The Good Shepherd 2 May 2021 Knox Bayfield Rev Dolson
Call to Worship
Like the vine that supports blossoms and fruit, God’s Word upholds the church in strength. Like an attentive gardener, God tends the needs of all creation. Let us worship God who makes all things new.
Hymn# 314 God is love come heaven adoring
Assurance of Pardon
God of mercy, we confess we have not loved others as you have loved us. We have denied the promises of baptism and cut ourselves off from you. Forgive us, restore us, that we may abide in your love and live out your mercy, for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
You have been cleansed by the word that God has spoken to you. In baptism God claimed you and joined you to Christ, as branches to a vine. Believe the promise given to you: in Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
May the peace of Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you.
Prayer For Illumination
Come, Holy Spirit, that through your word we may be led into the love of God for all the world. Amen.
Readings
Psalm 22:25-31; Acts 4:5-12; 1 John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18
May God bless our understanding of this, God’s holy word. The Word of the Lord.
Hymn # 698 Saviour teach me day by day
The Good Shepherd
This is the fifth Sunday of Easter. Our readings today remind us that Jesus will never let us go regardless of what we do or do not do. The Good Shepherd cares for his flock. It is an image that tends to bring to mind Jesus finding the one lost sheep and returning it to the flock. In scripture and art, the good shepherd is one of our most familiar images of Jesus. A familiar image but one that may not resonate with us. The reality of the shepherd may not be clear to us anymore. Typically, shepherds spend more time in the fields than anywhere else. They care for sheep, an animal that will wander and lose their way. A shepherd’s job can be dangerous and risky. In her sermon “The Voice of the Shepherd,” Barbara Brown Taylor shares the story of someone who grew up on a sheep ranch. She discovered that sheep are herded differently than cows. Cows are herded from the rear with shouts and prods. If you were to stand behind sheep making noises, they will just run around behind you. Sheep prefer to be led. The trusted shepherd must lead and demonstrate that it is safe to proceed. Studies indicate that sheep have sophisticated social and emotional recognition skills. They are able to recognize familiar faces, voices and smells. This information helps us to better understand what was meant when Jesus said, “I know my own and my own know me”. Just as sheep develop a connection with their shepherd, we are able to connect with our good Shepherd. In Ezekiel 34:10-16, God is described as the shepherd—the one who leads, guides, feeds, protects, and seeks the lost sheep. Jesus takes up God’s mission in the world. The good shepherd who cares for each sheep and gathers the flock.
Jesus is the good shepherd. The Greek, kalos, translates to English as: beautiful, as an outward sign of the inward good, noble, honorable, and seen to be so. Jesus embodies good strength, power, sympathy, kindness, and mercy.
John writes of how those who see, hear, and believe in Jesus belong to the community. A community where the doors are wide open to the wealthy, the poor, the healthy, the ailing … lepers, women, Jewish, Gentile, Samaritan, tax collectors, Eunuchs, and more. Jesus knows each by name and is concerned for each one.
Each of us longs to know and to be known. It is good to be known and to know others. It is good to truly experience the people in your life. To hear and experience who they are – not who we want them to be, but who they are. It is wonderful to be heard and seen as we are, not as others want us to be. When we are able to connect with one another individually then our community is strengthened.
During this pandemic everyone has been struggling with the restrictions in one way or another. Business owners struggle with the uncertain and often devastating disruptions. Employees struggle with over work and lack of work. Health care workers and others in the helping professions struggle to keep themselves safe as they care for others. I have heard from many of you about the challenges you are facing during the pandemic. I struggle and you struggle with isolation and the diminished ways in which we are able to connect. It is more difficult to connect with one another when we cannot meet face to face in person. We are in the midst of this new reality of scheduling inoculations and lining up to shop. I am hearing from you about your fears and frustrations, and your willingness to step up to the challenges. In recent weeks there has been a shift in your resolve. Your faith is an integral part of your strength. Even when it is most difficult, I am hearing about the ways in which the Spirit reaches out to strengthen and bolster you.
Perhaps we can better understand how Peter developed a deeper understanding of Jesus and of himself as his own life unfolded. Karen Baker-Fletcher wrote, Peter ”preaches with intimate understanding of the frailty of our human condition and intimate knowledge of life in Christ. Peter, from traumatic experience, has learned not to fear death, in the knowledge that God in Christ overcomes evil, suffering, and death.”
Peter and John had been arrested for teaching and proclaiming that in Jesus there is resurrection” and for healing in the name of Christ. The authorities recognized the potential disruption of peace in their community when crowds gathered to hear the message of the Messiah. Peter spoke to the charges almost as a good deed for someone who was ill. He and John have done a mitzvah, an act of kindness with the power of the Spirit.
Barbara Brown Taylor wrote, “Faced with censure from his own faith community, called before them as a prisoner, and required to offer verbal defense—an incredibly isolated position—Peter trusts that he does not stand in the dock alone. He is filled with the Holy Spirit.” Peter willingly steps into the place where God placed him, trusting that God will be with him.
Even in the best of times it hard work to create and maintain relationships and communities. In part it is hard work because many of us were taught to show our strength and to hide our vulnerabilities. Too often we avoid being vulnerable with each other. We hold back our thoughts and withdraw from confrontation. Our good intentions may be misunderstood or rejected. It can be difficult to trust that others will be there. There are stumbling blocks in building deeper relationships and community. In all of this, Jesus assures us that there is an alternative to our concerns and fear. It can be challenging navigating relationships and community. The Good Shepherd calls out to us, assuring us that our isolation and fear can be relieved. Jesus’ call for one flock with one Shepperd in community.
The image of the Good Shepherd is powerful. In our yearning for connection, in those moments of loneliness, isolation, and hopelessness, the Good Shepherd responds to each and all of us.
Peace be with you.
Hymn # 563 Let us talents and tongues employ
The Offering Of Our Life And Labour To The Lord
Quote: If it is more blessed to give than to receive, then most of us are content to let the other fellow have the greater blessing. Shailer Matthews (1863–1941), American theologian
Offering what we have for the sake of others is a discipline of pruning—letting go of our possessions, our time, and even ourselves—to extend the gospel witness into the world. Be generous in your ministry of giving. You need not fear; you abide in the vine.
Blessing Of Gifts & Prayers Of The People
Join me in prayer:
O God, we give you thanks for your Holy Spirit whose work at creation continues in us. Through Christ Jesus you have shown your love for this earth you made.
Giver of all good things, bring trust and empathy to the nations of the world.
Let peacemakers lead those in conflict into resolution. May leaders seek your wisdom and provide hope to those in need.
Through our offerings, O God, may your loving Spirit become more visible to a world in need of comfort. Make our many gifts one offering for the world.
We pray that all the world may know your goodness. Word of life, reveal the wonder of your world to all people. Show us anew what lives around us, over us, beneath us, within us. May the church, alive with your Spirit, honor your earth with respect and care.
Almighty God, uphold our sisters and brothers who endure disasters caused by weather, famine, sickness, greed, and the pandemic. Strengthen all who are in at risk. You are our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.
Good healer, we pray for all who are in need of comfort. Comfort those who mourn, uphold those who are sick, those holding vigil, and those who await words of hope.
There are many within our church family in need of your special care at this time. We lift up Ron, Sandy, Rudy, Peggy, Betty Lou, Jane, Bonnie, Jessie, Marlene, Rob, Courtney and Kyla, and Grace’s daughter Lisa. We lift up all those who prefer to remain un-named as they face immense challenges of health and finances. Comfort all who are suffering, walk with them through dark valleys and restore them, body, mind, and soul.
O holy One, by the power of your Spirit, help us to keep your commandments
and to love one another with the love of Jesus. By your Spirit who breathes within us, strengthen our faith, use our gifts, and work in our lives to bear witness to Christ who taught his disciples to pray, …Our Father who art in heaven, hallow’ed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Hymn #371 Love divine, all loves excelling
Benediction
Go with joy. Go and tell the story of faith that is given to you by the One who never lets you go. Seek out those who abound with sacred questions, and be ready to answer a mystery with love. The blessing of Almighty God be upon you, today and always. Amen
Postlude #623 Holy, holy, holy
Questions for Reflection
What does it mean to lay down our lives for one another (1 John 3:16)? Think about people who have been “good shepherds” for you, sharing the love and showing the way of Jesus Christ. Who has helped to lead you in right paths or walked with you in dark valleys? Who has given you comfort and calmed your fears? Who has shown you hospitality and grace, making a place at the table for you, even when you felt surrounded by enemies? How have you done these things for others?
Morning Prayer
God of all beginnings, you bring a new day, and you promise to journey with me through the hours. I thank you for the breath and strength I have, and I beg your help that I may use my powers wisely and with compassion toward everyone I meet. Let my questions today be a form of pruning to bring forth in me new understandings, healing, and good fruit; in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Evening Prayer
Jesus, in this night of rest, heal my broken places and restore my faith.
You are my vine; only in you am I strong enough to face the darkness of this world. I thank you for the safety of my home and pray for those who have no bed tonight. Make me grateful, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, Mother of us all. Amen.
Daily Prayer
Wondrous Creator, you make all things new in water and Word, feeding your people with love, joy, and peace. Lead us today and every day to the font of new beginnings. Teach us to love what you have commanded and to prune what does not nourish your creation, in the name of the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
Scripture readings next week – 6th Sunday of Easter
Psalm 98; Acts 10:44-48; 1 John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17
623 Holy, holy, holy Words: traditional Music: F Schubert
Refrain: Holy, holy, holy, God almighty Lord!
Holy, holy, holy, everywhere adored!
God without beginning, God eternal One
reigns and rules forever all beneath the sun Refrain
Power and love and wonder circling round God’s throne
Praise our God most holy, Lord of Life alone Refrain
314 God is love come heaven adoring
God is love: come heaven, adoring; God is love: come earth, rejoice.
Come creation, voices soaring, Sing exulting with one voice.
God who laid the earth’s foundation, God who spread the heavens above,
God who breathes through all creation– God is love, eternal love.
God is love, whose arms enfolding All the world in one embrace,
With unfailing grasp are holding Every child of every race,
And when human hearts are breaking Under sorrow’s iron rod,
All the sorrow, all the aching Wrings with pain the heart of God.
God is love, and though with blindness Sin afflicts all human life,
God’s eternal loving-kindness Guides us through all earthly strife.
Sin and death and hell shall never O’er us final triumph gain;
God is love: so love forever O’er the universe must reign.
698 Saviour teach me day by day
Saviour, teach me day by day Love’s sweet lesson to obey;
Sweeter lesson cannot be, Loving God who first loved me.
With a child’s glad heart of love At thy bidding may I move,
Prompt to serve and follow thee, Loving God who first loved me.
Teach me thus thy steps to trace, Strong to follow in thy grace,
Learning how to love from thee, Loving God who first loved me.
Love in loving finds employ, In obedience all its joy;
Ever new that joy will be, Loving God who first loved me.
563 Let us talents and tongues employ
Let us talents and tongues employ, reaching out with a shout of joy:
bread is broken, the wine is poured, Christ is spoken and seen and heard.
Refrain: Jesus lives again, earth can breathe again,
pass the word around: loaves abound!
Christ is able to make us one; at the table he sets the tone,
teaching people to live and bless, love in word and in deed express. Refrain
Jesus calls us in, sends us out bearing fruit in a world of doubt,
gives us love to tell, bread to share: God (Immanuel) everywhere! Refrain
371 Love divine, all loves excelling
Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down;
fix in us thy humble dwelling, all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation; enter every trembling heart.
Breathe, oh breathe thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast!
Let us all in thee inherit, let us find the promised rest;
take away our love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be;
end of faith as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.
Come, almighty to deliver, let us all thy grace receive;
suddenly return and never, never more thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray and praise thee, without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.
Finish then thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee,
changed from glory into glory till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love and praise.