An act of worship at home May 3rd 2020
On the preaching plan, I would have been leading worship at Christ Church this Sunday, so it’s a privilege (and a challenge!) to contribute this week’s worship.
May we know ourselves held together in the love of Christ, who calls each of us by name. Marilyn
Today’s reading: John 10 v. 1-10
The Shepherd and His Flock
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen 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 recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.
Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did 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.
Reflection: He calls his own sheep by name … they know his voice
At 11.00am on Tuesday people across the country kept a minute’s silence to remember the NHS and care staff, and other key workers, who have died through coronavirus, giving their lives to care for others. Possibly someone you knew was among these; certainly there are some whose names and stories have been told in the media; many others are not known to us, but known, loved, and much missed by family, friends and colleagues for whom the grief and pain is still new and raw.
In times of trouble it’s often helpful to turn to familiar passages for comfort and encouragement, and today’s reading links closely with the familiar words of Psalm 23, ‘The Lord’s my shepherd’ especially perhaps the reassurance that ‘he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.’ We do pray that all who know grief, anxiety or loneliness may find that quietness and renewal in the days ahead.
But the words in today’s reading that always come alive for me are, ‘He calls his own sheep by name’.
Over the years I’ve discovered that I’m not the only Marilyn Tricker in the world, however unusual the name – when I lived in South Somerset another Marilyn Tricker often appeared in the local paper having won golfing competitions (yes, I was occasionally asked how I managed to make time to fit in the golf!)
Maybe you arrive for an appointment, and your name is called … but then there’s the inevitable identity check: ‘Date of birth?’ ‘First line of your address?’ and so on. This isn’t what Jesus means – we’re not simply the next on the list of patients, or candidates. And in the glimpses we get of life in an intensive care ward we see, even behind the necessity of masks and gowns, the compassion and dedication that makes each patient an individual, a real person to be loved and cared for.
On that resurrection morning, just hearing her name spoken was enough to jolt Mary into realising the man she thought was the gardener was indeed Jesus, risen and alive! And when Jesus, by the lakeside, challenges Peter to new commitment he uses his old name: ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me … then feed my sheep’.
So Jesus calls each of us, personally, by name. He knows all about us, our likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, all that troubles and worries us. He knows and understands our innermost thoughts and concerns, the fears and hopes we dare not put into words. Jesus calls us by name, encourages us to recognise him in our lives, and to rejoice and grow in that relationship.
And in time he will also call us, as the shepherd calls the sheep, from the shelter and safety of the fold to new journeys. The time of lockdown will end; there will be new possibilities and new opportunities, and in due time Jesus will call us to new commitment and service. He nourishes us, gives shelter and protection – but then also calls us out and leads us on. Thanks be to God.
Prayers
Lord, help us remember that you are always with us.
You are present with us now, in the quietness, in all the ordinary things we will do this week.
You are present with those of us who will be busy working, caring, serving others.
You are present in all our conversations, messages and e-mails.
Through your Spirit help us recognise your voice speaking our name.
Take time now to remember before God those for whom you especially pray.
Picture them surrounded and upheld by his love; remember that he knows them, too, by name.
Pray for all who face challenging times, in business, in politics, in health care, in our communities
We thank you, Lord, for your risen presence in every situation:
in times of sorrow, regret and loss … or of new joy, celebration and hope;
in times of pressure and anxiety … or in times of quiet and relaxation.
Help us to glimpse new possibilities beyond the worries of the present moment.
May we be ready to respond with joy to your call. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen 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 recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.
Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did 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.
Reflection: He calls his own sheep by name … they know his voice
At 11.00am on Tuesday people across the country kept a minute’s silence to remember the NHS and care staff, and other key workers, who have died through coronavirus, giving their lives to care for others. Possibly someone you knew was among these; certainly there are some whose names and stories have been told in the media; many others are not known to us, but known, loved, and much missed by family, friends and colleagues for whom the grief and pain is still new and raw.
In times of trouble it’s often helpful to turn to familiar passages for comfort and encouragement, and today’s reading links closely with the familiar words of Psalm 23, ‘The Lord’s my shepherd’ especially perhaps the reassurance that ‘he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.’ We do pray that all who know grief, anxiety or loneliness may find that quietness and renewal in the days ahead.
But the words in today’s reading that always come alive for me are, ‘He calls his own sheep by name’.
Over the years I’ve discovered that I’m not the only Marilyn Tricker in the world, however unusual the name – when I lived in South Somerset another Marilyn Tricker often appeared in the local paper having won golfing competitions (yes, I was occasionally asked how I managed to make time to fit in the golf!)
Maybe you arrive for an appointment, and your name is called … but then there’s the inevitable identity check: ‘Date of birth?’ ‘First line of your address?’ and so on. This isn’t what Jesus means – we’re not simply the next on the list of patients, or candidates. And in the glimpses we get of life in an intensive care ward we see, even behind the necessity of masks and gowns, the compassion and dedication that makes each patient an individual, a real person to be loved and cared for.
On that resurrection morning, just hearing her name spoken was enough to jolt Mary into realising the man she thought was the gardener was indeed Jesus, risen and alive! And when Jesus, by the lakeside, challenges Peter to new commitment he uses his old name: ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me … then feed my sheep’.
So Jesus calls each of us, personally, by name. He knows all about us, our likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, all that troubles and worries us. He knows and understands our innermost thoughts and concerns, the fears and hopes we dare not put into words. Jesus calls us by name, encourages us to recognise him in our lives, and to rejoice and grow in that relationship.
And in time he will also call us, as the shepherd calls the sheep, from the shelter and safety of the fold to new journeys. The time of lockdown will end; there will be new possibilities and new opportunities, and in due time Jesus will call us to new commitment and service. He nourishes us, gives shelter and protection – but then also calls us out and leads us on. Thanks be to God.
Prayers
Lord, help us remember that you are always with us.
You are present with us now, in the quietness, in all the ordinary things we will do this week.
You are present with those of us who will be busy working, caring, serving others.
You are present in all our conversations, messages and e-mails.
Through your Spirit help us recognise your voice speaking our name.
Take time now to remember before God those for whom you especially pray.
Picture them surrounded and upheld by his love; remember that he knows them, too, by name.
Pray for all who face challenging times, in business, in politics, in health care, in our communities
We thank you, Lord, for your risen presence in every situation:
in times of sorrow, regret and loss … or of new joy, celebration and hope;
in times of pressure and anxiety … or in times of quiet and relaxation.
Help us to glimpse new possibilities beyond the worries of the present moment.
May we be ready to respond with joy to your call. In Jesus’ name. Amen
A blessing from the Iona Community: God to enfold you, Christ to uphold you,
Spirit to keep you in heaven’s sight.
So may God grace you, heal and embrace you,
Lead you through darkness into the light.
Hymn: Singing the Faith 248 I heard the voice of Jesus say
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“Come unto me, and rest;
Lay down, O weary one, lay down
Your head upon my breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary, and worn, and sad,
I found in Him a resting-place,
And He has made me glad.
I heard the voice of Jesus say:
“Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one,
Stoop down, and drink, and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank
Of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
And now I live in Him.
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
“I am this dark world’s Light;
Look unto me, your morn shall rise,
And all your day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found
In him my star, my sun;
And in that light of life I’ll walk,
Till travelling days are done.
Horatius N. Bonar (1808-89)
“Hymn played by Nadia Rose and recording used with her very kind permission.To see Nadia playing please see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hVB5n8ccMw“
