Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Fourth Sunday of Easter. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.15 at St Thomas'.
If you are unable to be with us in person, you will find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "Loving Shepherd of Thy Sheep"
Today's Gospel
John 10:1-10 The Shepherd and His Flock
Jesus said, “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice.
He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.
They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
Reflection
In various translations of John 10 we may read about sheep pens, rather than folds. For many, this conjures up the image of the type of sheep pens we often see in the UK which are used for temporarily restraining small numbers of sheep before they are sheared.
If you walk along the hills above Oldham you will invariably see sheep roaming the fields and moorland day and night and they are seldom locked up.
Part of the reason for that is that we have very few predators such as wolves who would attack and kill them.
So, like me, you might find it hard to visualise what a sheep pen or sheepfold looks like. In the picture above, is a typical example of a sheepfold from ancient Israel which would not be dissimilar from those in biblical times when Jesus was alive. They were often built of stone and sometimes topped with thorns to deter thieves and predators. Shelters like this would vary in size and were usually built in a valley or on the sunny side of hill where there was protection form cold winds. In smaller folds like the one above, a watchman or shepherd would sleep at the gate or entrance overnight and act as a human gate.
The presence of a large number of sheep in the Holy Land was significant, as both Jews and Arabs relied on them for their livelihood, which is one of the reasons sheep are referred to so much throughout the Bible.
The shepherd would lead the sheep out to pasture every morning and would look after them, making sure they are well and not lame. I suspect most of us have never worked on a farm but it is not difficult to appreciate that over a short period of time the shepherd gets to know his sheep well, their habits, idiosyncrasies and behaviours very well. If you’ve ever had pets I’m sure you will be able to relate this. Similarly the animals get to know and trust the shepherd and they are wary of strangers. You can see this if you go for a walk in fields - sheep will always run away, but when the farmer comes along they run towards him or her.
So it was in the scenario Jesus outlines. The sheep would recognise the shepherd and be happy to follow him out of the fold to graze, knowing that he would lead them to good pasture where they would be safe. But if a stranger tries to entice them out they would be reluctant. Perhaps they remember past times when they were led out by a stranger and were separated from each other and their lambs were taken. Or they were abandoned in a place where there was little pasture to graze on.
Jesus says, “they will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” John points out that some did not understand Jesus, so Jesus clarifies that the point of the parable is not about the shepherd – it’s about the gate. A closed gate serves to keep the sheep in safety within the fold, but an open gate is the way to a source of life giving food and sustenance. To find that source of abundance of life we must go through the gate and follow the one that we can trust.
We are invited through Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross to walk through the ultimate gateway – because what God has given us through Jesus is ultimate security in the knowledge that we are forgiven people. We are free to wander in God’s unending pasture as His children and help one another flourish. We are free to put aside our fears and uncertainties to embrace the grace of God. We are free to live as God wanted us to live when He created humankind - loving caring people being what he intended us to be.
Paul
Our Prayers
Heavenly Father,
You call us by name and know every one of us.
When we are tempted to stray, guide us by your voice.
You are the gate that leads to eternal life,
strengthen our faith to trust in you
and guide us into the pasture of everlasting peace.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen
Today's final hymn is "All People that on Earth do Dwell"
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Third Sunday of Easter. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.15 at St Thomas'.
If you are unable to be with us in person, you will find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "Jesus, Stand Among Us"
Today's Gospel
Luke 24:13-35 The Road to Emmaus
Now on that same day two of Jesus' disciples were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.
As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Reflection
Today’s passage is full of emotion. Grief, sadness, hope, fulfilment and joy.
As we begin, we encounter the disciples, dejected and forlorn. They have are leaving Jerusalem, the place where they had hoped their friend Jesus, who they believed was the Messiah, would lead them into glory and overthrow the ruling Roman empire.
Instead, they wander away in a state of loss, discussing what has happened over the recent days, since Jesus triumphant entry on Palm Sunday. Can you put yourself into their state of mind? They have lost both a dear friend and also hope for the future.
When they are joined by Jesus, like Mary earlier in the day, they don’t recognise Jesus as he offers to walk with them. They are astounded that this stranger seems oblivious to the momentous events of the last few days – they question how can that even be? Then Jesus gently prompts them to explain everything to him as they journey together. They pour out their hearts to him as they lament the loss of their friend. Jesus allows them to go over everything in detail, even telling Jesus that there were some who claimed to have seen the Messiah alive earlier that day.
Still Jesus does not reveal who he is, he just listens patiently, allowing them to offload all their pain and disappointment. Then he says, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared!” In my mind I don’t picture this as a remark of rebuke or scorn, rather something that is softly out of compassion, he understands their sorrow and loss. He doesn’t admonish them for interpreting the scriptures wrongly, rather he takes time to explain and unpack all the prophesies of people like Malachai, Isaiah, Samuel and Jeremiah, gently explaining how all the events that had happened were totally necessary and that the true Messiah was destined for suffering. Even before he reveals himself, he fills their hearts with fire, expectation and hope once again.
Looking back, what does this tell us about how Jesus showed love for these disciples. He chose not to reveal himself straight away, but he chose to walk alongside them in their grief, and he chose to let them vent their frustration and sorrow, maybe how we might come alongside others who are suffering loss and disappointment. He was also showing us how, at times of sorrow in our own lives, God will be by our side, whether that is in our thoughts, or in the presence of a stranger or friend who is willing to listen and let us pour out our grief and other emotional feelings. Perhaps you have looked back on a time of sadness and realised that God was with you all the time.
The same goes for times when, like the disciples, we lose hope because of set-backs in our lives or on a bigger scale we begin to lose hope for the world. If we offer our concerns and frustrations to God and read scripture, God will help us to find new hope, and our hearts also may burn within us in the knowledge that God is with us always.Paul
Our Prayers
Loving Father,
Thank you that you are always with us.
We pray that even in the darkest of times,
our faith in you will remain strong and we will never give up hope.
We ask you to guide us to support those around us at times of grief, or sadness. To show love, compassion and to be a listening ear and source of strength in their time of need.
Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Second Sunday of Easter. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.15 at St Thomas'.
If you are unable to be with us in person, you will find resources below to worship at home.
Our first hymn this morning is "Alleluia, Sing to Jesus"
Today's Gospel
John 20:19-31 Jesus Appears to the Disciples
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’
Jesus and Thomas
But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.’
A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’
The Purpose of This Book
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
Reflection
As I have been reflecting on all that has ‘been’ over Lent and Easter, there is so much to be grateful for – God has been at work in Leesfield for sure!
A particular highlight for me has been the children from all our primary schools attending ‘Experience Easter’ – together with children from Clarksfield Primary (Oasis), over 240 children have come through the doors of church to learn more about Jesus and the ultimate sacrifice he made. Their questions were consistently amazing and have made me think about so many aspects of Easter.
Our gospel reading today sees the resurrected Jesus, still performing miracles. His disciples are locked into a house ‘for fear of the Jews’. Of course, they were reeling that they have lost Jesus, and so could not be overtly ‘out and about’, as they have a bounty on their head, so they are covertly locked away.
Jesus miraculously appears to them, in a locked room, and says ‘Peace be with you’. He then shows them his wounds and they rejoice when they believe it is him. He then breathes the Holy Spirit upon them, and they are gifted the ability to forgive sins. (This will antagonise those who believe they have disposed of Jesus, as ‘absolution’ or ‘forgiveness of sin’ is a gift only bestowed by God under the old laws).
As I was reading ahead this week, the news was also on the television. Threats were being made, ‘annihilation of entire nations’ an agenda item. The contrast of everything we have experienced and prayed for at Easter suddenly exposed and vulnerable in the most volatile way.
I wondered where is the ‘locked room’ for the people who are at risk from this scenario? Being covert is not so easy when you cannot see your attacker as they are in another land. I imagined Jesus going to those innocents, fearful of the next drone attack or bomb, and blessing them with ‘Peace’, then breathing the ‘Ruach’ the very breath of God onto them and leaving the Holy Spirit for protection and guidance.
How would he be received amid the current conflict, I wondered? Jesus, in admonishing Thomas for his disbelief, tells his disciples, ‘Blessed are those who have not seen and yet come to believe’ - all that is needed is faith. A fact that we all need to be reminded of sometimes.
John finishes his chapter, telling the reader that these things are written so we can believe Jesus is the Messiah. His miracles were and are still amazing, death could not contain him, and the promises of a resurrected life for all who believe just as longed for now as then. His disciples needed their faith to be sharpened to believe he was with them, Thomas needed proof - we are no different. When our faith is weakened, when it feels the world is spiralling out of control, we need to be back in that locked room and remind ourselves of the events of ‘Easter’.
Aggressors and loud voices will come and go, but the ‘Ruach’ breathed into us, the very breath of God, is enough to make us rejoice that our leader is the saviour of the world, and to him we must pray for those who have no locked room just now. Rev Kirsten
Our Prayers
Heavenly Father
Your son Jesus appeared to his disciples in a locked room
And they rejoiced when they believed.
Help us share that news with the whole world,
especially where there are no locked rooms for safety.
In the beautiful name of Jesus.
Amen.
Today's final hymn is "God Forgave my Sin in Jesus' Name"
Notices
Today the Parish Electoral Roll opens until the 26th April. Please see the poster below for details.
