Sunday school coordinator Kim Canning sent this image and these words to us as we look forward to Good Shepherd Sunday. Our friend the Rev. Rick Kremer at Grace Lutheran Church in Hartford will use the musical setting in his service on Sunday, thanks to Kim.

Dupre, Julien, 1851-1910.

To connect the Good Shepherd to Mother’s Day and stretch everyone’s thinking about God a bit, display a great art painting of a shepherd who is female.

or play Bobby McFerrin’s version of Psalm 23 which uses all female pronouns for the shepherd.  (BTW he dedicated this recording to his mother.)

The 23rd Psalm (as sung by Bobby McFerrin)

The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all I need, She makes me lie down in green meadows, Beside the still waters, She will lead.
She restores my soul, She rights my wrongs,  She leads me in a path of good things, And fills my heart with songs.
Even though I walk, through a dark and dreary land, There is nothing that can shake me, She has said She won’t forsake me, I’m in her hand.
She sets a table before me, in the presence of my foes, She anoints my head with oil,  And my cup overflows.
Surely, surely goodness and kindness will follow me, All the days of my life, And I will live in her house, Forever, forever and ever.
Glory be to our Mother, and Daughter, And to the Holy of Holies, As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, World, without end. Amen