Prepared by Rev Rosemary Mutopo – 11th May 2025

Call to Worship – Based on Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil; for you are with me.
Your rod and your staff—they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil, my cup
overflows.
Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen

STF 6: Father, we love you

Opening Prayers
Let us lift our hearts in adoration to the Good Shepherd, who knows us, leads us, and holds us. Gracious
and loving God, we adore you as the Shepherd of our souls. The one who calls us by name, who leads us
beside still waters, who restores our weary spirits. You are faithful and true, strong to protect and gentle to
guide. Your voice brings peace in chaos, and your presence gives life in abundance. We praise you, Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
Let us now come before God in a spirit of humility, confessing the times we have strayed from his voice.
Merciful Shepherd, we confess that we have not always listened to your voice. We have followed the noise
of the world, chasing after comfort, pride, or fear. We have ignored your gentle leading and chosen paths
that led us away from your will. Forgive us for our stubborn hearts and distracted lives. Draw us back into
your fold. Help us to know your voice more clearly and to follow you more faithfully each day.
(Silence)
Hear the good news: Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
In Christ, you are known, forgiven, and held secure.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Please read the Gospel reading: John 10:22-30
At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in
the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will
you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered, ‘I have told you, and you
do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you
do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal
life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is
greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.’

STF 666: Master, speak! Thy servant heareth,
1 Master, speak! Thy servant heareth,
waiting for thy gracious word,
longing for thy voice that cheereth;
Master, let it now be heard.
I am listening, Lord, for thee;
what hast thou to say to me?
2 Speak to me by name, O Master,
let me know it is to me;
speak, that I may follow faster,
with a step more firm and free,
where the Shepherd leads the flock
in the shadow of the rock.

3 Master, speak! Though least and lowest,
let me not unheard depart;
Master, speak! For O thou knowest
all the yearning of my heart,

knowest all its truest need;
speak, and make me blest indeed.
4 Master, speak: and make me ready,
when thy voice is truly heard,
with obedience glad and steady
still to follow every word.
I am listening, Lord, for thee;
Master, speak! O speak to me!
Frances Ridley Havergal (1836–1879)

Reflection
Many of us may already know that we live in a world filled with competing voices. From social media
influencers and political leaders, to family, friends, fears, and our own inner dialogue. Each voice is trying
to lead us somewhere. The question isn’t whether we are hearing voices. The real question is: Whose voice
are you listening to? And who are you following? In today’s gospel passage, Jesus speaks during a moment
of tension and skepticism. Religious leaders demand clarity: “If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly!” Jesus
responds not with a new claim, but with a deeper truth about identity, belief, and relationship. He
declares, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
Jesus’ statement gives us three profound truths we need to consider each and every day of our lives. These
are the voice we hear, the relationship we have, and the direction we take. Jesus begins by identifying his
followers as “My sheep.” This is a tender and intimate image. In ancient Palestine, shepherds didn’t drive
sheep but they led them. And the sheep responded, not to commands or whips, but to the sound of the
shepherd’s voice. We are all shaped by the voices we trust. Some voices, especially negative ones, breed
anxiety or low self esteem. Others breed pride. But the voice of Jesus speaks peace: “Come to me, all who
are weary…” It speaks truth: “I am the way, the truth and the life.” It speaks love: “You are mine.” Today,
take a moment to reflect on the voices that you hear. What voice is loudest in your life today? Are you
tuned into the Shepherd’s voice through prayer, Scripture, and worship or are you listening to the crowd,
the politicians, televisions or your own fears?
Jesus then moves on to acknowledge that he knows his people. This is not just about recognition. Jesus
says, “I know them.” The word “know” here is not intellectual but relational. It’s the same word used for
the deep intimacy between family and covenant partners. Jesus doesn’t just know our names. He knows
our hearts, our struggles, our potential, and our scars. He knows us better than we know ourselves and still
loves us unconditionally. That kind of knowledge is comforting. We don’t have to perform for Jesus. We
don’t have to impress him. We just need to follow. We need to ask ourselves; are we living in that
relationship today or are we following religion, but missing the Shepherd?
Listening leads to action. If we truly hear Jesus, we will follow him. That is the natural response of faith. But
following Jesus isn’t always easy. He leads us through green pastures but sometimes also through dark
valleys. He calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him. Yet he never asks us to go where
he hasn’t gone first. And he never leaves us to walk alone. To follow Jesus means to trust even when the
road is hard or when the world is loud. It means placing your future, your identity, your hope and your all
in his hands. So who are you following today? Are you following your feelings? your career? the crowd? Or
the Shepherd who gives everlasting life?
In verse 28, Jesus gives the ultimate assurance: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one
will snatch them out of my hand.” There is assurance in Jesus’ words. There is security in his voice, strength
in his leadership and peace in his presence. So, may you silence the noise, listen deeply, and follow
faithfully, because in Jesus, the Shepherd, we find the way, the truth, and the life. Hear him and follow
him.

Prayers of intercession
Let us bring our prayers to the Good Shepherd, who hears our voices and knows our needs.
For the Church—that we may always hear and follow the voice of Christ amid the noise of the world:
Shepherd of our souls, lead us in your truth.
For leaders in our world—that they may lead with wisdom, justice, and compassion, attentive to the cries
of the vulnerable:
Shepherd of our souls, lead us in your truth.
For all who are lost, lonely, or confused—that they may hear the gentle voice of Christ calling them home:
Shepherd of our souls, lead us in your truth.
For those facing illness, grief, or hardship—that they may feel the comfort and security of the Shepherd
who holds them in His hand:
Shepherd of our souls, lead us in your truth.
For ourselves—that we may grow in discernment, learn to trust God’s voice above all others, and follow
Him faithfully each day:
Shepherd of our souls, lead us in your truth.
Loving God, you know each of us by name. Hear these prayers and lead us ever closer to the heart of your
Son, Jesus Christ our Shepherd and Lord. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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 479: The King of love my shepherd is
1 The King of love my shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his
and he is mine for ever.
2 Where streams of living water flow
my ransomed soul he leadeth,
and where the verdant pastures grow
with food celestial feedeth.
3 Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
but yet in love he sought me,
and on his shoulder gently laid, and home rejoicing brought me.
4 In death’s dark vale I fear no ill
with thee, dear Lord, beside me;
thy rod and staff my comfort still,
thy cross before to guide me.
5 Thou spread’st a table in my sight;
thy unction grace bestoweth;
and O what transport of delight
from thy pure chalice floweth!
6 And so through all the length of days thy goodness faileth never:
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
within thy house for ever.
Henry Williams Baker (1821–1877)

Benediction
May you remain with ears attuned to the voice of the Shepherd,
eyes fixed on his path, and hearts secure in his promise.
May the peace of Christ guard you, the love of the Father sustain you,
and the guidance of the Holy Spirit lead you today and always. Amen.