Good Shepherd Sunday - The Second Sunday After Easter
"Jesus said, I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
St. John 10:11
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Br. Scott and Matt led our lovely Morning Prayer services this past Sunday. Br. Scott's sermon started by reminding us how poorly thought of shepherds were during Jesus's time on earth. Many people, especially the Pharisees, must have been very surprised to hear Jesus compare himself to a shepherd. All three readings and the Psalm are clearly connected with references to sheep and shepherds. In the Gospel lesson Jesus declares himself the Good Shepherd and compares himself to hired shepherds who abandon the sheep to an attacking wolf. The hirelings represent the Pharisees who have neglected and abandoned the sheep to the wolves. The sheep represent the people whom the Pharisees ought to have protected from the wolves. The 'other sheep' are most likely Gentiles who will also be brought into the fold. Jesus says the Good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep - which we just observed Jesus do on the cross (along with His resurrection). We, the church are now the body of Jesus acting in this world for him. The question is are we truly acting in his Name as the Good Shepherd? Many clergy and churches are running from the wolves of this age - capitulating to the "woke" agenda and compromising on the truth of scripture resulting in many closed churches and much scattering of the sheep. However, there is great hope for the church. The Nicene Creed ends with our belief "In one holy catholic and apostolic Church..." It is not the hope of one church in the future, but a recognition that this one church exists now. We have got to persist in our coming, our commitment, and our involvement with the Good Shepherd through the church. We must help each other to maintain that connection with the "herd" as well as be instrumental in bringing other people into God's flock.
Please find the complete service at the following link:
During services this past Sunday, one of our members had a medical emergency and couldn't reach any of our members during services for assistance as everyone had their phones turned off! To avoid this problem in the future, during services the church phone (423-482-2095) will be forwarded to one of the attending members phone which will be on.
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A couple of weeks ago our sign on Ft. Henry Drive was blown down in a bad wind storm! Mike has since repaired and rehung the sign! Thank you Mike - the sign looks great!!
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Sue continues to lead our weekly online prayer group on Discord every Thursday at 2 pm. Thank you so much Sue for taking the time each week to lead our prayers! If you have a special prayer request but cannot join us, please send your request to Sue. Please contact me if you would like to join us on Discord.
Please continue to keep Earl in your prayers this week. He is still in the hospital with complications from a blocked bile duct and other serious health issues. Also, keep Rose Marie in your prayers as she tends to him.
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Our next Women's Bible Study starts on Wed. May 3 @ 11 am at the church. We will use "The First 24" for our study guide. This is an in depth study of Mark 1:21-45 - the first 24 hours of Jesus' public ministry. The guide is available on Amazon.
At our last Bible Study meeting Lynn and Diane sorted food collected by the Bible Study ladies for Lent. We donated some of the food to a family in need known to Lynn's son through his business. Lynn's daughter-in-law delivered the food to the family and received many thank you's for it! The balance of the food will be donated this week to Shades of Grace. Thank you to every one who donated!
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Due to continuing scheduling issues, our Spring Yard Work Day has been postponed until later in the year!
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