Wesley Word – April 26, 2023

Carolyn Lemaster   -   April 26, 2023

To go along with service on Sunday, April 30, 2023

Experiencing Grace

Exploring Truth – Jesus is the Gate

John 10:1-10

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is known as Good Shepherd Sunday. In all three years of the lectionary for this Sunday, the Gospel readings are from a different section of John chapter 10 where Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd.

In the first section of John 10, Jesus talks about how he is the gate for the sheep. Gates were used to keep the sheep in, but more importantly, to keep thieves and predators out. We will talk more about how Jesus being our gate keeps us safe on Sunday.

In the ancient near east, the world of the Bible, shepherds would often have their sheep out on pasture during the day. At night, the shepherds would bring their flocks into a community sheepfold. In the morning each shepherd would come and call their sheep and lead them back out to pasture. Unlike modern shepherds, ancient shepherds led their sheep instead of driving them. Each sheep knew the voice of its own shepherd and would come when they were called.

Jesus said that it is like with us, his sheep. Over time, we learn to recognize his voice. We can hear Jesus speak to us in the Bible. We can hear Jesus speak to us in our church community. And we can hear the voice of Jesus speak inside of us through the Holy Spirit. The more we listen, the more we will be able to tell if some new idea “sounds” like Jesus or not.

 

New Testament in a Year: https://wesleyonline.org/biblereading/

  • April 26: Luke 22:54-23:12
  • April 27: Luke 23:13-43
  • April 28: Luke 23:44-24:12
  • April 29: Luke 24:13-53
  • April 30: John 1:1-28
  • May 1:  John 1:29-51
  • May 2:  John 2:1-25
  • May 3:  John 3:1-21

 

Expressing Love: Family/Mission Activity

Genesis 1:9

 

 Announcements

  • WOW (Wesley on Wednesdays) 6:00 pm.
  • CAT Survey Town Hall – There will be a Town Hall meeting on Sunday, April 30th in Fellowship Hall to discuss the results of the CAT (Congregational Assessment Tool) Survey. All are welcome. A brief written summary of the results is available at the church.
  • The Muscatine Youth, Children’s, & Littlest Angels’ Choirs’ Spring Concert is on Sunday, May 7, at 4pm at Wesley. All are invited to this free concert! The choirs are working hard and are excited to present their songs to the community. These volunteer community choirs are open to Muscatine area singers in kindergarten-12th grade.
  • High School Seniors will be recognized at worship services on Sunday, May 7. If you know of a high school graduate, please let Jessica know by May 2.
  • Jackson Concert—Thursday, May 11, at 2:30pm. FREE. Martha Redbone will be performing. She is a Native American & African American vocalist/songwriter.  She is known for her unique gumbo of folk, blues, and gospel from her childhood in Harlan County, Kentucky infused with the eclectic grit of pre-gentrified Brooklyn.