O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Old Testament
Nehemiah 9:6-15
1 Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Psalm
Psalm
23
*At the end of the Psalms this is sung or said Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
New Testament
1 Peter 2:19-25
Officiant: The Word of the Lord. The People: Thanks be to God.
Gospel
John 10:1-10
Deacon:The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you. Or And with your spirit
Deacon: May the Lord be on our minds, on our lips, and on our hearts as we hear His Holy Gospel. The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
People: Glory to You, Lord Christ.
Deacon: We are reading from John's Gospel chapter 10, beginning at verse 1.
1 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.' 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. 7 Then Jesus said to them again, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
After the Gospel reading, the deacon can elevate the book and says:
Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayers of the People
Brothers and sisters, Jesus has broken down every wall that has separated us from the Father, as a result, we now have access to Him.
Therefore, let us go to the Father for our own needs and those of all humanity. That the Church will always glorify God and faithfully proclaim His Holy Gospel.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That the Patriarch, all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons will hear God's voice and shepherd His people in the ways of the Lord.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That the Persecuted Church will glorify God in their suffering and lead their captives to repentance through their Godly witness.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That world leaders will pursue the path of true peace, which is found only in Jesus.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That we will hear and answer the call of the Holy Spirit on our lives.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That just as Jesus came so that we may have life, may we actively oppose abortion, euthanasia, and any assault on human life and dignity.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
That those who are ill will receive their healing and give all the glory to God, Who is our healer.
Lord in Your mercy, Hear our prayer.
Father in heaven, we thank You for Your Son Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Hear our prayer and give us the grace to faithfully heed His voice and follow Him, for He is Lord forever and ever.AMEN