CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 23)
The Lord God is my shepherd, I shall not want. 
You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. 
Surely your goodness and lovingkindness shall pursue me 
all the days of my life, 
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord God forever.

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (from Psalm 23)
Gracious God, you care for me; I need nothing more.
Hear the cry of those who are hungry;
hungry for justice, and dignity, hungry for freedom, and love.
You lead me into a haven of peace and rest.
Hear the cry of those who are alone;
those who grieve a relationship broken by death or human failing,
those who live in the isolation of a hospital room, a prison cell,
a frail body, a confused mind.
You breath new life into me and lead me in new ways.
God whose breath is life itself,
we pray for a just and caring use of your creation;
a fair sharing of its abundance, an ethical searching of its mysteries.
You are with me, and comfort me,
even when the darkness of the world looms large.
We pray for those who seek the truth;
those who cannot speak, and those who cannot be heard,
that the light of your Word
may shine in the darkness which overshadows their lives
In the face of those who trouble me
you provide for me, and pour out your blessings.
Hear the cry of those trampled by racial or religious intolerance,
disoriented by homelessness, defeated by unemployment;
God of justice and compassion you are with me always
and have promised to sustain me all my life.
Enlarge our vision of life, and make us bold in our hope,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
let our cry come to you;
. . . and with the saints in every age we pray, 
        Our Father in heaven . . . . .

PSALM 23 
LORD God, divine shepherd;
in the days ahead, just as it has been all my life, 
I shall not want for anything.
You will rest me in rich pasture 
and lead me beside calm waters.
You will bring my inner being back where it belongs,
and lead me along the right paths, 
for the sake of your name.
Even when things seem at their darkest,
sensing your presence, I fear nothing;
you are sure of the way ahead, and you protect me.
Indeed, in spite of the adversity surrounding me
you continue to provide abundantly for my well-being;
anointing me with your hospitality
and pouring out blessing upon blessing.
Surely good and lovingkindness will pursue me all my days,
I will return, and you, O LORD, 
shall be my dwelling-place for days without end.

PSALM 23 (yet another translation from Jeff)
LORD God, divine shepherd;
I shall not want for anything.
You will rest me in rich pasture 
and lead me beside calm waters.
You will bring back my life where it belongs,
and lead me along the right paths, 
for the sake of your name.
Even when things seem at their darkest,
sensing your presence, I will fear nothing;
you are sure of the way ahead,
and you will protect me.
In spite of the adversity surrounding me
you provide everything for my well-being;
anointing me with your hospitality
and pouring out blessing upon blessing.
Surely good and lovingkindness will pursue me all my days,
I will return, and you, O LORD, 
shall be my dwelling-place for days without end.

Looking for contemporary music and song resources? Try David MacGregor's Together to Celebrate
Or metrical psalms? Try Dale A. Schoening's Sing the Psalms

HYMN SUGGESTIONS FOR EASTER 4 - YEAR B
A new commandment I give unto you	TIS 699	AHB 571
Behold the amazing gift of love	TIS 115	AHB 36
Do not be afraid, I am with you	TIS 16	SA 28
God is our song, and every singer blest	TIS 646	SA 38
Jesus, lover of my soul	TIS 211	AHB 139
Join all the glorious names of wisdom,love	TIS 205	AHB 135
O for a heart to praise my God	TIS 568	AHB 476
O for a thousand tongues to sing	TIS 210	AHB 141
Acts 4: 5-12
Christ is made the sure foundation	TIS 432	AHB 343
Christ is our cornerstone	TIS 433	AHB 344
I know that my redeemer lives	TIS 376	AHB 132
The church's one foundation	TIS 457	AHB 385
Psalm 23
Author of life divine	TIS 506	AHB 430
Farewell, we come to send you on the way	TIS 695
I need you, Lord, for I have seen	TIS 625
I set the Lord before my eyes	TIS 673	SA 48
In all my ways, in every task	TIS 553
In heavenly love abiding	TIS 588	AHB 504
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King..	TIS 111	AHB 28
The Lord is my shepherd and I want to follow	TIS 659
The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing	TIS 11	AHB 98
The Lord's my shepherd, I'll not want	TIS 10	AHB 16
The king of love my shepherd is	TIS 145	AHB 81
1 John 3:16-24
All the sleepy should have a place to sleep	TIS 697
Author of faith, eternal word	TIS 565	AHB 473
God of freedom, God of justice	TIS 657	SA 42
Help us, O Lord, to learn	TIS 428
I come with joy to meet my Lord	TIS 533	AHB 452
Lord Christ, we praise your sacrifice	TIS 251	SA 60
Lord, keep us steadfast in your word	TIS 436
Nature with open volume stands	TIS 343	AHB 259
Seek, O seek the Lord, while he is near	TIS 464	AHB 397
John 10: 11-16
Dear Shepherd of your people, hear	TIS 444	AHB 371
Holy Spirit, go before us	TIS 420
I bind unto myself today	TIS 478	AHB 454
Jesus the Lord said, 'I am the bread'	TIS 239	AHB 185
The King of Glory comes	TIS 279	AHB 212
The king of love my shepherd is	TIS 145	AHB 81
There's a wideness in God's mercy	TIS 136	AHB 72
You satisfy the hungry heart	TIS 539