 We welcome everyone to our services at Yetholm (10am) and Morebattle (11.15) on the Fourth Sunday of Easter.
Call to Worship Jesus said, I am the Good Shepherd. We have come to follow him. We gather in the name of he leads us by still waters. We have come to be restored in him. He prepares a banquet for us. We have come to be fed by his love, so let us worship God. Hymn 16 – The Lord’s my shepherd Prayer of Adoration and Confession Loving God, our shepherd, guide and giver of life. You nourish our lives and lead us into green pastures. You restore our souls with rest and peace. You give us joy so our lives overflows with goodness and grace. You walk with us through the darkest valleys, offering us courage and compassion. At all times and in all circumstances, you are with us, Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit, so we praise you, Holy One, here and now, now and always. God of mercy, You lead us into green pastures, but our lifestyles put those pastures at risk. You offer us rest, but we like to pursue our goals, whatever the cost to the earth or our health. You call us to show compassion, but we are quick to judge others. Forgive us and humble us to live with respect in creation. Jesus said, Come to me all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Friends, let us know ourselves loved and forgiven. Lord’s Prayer Readings – Acts 4: 5-12 (Pg 1095) John 10: 11-18 (Pg 1076) Hymn 409 – Jesus is risen. Alleluia Weekly Prayer Everlasting God, we ask that you would bless us here at Cheviot Churches with vision for the future and reverence for the past. Thank you for Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd as the ultimate model of leadership and salvation. Help us each day to bear witness to your name and to do your bidding, always mindful of your amazing love for us. Amen Sermon Driving from Yetholm to Morebattle last Sunday, I came to the top of Primside Brae, and before me lay the landscape of field and farm and hills. It was a gorgeous clear day, and in the distance was a flock of sheep being herded by shepherds. Except, being the 21st Century, the shepherds were on little buggies, darting here and there. And yet it was such a timeless scene -of sheep being cared for. Today is Good Shepherd Sunday, when every year we look at John’s Gospel, when Jesus says, ‘I am the Good Shepherd’. It is an incredibly comforting image, and always has been. Some of the earliest statues and paintings in Christian art, going back to the time the early Christians hid in the catacombs of Rome to hold their secret worship, were of Jesus with a sheep round his shoulders. The reason why this image is so beloved can be found in our reading today. The good shepherd knows the sheep, and the sheep know the shepherd, and John contrasts this with the hired hands, who are just doing a job, getting the pay, but are not invested in, not devoted to, the flock. We sang the 23rd Psalm earlier, and again it gives a wonderful picture of the shepherd, guiding the sheep to green pastures and streams where there is more of a chance of grass – not easy to find in Palestine. The shepherd wants the best for the sheep. The shepherd is there at good times, but also at bad times, ready to be with the sheep even at dangerous times. Even in the valley of the shadow of death, the shepherd will be there alongside the sheep. In John’s Gospel, the shepherd is ready to lay down his life for the sheep; ready to defend them against the dangers of robbers or wild beasts, such is the shepherd’s commitment. We see, of course, Jesus as the one who knows and who loves us, who knows even the hairs on our head and who is committed to us. We see Jesus as the one committed to the point of laying down his life for us on the cross of Calvary. We see Jesus as embodying the shepherd in the 23rd Psalm and who is the Good Shepherd. But it is interesting that the shepherd in Psalm 23 is the one doing everything. The shepherd guides and provides, accompanies and prepares. The flock are passive, being the recipients. There is something comforting about being looked after. Yet as God’s people we are also called to be the shepherds ourselves; we are called to look after one another, to encourage and support, even to the point of self-sacrifice. Yesterday we held our retreat on Holy Island. It is a sacred place associated with the saints down the ages. When Oswald became King of Northumbria in 634, he invited monks from Iona to come to convert his people, and Corman was sent. But he was abrasive and alienated the people. He wasn’t a shepherd, but Aiden was sent in his place. Aiden was a shepherd and drew alongside the people, encouraging them and showing a life of love and self-sacrifice. When Aiden died, Cuthbert, who was a shepherd looking after sheep, saw a vision, which prompted him to enter the monastery of Melrose. He again lived a life of service and hospitality, going out to visit the sick and uncared for, drawing them in. In turn he became bishop in Holy Island, caring for the people but also creation. We are cared for by the Good Shepherd, but we are also called to care for others. But there is also an intriguing verse in this passage in John, where Jesus says he has sheep in other folds. It catches us out, for what does it mean? Who does it mean? We are good at setting limits around God’s love. We feel we are qualified in determining who is in and who is out, who is included and who is excluded, who is going to heaven and who is going to hell. But then a verse like this pops up to shatter our complacency. God surprises us. Traditionally it is taken to mean the Gentiles, for in the early church, Philip encountered the Ethiopian eunuch, and he was included. Peter encounters Cornelius the Roman centurion, and he is included. Paul encounters Lydia, the business woman dealing in purple dye, and she is included. Slaves and woman and all sorts of people on the fringes of society are included. But even today God continues to surprise us with who is included within God’s love. The Good Shepherd cares for all the sheep and knows them all by name. We are challenged to consider who doesn’t feel part of the church and assure them that all are welcome in this place. Hymn 355 – You Lord are both lamb and shepherd. Prayers of Dedication & Intercession Living God accept these our offerings. Grant that they may go where we can’t go, that they may reach where we cannot reach, that they may do what we cannot do. Use them to strengthen Your Church and advance Your kingdom here where we are and far beyond for Jesus’ sake. Gracious and loving God, as a shepherd cares for the flock, so you care for each one of us. Move in our hearts and minds, our congregations and communities, and lead us to care for one another for the sake of Jesus, our Good Shepherd. Jesus you are the good shepherd hear our prayers for all who shepherd others in troubled times. Guide and strengthen leaders of nations and organisations; lead them in the ways of integrity and justice to strive for peace and freedom for all. Be with all who offer care to others at home, at work and in the Church and inspire all caregivers to serve with love and compassion. When we feel weary and disillusioned draw us close to your loving heart and restore our souls. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. Jesus, you lay down your life for your sheep. Be with all who have lost loved ones at the hand of another and with those who feel as though they are walking through the valley of the shadow of death – in Gaza and Israel, In Ukraine Send your loving mercy on them, that they may not lose hope. In places of political tension bring your calming spirit and let the voices of restraint carry weight. Grant that all who hunger for bread may receive what they need and those who hunger and thirst for justice may see it come soon. Lead us, the people of your flock, in the way that leads to abundant life for ourselves and those in other folds. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. Jesus, you desire that there should be one flock with one shepherd. We hold before you someone we know who feels on the outside, who yearns to be known and to belong. Give us your desire to break down barriers and to build bridges to connect with those who are different to us. In times of enmity and conflict between nations and peoples we pray for your blessing on those who seek to bring people of different faiths together in mutual love and respect. Strengthen the work of all who strive for unity and understanding and help us to be peacemakers in the places where we live and work. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer. God our Shield and Defender, thank you for staying with us when we face danger or death. We pray for all those who live in fear: prisoners, exiles and refugees, victims of oppression, racism, and hatred, and those who face the threat of violence day after day.Be their steady companion and source of courage. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer. Jesus, loving shepherd, you know each of us by name, you find us when we are lost, your goodness and mercy follow us our whole life long. Hear us as we now name in silence the deepest longings and prayers of our hearts, for ourselves and our loved ones…. Lord, bring us to the place you have prepared for us at your banquet table, where our cup overflows with divine grace – even now. Amen. (@United Reformed Church - The Revd Camilla Veitch ) Hymn 702 – Lord in love and perfect wisdom Benediction
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