Sunday is Coming!
Let me introduce you to our dog, Rosie:
Rosie is part Sheep Dog (Border Collie-Poodle mix, we think). She is very good at keeping watch over our "Bistline Flock." Whenever anyone goes by our house (especially other dogs), she sounds the alarm! Sometimes her loud barking is too much, too loud, and too early in the morning, but she is well-meaning, and it's reassuring to know she's keeping an eye on things.
Rosie has not had formal sheep dog training, so her instincts sometimes cause her to get into mischief… Her keen nose sometimes causes her to occasionally steal food off the counter, her watchful eye views our housecats as "outside threats," and her "herding" instinct causes her to try to redirect our other dog, Mikko, by pulling on his collar or leash when he stubbornly doesn't want her help. You could say she qualifies as an "ok shepherd" or maybe a "moderate shepherd" or even a "satisfactory shepherd." But this weekend, we will consider the "Good Shepherd" – Jesus!
We will study the gift of shepherding on Sunday as we continue our study of Spiritual Gifts using the words of Paul in Ephesians 4:11-12 as our framework—
"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."
Wait, 'shepherds' isn't on the list?
The fourth item in that list is a word that the NIV translates this as "pastors" but the Greek word more accurately refers to those who are entrusted to care for and lead a flock – Shepherds.
We've previously said that Shepherds are Caregivers, Harmonizers, Watchmen – the ones who guide and provide.
As with all the titles or roles in this list, I want us to consider Jesus as our model, and prayerfully think about how we can ALL serve in these roles in our own unique ways. Some things might come more naturally to us in certain ways, but I want to suggest to us that we all have a "flock" to care for and guide, if we are willing to submit ourselves to the leading of Jesus, our "Good Shepherd."
Also, we will see that we all have a part to play in keeping our flock unified as we follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who is the primary voice we should listen to in a world full of noise.
Jesus says in John 10:10—
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
Jesus wants to lead us to the fullness of life, like a Good Shepherd who guides his flock into the pen and out into the pasture in proper times (we looked at this passage back during the season of Lent). Recall that Jesus began this passage by rebuking the Pharisees as thieves and robbers who have entered the sheep fold by climbing over the wall. The Pharisees considered themselves powerful "gatekeepers" for the people of God, but Jesus critiques them for leading the flock astray.
Jesus goes on to reveal that he is the Good Shepherd, who knows his Sheep by name and leads His flock along the right paths at the right time—and furthermore, Jesus is willing to do anything for his sheep—even die for them.
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."
A little historical context here: "Shepherd" has often been a figurative term applied to kings and rulers. In the days of the Bible, people with political authority and power were seen as shepherds who were meant to lead the flock of humanity. It was often an inherently "political" term, so consider this your 'heads-up' that we will touch on politics here…
In John 10, Jesus is making a bold claim that He alone is the Shepherd that is worth following. He is speaking as the "Great I AM" and declaring that the powers and authorities of the world usually do not have our best interest in mind. If we want to experience the "fullness of life" we can only find it by following His Voice.
This is still True today! In contrast to the powers of this world who so often seem to see people as just a social-security number on a list, faceless voters in a ballot box, or donors in a database, the Good Shepherd knows His sheep personally. He knows our needs, and guides us to where we need to be. He protects us, even to the point of sacrificing Himself for our eternal safety, knowing that He has the full power and authority to lay down his life and take it back up again.
Let me remind us that now and always, we need to listen carefully to the voice of our Shepherd Jesus, because he cares for us best (see also Psalm 23).
As a "pastor/shepherd" of the Shippensburg First Church of God flock, I want to always point you to Jesus, and warn us that in these divisive times, there are many voices in the world that could lead us astray, and many who try to silence voices that need to be heard, and even some who might benefit or profit themselves by driving people apart.
In a world of conflicting ideologies and a lack of commitment to the truth, we need a Shepherd to guide us. In the wake of tragedies, such as the assassination of Charlie Kirk and other recent violent and heartbreaking events that fill our minds and media screens, we need a Good Shepherd to comfort us and protect us. In times of finger pointing, fearmongering, and prideful attention seeking, we need a Shepherd that leads us on "the right paths for his namesake" (Psalm 23).
The Good Shepherd and His Word commands us to "love our enemies" (Matthew 5, Luke 6), and also reminds us that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood" (Ephesians 6:12). The Good Shepherd reveals that there are many lost sheep that are worthy of our time and love and attention, because they were clearly worthy of His. The Good Shepherd declares that we must never allow fear or anger to cause us to hate our fellow brothers and sisters who are made in the image of God, because our love is how we show ourselves to be His disciples—His flock.
No matter how angry or confused or scared we might feel sometimes, there are no exceptional circumstances that would permit us not to follow the words of Jesus found in Scripture. In every age of the Church—even through times of war and persecution, through every valley of the shadow of death—the Shepherd has led his flock onward toward the eternal house of the Lord! Even in the most challenging times, followers of the Good Shepherd must trust in Him—His Leading, His Strength, His Wisdom, His Grace & Mercy, and His Sacrificial, Powerful Love.
And we must also follow His example. Remember, we have a Good Shepherd who loves us, and who also loves the other sheep who are "outside the pen."
"I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd."
Christ "Equips Us" to join him in shepherding all sorts of sheep into the pen of safety and the pastures of provision.
Who has God entrusted to you? Who is your flock? Maybe it is your own children, or your parents or grandparents. Maybe it is your teammates or the people at your school. Perhaps the people you work with, or your neighbors. Maybe Jesus wants to send you to bring in a wandering sheep who has gone astray?
Together, let us follow the Good Shepherd, as one flock!
This Sunday
8:30 Traditional Worship
694 The Lord's My Shepherd I'll Not Want
620 Under His Wings
700 You Are My Hiding Place
429 They'll Know We Are Christians
9:45 Sunday School for all ages
Check out our Sunday School classes and other Care Group ministries on our website, or visit the welcome desk to learn more.
Get Connected will be offered in the Prayer Room next to the Sanctuary.
11:00 Contemporary Worship
Waymaker
Christ Our Hope in Life and Death
How Good Is He
Grace Alone
Ministry Fair
There's a place for everyone as we build God's Kingdom!
Next Sunday, September 28th we will take time to showcase the various ministries of SFCOG as we celebrate what God is doing in and through them, and open doors of opportunity for others to join in the movement of God! On this special Sunday, we will have a combined service at 10 AM, followed by a Ministry Fair from 11:30 to 12:15 in Crossroads Station. Over 60 ministries will be showcased, and lunch will be provided at 12:30 PM.
God has given you a gift! Who will you share it with?
You will receive a prayer sheet in your church mailbox, or you can pick one up from the Gathering Place. Each week for the next 5 weeks, the Christian Education Committee is asking the congregation to join them in prayer for the Ministry Fair. This week, we invite you to pray for our church leaders and ministry staff.
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."
--I Peter 4:10
In the gathering place and in your mailboxes you will find Ministry Brochures. Please read through them and see what God is doing at the Shippensburg First Church of God. This week, the Christian Education Committee invites you to pray for the entire church congregation. Pray for how God can also use your gifts to help these Ministries.
Ministry Fair Prayer Focus for this week & next:
- September 14 - Spend this week praying for our congregation. May our church family have open hearts and interest in being available to be used by God and become involved in His work.
- September 21 - Please pray for the setup, all the details to come together, those who will be ministering to our children during the Ministry Fair, and for all those attending ... that God would be honored!
Upcoming Special Worship
October 5th – Worldwide Communion Sunday and Beneficent Fund collection
We will join with believers all over the world to eat from the Lord's table during our morning worship on the first Sunday of October. In addition, as is our custom when we observe communion, we will be collecting a special offering for the beneficent fund, which is used to meet unexpected financial needs for people in our congregation and our community.
October 12th – Baptism
We are planning to observe Baptism during our morning worship on October 12th. If you or someone in your family is interested in taking this step of faith and making a public declaration of your commitment to Jesus, please sign up in the Gathering Place or reply to this e-mail.
Community Night
Our Wednesday Night ministries are off to a great start, thanks to all who have come out to serve and participate!
There's something for everyone at Community Night, including Awana for Children, Youth Group for Teens, Young Adult Bible Study, and 3 other Adult Bible studies to choose from covering a variety of topics, beginning with those listed here:
- Young Adults – Genesis
- Kinetics – Acts
- Ladies in Step – 10 Important Women of the Bible
- Fresh Start – "Everything You Need" by Dr. David Jeremiah
Learn more on our website: Shippensburg First Church of God | Wednesday Community Night
Here are a few photos from Awana T&T—
Living Stones Activities
- Flight 93 Memorial – September 25th
- Ventriloquist & Lunch in Bird In Hand, PA – Oct 16th
Please see the FYI for more info. Sign up in the Gathering Place, your Sunday School Class, or by contacting the Church Office.
Communications Updates
*Be sure to check out our Activities Calendar and the Events page on our website to learn about more upcoming opportunities!
The September edition of our "FYI" Newsletter is available in the Gathering Place or the center section of the Sanctuary. The FYI contains information about upcoming events, care group opportunities, giving and attendance information, and more.
If you have information you would like to communicate, communication request forms are available from the church office, in the Gathering Place, or online.
Looking forward to worshipping with you in the Sanctuary or Online this Sunday!
Pastor Rodney Bistline
Shippensburg First Church of God
seniorpastorbistline@shipfcog.org
Helpful Links:
Online Messages (shipfcog.org)
Our Activities Calendar & Events
Care Groups & Sunday School Classes
Weather Alerts/ Schedule Changes (shipfcog.org)
Weekly Bulletin (updated over the weekend)
shipfcog.net/site/shipfcog/shipnews/index.html
