Worship on Christian Family Sunday and Mothers Day
10:00 am May 11, 2025
Minister: The Rev. Brad Childs
Music Director: Binu Kapadia Vocalist: Fionna McCrostie
Welcoming Elder: Heather Tansem Reader: Wesley Childs
Children’s Time: Brad
We gather to worship God
Music Prelude
Greeting
L: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you
P: and also with you
Lighting of the Christ candle
Welcome and announcements
Preparation for worship
Call to worship:
L: The Lord is our Shepherd, and on this day of celebration, we shall lack nothing.
P: As family in Christ, we gather with gratitude for our Good Father.
L: Let us embrace the love and provision He offers us.
P: With thankful hearts, we worship together, honoring our family bonds.
Opening praise: Holy Spirit, you are welcome here
Prayers of approach and confession
God of the ages. God of today.
You are compassion; our cup overflows.
You are hope; you lead us into green pastures.
You are truth; you lead us beside quiet streams.
You are life; you restore our souls.
Morning, noon and night, O God, you are the source of our joy.
We gather to worship you as one family of your people, honoring you as our Creator,
trusting you as our Saviour, celebrating you as the Spirit who gives us life.
Trusting in your compassion and grace, we confess to you our sins:
Merciful God,
we confess we stray from your ways like lost sheep;
we follow the devices and desires of our own hearts, ignoring the needs of others and seeking more for ourselves.
We judge ourselves more generously than others and fail to offer others the forgiveness we seek from you.
Forgive the ways we betray your love,
and return us to your paths of truth and mercy.
Response: Glory, glory hallelujah
Assurance of God’s mercy
Christ dwells in our hearts through faith, for we are being rooted and grounded in his love. The forgiveness he offers is a gift of this love. Receive God’s forgiveness with faithful hearts, and be at peace with God, with yourself and with each other.
We listen for the voice of God
Song: Jesus we are gathered (514)
Children’s time, Repeat-after-me Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer (535)
Song: She comes sailing on the wind (403)
Scripture: Psalm 23
Response: Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord
Message: “The Shepherds Promise”
Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known and frequently recited passages of the Bible worldwide. Its prevalence and use are broad across various contexts. It is often read at funerals and memorial services because its imagery of God as a comforting shepherd offers solace and assurance of God’s presence, even in the “valley of the shadow of death.” It is regularly recited in church services across Christian denominations and at multiple times of year. In Catholic tradition, Psalm 23 is part of the Liturgy of the Hours and is often incorporated into the rites of anointing of the sick and last rites. Beyond religious contexts, it is frequently quoted in literature, music, and films. And it’s memorized too – in King James English typically.
That version reads as follows:
King James Version (1611)
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
The Psalm conveys ideas of comfort, guidance, trust and hope. In Jewish tradition, Psalm 23 is a cherished and frequently recited passage. It’s used regularly at funerals and recited during mourning to provide comfort and hope to grieving people. It is sometimes sung or recited as part of the Shabbat service. It’s often included in daily prayers. It is read over the ill. It’s read during Yizkor, the memorial service conducted on Yom Kippur, and other major Jewish holidays.
Can I read you the Psalm as it’s recorded in the Jewish Study Bible for English readers: The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me to water in places of repose. He renews my life, He guides me in the right paths as benefits his name, though I walk through a valley of deepest darkness. I fear no harm, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You spread a table for me in the full view of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My drink is abundant. Only goodness and steadfast love shall pursue me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the House of the Lord, for many long years.
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
The version most of us probably know begins the same way: The Lord is my shepherd.
The Shepherd was a metaphor for kings in Israel and the ancient Near East. But in the bible, the Lord is often called the Shepherd of Israel as well. At the time, it was a common way of referring to God. Here, David, the king and shepherd of the people, acknowledges God as his shepherd king. Even though David is the nation’s ruler, he is also a sheep in the pasture of a higher king. In this, David submits to God’s authority and humbly tells the people this.
As the saying goes, “Sheep trust their shepherd not because they see the path, but because they believe in his guidance.” It doesn’t matter if you are a lowly beggar, a famous musician, a Hollywood icon, or the King of England; there is always a “bigger fish,” and the good news is, God cares and leads all his followers.
The Orthodox Jewish Bible
23 (Mizmor of Dovid). Hashem is my Ro’eh (Shepherd); I shall not lack.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the mei menuchot (tranquil waters).
3 He restoreth my nefesh; He guideth me in the paths of tzedek l’ma’an Shmo (righteousness for the sake of His Name).
4 Yea, though I walk through the Gey Tzalmavet (Valley of the Shadow of Death), I will fear no rah (evil); for Thou art with me; Thy shevet (rod) and Thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a shulchan before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with shemen (olive oil); my kos runneth over.
6 Surely tov and chesed shall follow me kol y’mei chaiyyai (all the days of my life): and I will dwell in the Bais Hashem l’orech yamim (for length of days, whole life
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
God, the divine Shepherd King, leads his people to nourishment and safety, keeping them alive and protecting them. He brings them to a calm place with quiet waters, where it’s easy to drink and be refreshed.
Tony Evans wrote the following: “A few years ago, I got a call from a young woman who said her car had broken down and left her stranded about two miles from the office. So I drove there and found her leaning against her car, looking flustered. I asked what happened. She replied, “I was driving down the road, and the car quit running.” Could you be out of gas? I asked. “No, I just filled it up.” Well, that one question pretty well exhausted my automotive diagnostic abilities, but I persisted. What happened? Did it make any noise? “Oh, yes”, she replied, “as I was driving down the hill, it went brupt, brupt, brupt. Pow.” So I asked, “When was the last time you changed the oil?” She said, “Oil?”
As it turned out, she had owned the car for three years and had never changed the oil. She looks so confused. She didn’t know that was a thing.
Tony continues, “I get that same look when I ask frazzled friends when they last took a Sabbath rest.”
When was the last time you let the shepherd take you to the still waters for a true, calm, quiet, sabbath rest?
That is where the shepherd leads us. But do we always follow?
Now I am the furthest thing from a dancer. But I do like this description I found of ballroom dancing. Warning: It’s a little dated in its language, but it’s still worth hearing.
“In ballroom dancing, the man’s job has generally been seen to lead. The woman’s job is to follow what her partner is doing. One job is not harder than the other. Both matter, but two can’t lead at once. The man’s job is to watch the floor and see where all the other dancers are. Because of this, the woman responds by lining up with her partner’s movements. She puts her hand in his hand. She puts her arm on his shoulder and she feels the pace. She yokes herself with him, and she moves in kind as he moves. She glides, doesn’t worry, and makes the dance beautiful and balanced. But the lead has got to keep his eyes open. He’s got to watch the floor. He’s got to make sure that he doesn’t step on her feet. He shows her where to go. And she moves in line with him. She moves, but because she’s yoked to him, and this sets her free, she glides in trust and without worry. This is because he works to ensure her safety. God wants us to know he’s willing to do the work. He’s willing to take the lead. He’s willing to guide and direct. He’s willing to take us where we need to go. But we must be yoked to Him to make the dance work. We have to be connected to Him and learn how to dance with Him. He leads and we follow.”
Our shepherd escorts us to quiet places; he restores the spirit and leads us in paths of virtue. But we, the sheep, the dance partner, don’t always follow, and there are many paths we take as we wander off.
New Living Translation
The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
He leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along the right paths,
Bringing honour to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will not be afraid,
For you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
Protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
In the presence of my enemies.
You honour me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
And I will live in this house of the Lord forever.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
I’m reminded of the following story.
The author writes, “Bob, my father-in-law, hunts deer every fall in the mountains in California. Several farmers and ranchers in the area will let individuals or small groups hunt on their property if the hunters ask permission and show much for their land. Last year, my father-in-law saw a sprawling section of land and thought he’d ask and see if he could spend a day on the property. After checking with several people in the homes nearby, he tracked down the owner. He asked if he might drive through a particular gate and do some hunting in the evening the following day. The rancher gave Bob a thoughtful look and said, ‘Yeah, you can come onto the land, but you’d better let me ride in the truck with you for a little while first. I want to show you a few things.’ Bob didn’t see the point; he’d done this a thousand times, and though I suppose he could have foolishly and pridefully declined, he certainly did not.
When the agreed-upon day came, the pair drove through the gate and onto the ranchland. They’d been skimming across a seemingly featureless and massive field when the rancher suddenly said, ‘You better slow down.’ Bob pulled his foot off the accelerator. He tapped the brakes, but he didn’t understand. There were no deer, no fences, just vast and empty space. As far as he could see, there were no creeks, gullies, trees, boulders, or anything else, just a broad pasture stretching out to the dusky foothills. “Park right here”, the rancher said. “I want to show you something.” And with that, the two spilled out of the truck into the cool mountain air and began walking together. Next, the rancher put his hand on Bob’s shoulder and said, “Now look right there, straight ahead. Look close.” My father-in-law stopped dead in his tracks. Cleaving at right angles across their path and the pastures as far as he could see in both directions was a huge gapping crack in the ground. It was a massive, deep, black tear in the surface of the Earth. The crack was probably 30 feet across. Peering over the edge, the hair on Bob’s neck bristled high. The sheer rock-ribbed sides of the great volcanic break in the land plunged to unknown depths. Cold, still air seemed to exhale from the darkness down below. Had he driven another 50 feet, he’d have driven himself into a pit so deep, it didn’t appear to have a bottom.
Bob had no idea this crevasse existed. In fact, you couldn’t see it until you were right up on it and just a few feet away.
Walking back to the truck, Bob marvelled at how difficult it was to see until it was almost certainly too late. Having a guide wasn’t such a bad thing after all. He had a new appreciation for the man who knew his terrain and where to park the truck and where not to.
Our shepherd knows the paths he leads us down and the ones to avoid. He knows where the still water is and where the dangers lie. It may not always be fun to follow the shepherd, but it’s wise and it’s what is ultimately best for us.
While The Message isn’t a translation in the strict sense, it does a fantastic job with this. It reads:
The Message
23 1-3 God, my shepherd!
I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
You find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
You let me catch my breath.
And send me in the right direction.
4 Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
When you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
Makes me feel secure.
5 You serve me a six-course dinner
Right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
My cup brims with blessings.
6 Your beauty and love chase after me
Every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God.
For the rest of my life.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
The shepherd leads the sheep to pasture, to water, and through rugged terrain. The rod was an instrument of authority that shepherds also used for counting, guiding, rescuing, and protecting the sheep. The staff was an instrument of support. The rod and staff are implements that prod and guide the sheep and provide the comfort that comes from divine guidance. He pokes and prods and leads the dance. The sheep don’t always understand where the leader is going and sometimes hate the prodding, but it’s always for the good of the sheep in the end. He knows where the dangers lie.
There is a famous story: The Allied soldiers gathered many hungry homeless children after World War 2 and placed them in large camps. The children were abundantly fed and cared for. However, at night they didn’t sleep very well. They seemed restless, and of course, they were still afraid. Finally, a psychiatric psychologist offered a solution. After the children were put to bed, they received one slice of bread. If they wanted more to eat, they could have it. But this slice wasn’t supposed to be eaten; it was just to be held. The slice of bread produced marvellous results. The children would go to sleep, subconsciously feeling there was something to eat the next day. It was tangible. They held it in their own hands. Because of this, they were cared for, they knew it, and it calmed the children. In Psalm 23, David says the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. The sheep knows the shepherd has made plans for its grazing. The sheep know the Shepherd has made ample provision. For this reason, the sheep will lie in peace.
Life is like that. We have the one who provides for the flowers in the fields and the sheep in the pasture; all we need to do is trust.
Of course, life is never perfect. Circumstances beyond control exist, and sometimes the wolves show up.
The day Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, April 4, 1968, Robert F Kennedy was in Indianapolis speaking to a crowd of African Americans. He had to break the terrible news to a large crowd gathered there. He sought to comfort his hearers by sharing his grief over the assassination. Of his brother John F Kennedy, something he had never done publicly before amid that sharing. He quoted. Achilleus AESCHYLUS, his favorite Greek poet. The quote goes as follows: “Even in our sleep, we cannot forget that pain falls drop by drop upon the heart. Until in our despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.
Even the toughest things we will ever face can become the things God uses to guide us. And remember this Psalm doesn’t say we’ll live on earth forever or that the shepherd’s care is just for the here and now.
Solomon Rosenberg and his family were placed in a Nazi work camp where every person who could no longer work was soon to be taken to the gas chambers. The first in Solomon’s family to face the showers were his aged parents, who were well into their 80s at the time. Solomon knew that the next to go in his family would probably be his youngest son, David, who had been slightly crippled in an accident and able to work less and less as days went on. Each morning, the family members were separated for their work assignments. And every night, the father would return with fear and trembling, wondering whether this might be the day that David would be taken.
Eventually, the night came that he had always feared. As Solomon walked into the barracks, he could not see his family and became frantic. His eyes searched for the precious faces. And then at last, he saw the figure of his oldest son, Jacob, huddled over and crying. Solomon hurried to Jacob, asking, “ Tell me it isn’t so. Did they take David today?” “Yes, Papa, they came to take David. They said he could no longer do his work.” “But Mama, where is Mama? She’s still so strong, surely they wouldn’t take Mama too?” “Jacob looked at his father through very tearful eyes. “Papa, when they came to take David, he was afraid and cried. He put up a fuss, and it made the guards very mad. And so Mama said to David, ‘Don’t cry, David, I’ll go with you and hold your hand’. The guards were so upset that they let her. So they took her too. And so Mama went with David to the death chamber so that he wouldn’t be alone and wouldn’t be afraid.
The wolves do come, but the shepherd has a staff. However, when the end comes and it comes for all of us, our shepherd also reaches out his hand, willing to go to the grave with us. He holds our hand, in this life, and the next. All we have to do is hold him back.
The Voice Translation
1 The Eternal is my shepherd, He cares for me always.
2 He provides me rest in rich, green fields
Beside streams of refreshing water.
He soothes my fears;
3 He makes me whole again,
steering me off worn, hard paths
To roads where truth and righteousness echo His name.
4 Even in the unending shadows of death’s darkness,
I am not overcome by fear.
Because you are with me in those dark moments,
near with your protection and guidance,
I am comforted.
5 You spread out a table before me,
provisions in the midst of attack from my enemies;
You care for all my needs, anointing my head with soothing, fragrant oil,
Filling my cup again and again with Your grace.
6 Certainly, your faithful protection and loving provision will pursue me
Where I go, always, everywhere.
I will always be with the Eternal,
In your house forever.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
In the ancient Near East, covenants were often concluded with a meal that expressed the bond of friendship. In this case, it likely intends to share that people who were former enemies have been reunited. They now sit at the table together, and blessing flows.
Here, the image shifts from sheep and shepherd to the covenant table. Here, the shepherd becomes the one who sets the meal. As the honoured guest, God pours our glass overflowing and puts healing oil on our heads. We are safe and in a place of sabbath rest and blessed.
In this, David is hosted by God and hopes to remain in his presence all his life. But also in this, we sit at the table and receive blessings.
Poetic Version
He tends my soul with gentle hands,
And leads me to green pastures broad.
Beside still waters, He commands peace,
And guides my steps on paths of righteousness.
Though shadows cast their gloom around,
Fear I not, for You are near,
Your rod and staff, my comfort, stand,
And I will dwell forever here.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
As the saying goes, I’m happy to have goodness and mercy following me all my life, but I don’t know how to feel about this Shirley person stalking me.
Bad joke aside: The Jewish Study Bible translation says here, not all “dwell in the house of the Lord forever” but rather, “dwell in the Temple of the Lord, all the days of my life” or sometimes “for a great length of time”. The reason for this difference in translation is mainly due to the idea that most Hebrews did not at this time believe in an afterlife, as the New Testament describes it. But the point is still the same. The shepherd will be with the sheep as long as they exist, and the shepherd promises to care for us until the bitter end, whenever possible.
In one of the old Christopher Reeve Superman movies, there is a scene where Superman saves a man from a burning building. Superman flies in and rescues the man from the top floor of a high-rise, then carries him through the skies and eventually back down to safety again. In the shot, the newly rescued man looks at Superman, fearfully looks through the skies, then looks down at the ground. He cries, “I’m scared, Superman, look how far down that is.” But Superman calmly gives him a response. Superman says, “I delivered you from the burning fire, what makes you think I’m going to drop you now, when I’m carrying you to safety?”
Has God delivered you before from a time of trial? If so, then like Superman in that old film, I too must ask: If God has delivered you before, will he not do it again? And if he’s saved you before, what makes you think He’ll drop you before He safely puts you down again next time, right where you belong?
Jewish Study Bible
(1) Adonai is my shepherd; I lack nothing.
2 He has me lie down in grassy pastures,
He leads me by quiet water,
3 he restores my inner person.
He guides me on the right path.
For the sake of his own name,
4 Even if I pass through death-dark ravines,
I will fear no disaster, for you are with me;
Your rod and staff reassure me.
5 You prepare a table for me,
even as my enemies watch;
You anoint my head with oil.
From an overflowing cup.
6 Goodness and grace will pursue me
every day of my life;
And I will live in the house of Adonai
for years and years to come.
My hope for everyone today is that you have seen and heard something new from God. I pray that this Psalm, which means so much to so many has been even more opened up to you.
So… May you know the shepherd.
May you want for nothing essential.
May you know that there is always a bigger fish no matter how far you make it and humble submit to his direction.
May you follow Him to places of rest and peace.
May you follow the leader of the dance of life.
May you trust he knows the dangerous paths and the safe one and act accordingly.
May His staff and rod be a comfort even when the prodding isn’t.
May healing oil and overflowing cups of blessing be at your table.
And may you act with goodness and mercy all the days of your life, because you are relentlessly pursued by the shepherd who ultimately knows what is best for you and holds your hand in this life, died for you while holding your hand, and continues to be your shepherd even in the life that is to come. Amen.
Song: Open my eyes that I may see (500)
We respond to serve God
Our time of giving
Petitioning Prayers
In the Easter season, we celebrate God’s most precious gift to us in Christ’s dying and his rising. As we present our offering, may our generosity reflect God’s goodness to us, and the hope we have in Christ Jesus, even in these troubled times.
Generous God, thank you for all we have received from you in Christ and in creation; your generosity to us overflows. Bless the gifts we bring and use them and us in the service of your reign of justice and peace, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Guide.
Shepherding God, you walk with us and show us how to love each other. We now turn to you with our hopes and concerns and love for others in these uncertain times. Draw near to us and to all those for whom we pray, so that your love will be known in the world this day.
Nurturing God, on Christian Family Sunday, we pray for the families we belong to in which we received some reflection of your unconditional love.
We thank you for parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, for the generations who started our families and all they gave to us.
Today we thank you for all those who mothered us and we pray for loving mothers and fathers throughout the world, especially those in places of conflict and violence who are worried for their children and the future.
Keep a brief silence.
Strengthen every caregiver’s hope and courage by the power of your Spirit, and create peace in the world so children can grow up in safety.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God who holds all people in your hands, we pray for families in our community and around the world in these uncertain times.
We remember families in need:
those struggling with economic upheaval, unemployment and the high cost of living,
those who know sorrow because someone has died or gone away,
those who live in pain or fear, or face some kind of discrimination.
Keep a brief silence.
Surround all people with your love and courage; bring them support from their neighbours, and guide each child and young person into the future.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.
God of the nations, we pray for the family of nations in this time of threat and conflict. Change the hearts of leaders bent on destruction or conquest, greed and self-promotion.
Give wisdom and courage to those who seek justice through negotiation, and protect all those who offer themselves in aid and advocacy work.
Keep a brief silence.
Bring peace with justice to this troubled world.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God of love, we pray for each other and for our church family.
We give you thanks for the friendship and fellowship we share and the unique gifts each one brings to our life together.
Rekindle our energy for ministry and mission and show us our path into the future.
Keep a brief silence.
Make us a beacon of hope in your name.
Lord, in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Caring God, the Good Shepherd, guiding us through dark valleys and green pastures, we thank you for your presence with us in all times and in all situations. Amen.
Song: We are one in the Spirit (471)
Sending out with God’s blessing
God’s might to direct me. God’s power to protect me. God’s wisdom for learning. God’s eye for discerning. God’s ear for my hearing. God’s word for my clearing. Amen. (Written by St. Patrick, Irish missionary somewhere around the year 420.)
Response: He is Lord
Music postlude
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Numbers in brackets after a song/hymn indicate that it is from the 1997 Book of Praise of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Those and other songs are being used in accordance with the specifications of Dayspring’s licensing with One License (3095377) and CLC (A735555).
The Rev. Brad Childs retains the copyright (© 2025) on all original material in this service. As far as Brad Childs is aware, all of the material that has not been attributed to others is his own creation, is used by license, or is in the public domain. Unacknowledged use of copyrighted material is unintentional and will be corrected immediately upon notification being received.