Don't be a dumb sheep! Listen and follow Jesus the Good Shepherd!

Good Evening Dear Family of God and Love!

Happy Good Shepherd Sunday! Have you been listening to the voice of the  Good Shepherd which is Jesus and not the voice of wolves in shepherd's clothing? This is a time where we must follow the ways of Jesus ,Go, and the Holy Spirit and do the things they are teaching us. Some of our religious, political, and other leaders are leading us astray and not leaning on what Jesus the Good Shepherd is teaching us. Jesus keeps going out to find the lost sheep and bring them back. This is a time where we need to stay put in the sheep fold and not be led astray even as seductive as it may be. We cannot become dumb sheep.  When we follow the shepherd we know that we can't go wrong and we aren't put into harms way.  Today I would like us to take a look at the lessons from Good Shepherd Sunday as we meditate and pray on them. 


Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me;
Bless Thy little lamb tonight;
Through the darkness be Thou near me;
Watch my sleep till morning light.

All this day thy hand has led me,
And I thank Thee for Thy care;
Thou hast clothed me, warmed and fed me,
Listen to my evening prayer.

Let my sins be all forgiven;
Bless the friends I love so well;
Take me, when I die, to Heaven,
Happy there with Thee to dwell.


Words: Ma­ry L. Dun­can, 1839.


Jesus Tender Shepherd Hear Me - Stainer

Sheep may safely graze and pasture
Where a Shepherd guards them well
By still waters ere he feeds them,
To the fold he gently leads them,
Where securely they may dwell

Sheep May Safely Graze

Christ our Passover Pascha nostrum
I Corinthians 5:7-8; Romans 6:9-11; I Corinthians 15:20-22

Alleluia.
Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us, *
therefore let us keep the feast,
Not with old leaven,
neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, *
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.
Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; *
death hath no more dominion over him.
For in that he died, he died unto sin once; *
but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, *
but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.
Christ is risen from the dead, *
and become the first fruits of them that slept.
For since by man came death, *
by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, *
even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia


Psalm 23

Dominus regit me

1 The Lord is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters.
3 He revives my soul *
and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil; *
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup is running over.
6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalm 23 -Bobby McFerrin


Acts 2:42-47

Those who had been baptized devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

The Song of Mary Magnificat
Luke 1:46-55
My soul doth magnify the Lord, *
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For he hath regarded *
the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold from henceforth *
all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me, *
and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him *
throughout all generations.
He hath showed strength with his arm; *
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, *
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel, *
as he promised to our forefathers,
Abraham and his seed for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

1 Peter 2:19-25It is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.

“He committed no sin,and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

A Song to the Lamb Dignus es

Revelation 4:11; 5:9-10, 13

Splendor and honor and kingly power *

are yours by right, O Lord our God,

For you created everything that is, *

and by your will they were created and have their being;

And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain, *

for with your blood you have redeemed for God,

From every family, language, people, and nation, *

a kingdom of priests to serve our God.

And so, to him who sits upon the throne, *

and to Christ the Lamb,

Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor, *

for ever and for evermore.

John 10:1-10

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.”

A Song of Our Adoption

Ephesians 1:3-10

Blessed are you, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, *
for you have blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
Before the world was made, you chose us to be yours in Christ, *
that we should be holy and blameless before you.
You destined us for adoption as your children through Jesus Christ, *
according to the good pleasure of your will,
To the praise of your glorious grace, *
that you have freely given us in the Beloved.
In you, we have redemption through the blood of Christ,
the forgiveness of our sins,
According to the riches of your grace *
which you have lavished upon us.
You have made known to us, in all wisdom and insight, *
the mystery of your will,
According to your good pleasure which you set forth in Christ, *
as a plan for the fullness of time,
To gather together all things in Christ, *
things in heaven and things on earth.

A Song of God’s Love
1 John 4:7-11

Beloved, let us love one another, *
for love is of God.
Whoever does not love does not know God, *
for God is Love.
In this the love of God was revealed among us, *
that God sent his only Son into the world,
so that we might live through Jesus Christ.
In this is love, not that we loved God but that God loved us *
and sent his Son that sins might be forgiven.
Beloved, since God loved us so much, *
we ought also to love one another.
For if we love one another, God abides in us, *
and God’s love will be perfected in us.

Collect of the Day:

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.


Let us light our candles and pray and follow Jesus  the Good Shepherd.

Let us respond with the lyrics from Sheep may safely graze!

Jesus our Good Shepherd help us to hear your voice and follow you!

Sheep may safely graze and pasture
Where a shepherd guards them well.
So the nation ruled in wisdom
Knows and shares the many blessings
Which both peace and plenty bring.

Jesus our Good Shepherd help us when we fail to listen to bring us back gently and give us courage to set things right and follow you.

Sheep may safely graze and pasture
In a watchful Shepherd's sight.
Those who rule with wisdom guiding
Bring to hearts a peace abiding
Bless a land with joy made bright.

Jesus our Good Shepherd heal all those who are going through tender times and who are needing more tender loving care. 

Sheep may safely graze and pasture
Where a Shepherd guards them well
By still waters ere he feeds them,
To the fold he gently leads them,

Where securely they may dwell

Jesus our Good Shepherd, we pray for the nations of the world and our country as well that we will remember who you are and who we are and what we are called to do. Help us to love one another as you keep reminding us daily to do.

Sheep may safely graze and pasture, 
When their shepherd guards them well.
They whose monarch loves them truly, 
knows their needs and fills them duly, 

Will in peace and concord dwell.

Jesus our Good Shepherd we pray_________________


Sheep may safely graze and pasture
Where a shepherd guards them well.
So the nation ruled in wisdom
Knows and shares the many blessings
Which both peace and plenty bring.

Jesus our Good Shepherd we Remember________________

Sheep may safely graze and pasture
Where a Shepherd guards them well
By still waters ere he feeds them,
To the fold he gently leads them,

Where securely they may dwell

Jesus our Good Shepherd may we listen and follow you all the days of our lives and serve you and care for the least of these. Amen.


A Prayer attributed to St. Francis
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we

are born to eternal life. Amen.


The Song of Simeon Nunc dimittis
Luke 2:29-32
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen

The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our
Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through
the blood of the everlasting covenant: Make you perfect in
every good work to do his will, working in you that which is
well-pleasing in his sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be

glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Optional prayers

Beside the still waters we come  to seek you  God  in the quietness of our being.\

Beside the still waters we come to pray for peace in this fragile and broken world of  yours

Beside the still waters we pray for and end to all anxiety, fear, and worry that our minds and spirits may be still.

Beside the still waters we pray for our neighbors all over the world that we may find unity and learn to love one another as dearly loved family members of Yours.

Beside the still waters we come for respite, relaxation, rest, and renewal. We pray for calmness as we rest in your arms and never ending love and mercy.

Beside the still waters we come to ask prayers for all our family members who are in need of healing and strength remembering___________________

Beside the still waters we come seeking solace for those of us who are living through the long journey of mourning and grief.

Beside the still waters we come praying for all the least of these and all who are affected by violence, terror, abuse, and everyone who is struggling through the world's calamities.

Beside the still waters we give thanks for the lives who have entered eternal joy today and those who are in the midst of transitioning from this earthly life into a heavenly one.

Beside the still waters we pray for all who are lost, lonely, alone and seeking companionship. We pray that our hearts may be stilled as we wait. We pray that we may not lose heart and live boldly,yet gently alone.

Beside the still waters we pray for _____________________

Beside the still waters we give thanks for _______________

Beside the still waters may we journey over to the other side of the lake and offer our prayers in the quietness to Jesus . Amen.

or

God of  goodness and love, as we sit at your feet this night we take time to give thanks in the peace and quietness of our hearts.

God of goodness and love, we give thanks for the lives you have given us and yes even the moments where there are times of darkness that helps prepare us to walk in your light.

God of goodness and love, we give thanks for our family members nearby and far away. We thank you even for our enemies and those who wish us harm as lessons that love and peace must be shown, given, and practiced.

God of goodness and love, we give thanks for times where our health challenges us to enter into new paths of life and wholeness.

God of goodness and love, we give thanks for your son Jesus who modeled for us thanksgiving in the Eucharist. 

God of  goodness and love, we give thanks for all our blessings this day and help us to count them now in the silence of our hearts or aloud if we need to hear them___________________

God of goodness and love, we pray in thanksgiving for all those who come to us for prayer, help, and a soft place in which to fall.

God of goodness and love, we pray  this night for the people of Syria, Egypt, Afghanistan, and all the many places where there is violence, natural disaster, and terror. 

God of goodness and love, we give thanks for the least of these who remind us what being a member of your family is all about.

God of goodness and love, we give thanks for the elderly, children, and most vulnerable family members who remind us to be caregivers and protectors.

God of goodness and love, we give thanks for all our family members who are transitioning into and who have died and  entered the Thin Places with Joy.

God  of goodness and love, we give thanks this night for ________________________________

God of goodness and love, we give thanks for positive and life giving news.

God of goodness and love we lift up these our prayers and thanksgivings in the name of your son Jesus Christ the Great Physician and Shepherd of  us all! Amen.

++++++

Good night fellow sheep! I love you! Rest gentle in our Good Shepherd's arms.
I give thanks to God for you this night and always! Remember don't be a dumb sheep! Listen and follow Jesus the Good Shepherd.

With love,

Sara

Resources
YouTube For Music Resources
Cyber Hymnal for Hymn Lyrics
Enriching our Worship 1997 
Book of Common Prayer
Talk Classical for Lyrics for Sheep May Safely Graze
Walk With Me On Our Journey for prayers and vigils.