The Entrance psalm for Sunday is psalm 67:4-7.

Let the peoples praise you, O God, let all the peoples praise you!…

I would have liked vs. 1&2 to be included.  One translation reads, “O God, have compassion on us and bless us, and let Your face shine upon us, to make known Your way upon the earth, and your salvation to all the nations.”  These verses would have given the reason for the double refrain, “Let the people praise you, O God, let all the peoples praise you.”

God’s compassion is picked up in the Gospel lesson, “When he (Jesus) saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

The Psalm for the Day, Psalm 100 also finds a tie in.  We are called to “serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!”  “It is he who made us and we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”  Therefore, to paraphrase v. 4, we can enter the church doors with thanksgiving and sit in the sanctuary with praise.  Because, “His steadfast love endures forever, and he is faithful to all generations.”

We pray: Almighty, eternal God, in the Word of your apostles and prophets You have proclaimed to us Your saving will.  Grant us faith to believe Your promises that we may receive eternal salvation; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.