Redeemer Lutheran and St. Theodore

On Sunday, April 21, the congregations of Redeemer Lutheran Church and St. Theodore of Canterbury Episcopal Church will celebrate the fourth Sunday of Easter with Bishop Murray Finck presiding. The 10:30 a.m. worship service gathers at 13564 St. Andrews Drive in Leisure World, All are welcome.

As always, the congregations continue to collect donations of canned and boxed food for the hungry.

People are welcome to join church members for coffee fellowship afterwards in the Fellowship Hall, where coffee, tea and snacks will be provided.

The Bible study, under the direction of Bishop Finck, is currently in session for the next 10 weeks on Wednesdays at noon.The group is studying 10 of Jesus’ 37 miracles in the Bible. All are invited to join. There will be a notice on the doors of the sanctuary to direct people to where the study is being held.

The Gospel lesson for this week is titled “Shepherd vs. Hired Hand” from John 10:1118. In the scripture, Jesus talks about what a good shepherd would do. The people around him understand what a shepherd does. Jesus goes as far as to tell them that a good shepherd is willing to die for his sheep. Having someone who is willing to die for people they love is an amazing sign of love. Jesus did not just say he would but actually died for each and every person, individually.

So, the question for people is: “Who do we look to be our shepherd?” People need a shepherd who is just, protective, understanding, brave, looking out for the weak, poor, outcast, and lost; and willing to lay down his life for the smallest sheep.

There are a lot of people in leadership positions that give minimal effort, pursue their own agenda, ignore the common good. People are looking for and need a good shepherd. The good news is they can find one in Jesus. It is up to believers to go and introduce others to the ultimate good shepherd.