The Good Shepherd…

Easter 4

Sheep are interesting creatures. They will follow one another so precisely that when they go through a run and the first sheep hits the fence on a turn, the sheep that follow will hit that exact place one after the other until one of them doesn’t hit it, then the ones after that one will not hit the fence. Yet sheep know their shepherds and they will learn the voice of their shepherd and come when called. I once watched my sister call her two sheep out of a herd of hundreds by name. They came running straight to her. When Jesus calls himself the good shepherd, he is clear that his sheep know his voice, he knows them by name and leads them out. His audience would have known the way a shepherd calls his sheep because the rural life was not as separated from life in the villages as it is from our large cities and sprawling suburbs today. They would have been familiar with the sight of a shepherd leading his sheep, calling each to follow behind him as they moved from grassy patch to grassy patch. They would also know that sheep who are known by name and know their shepherd’s voice would not have followed a stranger because a stranger doesn’t sound right. Yet those who heard Jesus’ words didn’t understand them, so John tells us. Jesus kept going, telling them that he is the gate for the sheep. The sheep will only listen to him therefore anyone else is a thief and will not get the sheep to follow them, thus he is the one who saves the sheep from harm. The thief may come to steal, kill and destroy but the good shepherd who is their safety comes that they may have life and have it abundantly. The picture is clear to us, but those who listened to Jesus’ words did not see him as Messiah, only a teacher and miracle worker. Yet Jesus wanted the words to be understood and repeated himself to emphasise his message. Those who are his are known by name by him, and in turn will know his voice. He keeps us safe, gives us life, and calls us to hear his words and take comfort in them, following him alone day by day. This is the way to abundant life. Anything else leads the opposite way.

Janice

This Week:

Regular Worship Times

Parish Contact Details

Notices:

Alpha Course

ALPHA runs best if it’s underwritten in prayer and intercession. Please join us in praying for this Alpha Course which runs on Thursdays from 6pm to about 8.30pm, for the guests and the team, John and Helen and Steve and Carol. Would you like to bless us further by offering a contribution to our meal? Can you cook a main course, or part of it? Or can you bake a slice, or provide a salad or bread. Please speak to Carol or leave in the church fridge, or freezer clearly marked with ingredients. Carol will collect on Thursdays after Ladies Bible Study. Thank you.

Calling All Rostered Welcomers, Sidespeople And Morning Tea Providers

Calling all rostered welcomers, sidespeople and morning tea providers and anyone interested in being part of these ministries on sunday 26th april after the 10.30 service (around 12.45pm) we would like to do some training with you to help us all to continue to do a great job at welcoming and caring for our newcomers, regulars and visitors. Please byo lunch and join me as we share what works with one another and refresh our memories on all things welcoming.

Janice.

Registration For The Pvaw Seminar On 23rd May

There will be a sign-up sheet placed in the narthex so we can let them know our numbers.

Janice

Biggest Afternoon Tea For Cancer

The Craft Group are holding a “Vintage style Afternoon Tea with scones, cream and jam” on Wednesday 20th May at 2pm to 3.30pm in the church. John and Helen will provide a musical interlude with song. All funds raised will go the The Cancer Council, Australia. Suggested donation $5 (cash preferred).

Diary Dates (May)

Looking Ahead

This Week’s Prayer Focus

In our country and the world:

• For de-escalation of the Middle East war.
• For the people of Israel and Iran and Middle East countries.
• For the victims and those who are mourning after the Bondi terrorist attack.
• For all needing support following home invasions and all other violent attacks.
• For Government action to address the out-of-control protests in Melbourne.
• For the Government plans to address the rise of antisemitism in Australia.
• For families suffering as a result of violence and home invasions.
• For those facing homelessness, hardship, anguish and despair amid rising costs.
• For all in Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine and Myanmar.
• For those affected by natural disasters in around the world.
• For King Charles III, the UK and the Commonwealth.
• For peace and unity in countries around the World.
• For aid agencies such as “Save the Children”, Oxfam, CARE, UNICEF, World Vision.

In our community:

• For teachers and students.
• For doctors, nurses, paramedics, Coast Guard, the CFA & SES.
• For local community outreach groups such as the Dromana Community House and “Food for All”.

In our Diocese and beyond:

• For Melbourne Archbishop-elect Right Reverend Dr Richard (Ric) Thorpe as he prepares to move from London to Melbourne.
• For Archbishop Geoffrey Smith’s ministry as Primate of Australia.
• For the ministry of Bishop Paul Barker in the Jumbunna Region and Archdeacon Rev’d Sam Bleby, in the Frankston Archdeanery.
• In our Deanery, we pray for the parish of St George’s Red Hill and their Vicar, Rev’d Jennie Savage
• For the work of the Church Missionary Society and Wei-Han the Victorian Director.
• For Anna Radkovic our CMS Link Missionary in Watamu, Kenya.
• For Christian churches around the world to be free to worship and be witnesses of the love of God as shown through the coming of His Son.

In our Parish:

• For our leadership and ministry teams.
• For Rev’d Janice O’Gorman.
• For the finances of our Parish.
• For our Parish, its people and those we reach out to every week.
• For the success of the new Family and Children’s Ministry.
• For the Alpha program, the leaders and all who will attend.
• For the 9am at home prayer time for the Parish, Dromana & Mornington Peninsula.
• For all members of the Parish Council.
• For the Christianity Explored seminars and those participating in them.
• That the Good News of Jesus will be known in Dromana.
• For Ellen, Jan H, Ted & Monica, Lorna, Louise, Jen, TJ and family, Karen, Mary, Jan K, David, Belinda, Joan R, Robyn, Phillip, Nikki, Jason, Rhiannon, Richard, Pat, Keith S, Harry, Mike, Chloe, Jessica, Audrey, Backy, Fred, Robert.