The Good Shepherd
In the Church’s readings for the Easter season especially from the Acts of The Apostles, it is of great significance that the bonding of the early Church was the key element in the power of the witness to the resurrection. In every instance, the transforming of the early Church was its reference to the resurrection of Jesus which gave them the authority and the credence to their faith.
Today’s readings help us to appreciate and put into practice the spirit of the same unconditional love that Jesus taught us about from the beginning of His ministry in the Sermon on the Mount. Love, repentance and forgiveness are the hallmarks of the
Resurrection people. Our concerns, support, protection, help and genuine well being for even the worst among us is to be our brand or lifestyle in order to transform lives. There is no need for fear, suspicion, mistrust and dishonour among the Resurrection people. In our Gospel Lesson for today the hired hand portrays all that is not sincere or genuine when it comes to the protectiveness of the sheep. His presence is for convenience or for his own
self-preservation. On the other hand, Jesus shows us that at all cost even if it means giving up one’s life is the rule.
Like sheep, it is our simple genuine bonding to each other that is the glue to keep the flock together and it is the Shepherd’s duty to feed, protect and defend the sheep at all costs.
In our church and in the world we need to work on all the
elements which divide God’s people and destroys the Koinonia that prevents the significance of the Eucharist and Agape from
becoming reality.
Times of Service
Sunday 3rd May, 2009.
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Easter IV
7:00 a.m. Low Mass
9:00 a.m. Family Eucharist & Sunday school
Monday 7:00 p.m. Parish Vestry
Tuesday
6:00 a.m. Mass
5:30 p.m. Confirmation Class
Wednesday
7:30 p.m. Choir Practice
Thursday
7:00 p.m. Mass & Christian Education/ Formation
Saturday
10:30 a.m. Confirmation Class
1:30 p.m. Acolyte Practice
3:00 p.m. Children’s Choir
Sunday
Easter V
7:00 a.m. Low Mass
9:00 a.m. Family Eucharist & Sunday school
Easter IV
Lay assistants at the 7:00 a.m. Eucharist
Readers: Cyprianna Gibson, La-Tisha Davis; Intercessor: Gail Thompson; Ushers: Margaret Turnquest and Valarie Clarke.
Lay assistants at the 9:00 a.m. Eucharist
Welcome, Readers & Intercessors: Men’s Fellowship; Ushers:
Easter V
Lay assistants at the 7:00 a.m. Eucharist
Readers: Joseph Ledee, Stacie Ann Smith; Intercessor: Ruth Williams; Ushers:
Claudia Brown and Catherine Glinton.
Lay assistants at the 9:00 a.m. Eucharist
Welcome, Readers & Intercessors: Karambe’ Group; Ushers:
Welcome
We welcome you to Epiphany this 4th Sunday of Easter. We pray that the spirit of bonding that is natural to sheep and shepherds become more of a reality in our Church and the world as it pertains to human contact and communication with others.
Thanks
We are extremely grateful to all who supported our 20th anniversary celebrations. The Legal Clinic, Dinner Dance, Walk-a-thon and television broadcast were very successful and were blessings to all who participated and viewed the service as we witnessed to God in
celebrating 20 years as a Parish. Thank you and may God continue to bless you and our Parish of The Epiphany.
Income and Expenditure
Today at our services the Treasurer and our Finance Committee Chairman will present the income and expenditure report of our Parish during the year 2008 and for the first quarter of 2009. This is our ongoing effort to keep our Parish aware of the business of our Parish so as to allow transparency and accountability. If there are any questions or concerns please say so either publicly or privately to the Treasurer, Wardens or any Vestry member.
Confirmation
Confirmation classes have started on Tuesdays and Saturdays. We ask that all parents, guardians and god-parents see that the cooperation and presence of your children at the classes provided for them are adhered to as they take this serious step in their lives. We also request their presence in Sunday school and that they study their Bibles during daily prayer as they
familiarise themselves with the Catechism.
Bible Study
Our Thursday evening Christian Education and Formation offers us an opportunity for sharing with and enlightening ourselves on the Bible, doctrines of the Church, social and moral behaviour. On Thursday using the Bible as our source, we will be doing a six (6) week study of the Church’s Catechism.
Other
Events of Interest