United Benefice of St.Mary, Higham Ferrers, and St. John, Chelveston
The United Benefice of St Mary the Virgin, Higham Ferrers with St John the Baptist, Chelveston-cum-Caldecott
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Sunday 26th April 2026
Father Paul with the “Swinging Shepherd” tune welcomes you to this podcast service for “Good Shepherd Sunday”
HYMN
Sing choirs of heaven. Let saints and angels sing.
Around God’s throne exult in harmony!
Now Jesus Christ is risen from the grave.
Salute your king in glorious symphony.
Sing choir of earth. Behold your light has come.
The glory of the Lord shines radiantly.
Lift up your hearts, for Christ has conquered death.
The night is past, the day of life is here.
Sing church of God. Exult with joy outpoured.
The gospel trumpets tell of victory won!
Your Saviour lives, he’s with you evermore.
Let all God’s people shout the long Amen.
Exultat (Traditional)
Tune: Woodlands (Greatorex)
A reading from St John’s Gospel
Jesus said “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers."
Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
John 10:1-10
ANTHEM – THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
The Lord is my shepherd
I shall not want
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
He leadeth me beside the still waters
Yea, though I walk
Through the valley
Of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil
For You are with me
You will comfort me
You are with me
You will comfort me
Surely goodness and mercy
Shall follow me
All the days of my life
And I will dwell in the house
Of the Lord forever
Words – Psalm 23
Music Howard Goodall (b. 1958)
A reflection on the Bible reading, prayer and blessing
HYMN
In heavenly love abiding,
no change my heart shall fear;
and safe is such confiding,
for nothing changes here:
the storm may roar without me,
my heart may low be laid;
but God is round about me,
and can I be dismayed?
Wherever he may guide me,
no want shall turn me back;
my Shepherd is beside me,
and nothing can I lack:
his wisdom ever waketh,
his sight is never dim,
he knows the way he taketh,
and I will walk with him.
Green pastures are before me,
which yet I have not seen;
bright skies will soon be o'er me,
where darkest clouds have been;
my hope I cannot measure,
my path to life is free;
my Saviour has my treasure,
and he will walk with me.
Words: Anna L Waring (1823 – 1910)
Tune – Penlan – Public Domain
Material used in this service is copyright of its respective rights owners. Music and hymn words are reproduced under ONE LICENSE number A-633137, Church Copyright License 2148907 and Music Reproduction License 2216255. Material in this order of service is taken from Common Worship, copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000-2006 and is used here with permission. www.commonworship.com.
images by permission of www.christart.com