On Sunday, May 4th, 2025, Evan Kreider gave a sermon on "Feed My Sheep". During Jesus' darkest hour, Peter lied about not knowing Jesus three times, just as Jesus foretold to him. In shame, Peter (and six other disciples) went back to fishing even after Jesus' resurrection. This is when Jesus came to his disciples and had fish for breakfast together.

The words do not convey just how long and awkward the mealtime together must've been. Jesus does not let Peter off easy for what he had done. His confrontations were direct and went straight back to the denials. But, he also does not try to get even with him. Jesus took this time to restore both Peter's relationship with him and his role as the de-facto leader among the disciples. In fact, he ends the breakfast with a strange prophecy: that though Peter betrayed Jesus to save himself, his death will be from serving Jesus faithfully by feeding his sheep.

Forgiveness might be hard, but reconciliation is harder. One can forgive without interacting with the perpetrator ever again, but reconciliation requires effort to reconnect with the person who hurt you (or you have hurt). Yet, it was this reconciliation that allowed Peter to be the rock he is known to be in the early church.

Passage: John 21:1-19
Communion: No
Ecumenical or Event:
Potluck Lunch: No
Congregational Meeting: No

Speaker: J. Evan Kreider
Worship Leader: Diane Ehling
Song Leader:
Pianist: Deberah Shears
Usher:
Zoom Coordinator: Angelina Jeong
Children's Feature Leader:

Bring Flowers:
Coffee Helper:
Sound Helper:

Child Care Volunteer: