A Moment for Mission
“My sheep listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life.
They will never die, and no one will snatch them from my hand.” — John 10:27-28, CEB
It was winter in Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking in the temple courts when people gathered around Him, demanding an answer: " If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." (John 10:24). Jesus responded not with a direct yes or no, but by pointing to the works He had done—healings, teachings, miracles—evidence that He was indeed the Good Shepherd, the one who calls His sheep by name.
Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life. They will never die, and no one will snatch them from my hand.” (John 10:27-28). What a powerful promise! Jesus reminds us that He holds us securely, guiding, protecting, and loving us with an unshakable grip.
On Mother’s Day, we celebrate those who have been like shepherds in our lives—mothers, grandmothers, aunts, mentors, and caregivers. Just as Jesus holds us in His hands, a mother’s love is often the first reflection of God’s love that we experience. A mother’s voice is one of the first we recognize, just as Jesus says, “My sheep listen to my voice.” A mother’s touch can bring comfort and healing, just as Jesus, our Good Shepherd, cares for us with tenderness.
Yet, motherhood—like shepherding—is not without its challenges. The path is not always easy, and there are moments of exhaustion, worry, and sacrifice. That is why Jesus' promise is so reassuring: "No one will snatch them from my hand." Whether we are mothers ourselves, honoring our own mothers, or remembering those who have been like mothers to us, we can rest in the assurance that Jesus’ love is constant and secure.
This Mother’s Day, may we thank God for the shepherds in our lives—the women who have cared for us, shaped us, and guided us. And may we, like Jesus, extend love, grace, and care to those around us, nurturing others with the same compassion He has shown us.
Children’s Message
Title: Jesus Is Our Good Shepherd!
Materials: A picture of a shepherd with sheep OR play a short clip of a shepherd calling sheep.
Good morning, friends! Have you ever heard someone call your name, and you knew exactly who it was—even without looking? Maybe it was your mom, dad, or a teacher. You know their voice because you hear it all the time!
In the Bible, Jesus tells us that He is like a Good Shepherd and that we are like His sheep. He says, “My sheep listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me.” (John 10:27). That means when we listen to Jesus, He helps us know where to go and how to live.
Today is Mother’s Day, a special day when we celebrate our moms and all the people who take care of us. Moms are kind of like shepherds, too! They help keep us safe, teach us right from wrong, and love us no matter what. Just like Jesus never let’s go of us, moms and caregivers love us and hold us close, even when we make mistakes.
Let’s say thank you to Jesus, our Good Shepherd, and to our moms, grandmas, aunts, and all the people who love and take care of us!
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for being our Good Shepherd and always taking care of us. Thank You for moms and all the people who love us and help us grow. Bless them today and always. Amen.
Offertory Prayer
Gracious and loving God, You are the giver of all good things. On this day, we celebrate the love and care of mothers and those who nurture us. Just as they give of themselves, we now offer our gifts to You—our time, our talents, and our resources.
Bless these offerings, that they may be used to bring comfort, hope, and guidance to others. May they support the work of the Church and extend Your love to those in need. Teach us to be generous, just as You have been generous with us.
We place all that we have and all that we are into Your hands, trusting that You will use them for Your glory. In the name of Jesus, our Good Shepherd, we pray. Amen.
From Discipleship Ministries
God, you have delivered us from hunger and from thirst by the fruits of your creation.
The gifts you have given overflow before us.
In return, we offer these gifts back to you, and back to those who suffer from ecological degradation and climate change. May the gifts we give enable the building of the healed world envisioned in Revelation. Amen.
Newsletter Nugget
In John 10:22-30, Jesus reminds us that He is the Good Shepherd, calling His sheep by name and holding them securely in His hands. On Mother’s Day, we recognize those in our lives who have reflected that same love—mothers, grandmothers, mentors, and caregivers who have guided, nurtured, and protected us.
Just as Jesus promises that "no one will snatch them out of my hand", the love of a mother or mother figure is a powerful force, offering comfort, encouragement, and unwavering support. This Mother’s Day, may we take time to express our gratitude and also reflect on the ways we, too, can share God’s shepherding love with those around us.
Join us in worship as we celebrate God’s love and the gift of those who care for us!