21st April: Easter 4
online services from Iona
Acts 4:5-12
The Jewish religious authorities challenged Peter and John after they healed the lame man in the Temple. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the two men proclaimed their faith in the God-given power of the living Jesus and called on them to repent.
The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, ‘By what power or by what name did you do this?’ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, ‘Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is
“the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
it has become the cornerstone.”
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.’
John 10:11-18
‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.’
Something to think about
The image of God as the good shepherd was a powerful one in the Old Testament. David, the shepherd boy who became king was an example of a good shepherd, but earthly and spiritual leaders often failed in their God-given responsibilities (eg Ezek. 34:1-23) Unlike the hired worker, Jesus right of entry to the sheepfold and knew his sheep by name.
Next Sunday’s (28th) Readings:
Acts 8:26-40
John 15:1-8
Collect
Risen Christ, faithful shepherd of your Father’s sheep:
teach us to hear your voice and follow your command,
that all your people may be gathered in one flock,
to the glory of God the Father.
Post Communion
Merciful Father,
you gave your Son Jesus Christ to be the good shepherd,
and in his love for us to lay down his life and rise again:
keep us always under his protection,
and give us grace to follow in his steps;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Please remember in your prayers this week:
Those who are sick or suffering, including Maggie & Nigel's daughter Gill.
The recently bereaved, especially the friends and relatives of Beth Summers, Dot Barker, Sharon Byrne, Pauline Arme, Mick Clews, Gerald Holmes, Beryl Mason and Mary Stretton.
Areas of conflict: the Ukraine, the Middle East and too many others.
Our local churches, as they face up to the problems of the future, such as the interregnum.
Our Ministry Team: Maggie, Nigel, Pip, Mike & Lynda; and their supports: Rosemary & Simon.