Welcome:
Hello everyone and thanks for joining us for worship today.
There is no video for this week due to my illness.
Opening Prayers:
Lord God, our good and loving shepherd,
You nourish our lives and lead us into green pastures.
You restore our souls with rest and peace.
You give us true joy so our cup overflows with goodness.
You walk with us through the darkest valleys,
offering us courage and compassion.
At all times and in all circumstances, you are with us,
Creator, Redeemer and Guiding Spirit,
so we praise you, Holy One, now and always. Amen.
Patient God, your mercy is abundant and your love endless.
Trusting in your mercy,
we confess that often we have not shown your love to others,
even though we claim it for ourselves.
You have called us to show compassion,
but too often we are quick to judge others.
You have been called to follow Jesus,
yet we are distracted by our own plans and desires.
Forgive us for falling short of your hopes for us
and renew a right spirit within us.
Assurance of Forgiveness:
Hear the words of the risen Christ: Peace be with you.
Receive the peace and forgiveness of Christ,
and rejoice in his gift of new life this day and every day. Thanks be to God.
Prayer for Understanding:
God of Story and Song, through the scriptures you have taught us of your love,
and lifted our hearts in praise. Send us your Holy Spirit as we listen to the witness of your people, so that we may claim the story of your redeeming love again and praise you with our lives through Christ, our Lord and Guide. Amen.
Hymn: Saviour like a shepherd lead us
Scripture:
Psalm 23:1-6, A Song Praise of God the Shepherd
John 10:1-18, Jesus the Gate and the Good Shepherd
Message: Shepherding us through challenging times.
The Good Shepherd is one of the most beloved images of Jesus. Many artists have portrayed Jesus as the Good Shepherd on canvas, stained glass, and sculpture. One of the earliest pictures I have of Jesus is that of him holding a lamb in his arms.
The image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd brings to mind images of a lonely Shepherd on a green hill side watching over a flock of sheep. Perhaps we think of the shepherds who were the first visitors to Jesus’ birth. Perhaps you have an image of Jesus as the one standing guard over the sheep at night with his staff at the ready to protect the sheep.
In John 10, Jesus declares himself to be the Good Shepherd. Jesus contrasts himself to the leaders of the Jewish community who had argued with him over the healing of a man born blind in Chapter 9. The leaders who should have been rejoicing in the miraculous healing of the blind man, had instead used the healing as an opportunity to condemn Jesus for healing on the sabbath. In doing so, they reveal their spiritual blindness to who Jesus is as One who comes from God to bring wholeness and salvation to mind, body and spirit. They reveal an outrageous lack of empathy for anyone who doesn’t meet their criteria for who is faithful and who is unfaithful, who belongs to God’s sheep fold and who is excluded from God’s sheep fold. They reveal a lack of understanding of God’s gracious plans, purposes, and mission in the world. Jesus provides a glaring gracious and loving alternative to the “I am right. You’re wrong. Don’t care about you or your questions” focus of the Pharisees and Scribes.
In response to the harsh and critical treatment the Jewish leaders have displayed to the blindman, his family and to himself, Jesus makes the bold declaration that he is the “Gate for the Sheep” in verses 1-10 and the “Good Shepherd” in verses 11-18
In using the language of “I am the. . .” declarations of himself, as Jesus does throughout John’s gospels, he links and connects himself to God who spoke to Moses from the burning bush and declared “I AM the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” (Exodus 3:6). And further when Moses asks God for his name, God replies to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” (Exodus 3:14)
Jesus’ “I AM the . . .” declarations were clear self-revealing proclamations to his listeners, both friend and foe alike, that He was God’s obedient servant. In doing so, Jesus declares himself to be more in line and in sync with Gods plans, purposes, and mission than the Pharisees and Scribes who are accusing him of being a sinner and unfaithful to God in his words and actions.
Jesus announced that as Gatekeeper, he and not the Pharisees and Scribes was the protector and guardian of God’s people. He came to offer God’s people the abundant life of God’s grace and provision which heals and draws us close to God. The Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day had acted like thieves and bandits who hurt, harmed, and stole people away from God and his gift of abundant life.
Jesus also declares that the Pharisees and Scribes who have been trained to know the Scriptures have not understood the merciful nature of God’s plans, purposes, and mission to include all into his family. Why would you not rejoice in the miraculous healing of blind man, unless you continued to deem him outside of God’s favor. Why would you not embrace the man, unless you deemed him unworthy to be a part of God’s family.
Jesus gives the man the abundant life God offers through his mercy and welcomes him into God’s family as Jesus has done with other sheep the Pharisees and scribes have rejected.
Jesus declares himself to be the One who stands at the door or gate of the place where God’s people find security and protection from the predators who want to harm them and / or to take advantage of them.
It has been interesting to me how many conversations I have had with colleagues across denominational lines over the role of the pastor, church leadership, and members during the past year. Much of the discussion has focused on our role to be communicators of factual, up to date, verified information about Covid-19 and to encourage the people of our congregations to live wisely and safely during these times. With so much misinformation and conspiracy theories being shared in numerous ways, our role of helping people to discern what is helpful and what is harmful. I know we don’t always agree on what information is helpful or harmful, but it always important to check the source of the information. Is the source of information motivated out of love for the community or out self interest? What sacrifices has the source of the information made for the common good? These standards are ones I see in life and work of Jesus who corrects misinformation about God, provides a better alternative to human foolishness, and who loves and sacrifices for other’s well being.
Jesus declared that the sheep would follow Him because the sheep know his voice, know it so well, that when anyone tries to mimic it or tries to lead them away, they will run away from it.
This made me think of a voice that very present in my life growing up. The Los Angeles Dodgers posted on their Facebook the long time and now retired announcer Vin Scully wearing his new World Series Champion ring. For those who grew up listening to Vin Scully announce Dodgers games as my grandparents, parents, my siblings and my children have, Vin Scully is the kind, gentle, informative voice of the Dodger organization. Dodger fans who listened to him love him with his recognizable voice and love the way he pastored the Dodgers and us in good times and low times.
In a much greater way, those who know Jesus as their Good Shepherd know his voice and can discern his voice from the multitude of voices of our time that cry out for attention. We can trust his voice, because it is voice that embodies the grace, forgiveness, empathy, community building, protective and self-sacrificing voice of God in our midst.
In his role as the Good Shepherd, Jesus’ voice guides us in these troubled times to look not to our own interests, but to the interest of others. His voice calls us not to insist upon our rights, because Jesus didn’t do that although he could have when he lived among us. His voice calls us to love one another, forgive one another, serve one another. Jesus’ voice encourages us to worship and praise God with one another, to show empathy to another. His voice inspires us to refrain from judging one another, to embrace one another as people who all fall short of God’s desires for us, and to understand that we all stand on equal ground before the cross of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
I test every bit of information and guidance that comes my way by the against what Jesus taught and did. Jesus emphasized that as Good Shepherd he was different from every other leader of his day (as well as ours) because he was willing and would lay down his life for the sheep. Jesus stuck around and stood up for those who were abused, rejected, and excluded from the faith community.
Many leaders fell into the category of hired hands, leaders who were out for personal gain, status in their community, who spent the minimum in taking care of God’s people, and who sacrificed little or nothing of themselves for the sake of others. Jesus by contrast was the One who knew his people, who called them to follow him, who sought them out, and who included them in God’s flock. There were more sheep to be rounded up and included into God’s family under his loving, guiding, protecting, feeding, life offering shepherding presence.
And where is Christ the Good Shepherd guiding us today?
There is a deep fear of the future that haunts us and the church. What will the church locally and globally be like when we move beyond the pandemic? Many speculate that the need for people to gather together will be greater than ever. The church with its emphasis on community is in the perfect place to respond to the need for community. When we are able to gather again unhindered, our past history of showing hospitality to members, locals and visitors will kick into high gear. I believe we will be ready and willing to do so as we have always done. The Good Shepherd will continue to guide us in our ministry of community building.
The Good Shepherd also reminds us that there are other sheep who do not belong to the flock, but who know the voice of Jesus, and who must be sought out. We have learned in the past year that worship, ministry and mission are not contained to a specific building, but happen in the caring, loving, informed ministry and witness of God’s people wherever they are. I believe we must intentionally focus our attention on showing up in the community where people gather. We are called to gather as Christ’s followers, but then we are always sent out into the community to be witnesses, servants and agents of healing for Christ. Lost sheep will be encountered as they have always been in the community outside of Sunday worship. We must trust the Good Shepherd to lead us to where we need to be present and to lead us to those we are to embrace and welcome in His name.
Lastly, the is passage reminds us that we need to continue know to the Good Shepherd intimately as he knows us intimately. Jesus has set the bar high for how we are to lovingly interact with another and care for one another. We have all missed the face to face interactions with one another during the past year. We have adapted to our circumstances and have learned to care for each other from a distance. But we know it is not the same as being together. I believe it will be important for us to spend some more time together to get reacquainted with each other to make up for lost time. Some creative thinking and dreaming by each of us would help us to know each other better in the future.
I am assured that Jesus the Gate of the Sheep and Jesus the Good Shepherd, who loves, knows, and sacrificed his life for us, will continue to protect, guide, and nourish our minds, bodies and spirits as we to listen to and follow his caring voice that gathers us together and who sends us out into our community.
To Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all praise, honor and glory. AMEN.
Prayers of the People:
Gracious and loving God,
as a shepherd cares for the flock, so you care for each one of us.
Move in our hearts and minds, our congregations and communities,
and lead us to care for one another for the sake of Jesus,
our Good Shepherd.
Today we thank you for the gift of rest.
We pray for all those who are tired from work or worry,
especially in these days of pandemic.
Grant peace to those who are worn out with anxiety or frustration,
and rest for all those who are weary from the responsibilities of their work.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
God our Guide,
we thank you for the gifts of truth and wisdom.
We pray for those who cannot discern truth in the midst of conspiracy theories,
and for all who suffer under authorities who distort reality for their own ends.
Grant wisdom and common sense to all who must make decisions
in these confusing days of competing arguments.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
God our Strength,
we thank you for the ways you refresh our souls.
We pray for those whose lives are burdened with poverty
or with uncertainty about the future beyond the pandemic.
We remember all who face any sort of trial or difficulty,
those who are sick, in pain, or facing death,
and those who are bereaved by the loss of someone dear.
For all of these precious souls, be their source of healing and peace.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
God our Shield and Defender,
we thank you for staying with us when we face danger or death.
We pray for all those who live in fear:
prisoners, exiles and refugees,
victims of oppression, racism and hatred,
those who know the threat of violence day after day.
Be for them a steady companion and their source of courage.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
God our Provider,
we thank you for all the ways you fill our cup to overflowing.
Thank you for offering peace and calm in the midst of turmoil,
for the return of happiness after times of strife,
and for insight emerging after confusion and indecision.
Help us recognize your redeeming gifts which guide us and give us hope.
Show us how we can be part of your redeeming work
unfolding in the world around us,
and bless the ministries undertaken through The Presbyterian Church in Canada.
Bless those who serve in challenging missions in Canada
and around the world.
Equip them well to reach out in love and respect, together with local partners,
to accomplish your will in Jesus’ name.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers.
Amen.
Pastoral Blessing (Heb. 13:20-21)
The God of peace,
who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great shepherd of the sheep,
by the blood of the eternal covenant,
make you complete in every good gift
so that you may do God’s will.
May God work among us
all that which is pleasing in God’s sight
through Jesus Christ,
to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
.
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Mission Moment – April 25, 2021
Arising
ARISE Ministry offers compassionate outreach and spiritual care to survivors of sexual exploitation living in the Greater Toronto Area. Inspired by Jesus’ healing of the woman who was afflicted for 18 years with a condition that kept her bent over (Luke 13:10–17), ARISE aims to help those who have been living “bent over” by exploitation, trauma, abuse and addiction. Staff and volunteers work with vulnerable women, youth and children by providing one-on-one, goal-oriented support. As relationships strengthen, hope and empowerment are fostered, making it possible for futures to be reclaimed. Like the woman in the gospel of Luke, several women that ARISE has helped are now standing straight and tall, and God continues to do amazing things in their lives. This is a reason to rejoice!
Prayer Partnership
Sunday, April 25 (Mission Awareness Sunday) We remember in prayer and give thanks for all former and current mission staff who, in faith, accepted God’s call to participate in God’s mission in Canada and globally.
Monday, April 26 We pray for the people, ministries and mission of the Presbytery of Montreal in Que.
Tuesday, April 27 We pray for congregations that are concerned about finances, and that God will provide the resources they need to continue the ministry they are called to do.
Wednesday, April 28 We pray that congregations that are searching for a new minister will be filled with hope, wisdom and patience.
Thursday, April 29 We pray for the Forum for Intercultural Leadership and Learning as it works to build a society and churches that fully honour diversity and God’s unequivocal welcome.
Friday, April 30 We pray for university students completing the academic year, that God brings them peace as they complete this part of their journey and move on to the next.
Saturday, May 1 We pray for those who are grieving the deaths of loved ones who they were not able to comfort and say goodbye to because of COVID-19 restrictions.