Fourth Sunday of Easter Joplin Missouri — On this Good Shepherd Sunday, Immanuel Lutheran Church gathers to hear the voice of the One who calls Himself the Door of the sheep. In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares that He alone is the way into the safety and abundance of the Father’s fold, and that all who enter through Him will be saved.
Fourth Sunday of Easter in Joplin Missouri: The Good Shepherd Calls His Flock
On Sunday, April 26, 2026, the congregation of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Joplin, Missouri, celebrates the Fourth Sunday of Easter Joplin Missouri — traditionally known as Good Shepherd Sunday. Rev. Christopher Ramstad preaches on the appointed readings from the Three-Year Lectionary (Series A), centering on the Gospel of John where Jesus uses the imagery of a shepherd and his sheep to reveal His saving work for us.
This Fourth Sunday of Easter falls in the heart of the Easter season, a time when the Church continues to rejoice in the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The readings appointed for this day all point to the tender care of Christ the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for the sheep, gathers them into His fold through Word and Sacrament, and promises them life that is truly abundant.
Scripture Readings for Good Shepherd Sunday
The First Reading from Acts 2:42–47 presents the picture of the early Christian Church, devoted to the apostles’ teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread, and the prayers. This is a portrait of what the Good Shepherd’s flock looks like when gathered around the means of grace — hearing the Word, receiving the Sacrament, and living in the communion of saints. The Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
The Gospel from John 10:1–10 records the words of Jesus Himself: “I am the door of the sheep.” He is the gate through whom the sheep enter and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, but Jesus came that we may have life and have it abundantly. The sheep hear His voice, and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. This is the heart of the Fourth Sunday of Easter in Joplin Missouri and throughout the Church — the assurance that Jesus knows each of us by name and has opened the way to eternal life through His death and resurrection.
The Gospel from John 10:1–10 records the words of Jesus Himself: “I am the door of the sheep.” He is the gate through whom the sheep enter and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, but Jesus came that we may have life and have it abundantly. The sheep hear His voice, and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. This is the heart of Good Shepherd Sunday — the assurance that Jesus knows each of us by name and has opened the way to eternal life through His death and resurrection.
In the Lutheran confessional tradition, we understand that the Good Shepherd continues to call His sheep through the means of grace. The voice of the Shepherd is heard wherever His Word is preached and His Sacraments are administered. At Immanuel Lutheran Church in Joplin, Missouri, this is exactly what takes place each Lord’s Day on the Fourth Sunday of Easter and every Sunday: the Gospel is proclaimed, sins are forgiven, and the body and blood of Christ are given for the strengthening of faith.
In the Lutheran confessional tradition, we understand that the Good Shepherd continues to call His sheep through the means of grace. The voice of the Shepherd is heard wherever His Word is preached and His Sacraments are administered. At Immanuel Lutheran Church, this is exactly what takes place each Lord’s Day: the Gospel is proclaimed, sins are forgiven, and the body and blood of Christ are given for the strengthening of faith.
The Easter season reminds us that this Good Shepherd is also the Risen Lord. Death could not hold Him, and because He lives, we too shall live. The abundant life He promises is not merely earthly prosperity, but the fullness of life in communion with the Triune God — a life that begins now in faith and continues forever in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Join us this Fourth Sunday of Easter in Joplin Missouri and every Sunday to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd.
The Easter season reminds us that this Good Shepherd is also the Risen Lord. Death could not hold Him, and because He lives, we too shall live. The abundant life He promises is not merely earthly prosperity, but the fullness of life in communion with the Triune God — a life that begins now in faith and continues forever in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.
Immanuel Lutheran Church is a congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) located at 2616 S Connecticut Ave, Joplin, MO 64804. We are committed to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Word and Sacrament in the historic liturgical tradition. Visit our What We Believe page to learn more about our confession of faith.
Immanuel Lutheran Church is a congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) located at 2616 S Connecticut Ave, Joplin, MO 64804. We are committed to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Word and Sacrament in the historic liturgical tradition.
Martin Luther School, our parish school, serves students from preschool through 8th grade, providing Christ-centered education rooted in the Lutheran faith.
Visit us online at immanueljoplin.com or join us for worship this Sunday. To learn more about our services and sermon archive, visit our Services and Sermons page. Immanuel Lutheran Church is a member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
Visit us online at immanueljoplin.com or join us for worship this Sunday. To learn more about our services and sermon archive, visit our Services and Sermons page.