April 30, 2023

Dear Road Church Friends,

Spring is bursting out all around us which reminds me of Nature’s inexhaustible abundance. It takes Nature only a matter of weeks to transform the world from winter’s barren scarcity to spring’s beautiful abundance. I see this transformation as a living illustration of what Jesus meant when he said to his disciples, “Thieves come only to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that you, my sheep, might have life, and have it in abundance.” What is this abundant life? It’s not just about possessions, money or success. We can have all those things and still feel as though there is a cold, bleak winter in our soul. The abundance into which Jesus, our Good Shepherd, leads us, is a transformation in our soul from winter to spring time. As the Psalmist says, He leads me into green pastures, beside still waters. More about the Abundant Life this Sunday at 10 am.

SCRIPTURE: JOHN 10:1-10     SERMON: The Abundant Life 

“I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs in over the fence is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out to green pastures. He walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. They will not follow a stranger; they will run away, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” The disciple did not comprehend what he was trying to tell them. So Jesus said again, “I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but my sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that my sheep might have life and have it more abundantly.”

O THE SHEER JOY OF IT!

by Ralph Spaulding Cushman 

Oh the sheer joy of it! Living with Thee.

God of the universe, Lord of a tree,

Maker of mountains, Lover of me!

Oh the sheer joy of it! Breathing Thy air,

Morning is dawning, Gone every care,

All the world’s singing, “God’s everywhere.”

Oh the sheer joy of it! Walking with Thee,

Out on the hilltop, Down by the sea,

Life is so wonderful, Life is so free.

Oh the sheer joy of it! Working with God,

Running His errands, Waiting His nod,

Building His heaven, On common sod. 

Oh the sheer joy of it! Ever to be,

Living in glory, Living with Thee,

Lord of tomorrow, Lover of me!

Blessings and abundance from the Lord to you all,

Pastor Norm

Our worship service on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDPN8Iu23rND2JZqlNEA9MqCIiy41C4k1