jesus as the risen Shepherd who calls us by name

Scripture Reading (4:00 – 8:30)

Primary Text: John 10:27-28 (NIV)

“My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of my hand.”

Lectionary Context

• Acts 9:36-43: Peter raising Tabitha
• Psalm 23: The Lord as our shepherd

The Challenge: Recognizing the Shepherd’s Voice (8:30 – 15:00)

Noise & Distraction in Modern Life

• Digital interruptions and constant notifications
• Family dinner anecdote about screen scrolling
• Key question: “In the silence between all these inputs, can we still hear the Shepherd?”

Choosing Whom to Follow

• Various voices competing for attention
• Warning about false shepherds (Matthew 7:15)
• Jesus’ voice as the only true guide to life

Four Ways to Hear & Follow the Shepherd (15:00 – 32:00)

A. Cultivate Regular Listening

• Daily devotionals focused on single verses
• Family “verse-a-week” challenge
• The Johnsons’ morning devotion success story

B. Engage Community as Ears and Feet

• “Shepherd’s Voice” small groups
• Sharing weekly testimonies
• Tuesday morning coffee group testimony

C. Practice Discernment in Decision-Making

• STOP Model: Silence, Test Scripture, Observe Inner Peace, Proceed in Faith
• 24-hour pause for major decisions
• Story of simplifying children’s schedules

D. Respond with Obedience & Action

• Small acts of faithfulness
• Commitment to regular service
• Youth mentorship transformation story

The Impact of Following the Shepherd (32:00 – 40:00)

Personal Transformation

• From anxiety to peace through listening
• Healing through the Shepherd’s guidance
• Connection to Psalm 23:2-3

Family & Community Renewal

• Tech-free Sunday success story
• Block parties centered on prayer
• Visible community transformation

Church-wide Vision

• “The Sheep Who Listen Church”
• Announcement of “Shepherd’s Voice Podcast”
• Focus on prayer, service, and discernment

Invitation & Response (40:00 – 45:00)

Silent Reflection

• Instrumental: “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”
• Guided prayer time

Corporate Prayer & Commitment

Led by Pastor Mike:

• Confession of chasing other voices
• Request for grace to follow faithfully
• Trust in divine protection

Benediction & Sending

Sending forth to hear and follow the Shepherd’s voice

Announcements & Fellowship (45:00 – 47:05)

Upcoming Events

• Mother’s Day Brunch and Psalm-Reading
• “Shepherd’s Voice Small Groups” sign-ups
• Vacation Bible School registration
• “Shepherd’s Care Day” for seniors

Closing

Congregational hymn: “The King of Love My Shepherd Is”