Responsive Reading

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel . . . Restore us! O God, let your face shine, that we may be saved! Psalm 80:1a, 3 Reader 1: Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel . . . Restore us! O God, let your face shine, that we may be saved!

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2:7 Reader 2: In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.

We give thanks for the Good Shepherd and the many shepherds. God’s People Respond . . . We give thanks for the Good Shepherd and the many shepherds. God’s People Respond: We give thanks for the Good Shepherd and the many shepherds.

Our congregations have been blessed by shepherds-- clergy, musicians, and educators, sextons and administrators who keep watch over our churches. Reader 1: Our congregations have been blessed by shepherds – clergy, musicians, and educators, sextons and administrators who keep watch over our churches.

We give thanks for the Good Shepherd and the many shepherds. God’s People Respond . . . We give thanks for the Good Shepherd and the many shepherds. God’s People Respond: We give thanks for the Good Shepherd and the many shepherds.

Shepherds care for the least and the lost - Protect us from the wolves of our times, lead us into green valleys of prayer and through deep valleys of despair. Reader 2: Shepherds care for the least and the lost, protect us from the wolves of our times, lead us into green valleys of prayer and through deep valleys of despair.

We give thanks for the Good Shepherd and the many shepherds. God’s People Respond . . . We give thanks for the Good Shepherd and the many shepherds. God’s People Respond: We give thanks for the Good Shepherd and the many shepherds.

Shepherds listen to angel songs of glory to God and Peace on Earth and teach us to be peacemakers. We can bring peace in family and community, peace at work and church, peace within and between nations. In this season of haste and frenzy, we can find peace of mind. Reader 1: Shepherds listen to angel songs of glory to God and Peace on Earth and teach us to be peacemakers. We can bring peace in family and community, peace at work and church, peace within and between nations. In this season of haste and frenzy, we can find peace of mind.

We give thanks for the Good Shepherd and the many shepherds. God’s People Respond . . . We give thanks for the Good Shepherd and the many shepherds. God’s People Respond: We give thanks for the Good Shepherd and the many shepherds.

These shepherds of our churches bring joy These shepherds of our churches bring joy. Some preach good tidings; others direct pageants. Some hammer the base of the Christmas tree, rehearse the cantata, type the bulletin. Reader 2: These shepherds of our churches bring joy. Some preach good tidings; others direct pageants. Some hammer the base of the Christmas tree, rehearse the cantata, type the bulletin.

We give thanks for the Good Shepherd and the many shepherds. God’s People Respond . . . We give thanks for the Good Shepherd and the many shepherds. God’s People Respond: We give thanks for the Good Shepherd and the many shepherds.

We tell the story of love because of who have come before us and shared God’s love for us. Honoring their ministries we bring our gifts from the abundance of all we have received in this holy season. Reader 1: We tell the story of love because of who have come before us and shared God’s love for us. Honoring their ministries we bring our gifts from the abundance of all we have received in this holy season.

God’s People Respond . . . O God, whose face shines upon us, we give thanks for the shepherds in our midst - retired and active clergy and musicians, educators, sextons and administrators. They have been faithful for the least and lost, alert for angels and strangers, and willing to seek and share your story. Bless these Christmas Fund gifts that they express our thanks and inspire us to become shepherds ourselves. Amen. God’s People Respond: O God, whose face shines upon us, we give thanks for the shepherds in our midst retired and active clergy and musicians, educators, sextons and administrators. They have been faithful for the least and lost, alert for angels and strangers, and willing to seek and share your story. Bless these Christmas Fund gifts that they express our thanks and inspire us to become shepherds ourselves. Amen