This 2nd Sunday after Easter (Misericordias Domini) is still very much in the joyful Eastertide – liturgical colours are still white – and the Hallelujah’s still dominate and we still respond to the “Jesus Christ is risen from the dead” with the joyful “He’s risen indeed!”.

Traditionally this festive Sunday has the title “Sunday of the Good Shepherd” derived from the gospel of St.John 10,11-16(27-30) where Jesus Christ says: “I am the Good Shepherd!”

Jesus Christ says: "I am the Good Shepherd"

The Psalm for this Sunday is the famous Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd – I shall not want…”, which comforts us so greatly – especially if we consider the Old Testament reading from the prophet Ezekiel 34,1-2 (3-9) 10-16.31, in which the living God reveals his disappointment with worldly shepherds (“kings, prophets and priests” or leaders of his people if you will), but comes up with the solution: “I myself will shepherd my people…”.  We ordained pastors (shepherds), who the Lord of the Church Jesus Christ has called to serve vicariously (i.e. in his name: “Like the Father sent me, I send you…”) are to take to heart the message of the apostle St. Peter in tomorrow’s sermon based on 1.Peter 5,1-4.

The Lutheran order of worship for this 2nd Sunday after Easter is made available in both isiZulu: Zulu Order of worship for Sunday Miserikordia Domini 2012 with a sermon by Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD and seTswana Tswana Order of service for Sunday Miserikordia Domini with a sermon by Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD with the courtesy of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation. We are grateful for this ongoing service by the pastors of the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa and the translations provided by Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD. Tomorrow’s sermon was also written by him.

May this order of worship serve you well and may the triune God bless and keep you in the true faith for Christ’s sake +++