Covid-19 

Dear Friends
Hopefully Spring has now arrived and we are starting to see longer and lighter days and improving weather. I hope that you are able to spend some time outdoors perhaps in your gardens with an opportunity to may be meet with a small number of people outside. The national situation is continuing to improve with a reduction in the number of new cases of Coronavirus reported each day and a reduction in those needing hospital care. Unfortunately however this is not the case in some parts of Europe and in other parts of the world where the virus is taking hold and health services are under extreme pressure. Please pray for all those in India and Brazil where access to essential health supplies is limited and health services are overwhelmed by a huge demand in patients with Coronavirus infections. We have seen on the news of families in India who have travelled for many miles without success to find a hospital with either space or equipment to be able to safely deliver care.
We are so fortunate with the rollout of the vaccine programme in the UK with many older and vulnerable adults now receiving either one or both vaccines. Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent have made significant progress with vaccination and we are very grateful for the ongoing efforts of all involved in this valuable programme. To help reduce Coronavirus risks, please do continue to follow the government advice and maintain social distancing, handwashing and ensure you continue to wear a face covering.

I am pleased to advise that Barry is making good progress in his recovery following surgery. Rev Linda is now returning to work and will be conducting services and hopefully will be back with us for worship in Church in the near future. Please continue to hold Barry, Linda and family in your thoughts and prayers.

Sadly this week, after a long illness managed with courage and a deep faith, I am sorry to advise of the death of Pat Hargreaves. She has been supported by her family, friends and the many messages and love and prayers from her Church family. For a number of months Pat had been receiving outstanding care from the staff at the Douglas McMillan Hospice and she has now made her journey to be with the Lord.

Earlier this week the funeral was held in Church for Roy who was held in love and affection by his family and very many friends. Please see below a message from Thelma.
“On behalf of David, Elizabeth and Helen, I would like to thank Rev Jeff Short for taking Roy’s funeral which was a lovely service. A thank you to all our friends for the many sympathy cards and words of comfort we have received and for the flowers which I have been given. God Bless, Thelma”
Please continue to hold Olga and family in your thoughts and prayers following their bereavement, as they prepare for the funeral of Les. We give thanks for the life of Les and his love and friendship.
 
This week our bible reading continues from the Gospel of John Chapter 10 v11-18 and this is a wonderful reminder of the love and care that Jesus provides for us as a shepherd provides to his sheep. The words provide comfort and support to many people and we often think of Jesus as the Good Shepherd particularly at times of bereavement.
In this reading Jesus focuses on the care provided by the shepherd to his sheep and the lengths to which a shepherd will go to protect his flock. He compares this with the work of a hired hand who does not own the sheep and when startled or frightened may desert them. The reading tells of other sheep that do not belong to the fold, but Jesus wants to call them so they hear his voice. Jesus is seeing one flock with one shepherd loved by the Father. Jesus tells us that the Father loves him because he lays down his life in order to take it up again. This life is given freely. He reminds us that this is a command from his Father.
One of the first questions to consider with the reading is to whom Jesus is talking ? The answer comes in the previous chapter where the context reminds us that he is talking to Pharisees as religious leaders of the people of Israel. In the reading Jesus is drawing a comparison between the good shepherd and a hired hand. This demonstrates two different kinds of leadership, one where the flock belong to the Shepherd and one where they do not. In this account Jesus is perhaps in conflict with the religious authorities following his healing of a man born blind in the previous chapter. Rather than the warm glow of safety associated with a shepherd, here Jesus demonstrates that the goodness of the true shepherd comes at a cost. The good shepherd lays down his life. This phrase is repeated five times in these nine verses.
The reading focuses on the identity of the sheep, with a mutual knowledge between the sheep and their shepherd. The shepherd knows his own and they know him. The shepherd can take control and guide other sheep. As the passage continues the love of the Father is drawn into the account. The love between Father and Son is mirrored in the relationship between shepherd and sheep. The love of each is important and the passage is framed by references to the Father’s love and command. The passage gives a powerful account of love and loss and of laying down life and taking it up again. This helps us understand that death and resurrection are drawn into the mystery of the unity of the Father and Son. Jesus describes here the love and faithfulness of the shepherd to his sheep and the love and faithfulness of the Father God from whose loving presence he has come to a broken and dangerous world.
As the Gospel story continues we will in coming weeks here more about the sheep and drawing them into the love of God. With Jesus as our shepherd and we his sheep this paints for us an interesting picture. Some may say sheep are dim, lack thought and follow a leader. Some may describe them as untidy or smelly, some sheep stumble from the path and others seek escape from gaps in the fence. Sheep can be vulnerable, they like the company and companionship of the flock and they seek warmth and shelter.  Perhaps at times we may lack thought, follow the crowd, stumble from the right path and seek means of escape. We also often seek the company and support of others and enjoy the safety of a warm and comfortable shelter. Whilst many of us would not recognise the role or skills of a shepherd today, in Jesus time shepherds would bring together their flock in a common sheepfold for safety overnight. The shepherd would then call his flock each morning to take them out to graze. The sheep responded to the voice of their one true shepherd. In Psalm 23 we hear of the Lord as a shepherd who leads, guides, revives, protects. The shepherd who provides companionship, nourishment and food and one who sets a welcome and hospitality for us in the difficult places of life.
The bible provides many accounts of sheep and shepherds and we learn in the Old Testament the story of David, the shepherd boy who kills both a lion and a bear that were trying to attack his sheep. David stood his ground when in danger and protected his flock. Jesus did even more, he laid down his life for his sheep. He died so that we might live and God gave us hope through the resurrection and empty tomb. Just as Jesus with confidence states I AM the Good Shepherd, could we with confidence say I AM the Sheep ? The good shepherd has paid a great cost for us and knows us each by name. He can provide us with all we need and in return we need to respond to his voice.
 
You can join with friends from the Church and Circuit by joining the weekly Zoom Service at 11.30am each Sunday morning (by either computer or telephone) using the links below.
Topic: Sunday Service 11.30 am. Our service this is led by Rev Linda Catlow.
Time: This is a recurring meeting
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4775422768
or just click here.
Meeting ID: 477 542 2768 (No password is required)
Dial by your location
0203 481 5237
0203 481 5240
0203 901 7895
0131 460 1196
0203 051 2874
Meeting ID: 477 542 2768
We also have a telephone service each week using WhyPay at 10.00am on Sunday morning.
If you wish to join this the number is 0333 0110 946 and the Room Number is 47927697# and the Pin is 1145#
Please do continue if you are able to pray at 6.00pm each evening and join with others from our Church so that we can unite in the power of prayer.
Please also pray for those on our prayer list.  
Ashley, Debbie and family
Stuart and Sylvia
Frank
Ralph
Kevin and family
Beryl
Karen
Ken and Pat
Chris and Dianne
Malcolm, Anne and family
Arthur
Eileen and Carl
Rev Alex
Don
Margaret B
Alan
Doreen
Jean
Beaulah
Alan and Heather
Linda and family
Carol, Dave and Logan
Janet, Steve and family
Charles
 
You can find reflections and biblical stories on our Circuit YouTube channel including new material added weekly from Revs Linda, Jeff and Pam at
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBhbVptj0forVkUfmmsvd_w
or just click here.
Please continue to stay safe and know that you are surrounded by the love and prayers of your Church family.
Ian