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The Season of Easter lasts for 7 weeks, all the way to Pentecost. During it, we think of the various post-Resurrection appearances of Jesus.
Fourth Sunday in Easter - Good Shepherd Sunday
Hymn: The Lord's My Shepherd
PRAYER
O God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the good shepherd of your
people: Grant that when we hear his voice, we may know him who
calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you
and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
An Appreciation of Lorraine Mulholland
from Interim Moderator Very Rev. Finlay MacDonald
LESSON
John 10: 1-10
The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the
sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief
and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of
the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep
listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them
out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of
them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But
they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him
because they do not recognise a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this
figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he
was telling them.
Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for
the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers,
but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever
enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and
find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I
have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Love Divine, all loves excelling
REFLECTION
PRAYER
Prayer in time of crisis
Lord Jesus,
In the midst of a storm,
You said, ‘Peace be still.’
Bid our anxious fears subside,
Sustain your church in faith, hope and love,
Bring our nation, and our world through this tumult,
Grant wisdom to those with heavy responsibilities,
And healing and hope to those who are infected.
Amen.
Hymn: And can it be that I should gain
Voluntary