Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the pasture…
“Sheep Week” started in the spring of 2020. We were all staying home and staying safe in the early days of the pandemic. Churches and leaders everywhere were trying to figure out how to help each other stay strong and well in new and creative ways. As Good Shepherd Sunday rolled around, an idea came to me — Sheep Week! It would be like Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, but with…well…sheep and of course the Good Shepherd. Our family has a small flock of sheep; so, we definitely had material to work with!
Jesus calling himself the Good Shepherd and then drawing out that metaphor in John 10 connects with people in a powerful way. Similarly, it is the shepherd in Psalm 23 who ranks high in people’s favorite passages of scripture. Sheep Week allows us to take more than just a single Sunday to ruminate (sheep-like) on the Good Shepherd. This includes learning more about shepherds and sheep.
If you go to North/West Lower Michigan Synod Community Facebook page and my personal Facebook page, you can find some Good Shepherd content this week, including a special reflection by Pastor Emily Olsen-Brandt and an introduction to our flock. And, of course, I encourage you to immerse yourself in John 10 and Psalm 23. Blessed Sheep Week to you all!
+BJST