The thief

He enters through the gate

He leads his flock out

They follow him because they know his voice

They won’t follow a stranger

I am the gate of the sheep

All who came before were thieves and robbers

They will find good pastures

The thief comes to steal kill and destroy

A rich and satisfying life

I am the good shepherd

The hired hand runs when he sees the wolf

I know my sheep, my sheep know me

I must bring the other sheep too

But his bow remained taut, and his arms were strengthened by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, by the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel. Gen 49:24 (Jacob’s blessing of Joseph) Save your people! Bless Israel, your special possession. Lead them like a shepherd, and carry them in your arms forever. Ps 28:9 He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young. Is 40:11

“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. Ez 34:11-12 You are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my people, and I am your God. Ez 34:31

The shepherd counts all his sheep- one is missing

He searches carefully

He finds the sheep far away

He carries the sheep home again

The shepherd is very happy

So is everyone else

. Membership Privileges  Leadership care, encouragement, teaching and example so that you may be complete in Christ. (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2,3)  Brothers and sisters in Christ who are committed to you and will love you, support you and be an example to you. (John 15:12,13; Ephesians 4:1-3)  To experience the presence of God and the joy of knowing his security and love for you in the local church. (Romans 12:4,5)  To share in the involvement and fellowship of members’ meeting. Voting rights on Church policy

Membership Responsibilities  To accept the direction and guidance of God will give you for your life including through the church and its leaders. (Proverbs 3:5,6; Hebrews 13:17)  To accept your brothers and sisters in Christ and take up your responsibility to love and support them. (Romans: 10-15)  To allow and expect God to show you your ministry and function and so actively be part of the body. (1 Corinthians 12:14; 15:58)  To be a good steward of all God gives you and to honour Him in your giving in proportion to the way He is prospering you for the support of the fellowship and the body of Christ world-wide. (Malachi 3:8-10; 1 Corinthians 16:2)