The Third Sunday of Easter is primarily known as Good Shepherd Sunday.
Good Shepherd Sunday: Refers to the Gospel reading (John 10) where Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd.
In John 10:11-18, Jesus declares, “I am the good shepherd,” contrasting himself with hired hands who
abandon the sheep. He emphasizes sacrificing his life for his followers, whom he knows personally, and
expresses his commitment to gathering all his sheep into one flock, highlighting his protective and sacrificial love.
- Key Aspects of the “Good Shepherd” Passage (John 10):
- Sacrificial Love: The defining characteristic of the “good shepherd” is laying down his life for the sheep, a recurring theme in this passage.
- Relationship and Recognition: Jesus notes that he knows his sheep and they know him, similar to the intimate relationship between him and the Father.
- Distinction from Hired Hands: Unlike a hired hand who flees when danger (a wolf) appears, Jesus protects the flock because he cares for them.
- Voluntary Sacrifice: Jesus states that he lays down his life voluntarily of his own accord, to take it up again.
- Unity of the Flock: Jesus mentions having “other sheep” not of the immediate sheep pen, indicating his mission to unite all believers.
This passage is a major “I Am” statement in the Gospel of John, affirming Jesus’s role as the caring, divine leader prophesied in the Old Testament.
John 10:11-18
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep 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 are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
Worship Calendar
Apr. 19 From Understanding to Seeing Luke 24:13-36 Rev. Eric Lee
Apr. 26 The Shepherd We Still Need John 10: 1-11 Rev. Eric Lee
May 3 Mission Awareness Sunday Dwan Billings
Common Scents
Please be advised that our church has a scent-free protocol. It seems that some of our dear parishioners feel
unwell due to heavy floral smells. Please be considerate of those in our congregation who are affected by
strong smells and odors and refrain from perfumes or colognes when coming to worship on Sunday mornings.
Thank you one and all.
Mission Awareness Sunday
Please be advised that the Mission Awareness Sunday Service run by the Mission Committee will now occur on
May 3 rd (from April 26 th ). Please adjust your calendars accordingly.
A Spring Devotional Update (March 22)
A new edition of These Days (April/May/June), as well as the current edition of Our Daily
Bread (March/April/May) are available on the table in the church vestibule and in the devotional box on the church porch.
Coffee Sign-Up
It is that time of year again when we are looking for volunteers to serve coffee and tea after worship. The sign up sheet is on the bulletin board in the Adamson Lounge.
April – Outreach Team
May 3 – Mission Team with Kathy & Susan
May 10_____________
May17 _
May 24 – Margaret & RobynMay 31_____________
Thank you to all of you who have given so willingly of your time and efforts. We appreciate you!!
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Tuesdays @ 11:00 AM – Walking Group – All are welcome to walk and enjoy Centennial Park
- Thursdays @ 2:00 PM – Worship service at Centennial Park Place
- Monday, Apr. 20 @ 6:30 PM – Mission Team meeting
- Sunday, May 3 @ 10:30 AM – Mission Awareness Sunday (This will be led by our Mission Team)
*Tuesday, May 19 @ 6:30 PM – Session Meeting
*Friday, Sept. 11 @ 2:00 PM – Music & Worship meeting
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. —Psalm 23:2 NIV
While caring for others, it’s difficult—seemingly impossible, sometimes—to sit down and put our feet up for a bit. What happens, though, if that precious moment of rest does come? Do we take it? Or do we let it slip through our fingers, feeling that “taking a break” isn’t something we should do?
Caregiving stresses our physical and emotional well-being. Even when our service is going smoothly, we’re always aware of the weight of responsibility we’re under. That’s why it’s so important to stop at those “rest areas” whenever they appear—without feeling guilty.
God understands that we can’t just keep going and going. Jesus Himself withdrew for periods of rest and
prayer, and He encouraged His disciples to do the same. Stopping to “refuel” is nothing to be ashamed of.
Jesus took those opportunities, and we should do the same. Rather than pushing aside an offered rest, let’s accept those pauses that God sends as the blessings they truly are. When He gives you a moment of rest, don’t fight Him. Just gratefully say, “Thank you, Lord. This is just what I needed.”
Gracious Father, I thank You for providing times of rest. May I never feel guilty in taking the time to be still.