The Mission of OFUMC is equipping Christian disciples

for ministries of worship, teaching, community building, and service. 

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. When the hired hand sees the wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away. That’s because he isn’t the shepherd; the sheep aren’t really his. So the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. He’s only a hired hand and the sheep don’t matter to him. I am the good shepherd. I know my own sheep and they know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. I give up my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that don’t belong to this sheep pen. I must lead them too. They will listen to my voice and there will be one flock, with one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me: I give up my life so that I can take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I give it up because I want to. I have the right to give it up, and I have the right to take it up again. I received this commandment from my Father.” (John 10:11–18, CEB)

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The Easter season exemplifies love, forgiveness, and redemption. It is a time of change, renewal, emergence.  At some places, it occurs quickly, more often however, gradually, after a long time.

Albeit slowly, I have come to trust in the voice of Jesus.

Dawdling, plodding, contemplative, opposite of “scoot,”
thinking with speed is not really my forte, strong suit.
Growing through steady weaning, absorbing new meaning,
trial and error screening, close leaning and gleaning,
in this way, I have come to follow… being turned, taught, trained,
little by little, bit by bit, his voice greeted, grasped, gained.

Steadily the shepherd leads to the keep,
daily tending, protecting the sheep.
   
Pastor Rich Wagner
   
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Fourth Sunday of Easter -- April 21, 2024

Worship:                           9:30 am

Scripture Readings

Psalm                                Psalm 23
Gospel                               John 10:11-18