Page 26 - Sunday by Sunday Issue 103

SUNDAY 30 APRIL
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
In the Common Worship Lectionary the reading from Acts must be used as either the first or second reading. In the Revised Common Lectionary it may be used as the first reading.
COMMENT
The Gospel reading, with its focus on the gate of the sheepfold and the qualities of the shepherd, prepares the listener for the picture of Jesus as the good shepherd. This is perhaps one of the most iconic and loved images of Jesus – however, originally it meant far more in the ancient world than the stained-glass picture of a shepherd with a lamb in his arms implies. For one thing, in the 21st century, we have lost the connection of the shepherd with the office of ruler used in Old Testament prophecy. For another, the straightforward picture of the good shepherd can sometimes sidestep the profound life-and-death sacrificial issues that
are so much a part of John’s Gospel.
HYMNS AND SONGS
Because the Lord is my shepherd
*Christ be in my waking
Faithful shepherd, feed me
Great is thy/your faithfulness
Happy are they, they that/who love God
He came to earth, not to be served
He was pierced for our transgressions
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
I am the light whose brightness shines
I heard the voice of Jesus say
I will sing the wondrous story
In heavenly love abiding
Jesus the Lord said/says: I am the bread
Jesus, where’er thy people meet Led like a lamb to the slaughter Loving shepherd of thy/your sheep My soul finds rest in God alone
O Lord, you lead me
One shall tell another
Out of darkness God has called us
Restore, O Lord
Spirit of the living God
Spirit of truth and grace
Sweet sacrament divine
Take this moment, sign and space
The God of love my shepherd is
The king of love my shepherd is
The Lord my pasture shall prepare
The Lord’s my shepherd
The Lord’s my shepherd (Townend)
There is a higher throne
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy
Thine for ever, God of love
We will lay our burden down
You are the shepherd
You, Lord, are both Lamb and Shepherd
*For a hymn workshop on ‘Christ be in my waking’, see SbyS 75, pages 9–10.
BIBLE READINGS
Common Worship Lectionary/Revised Common Lectionary
Acts 2.42–47 The converts devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship or Genesis 7 God tells Noah to build an ark
Psalm 23 ‘The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want’
1 Peter 2.19–25 If you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval
or Acts 2.42–47 The converts devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship John 10.1–10 Jesus is the good shepherd and the sheep gate
Roman Lectionary
Acts 2.14, 36–41 Peter addresses the crowd; 3,000 are baptized
Psalm 22.1–6 [Psalm 23 in CW/RCL] ‘The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want’ 1 Peter 2.20–25 If you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval
John 10.1–10 Jesus is the good shepherd and the sheep gate
TS
138
169 190
206 821 782
844 312
1995 400 406
439 462-3
984
486 988 1538
pos
rdg
AM AMNS
CFE
CH4
CP
HON
HTC
L
MP
NEH
R&S
SOF
STF
gr
ps
596
77
948
a,g
606
1264
2244
cm
ps
156
29
282
cm
o
650
153
453
249
260
200
636
96
147
51
gr
g
653
176
456
262
473
369
e
394
161
445
cm
e
222
173
ga
g
664
122
461
467
297
211
251
374
277
194/ 782
322
g
665
g
669
247
540
469
310
795
275
376
349
215
248
of
e
671
337
212
315
278
323
cm
e
681
551
478
323
458
331
638
590
238
736
746
384
199
252
gr
e
696
162
492
367
390
476
e
380
402
241
322
cm
g
724
134
475
517
434
305
802
888
e
734
1974
633
ps
1214
a
580
526
541
439
e
591
835
cm
e
502
469
582
579
483
a
263
666
619-20
614-5
S23-4
306
612-3
308-9
510-1
395
a
608
939
o
464
674
324
622
663
307
a
788
680
501
850
513
gr/cm
ps,g
792
110
587
643
77
677
gr/cm
ps,g
794
126
699
462
589
649
44
804
649
457
552
533
479
gr/cm
ps,g
798
111
593
653
458
gr/cm
ps,g
799
426
706
14-6
594
654
591
806
660
459
679
537
480
gr/cm
ps,g
800
1008
1030
481
ps,g
802
1116
1541
337
g
806
251
187
598
662
810
683
461
353
416
of
g
807
234
599
673
463
726
g
2165
ps,e,g
355
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