May 11: Good Shepherd Sunday
Songs of Comfort, Care, and Guidance
This is my second post in Sunday Setlist. If you missed the first one, you can catch up here to understand the inspiration and purpose.
This week’s setlist is a soundtrack for Good Shepherd Sunday—songs that echo the readings with themes of comfort, guidance, and the promise that we’re never alone. Easter continues, so joy and resurrection still ring through it all.
Whether you're planning worship or just looking for something to carry with you through the week, I hope this can be a listening companion to the lectionary. I’d love to know what others are singing or exploring for Good Shepherd Sunday—feel free to share in the comments!
Readings:
Acts 9:36-43
Psalm 23
Revelation 7:9-17
John 10:22-30
Here’s what we’re singing at St. John’s this week:
Prelude
Ain’t No Grave – It’s still Easter and I love this version by Odetta. We did it a couple years ago on Easter Day, and I’ve been wanting to do it again.
Processional Hymn
At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing (Hymn 174)
A resurrection hymn that celebrates Jesus as the Lamb of God
Hymn of Praise
Hallelujah, Salvation and Glory – We’ve been doing this every week since January (with a break during Lent). I originally wasn’t sure if the congregation would catch on to the three parts, but after a few Sundays, it really came to life!
Psalm 23
Our Psalm 23 (from the Common Hymnal) – We usually use other settings (see further down), but thought this would be a fun one to try.
Gradual Hymn
The King of Love My Shepherd Is (Hymn 645: stanzas 1–2, 5–6) – For me, this is a must on Good Shepherd Sunday.
Gospel Acclamation
From Robert Ray’s Gospel Mass
Offertory Anthem
Listen to the Lambs – R. Nathaniel Dett
A moving spiritual arrangement that weaves together sorrow and hope.
Listen to the lambs — all a-crying!
He shall lead His flock like a shepherd
And carry the young lambs in His bosom.
Festival Doxology
Lasst uns erfreuen
Sanctus
by Michele Fowlin
Agnus Dei
by Alex Nguyen & Kamel Boutros
Communion Hymns
Shepherd
A modern gospel ballad about trusting and following Jesus. CeCe Winans is a go-to for powerful worship songs.
Blessed Assurance – “I in my Savior am happy and blest”
One of my favorite hymns. I’m a big Terence Blanchard fan too, so had to include this version.
Closing Hymn
He Is Risen! (Hymn 180)
A joyful celebration of the resurrection.
Postlude
Ke na le modisa
A Sotho interpretation of Psalm 23
Sotho lyrics and translation:
Ke na le modisa – ke tla be ke hlokang?
The Lord is my Shepard I shall not want
Ke ya ipitsang Jehova – molimo o phelang
His name is Jehovah the forever living God
O nkisa botaleng, lijong tse mphelisang
He brings me to the depths, to the food that gives me life
O nkalosa dinokaneng – metsing a nkholisang
He leads me to the river and the water that heals me
Lira li ka ntlhoya – ke sa ja monono
Enemies can hate me but I can still eat
Mohope oa khaphatseha – ke dutse ka thabo
My cup is overflowing, I living happily
Other Options for This Week
Here are some other songs I’ve used in the past that would also work well with this week’s texts. I don’t plan to include this every week, but there are just so many songs that came to mind for this Sunday’s themes.
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need - by Anonymous 4
We did this one last year, and it really stuck with me. I’ve always loved folk hymns from the Sacred Harp tradition. There’s something about those open harmonies that really brings the melody to life. This version is just two parts, but it lets the beauty of the tune shine through in a clear, heartfelt way.
Lamb of God – Twila Paris
This one’s a classic. I’ve got a soft spot for songs from the ’80s and ’90s like this—earnest, singable, and full of heart.
The King of Love My Shepherd Is – Edward Cuthbert Bairstow
A beautiful organ and choir arrangement of this timeless hymn.
Wandering Shepherd – Dan Fogelberg
We started with an unaccompanied solo, then brought in ensemble harmonies, just like in the recording.
Loving Shepherd of Thy Sheep – John Rutter, hymn text by Jane Leeson
A sweet anthem that begins with an unaccompanied solo, builds with the choir, and concludes with a final recapitulation of the solo, supported by the full choir.
The Lord is My Shepherd – John Rutter
I love this piece, especially when I have an oboist.
John Tavener – The Lamb
I love Tavener’s writing and this is the first composition of his I’ve performed. We did this last year so I’m saving it for some time next year. Tavener set the William Blake poem with striking shifts between harmony and dissonance—beautiful and haunting. It leans into the “Lamb” side of Jesus, but Revelation ties it together: “The Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd.”
The 23rd Psalm – Bobby McFerrin
Bobby McFerrin's rendition of the 23rd Psalm, written as a tribute to his mom with "she" pronouns, yet easily adaptable.