Looking Ahead to May 3, 2009 -- 4th Sunday of Easter

The Scripture Readings this week are:

• From the Life of the Early Church: Acts 4:5-12
• Psalm 23 (VU p.749)
• From the Gospel: John 10:11-18

The Hymns this week are:

• #559 Come, O Fount of Every Blessing
• #747 The Lord’s My Shepherd
• #271 There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
• #326 O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
The Sermon title is Courage in the Shelter of the Shepherd

Early Thoughts:What comfort is there in having a shepherd? What does a shepherd offer to us?

It is a difficult image for many of us to appreciate. What is the appeal of having a shepherd? But it is a classic image of comfort within the Christian witness.

ANd so we need to unpack the image. We need to look for the hope in beign called sheep in need of a shepherd. Especially since many of us have never seen a herd of sheep or really know what a shepherd does.

Now then, as we look at the passage from John (including verses 1-10) we see that the shepherd is a fully committed caretaker and protector. In the Psalm we hear that the shepherd provides what is needed for life and health. And so we need to explore this image so that we too can find the courage to rest in the arms and shelter of the shepherd.
--Gord