“Psalm 23 – The Lord is My Shepherd” Theme: Insights for Living from the Life of David Scripture: Psalm 23 Things I’d like to remember from today’s sermon: _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

Meditation Moments for Monday, May 30 – Read Psalm 23. Like many others, this beloved Psalm bears the simple title, “A Psalm of David.” Most account it to be a Psalm of David's maturity, but with vivid remembrance of his youth as a shepherd. Rev. Charles Spurgeon wrote, "I like to recall the fact that this Psalm was written by David, probably when he was king. He had been a shepherd, and he was not ashamed of his former occupation. It has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea-shore. It has comforted the noble host of the poor. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. It has poured balm and consolation into the heart of the sick, of captives in dungeons, of widows in their pinching griefs, of orphans in their loneliness. Dying soldiers have died easier as it was read to them; ghastly hospitals have been illuminated; it has visited the prisoner, and broken his chains, and, like Peter's angel, led him forth in imagination, and sung him back to his home again. It has made the dying Christian slave freer than his master, and consoled those whom, dying, he left behind mourning, not so much that he was gone, as because they were left behind, and could not go too."  Millions of people have memorized this psalm, even those who have learned few other Scripture portions. Ministers have used it to comfort people who are going through severe personal trials, suffering illness, or dying. For some, the words of this psalm have been the last they have ever uttered in life. When have you found comfort from this Psalm? Why does it bring you comfort? Prayer: O Lord, thank you for the gift of these words in Psalm 23. Help me to make them my prayer today and always. Amen. Tuesday, May 31 – Read Psalm 23. The LORD is my shepherd: As David thought about his relationship with God, he made the analogy of a Shepherd and his sheep. God was like a shepherd to David, and David was like a sheep to God. In one sense, this was not unusual. There are other references to this analogy between the deity and his followers in ancient Middle Eastern cultures, a king is a shepherd. David knew this in a personal sense. He could say, "my shepherd." It wasn't just that the LORD was a shepherd for others in theoretical sense; He was a real, personal shepherd for David himself.  Overwhelmingly, the idea behind God's role as shepherd is a loving care and concern. David found comfort and security in the thought that God cared for him like a shepherd cares for his sheep. How do you feel about God being your shepherd? Does it bring you comfort? Why or why not?

Sermon preached by Jeff Huber – May 7-8, 2016

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I shall not want: For David, the fact of God's shepherd-like care was the end of dissatisfied need. He said, "I shall not want" both as a declaration and as a decision. This means all my needs are supplied by the LORD, my shepherd. This declaration also means I decide to not desire more than what the LORD, my shepherd gives. Have you ever wanted more than what was provided? What would it be like to simply be satisfied with what God provides? Prayer: O Lord, thank you for being my shepherd. May a be comforted an assured by that thought and may I be satisfied that you have provided me all that I need. Amen. Wednesday, June 1 – Read Psalm 23. He makes me to lie down in green pastures: The LORD as a shepherd knew how to make David rest when he needed it, just as a literal shepherd would care for his sheep. The implication is that the sheep doesn't always know what it needs and what is best for itself, and so needs the help from the shepherd. The shepherd also knew the good places to make his sheep rest. He faithfully guides the sheep to green pastures.  Philip Keller (in A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23) writes that sheep do not lie down easily, and will not unless four conditions are met. Because they are timid they will not lie down if they are afraid. Because they are social animals they will not lie down if there is friction among the sheep. If flies or parasites trouble them they will not lie down. Finally, if sheep are anxious about food or hungry they will not lie down. Rest comes because the shepherd has dealt with fear, friction, flies, and famine. Have you ever struggled to rest when these things have happened in your life? What can you do to allow God to bring you rest?  He leads me beside the still waters: The shepherd knows when the sheep needs green pastures, and knows when the sheep needs the still waters. The images are rich with the sense of comfort, care, and rest. When have you felt God bringing your rest and refreshing water for your soul? How can you put yourself in that place again? Prayer: O Lord, help me to lie down, find rest for my soul and have my thirst quenched by Your spirit. Amen. Wednesday, June 1 – “The Shepherd’s Rod Defends Us.” Now read Psalm 121. This Psalm is easily prayed together with Psalm 23. You can pray this psalm as a source of courage and confidence. Abandon yourself to trust God’s present and future plans for you and those you love.  Try practicing the prayer of release. In your mind see a place that is beautiful and safe for you. Go there in your mind and open yourself to be nurtured. Seek the peace of God. Realize that God watches over your coming and going. Thank God for protection.  Now read Psalm 46. The word from God is “be still, stop.” We need to create the space to interact with God. We “stop” to know and listen to God. In what ways are you aware of God’s presence in your daily life? Be observant today or during the week about where you see God and how you attend to God. We experience God and turn our minds toward the divine in many ways. We can attend to God directly, through the world around us or through others. What ways of being attentive to God are most natural for you? Remember different personalities prefer to pray in different ways. Prayer: O Lord, help me to feel your rod and staff defending me, guiding me and directing my heart. Amen. Thursday, June 2 – Read Psalm 23. Now read Psalm 86.  Do you struggle to know what things in life should matter the most? Set aside time in prayer to seek God’s wisdom and guidance. God has a way, a path, for you to travel, and God desires to help you walk it. Awareness does not come instantly. You may need to spend time in reflection on these questions for a while.  As you learn more about yourself and begin to recognize the character of God, you will be able to discern God’s truth and walk in the Lord’s way. What are your needs now? In what ways have you asked God for help? Think of a time in your life when God came to your aid. How was God’s help manifested? Remember and give thanks. Prayer: Lord, thank you for those moments in my life you have sustained me. Help to always remember and give thanks. Amen. Friday, June 3 – Read Psalm 23. “The Shepherd’s Table Feeds Us” – Read Psalm 146.  When was the last time you had a need met unexpectedly or in a surprising way? Thank God for making what seem like impossible situations possible in your life.  Are you inclined to dismiss God’s provisions as coincidence? Believe in God’s work among us, and pray specifically for God’s solutions to what seem to be impossible situations about which you are aware. Since the beginning of time, God has been in the business of miracles. How would you define miracle? Have you or someone you have known ever experienced God’s miraculous provision?

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Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the moments of abundance I have received. Help me not take those moments for granted. Amen. Saturday, June 4 – Read Psalm 23. “The Shepherd’s Anointing Sustains Us” – Read Psalm 136.  What does the word soul mean to you? Is your soul satisfied? Can you imagine a mother hen gathering her chicks under her wings? In the presence of danger, the mother hen calls her chicks to her and spreads her wings, carefully sheltering the little ones from view. Wouldn’t it be nice to imagine ourselves in such shelter; a safe place from which we can peer out at life. Imagine a place that could be such a sanctuary for you, somewhere you can feel safe from danger and safe to be yourself. Remember this feeling of shelter when times are challenging. Share your prayers with God from this safe place, knowing that God is our dwelling place. Prayer: Gracious Lord, help me to feel your blessing on my life and at home with you. Amen. Family Activity: Gather together markers and some paper to draw on. Say Psalm 23 together out loud. Have each person write the phrase that means the most to them and a drawing that goes with that phrase. Now, cut those out and tape them together on a larger piece of paper that you can then display on your fridge or a wall in your home. End by prayer Psalm 23 one more time.

Sermon preached by Jeff Huber – May 7-8, 2016

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Theme: Insights for Living from the Life of David “The Lord is My Shepherd” Sermon preached by Jeff Huber

May 28-29, 2016 at First United Methodist Church, Durango

Scripture: Psalm 23 1 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 forever. VIDEO

Sermon Intro – Psalm 23

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“The Lord is My Shepherd” (Psalm 23 Graphic) (Use Psalm 23 Graphic for the background on all Psalm 23 texts)

I invite you to take out of your bulletin your Message Notes and Meditation Moments. Your Message Notes have a place for you to write down what you feel God might be speaking inz your heart today during worship. Below that you have Meditation Moments for each day of the week and this week you will read some more of the Psalms. Psalm 23 is undoubtedly one of the best-known passages in all the Bible. Most of us learned it as children and it continues to be a comfort to those who are dying, or those who have lost loved ones. Maybe it’s so well-loved because it is so personal and individual. When we read it, we don’t think of David shepherding his sheep 3,000 years ago. It applies to us. "The Lord is MY shepherd". Unfortunately, we live in a society where tending sheep is not your ordinary occupation. In fact, I dare say that none of you even know a shepherd, much less are familiar with what a shepherd’s life is really like. And so I think we have a tendency to lose a little bit of the meaning that David intended when he wrote these words. Today, some of what I will be sharing with you concerning the life of a Sermon preached by Jeff Huber – May 7-8, 2016

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shepherd has come from a book by Philip Keller. Philip grew up and lived in East Africa where he was surrounded by sheep herders similar to those in the Middle East. As a young man he spent eight years of his own life as a sheep owner and sheep rancher. So the insights that he is able to bring into the subject will, I think, help us to understand what David probably felt as he wrote these words, "The Lord is my shepherd." SLIDE

“The Lord is My Shepherd, I Shall Not Want” (Psalm 23 Graphic)

As you know, David was himself a shepherd. He was known as the "Shepherd King" of Israel. But he saw Jehovah, the Lord God of Israel, as his shepherd. He speaks in this psalm as if he was one of the flock, one of the sheep. And it is as though he literally boasted aloud, "Look who my shepherd is -- my owner -- my manager! The Lord is!" Because after all, he knew from firsthand experience that the lot of any particular sheep depends on the type of man who owns it. Under one man, sheep might struggle, starve and suffer endless hardships. But under another shepherd, they might flourish and thrive contentedly. As it is with pride that he says, “The Lord is my shepherd.” He chose us, he bought us, he calls us by name, he makes us his own and he delights in taking care of us. That last aspect is really what this psalm is all about. How the Lord takes care of us. So David continues by saying, "I shall not want." The idea here is that the Lord supplies our every need. The New Living Translation that we use here in worship says… SLIDE

"The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need." (Psalm 23 Graphic)

In his book, I Shall Not Want, Robert Ketchum tells about a Sunday school teacher who asked her group of children if any of them could quote the entire twenty-third psalm. A little four-and-a-half-year-old girl was among those who raised their hands. A bit skeptical, the teacher asked if she could really quote the entire psalm. The little girl came to the podium, faced the class, made a little bow, and said: "The Lord is my shepherd, that’s all I want." She then bowed again and sat down. She may have overlooked a few verses, but I think that little girl captured David’s heart in Psalm 23. The idea throughout the psalm is that we are utterly contented in the shepherd’s care and there is nothing else that we desire. Notice that our Lord supplies our every NEED, not our every WANT. As Paul told the Philippians in 4:19. Sermon preached by Jeff Huber – May 7-8, 2016

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19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

The same one who sustained the children of Israel, the one who fed Elijah by the brook, the one who provided the needs of the disciples sent out without staff or shoes, has promised to provide our needs both physical and spiritual. A good shepherd loves his sheep. For a good shepherd there is no greater reward, no deeper satisfaction, than that of seeing his sheep contented, well fed, safe and flourishing in his care. That’s what his life is all about, and he gives everything he has to it. He goes to a great deal of trouble to provide them with the finest grazing, ample winter feed and clean water. He provides shelter from the storms, protection from the enemies and the diseases and parasites to which sheep are susceptible. From early dawn till late at night the good shepherd is alert to the welfare of his flock. He gets up early in the morning and goes out first thing to look over his flock. He examines the sheep to see if they are fit and content and able to be on their feet. He can tell if they have been molested during the night, whether they are ill or require some special attention. Throughout the day he looks over his flock to make sure everything is all right. Even at night, he sleeps with "one eye and both ears open", ready at the least sign of trouble to get up and protect his sheep. That’s the kind of shepherd we have. Jesus said these words about being a shepherd in John 10. SLIDE

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. 12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. 13 The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd. The psalm continues…

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“He Maketh Me to Lie Down in Green Pastures: He Leadeth Me Beside Still Waters” (Psalm 23 Graphic)

Did you know that it’s not easy to get a sheep to lie down? A strange thing about sheep is that they will refuse to lie down unless four requirements are met. (1) They must be free from all fear. (2) There must be no tension between members of the flock. (3) They must not be aggravated with flies or parasites. (4) And they must be free from hunger. It is the shepherd who must see to it that his flock is free from any disturbances. Sheep are very easily frightened. A stray jackrabbit jumping out from behind a bush can stampede a whole flock. When one startled sheep runs in fright, all of the others will follow behind it in blind fear, not waiting to see what frightened them. But nothing quiets a flock of sheep like seeing their shepherd in the field with them. Like sheep, we also are easily frightened. We live in an uncertain life. Any hour can bring disaster. And generally, it is the unknown, the unexpected, that frightens us most. But nothing quiets our souls like knowing that our Shepherd is near. Suddenly things are not half as black nor nearly as terrifying. Our God is with us as Timothy reminds us, "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (I Timothy 1:7). GRAPHIC 2

God Has Not Given Us a Spirit of Fear

In every animal society there is an established order of dominance or status. In chickens, it is known as the pecking order. Among sheep it is called the butting order. Sheep maintain their status by butting and driving away other sheep from their favorite grazing spot. When there is this tension in a flock, the sheep can’t lie down and rest. They must always stand up and be ready to fight. The result is that it wears the sheep out, they lose weight and become irritable. But whenever the shepherd is around, they forget their rivalries and stop their fighting. That’s a lot like people, too, isn’t it? There is a struggle for status in our society, to "keep up with the Joneses". There is a struggle for self-assertion and self-recognition. Most of us fight to be "top sheep". We butt and quarrel and compete to get ahead. It is impossible to relax in that kind of environment. You have to always be ready to stand up and defend your rights. But things change Sermon preached by Jeff Huber – May 7-8, 2016

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when our Shepherd is around. The Lord’s presence puts an end to all rivalry. The sheep will not rest when bothered by the aggravation of insects and parasites. The shepherd must provide them with relief. We’ll talk about this more in a few minutes. And sheep will not rest until they are free from hunger. A hungry sheep is always on its feet, searching for another mouth of food, trying to satisfy its gnawing hunger. Keep in mind that in Palestine where David wrote this psalm, it’s a dry, brown, sun-burned land. Green pastures didn’t just happen by chance. Shepherds had to search hard for green areas or cultivate them themselves. But when a sheep had eaten enough, when it was free from fear, tension and aggravation, it would lie down. Our shepherd provides us with the spiritual food we need. If we hunger and thirst after righteousness, he has promised to fill us. All of our needs are met in Christ. That’s why "he maketh me to lie down in green pastures." He also "leads us beside the still waters". Sheep also need water to survive. And they will not drink from noisy, turbulent water. They require a well or a slow-flowing stream, “still waters”. Jesus made it clear that the thirsty souls of men and women can only be fully satisfied by coming to him. He says that if we will come to him he will offer us living water that will quench our souls. Our Shepherd leads us beside the still waters so our wrestles souls can be satisfied. SLIDE

“He restoreth my soul” (Psalm 23 Graphic)

There is an Old English shepherd’s term called a "cast" sheep. This is a sheep that has turned over on its back and can’t get back up again. It happens frequently. And when it happens, all the sheep can do is lie on its back, with its feet flaying frantically in the air. Sometimes it will bleat, but usually it will just kick. If the shepherd doesn’t arrive within a short time, the sheep will die. That’s one of the reasons why a shepherd is always looking over its flock, counting them to see if they are all on their feet. If one is missing, he thinks, "One of my sheep is cast and I’ve got to find it." This is the thought behind the parable of the 99 sheep and the one that went astray. Many times a shepherd will search for hours for a single sheep, only to find it on its back, lying helpless. He will turn the sheep over on its side, rub its legs to Sermon preached by Jeff Huber – May 7-8, 2016

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restore circulation, then lift it to its feet. After a while the sheep will stumble and stagger, and then eventually walk steadily and surely. That’s probably what David had in mind when he said, "He restoreth my soul" because that’s how our Lord treats us. We stumble and fall, we become so helpless. And yet our shepherd is patient and tender and helpful in getting us back on our feet. I read the gospels and see the tenderness that Jesus showed toward sinners. I see how he restored Peter’s heart after his denial. And I understand that Jesus also restores my soul. SLIDE

“He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake” (Psalm 23 Graphic)

If sheep are left to themselves, they will continue to graze the same hills until they turn it into a desert waste. They will gnaw the grass to the very ground until even the roots are damaged. They need a shepherd who will lead them to good grazing area. We can be a lot like sheep in this way, can’t we? As humans, we prefer to follow our own fancies and turn to our own ways as Isaiah 53:6 reminds us. SLIDE

6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own.

And so we need a shepherd who can lead us in paths of righteousness, and our Lord does just that. Notice that our shepherd is not a driver but a leader. He doesn’t stand behind us with a stick, saying, "Go on, and do that." No, he goes ahead and leads the way for us. In the Civil War, in the battle of Franklin, the Rebels charged, were shot down and fell back. One man rode back to the general to get instructions. The general ordered, "Charge them again!" That’s easy to say from behind the lines. Our Lord leads and he always leads us in the paths of righteousness. Jesus says things like said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. Follow me.” SLIDE

“Yea, Though I Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I will Fear no Evil: For Thou Art With Me” (Psalm 23 Graphic)

This section marks a new tone in the psalm. Up until this point, it is as if the sheep has been boasting to its unfortunate neighbor across the fence about the excellent care it receives. But now it turns to address the shepherd directly. There are going to be valleys in life for all of us. Some of us have many valleys, some few. Some of us have deep valleys, some not so deep. But, somewhere in our Sermon preached by Jeff Huber – May 7-8, 2016

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journey, we must all cross the valley of the shadow of death. Its time may be unknown, but it’s certain to come. And we must walk it one by one, unless we walk it with Christ. We cannot walk this valley with our husband or wife. We cannot walk it with our business partner. We cannot take our friends or relatives. As we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we walk with Christ or we walk alone. Remember how when you were a kid, you considered yourself to be big. You didn’t understand restrictions. You could take care of yourself. But whenever a thunderstorm came up, you climbed in bed with your parents. We needed to know our loved ones were close. So it is in life. As adults, we often don’t feel like we need God. We can take care of ourselves. But as death approaches, we all run to someone stronger. It’s also a lot easier to be close to the Lord at death if you are close to him during life. Imagine jumping into a stranger’s bed during that thunderstorm! Okay, maybe that sounded a bit strange, but you get the idea. We all need that place to run when we have run out of rope or run out of road and it’s much easier to run to someone we know and have known. That brings us to the next line which might seem a bit strange if we don’t understand the life of sheep and shepherds in ancient Israel. SLIDE

“Thy Rod and Thy Staff Comfort Me” (Psalm 23 Graphic)

When a shepherd is out in the fields with his flock, he carries very little with him. Today’s shepherds will carry a rifle, a staff and a small knapsack. In the Middle East the shepherd carried only a rod and a staff. The rod is like a club. The shepherd learns from childhood how to throw it with amazing speed and accuracy. It becomes his main weapon of defense for himself and his sheep. He uses it to drive off predators like coyotes, wolves, cougars or stray dogs. In the brush it is used to beat away snakes. But it is also used for discipline. If a sheep wanders away or approaches poisonous weeds, or gets too close to some danger, the rod is thrown to send it back to the flock. The staff, on the other hand, is a long, slender stick, often with a crook or hook on one end. The shepherd will use the staff to guide sheep along a new path or through a gate. He doesn’t beat the sheep. He just nudges them along. At times, the staff may be used to get a sheep out of trouble, to pull it from the Sermon preached by Jeff Huber – May 7-8, 2016

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water or to free it from thorns. To those of us who are God’s sheep, the authority, power, might and guidance of the Lord are indeed a comfort. "Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." We all have times where we need correction and loving direction which is the main point of the rod and the staff. SLIDE

“Thou Preparest a Table Before Me in the Presence of Mine Enemies” (Psalm 23 Graphic)

This has always struck me as an unusual image. I’ve never seen sheep sitting at a table. In much of the world, though, the high plateaus of sheep pasture are called "mesas" which is Spanish for "tables". This seems to be fairly common language and David probably means the pastureland has been prepared. In the spring, after the snows melt, the shepherd will take his sheep up the mountain to finer pastures. But first he will go up into the rough, wild country to check it out. He will take along a supply of salt and minerals to distribute over the range. He will decide where his camps will be located. He will make sure the vegetation is sturdy enough. He will check for poisonous weeds and uncover any snakes. In similar fashion, God takes care of us in the presence of our enemies. In effect, he has gone ahead and checked things out. He has already been "tempted in all points like as we are." (Hebrews 4:15). He has known our sorrows and endured our struggles in order to help us through. "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies". SLIDE

“Thou Anointest My Head With Oil; My Cup Runneth Over” (Psalm 3 Graphic)

A particular problem sheep have is insects -- flies, mosquitoes, gnats. Sheep are especially bothered by the nose fly, or nasal fly. These flies buzz around the sheep’s head trying to deposit eggs on the damp nose of the sheep. If they are successful, the eggs will hatch to form small worm-like larvae. They crawl up the sheep’s nose and cause a great deal of aggravation. At the beginning of fly season, shepherds will mix up an oil concoction. In Palestine, they used a mixture of olive oil, sulphur and spices. It would then be applied to the heads of the sheep. Oil is also used to cure scab, which is a highly contagious disease among sheep. This is just another way of saying, "Our Lord takes care of us." In fact, our Lord gives us everything we could need and more. Paul expressed that thought in this way, "Now to him who is able to do exceeding Sermon preached by Jeff Huber – May 7-8, 2016

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abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to power that works within us." (Ephesians 3:20). It is true that "my cup runneth over." SLIDE

“Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me All the Days of my Life: And I Will Dwell in the House of the Lord Together." (Psalm 23 Graphic)

The sheep with a shepherd like this knows that he is in a privileged position. God truly cares for us as a good shepherd. No matter what else may happen, we know that goodness and mercy will follow us. And we are so content in our flock and in our shepherd that there is no desire for a change. "I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." But we can only confidently state this last verse if we can state the first one -- "The Lord is my shepherd". The Lord desires to be our shepherd. He wants to bless us. He wants to care for us. But Jesus never hesitated to make it clear that when we come under his management and control there would be a new and unique relationship between him and us. There would be something special about belonging to this shepherd. There would be a distinct mark upon the man or woman that would differentiate them from the rest of the crowd. Let me tell you what a shepherd does when he buys his sheep. He takes a large, sharp knife. And each shepherd has a distinctive earmark that he cuts into one of the ears of his sheep. In this way, even at a distance, it is easy to determine to whom the sheep belongs. It is not an easy thing to do, for either the sheep or the shepherd. But from that mutual suffering an indelible lifelong mark of ownership is made that can never be erased. For those who recognize the claim of Christ and give allegiance to his absolute ownership, there comes the question of bearing his mark. The mark of Jesus is the cross. Jesus stated emphatically, "If anyone would be my disciple, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." The Lord is MY shepherd. What a difference that little word "my" makes. It is all the difference between joy and sorrow, purposefulness and meaningless, eternal life and eternal death. A famous actor was once the guest of honor at a social gathering where he received many requests to recite favorite excerpts from various literary works. An old preacher who happened to be there asked the actor to recite the twenty-third Psalm. The actor agreed on the condition that the preacher would also recite it. The actor’s recitation was beautifully intoned with great dramatic emphasis for Sermon preached by Jeff Huber – May 7-8, 2016

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which he received lengthy applause. The preacher’s voice was rough and broken from many years of preaching, and his diction was anything but polished. But when he finished there was not a dry eye in the room. When someone asked the actor what made the difference, he replied "I know the psalm, but he knows the Shepherd." Is the Lord your shepherd? This Psalm is meant to bring us comfort in times of pain, faith in times of doubt, and life in times of death. This Psalm is meant to remind us that we never walk alone when we call upon God to be our Shepherd. On this Memorial Day weekend, we invite you to come to the prayer rails and remember that God journeys with you whatever that journey holds. We invite you to join us here in this place and to remember the words of the 23rd Psalm. Let’s say it together… SLIDE

1 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 forever.

Let us come to the rails on this Memorial day to remember the Lord is your shepherd and he is with those we have lost…

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Prayer Let’s pray… In the quiet sanctuaries of our own hearts, let each of us name and call on the One, the Shepherd, whose power over us is great and gentle, firm and forgiving, holy and healing ...

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You who created us, who sustain us, who call us to live in peace, hear our prayer this day. Hear our prayer for all who have died, whose hearts and hopes are known to you alone ... Hear our prayer for those who put the welfare of others ahead of their own and give us hearts as generous as theirs ... Hear our prayer for those who gave their lives in the service of others, and accept the gift of their sacrifice ... Help us to shape and make a world where we will lay down the arms of war and turn our swords into ploughshares for a harvest of justice and peace ... Comfort those who grieve the loss of their loved ones and let your healing be the hope in our hearts... Hear our prayer this day and in your mercy answer us in the name of all that is holy. Amen. The peace of God be with you.

Sermon preached by Jeff Huber – May 7-8, 2016

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