Fourth Sunday of Easter, 2025
What follows is a worship service which, I pray, you can participate in at a time(s) that are convenient to you. This 'service' will take about forty five (45) minutes.
I pray that you will feel called to ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE in this service.
The text that is in regular typeface (that is what you are reading at the moment) is to be read quietly, while the text that is in bold face (like you are reading right now) is meant to be read aloud.
Opening Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we commence our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A Call To Worship:
We meet in the name of God,
Creator of the universe,
source of true humanity,
mother and father of all. Amen.
An Assurance of Forgiveness:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
The Sentence For Today (let us say aloud):
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.
The Special Prayer For Today (let us pray aloud):
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.
Our first reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Our second reading for today:
(click the 'play' button below to listen)
Gradual Hymn:
Let us continue by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we raise out voices in praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
A reading from the holy gospel according to Saint John.
Listen to David speak to this gospel
or, if you prefer, you can read the sermon, below:
Sermon for Easter 4, 11th May 2025
Welcome friends and peace be with you. MAY the words on my lips and the meditations in our hearts be acceptable in your sight O Lord, our strength and our Redeemer. <Amen>
The music that you heard as the introduction to my message today was from Friedrich "Fritz" Kreisler (1875-1962). Fritz is still regarded as one of the greatest violinists of all time. One day, Fritz had to travel from Hamburg in Germany to give a concert in London . With an hour before his boat left, Fritz went for a walk and wandered into a music shop. The owner asked if he could look at the violin that Fritz was carrying. The store owner then vanished only to return, a few moments later, accompanied by two policemen - one of whom told the violinist, “You are under arrest!”. What for? asked the bewildered Fritz; to which the policeman replied, “You have Fritz Kreisler's violin”.“But I am Fritz Kreisler!”. The cop laughed and said, “Nice try, but you can’t pull that one on us. Now, come along with us”. With Fritz’'s boat about to sail, he faced a crisis. His identity was being questioned and there was no time for prolonged explanations. Fritz asked for his violin, played a piece for which he was well known , “Now are you satisfied?”, and with that Fritz was allowed to go on his way. Fritz’s identity was revealed through his action and that spoke louder than any words he could have said. <PAUSE>
In today's reading from John's Gospel (10:22-30) we witness another identity crisis. Jesus’ identity is AGAIN being questioned by the religious leaders. Despite hearing His words, despite being told, despite knowing of His miracles … they still do not believe. They do not hear His voice. They do not follow. THEY ARE CONSUMED BY … DOUBT.
Jesus is walking quietly through “Solomon’s Porch” in the Temple and his thoughts are interrupted by a question. “Hey, Jesus, stop keeping us in the dark. If you’re the Messiah, just tell us straight out”. I wonder if Jesus ever got tired of this question? <PAUSE>
Jesus has given the people around him NUMEROUS examples of His identity. He has performed miracles and has become the Word made flesh. Yet, people repeatedly question His identity. They want more proof! They doubt! <PAUSE>
So, this extract from John’s gospel of Christ reminds me … doubt is a constant companion to faith.
Many in our communities experience doubt. They doubt their abilities to overcome difficult situations, they doubt if they will make it through without succumbing to an old addiction, they doubt their friends or parents are aware of how much pain they are in, they doubt God’s presence in their lives and their connection to God.
Doubt and questioning are normal parts of our lives as people and as persons of faith.
So often we talk about faith (and that is a powerful thing to talk about), but to ignore the ever-present travelling companion of faith -- doubt -- means we are not leaving room for the real life experiences of both ourselves and people around us. Even the most faithful of disciples have moments of doubt … dare I remind you of our gospel last week … to paraphrase … Good morning Peter, all is forgiven, let’s have some breakfast together!’ <PAUSE>
In our gospel today, Jesus is talking to people filled with doubt. He is telling them that He is one with God, that He knows His followers and they know Him.
Let me reinforce what I said last week … there are two marks to being part of Jesus’ flock: recognising His voice and responding by following him. <PAUSE>
I am FULLY aware that I am speaking these words to many of my sisters and brothers who have known hard times, who have experienced the ebb and flow of faith, who have been afflicted by disease, who have lost loved ones, who have been hurt. THAT IS LIFE !
Yet this is the VERY context into which Jesus calls us to bring the Gospel gifts of love, peace and grace. This is the context into which WE are called to bring words of hope and faith <PAUSE>.
We bring these gifts from Christ by comforting people with the fact that it IS okay to question; okay to doubt AND PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE TO BELIEVE IN SOMETHING (LIKE THE GREAT EASTER MYSTERY) THAT - AT THIS POINT IN OUR JOURNEYS - WE CANNOT FULLY UNDERSTAND, EXPLAIN, OR PROVE.
We bring these gifts by being aware of what is going on in our communities and being true to Christ’s call.
We bring these gifts by providing a way out of “lostness” -- by providing again, or for the first time, a chance to be invited into a relationship with God.
We bring these gifts by reminding everyone, including ourselves, of the gifts of God’s limitless grace and forgiveness.
We bring these gifts by taking people to the ACTIONS of Jesus - letting them see, hear and read about what He did and what He still does.
Thanks be to God that the tomb is still empty, and Jesus knows us and we know Him - so let us follow the good shepherd.
Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed! Alleluia.
I runga e te Ingoa o te Atua, te Matua, te Tama me te Wairua Tapu. <AMINE>
Pause and Reflect
Just take a moment now to pause. Bow your head, close your eyes.
Allow these words of Holy Scripture and this interpretation of them today to speak to you.
An Affirmation of Our Faith
Let us affirm our faith by saying aloud, and together, "The Apostles Creed":
... and now let us pray for the Church, the World, and Ourselves, giving thanks for God's goodness.
Let us pray aloud, and together:
Good Shepherd, lead us through our daily lives, especially when we walk through the those times of doubt, to those green pastures where we might feed on Your abundant provision.
<longer silence for personal reflection>
Good Shepherd save us from ourselves and our persistence in doing the same “wrong” things over and over again, expecting different results. We say we love You, and yet so often we neglect Your sheep.
Help us to hear and respond when you say, “Follow Me.”
Help us to be Good Shepherds in our lives and be a true reflection of you.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Good Shepherd we pray for those in positions of authority and leadership; that they do not misuse their powers but respect and care for all their peoples and for the natural resources of their countries. Help us to learn from one another’s cultures and respect one another’s differences.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Good Shepherd, You have called us to follow in the way of Your risen Son, and to care for those who are our companions, not only with words, but with acts of love. As we seek to be true friends of all, we pray for our families, our friends and our neighbours especially in areas where there are problems with our relationships.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Good Shepherd, within Your embrace we find comfort and healing. We bring to You those who are weak, or struggling with physical, mental or spiritual health. You are the great healer, and we pray for healing of mind and body for all who are troubled.
Give the song of joy to all who are now on the road to recovery and recuperation and the song of thanks to all who helped them on that road.
We especially raise before You now all those who have asked for our prayers from around the world … those we know in New Zealand, in Singapore, in Argentina, in France, in Australia, in the US, in Canada, in Austria, in Ukraine, in China, in Germany, in the Czech Republic, and any others we now name aloud, or in the silence of our hearts, and those who are known only by You.
<short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Good Shepherd, you watch over us; leading us through the barren places, to the place of Your safety, that we might gladly lie down in peace. Be especially close to all those who through the loss of a loved one are now in a barren place; give them comfort and reassurance and help them to remember that Your son Jesus Christ put an end to death by dying for us.
We pray for all the faithful departed, may they now rest in eternal peace as they most surely have risen in glory.
<Short silence> Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
In a moment of silence we pray for ourselves, our families, friends, for all whom we love and for our personal ministries.
Make us worthy of the sacrifice and resurrection of Your Son.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Good Shepherd, support us by Your grace through all the hours of life’s day: until the shadows lengthen, the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and the evening comes. Then Lord, in your mercy: grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Short Silence) Lord, in Your mercy: hear our prayer
Forth in the peace of Christ we go; Christ to the world with joy we bring; Christ in our minds, Christ on our lips, Christ in our hearts, the world’s true King.
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Remembering that we are confident to pray this day, and every day, because Jesus Christ continues to teach us:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Let us conclude our prayers by praying together and aloud:
God of mercy,
you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice,
and have promised to hear the prayers
of two or three who agree in your name,
fulfil now, we pray,
the prayers and longings of your people
as may be best for us and for your kingdom.
Grant us in this world to know your truth,
and in the world to come to see your glory. Amen.
The Blessing
May The Risen Lord Christ turn His face towards each and every one of you.
May He cause His light to shine upon you, and
may He grant you His peace, and
The blessing of Almighty God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with you and all of those whom you love,
on this day and forever more.
A Closing Hymn:
Let us conclude our worship today by watching, and please do feel free to sing or read aloud the lyrics, as we unite in another hymn our praise and thanksgiving.
When you are ready - click the "play" button on the video window, below:
The Dismissal
Go now, go out into the world
to love and serve The Lord.
Go in peace.
AMEN, we go in the name of Christ.
