Thursday, November 28, 2019

Update from Good Shepherd (November 28, 2019)

Greetings!


REGULAR SCHEDULE
        Divine Services are Sundays at 10:00 AM.
        Sunday School is on Sundays at 8:45 AM.
        Adult Bible Class is on Sundays at 8:45 AM
        Adult Bible Class will be working our way through the books of 1 & 2 Samuel.  We will consider how God worked in the life of David who foreshadows the Son of David.  NOTE: Wednesday classes are suspended until January 8.

PRIVATE CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION
On Monday, December 2, 7:00-9:00 PM, Pastor Schroeder will be in his office and available for Private Confession & Absolution.  No appointment will be necessary.  If you are grieved or haunted by particular sins and desire to hear your Savior's word of forgiveness, this is for you.  Pastor Schroeder will walk through the rite since it is unfamiliar to most.  As the name suggests, the confession remains private.  It is made to Christ.  Likewise, the forgiveness is Christ's through the mouth of his minister.

Private Confession & Absolution is always available by appointment.

ADVENT VESPERS
We prepare for the coming of the Savior with repentance as we prayerfully, quietly, and eagerly await our Savior.  Our Advent Vespers services focus on the promises made by God which have been fulfilled in the coming of our Savior.  This year's Advent theme is: Advent Messages from Isaiah.
     December 4 – Advent reminds us of a promised blessing.  (Isaiah 40:1-2)
     December 11 – Advent brings a call to repentance.  (Isaiah 40:3-8)
     December 18 – Advent points to a person.  (Isaiah 40:9-11)
A supper will be served at 6:00 PM (free will offering).  Vespers begins at 7:00 PM.

MICHIGAN RIGHT TO LIFE PETITION
Through Sunday, December 1, you will have an opportunity to sign a petition, if you choose, to support a ballot measure which would outlaw the dismemberment of unborn children.  This is different than the heartbeat bill which several states have already passed.  (Michigan, in fact, has a stricter law on the books which is sadly not really enforced.)  This bill, if it should become law, would outlaw the dismembering of unborn children in the process of aborting them.  If you don't know what that really entails, I am sure you can find a description online—viewer beware.  There are several petitions which will be available to sign; be sure you find one which is designated for the county in which you live.
While Good Shepherd, the WELS, and your pastor make no official endorsement of a particular political party or candidate, we will take a stand on moral issues since God's word deals directly with those.  We believe, teach, and confess that murder is wrong (5th Commandment), even if that is the murder of a person yet unborn.  This petition encourages a law which upholds that belief.  Nevertheless, each individual is free to act (that is, to sign the petition or not) as you choose.

Christmas cookie exchange 

On Sunday, December 15, members who are interested should bring 2 - 4 dozen Christmas cookies or baked goods. We will have plates available to choose a few dozen cookies so That you have a nice cookie assortment to take home and enjoy.

NOTES from Huron Valley Lutheran High School (HVL)
Join HVL’s Mailing List - Go to www.HVLHS.org and click on “Sign up for Newsletter” or call or email the school office at mail@hvlhs.org to be added.

HVL Giving Tuesday, December 3
          All friends and supporters of HVL are invited to participate in a special day of giving!  Last year over $100,000 was raised in this campaign to support the ongoing ministry at HVL of “Preparing Students for Life”.  A few generous donors have already stepped forward and offered to match a portion of the gifts given for “Giving Tuesday”. Our prayer is that through the generosity of HVL supporters we will be able to meet our goal of raising $100,000, which would keep us on track with our budgeted needs. To participate in this special event, go to our website between November 11 and December 3, at www.HVLHS.org and click on “Giving Tuesday”. If you are interested in being a matching donor for this event, please call 734-525-0160.  Thank you for all your support!

DECEMBER SCHEDULE
        There will be a lot going on in December, so here is a glance at what the schedule is.  If any times or dates should change, you will be notified.  If you have any questions, call the church office.
December 2         Private Confession & Absolution – 7:00-9:00 PM
December 4         Mid-Week Advent (Supper – 6:00 PM; Vespers – 7:00 PM)
December 7         Church Decoration for Christmas – 9:00 AM
December 7         Christmas for Kids – 9:00-11:00 AM
December 7         Sunday School Christmas rehearsal  (11:30 AM – 1:00 PM; lunch provided)
December 11        Mid-Week Advent (Supper – 6:00 PM; Vespers – 7:00 PM)
December 15 Sunday School Christmas rehearsal  (11:30 AM – 1:00 PM; lunch provided)
December 18 Mid-Week Advent (Supper – 6:00 PM; Vespers – 7:00 PM)
December 21 Sunday School Christmas dress rehearsal  (9:00 - 10:30  AM)
December 22 Children's Christmas pageant – 10:00 AM
December 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – 7:00 PM
December 25 Christmas Day Festival Service – 10:00 AM

OFFICE HOURS
        Regular office hours at Good Shepherd will be Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. While there may be some flexibility to this schedule, we will try to keep it as regular as possible. 

BAD WEATHER POLICY FOR SERVICES AT GOOD SHEPHERD
We will always have services as scheduled at Good Shepherd.  Since I live across the parking lot, I can get to the church no matter how bad the weather gets.  Even if the service is just me and my family, we will be here.  For everyone else, please use your God-given common sense to determine whether or not you will get on the road to attend any service when the weather is bad.  We don't want anyone to risk his or her life to be here.  But if you do venture out, the scheduled service will take place.  It may be only a handful with a cappella singing and/or spoken liturgy, but we will be here.
Bible Classes and meetings may be canceled due to weather.  Check your email regarding announcements to see if any of those scheduled events is canceled.  If there is no email about it, it is not canceled.  But again, use common sense to determine if you can make it, and call the pastor to let him know if you will not be coming.

DO YOU LIKE US?
Look for Good Shepherd on Facebook.  Then “LIKE” us for updates and other postings.

God bless you.

In Christ,
Pastor Schroeder
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SUNDAY SCHOOL -- Sundays at 8:45 AM.
ADULT BIBLE CLASS -- Sundays at 8:45 AM

DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 AM

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE

Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church
41415 W. Nine Mile Road
Novi, Michigan  48375-4306
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Divine Services -- Sundays at 10:00 AM

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