After a night of unsuccessful fishing, Peter and the other disciples saw a man on the shore who told them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat. On doing this, they hauled in a huge quantity of fish, and recognized the man, the Lord. After they came ashore and ate, three times Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Do you love me?” Jesus’s threefold challenge mirrors Peter’s threefold betrayal. When Peter responded that he did, Jesus commanded him, “Feed my lambs.” The Lord restores Peter with the commands: tend my little ones on my behalf and follow me.

Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation
Holy Father, we acknowledge that you raised Jesus from the dead, and he restored Peter to his side with simple commands: “Feed my sheep” and “Follow me.” May we ever learn from this challenge; regardless of what we face or where we are or what challenges lie ahead, may we always tend his sheep and follow him, wherever he leads. For his sake we pray, amen.

Call to Worship
Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, amen.

Te Deum Laudamus 
You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)

Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen, amen.

The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

*In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).

Prayers of Confession
Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.

Assurance of Pardon
Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.

Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

~ Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)

Doxology (and/or closing song)
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Benediction 
Lord Jesus, as you so gently restored Peter to your side after his betrayal and doubt, so you can restore us to obedience and your grace. May we ever be instructed by your simple, direct restoration of our brother. May we give our all to follow you, and to care for your little ones. Give us grace to obey your command. Where you lead us, we will go. In your name, amen.

Pray without Ceasing – Flash Prayer for the Day
Our love for you is on full display as we care for and love your people.

Weekly Reflection on the Priesthood of all Believers
Our priesthood is not a metaphor, but a real God-given role identity. If we embrace it as core to who we are, we can expect our attitudes and behaviors to change.

~ Scott Breslin, Embracing Our Priestly Nature at Work: A Theology and Practice for Ordinary Saints.
Eugene, OR: Resource Publications, 2017. p. 10.

Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus
He Is Not Here, Luke 24.1-12

Book Reading
Fish and Conant, Every Member Evangelism for Today

Our Corporate Disciplines
Book Discussion: Tuesday, May 3, 2022