Hazelwell Weekly Contact 26th April 2026

23 Apr 2026 • Weekly Notices

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Hazelwell Morning Worship

Led by Rev Andy Harris, Preacher Val Harris

Please Pray for:-

Residents of Mercia Drive and Hazelwell Drive.

Val and Andy as they prepare for the service this week.

The ongoing negotiations to resolve the conflict in Iran and all who are increasingly affected by the hostilities.

Reflection on John10 1-10

In Gospel of John 10:1–10, Jesus uses the image of the sheepfold to speak about trust, belonging, and true leadership. It’s a simple rural picture, but it carries deep meaning.

Jesus contrasts two kinds of people: the thief who climbs in another way, and the shepherd who enters through the gate. The sheep recognize the shepherd’s voice and follow him because they trust it. There’s something deeply personal here—faith is not just about rules or ideas, but about recognizing a voice we’ve come to know.

This raises a quiet but searching question: whose voice am I listening to?
There are many “voices” competing for attention—fear, pressure, ambition, insecurity. Not all of them lead to life. Jesus suggests that his voice is different: it calls, it gathers, it leads without forcing. It is known, not imposed.

Then Jesus makes a striking claim: “I am the gate.” He is not only the shepherd but also the way in and out—the one through whom safety and freedom are found. The image holds both protection (“the sheep will be saved”) and openness (“they will come in and go out and find pasture”). This is not a restrictive faith, but one that leads into spacious living.

Finally, the passage culminates in a promise: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” This “fullness” isn’t about abundance in a material sense, but about depth—life marked by peace, purpose, and relationship with God.

It’s a gentle but powerful reminder that faith is less about striving to find our way, and more about listening for the One who already knows us—and calls us by name.