Liturgical Information
The Fourth Sunday of Easter (C)

Themes & Motives: Good Shepherd, trust, safety, suffering, discernment

Introit:
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord; by the word of the Lord the heavens were made, alleluia. (Psalm 32:5-6)

Opening Prayer:
Almighty and ever-living God,
give us new strength
from the courage of Christ our shepherd,
and lead us to join the saints in heaven,
where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

• Acts of the Apostles 13:14,43-52 [We are turning to the Gentiles. /v.46]
• Psalm 100:1-2 / 3 / 5 [R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock. /v.3c]
• Revelation 7:9,14b-17 [The Lamb in the center of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them to springs of the water of life. /v.17]
• Gospel Verse: Jn 10:14 [I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.]
      See Renaissance Alleluia [Eastertide verses]
• John 10:27-30 [I give eternal life to My sheep. /v.28]

Prayer over the Gifts:
Lord,
restore us by these Easter mysteries.
May the continuing work of our redeemer
bring us eternal joy.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Preface for Easter III: [Christ lives and intercedes for us for ever]
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We praise you with greater joy than ever in this Easter season,
when Christ became our paschal sacrifice.

He is still our priest,
our advocate who always pleads our cause.
Christ is the victim who dies no more,
the Lamb, once slain, who lives for ever.

The joy of the resurrection renews the whole world,
while the choirs of heaven sing for ever to your glory:

  Holy, holy, holy Lord...

Communion Antiphon:
The Good Shepherd is risen! He who laid down his life for his sheep, who died for his flock, he is risen, alleluia.

Prayer after Communion:
Father, eternal shepherd,
Watch over the flock redeemed by the blood of Christ
and lead us to the promised land.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Solemn Blessing:
Through the resurrection of his Son
God has redeemed you and made you his children.
May he bless you with joy. Amen.

The Redeemer has given you lasting freedom.
May you inherit his everlasting life. Amen.

By faith you rose with him in baptism.
May your lives be holy,
so that you will be united with him for ever. Amen.