The fourth Sunday of Easter every year is called "Good Shepherd Sunday". Every single year, churches throughout the world hear lessons about Jesus as the Good Shepherd and sing songs, listen to sermons and respond with prayers about the Good Shepherd. Last year, it happened that Good Shepherd Sunday also fell on the exact Sunday we were celebrating our 50th anniversary as Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. It was a Good Shepherd bonanza! Well, with all this business about the Shepherd, what's it like for us being the sheep?

There are plenty of books and articles comparing us with these dependent, easily-scared, singleminded animals. At this time in our congregation's life, I think the characteristic that's most important is that we're a flock. We're gathered together by a Shepherd who is guiding us as one flock, and that's important to remember as we consider moving to one worship service. We are in the flock together. Sometimes we're jostling each other as we move along the path, but the Shepherd calls us to stay together and we know His voice. We don't get exactly the kind of grass we like best every time we stop to graze, but the Shepherd makes sure that there are green pastures and abundant water to take care of our needs and keep us together with Him. Even though we walk through some unfamiliar places (and songs and liturgies), we do not fear, for the Shepherd is with us and among us.

Fekkow sheep, we've got a Shepherd who knows our tendency to want our own way. This same Shepherd tells us that He was given the power to lay aside His life, His demands, His self-interest for the sake of the flock. We've got that power, too, which is the power of Love. As we talk and come to decisions about our worship life, we'll be counting on that Love to hold us together for His name's sake.

See you in church, especially on May 3 and 31, our special "Learning Worship By Heart" Sundays.