One of the village churches I help in is St Peter’s Creeton near Little Bytham. If you travel on the East Coast mainline from Grantham to Peterborough, Creeton is the hamlet perched on a hill to the east. St Peter’s small spire stands out from behind trees. Above the altar is this simple, but moving, stained glass window of Jesus the Good Shepherd.
In the traditional calendar of the Church of England the Sunday after Easter was called by some ‘Good Shepherd Sunday’. This was because the Gospel for the day was from John Chapter 10 where Jesus describes himself as ‘The Good Shepherd’ who searches for the sheep that is lost, protects the flock. He is even willing to lay down his life for the sheep.
The picture also refers to a parable of Jesus where he says a shepherd will leave ninety- nine sheep who are safe to find one that is lost. When he finds the lost sheep he carries it home rejoicing. Jesus The Good Shepherd has lied down his life for the lost sheep, but now risen from dearth he carries it home. He is the lamb of God who has taken away the sins of the world.
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Lord, you have cared for me,
Missed me and searched for me;
And, having found me,
You are bringing me home.
All that can harm me,
You drive far from me,
That I might be free
And be carried home
You laid down your life for me,
You rose up triumphantly:
That I, for eternity, might
Dwell safely at home.
(by Revd Andrew Hawes Easter 2026)
Revd Canon Andrew Hawes SSC