prepared by Joanne Mead – 26th April 2026
Greetings to all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, as we reflect on Jesus as a Shepherd. A shepherd who not only cares for his sheep but who was willing to give up his life and rise again for their sake.
StF 94: To God be the Glory, great things he has done
Fanny Crosby (Public Domain)
Prayers of Adoration and Confession
Heavenly Father, we praise You for your boundless love and mercy. We thank You for sending Jesus, our Good Shepherd, who guides us with compassion and who laid down His life so that we might be welcomed into your family. Through Christ’s sacrifice, you have adopted us as cherished children. We are in awe of your greatness, we are embraced by your love. No matter how small, how unimportant we feel, you mercy turns no one away. So we open our hearts to your presence today, may our hearts be stirred by your Spirit and our minds opened to the wonderful message you have for us today. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Gracious God, so often we are like wayward sheep, straying from the path you have set out before us. We choose to follow our own way and fail to be obedient as Jesus was. We put limits on our love, we fail to forgive as we have been forgiven and we allow ourselves to be distracted. Forgive us and restore us so that we might be faithful disciples. May your light shine through us in our every day, so that others will know that we are your children. Help us as we seek to glorify your Holy Name in all that we do, all that we say and all that we are. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
Gospel Reading: John 10:1-10
Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold 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. (NIV, 2011)
Reflection
For a good number of years, we holidayed on a working farm in Mid Wales at Glasbury-on-Wye. Flocks of sheep occupied the pasture and we loved watching the sheep as they grazed peacefully. As soon as the farmer drove into the field, the sheep would come to him without hesitation. If we walked along the public footpath through the pasture, the sheep were wary. If we got too close, they would scatter – we were strangers. Sheep are often perceived as dumb – getting themselves in all sorts of strife and needing rescue, but when it comes to recognising the voice of their shepherd, they are expert.
How often are we the first to responds to the call of God? Or are we more like the wayward sheep that goes its own way and gets into peril? We follow those who don’t have our best interests at heart, we get distracted by the trivial things, instead of keeping our heart and minds focussed on God? If we are true disciples of Jesus, our minds will be on him – we will be receptive to his call, obedient to the Holy Spirit that indwells us.
We live in a world so full of distractions. Some of those distractions seem so innocent – we may even perceive them as doing good – but they stand in the way of our devotion to God. I am not suggesting that we should be so heavenly minded that we are of no earthly use. It simply means that we are available to God, so that our lives reflect the love of God to a world that fails to listen. In so many things, we are afraid of missing out – yet we risk missing out on the real joy that comes when we focus our hearts and minds on the will of God.
By the time you read this service, we will have passed Wesley Day (24th May) when Methodists celebrate John Wesley’s heart-warming experience. He had gone only reluctantly to Bible study that evening at Aldersgate. As someone read Luther’s preface to the Epistle of Romans, John Wesley felt a change deep within himself, an assurance that he did trust in God alone for his salvation and his heart felt strangely warmed. It changed the man and it transformed his ministry. Through him, many people heard the Gospel and came to know Jesus themselves. He brought hope to many folk who lived tough lives – and indeed many were transformed too.
There’s nothing God wants more for us than to know life in all its abundance. Whilst we may be attracted to what the world around us has to offer – the things of this world are transient. They can be taken from us in an instant. However if we focus our hearts and minds on God, then we too can discover a whole new life that awaits our decision to follow Jesus. The world will let us down. The world is abandon us when we most need help, but God is always there. He will never leave you nor forsake you and it doesn’t matter which way round you read that promise, it stays the same.
The Pharisees couldn’t understand what Jesus was saying to them – for their minds were on self-promotion, self-interest and protecting their status. It’s only when we put that self-interest to one side that we focus on the real message of the cross. It’s only when we put self-interest to one side that we can begin to understand as John Wesley did, that salvation comes through faith and faith alone and we realise what that really means
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face,
And the things of earth will be strangely dim,
In the light of his glory and grace.
Amen.
Prayers of Intercession
Gracious God, we look out on a world torn apart by self-interest and intolerance. It breaks our heart to see the images of war that are beamed into our living rooms on a daily basis. Families weeping for loved ones lost in the rubble where homes once stood. We remember all who today face hardship because of the Iran war, as prices of essential commodities rise sharply. Where there is war, bring peace, where there is despair, bring hope and where there is hatred, pour out your love today. Bring integrity to governments and to world leaders and end the climate tragedy that is befalling our world.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
We pray for your church that is so often swayed by earthly values instead of upholding the values of your Kingdom. Help all who serve faithfully to be an effective witness. We pray for our clergy, our church leaders and those who are involved in outreach. May those around us see your light shine through us. Help us to grow your church so that more people will come to know Jesus as their shepherd and Saviour.
Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.
We remember those known to us who are struggling or are unwell. We pray for comfort, for healing and for peace of mind. We remember those who do not have what they need, provide for those who need the very basics to survive. In all things, give us wisdom and the courage to love as we have been loved.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
The Lord’s Prayer (traditional version)
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name;
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done;
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
The power and the glory,
For ever and ever.
Amen.
StF 481 The Lord’s my Shepherd (Stuart Townend) CCLI 1585970
The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want
He makes me lie in pastures green
He leads me by the still, still waters
His goodness restores my soul.
And I will trust in You alone
And I will trust in You alone
For Your endless mercy follows me
Your goodness will lead me home.
He guides my ways in righteousness
And He anoints my head with oil
And my cup, it overflows with joy
I feast on His pure delights.
And I will trust in You alone
And I will trust in You alone
For Your endless mercy follows me
Your goodness will lead me home
And though I walk the darkest path
I will not fear the evil one
For You are with me, and Your rod and staff
Are the comfort I need to know
And I will trust in You alone
And I will trust in You alone
For Your endless mercy follows me
Your goodness will lead me home (and I will trust)
And I will trust in You alone
And I will trust in You alone
For Your endless mercy follows me
Your goodness will lead me home (for Your endless mercy)
For Your endless mercy follows me
Your goodness will lead me home
Blessing
May the blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy spirit be with us today and forever. Amen.
