Sermon for the 11th of May - Fourth Sunday of Easter
Becoming the Church We Are Called to Be
Readings: Acts 9:36–43; John 10:22–30
Today, we gather not only for worship but also to look ahead. After the service, we’ll hold our Annual Parochial Church Meeting, and later this year, we’ll begin discerning a new Mission Action Plan, as our current one draws to a close.
This is a sacred moment—not just administratively, but spiritually. A time to pause, to reflect, to give thanks, and most importantly, to listen again for the voice of the Shepherd.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus says: “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)
All faithful planning begins here—with prayerful listening. Not with our anxieties. Not even with our ambitions or strategies. And certainly not with the pressure to be constantly busy. It begins by listening to Christ—who knows us, who calls us, and who leads us into love and service.
This week, the wider Church marked a significant moment: the election of Pope Leo XIV. He takes up the role of “servant of the servants of God”—a title that reminds us what leadership in the Church truly looks like. We pray for him and for our 1.4 billion Catholic sisters and brothers around the world. At St Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo spoke words we can all treasure: “God loves all of us without any limits or conditions.” And drawing from his Augustinian tradition, he quoted St Augustine: “With you I am a Christian; for you, a bishop.” This is the spirit of leadership we are all called to follow—not command and control, but presence and service. Not status, but solidarity.
There are many signs of encouragement. Across the Diocese of London, church attendance has grown by 7.5%—over 60,000 people now worship weekly. And here at St George’s/ John’s, the same Spirit is at work.
Our ministry team is growing. Jenny will be ordained in September (on the 27th at 3pm—do come if you can). Daniel began his Licensed Lay Ministry course last year.
And we are so grateful for Eman, our gifted youth worker—who could have imagined a youth club with 50 young people gathering each week?
This year the ministry team participated in the Grow Course, and we took time to prayerfully reflect on our strengths and our needs. It inspired us to arrange things like the welcome card, along with a Time and Talents initiative. We’ve seen how much unseen service holds the church together—how the body of Christ depends not just on clergy, but many others in the congregation who can help in big and small ways.
In our reading from Acts, we meet Tabitha—also called Dorcas. A disciple whose ministry wasn’t public or grand, but deeply faithful. She made clothing. She cared for widows. Her resurrection through Peter wasn’t just for her sake—it was a sign that God honours even the smallest acts of love.
Here at St George’s/ John’s, we give thanks for those of you who are Tabithas. Your gifts and service to this community may not draw attention—but they make resurrection possible. Every time you offer kindness, or give your time, or pray faithfully, or are simply present here at church, you are part of God’s quiet revolution of love.
As we prepare to renew our Mission Action Plan, we carry with us Jesus’ words: “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)
It’s a wonderful promise to carry with us as we plan and dream. Even when the church faces challenges, even when we’re tired or broken or grieving, even when we aren’t sure if we believe or what faith is all about….. especially during these times, we are given the promise that Jesus holds us. And more than that—he still speaks. When Jesus talks about eternal life here, he isn’t talking about life after this life. Or rather, he isn’t only talking about this. Earlier in the chapter Jesus affirms that he comes to bring life in all its fullness – he comes to bring abundant life.
This doesn’t mean we will be immune to what life throws at us – as though life will be full of endless vitality. But rather we are promised that God will be with us – we will know that we are truly connected both to God and to one another, during our Christian pilgrimage.
So, I invite you to set aside the morning of Saturday, 28th June, as a time of communal discernment. A chance to listen together for Christ’s voice as we ask:
What is Jesus saying to St George’s / St John’s in this moment?
Where is he leading us?
How might we grow in depth, in service, in youthfulness, and in generosity in the years to come?
These aren’t merely strategic goals. They are invitations—to live more fully into our calling as Christ’s Church.
Our last MAP invited us to be a place of welcome, sanctuary, hope, and gentle exploration. A generous place. A community that radiates the light of the Gospel in service. Those values remain at our heart. Now, it is time to build on them.
This is not about ticking boxes or drafting a document. It is about reflecting the heart of Christ—the Shepherd who leads, who calls, who gives life.
So may we take inspiration from Tabitha. May we follow the example of servant-hearted leadership like that of Pope Leo and others. And may we be a church not simply surviving, but serving. May we listen again for Christ’s voice,
and offer our talents, our prayers, our presence, and radiate the light of the Gospel in this place.