Thursday, January 2, 2020

Update from Good Shepherd (January 2, 2020)

Greetings!


REGULAR SCHEDULE
        Divine Services are Sundays at 10:00 AM.
        Sunday School and Adult Bible Class are on Sundays at 8:45 AM. The Adult Bible Class repeats on Wednesday at 6:30 PM (resuming January 8).

BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS TO BEGIN JANUARY 13

        Good Shepherd will be having a Bible Information Class to benefit anyone who desires to know more about Bible basics.  If you have ever had questions about God's word, wondering how some things are supposed to make sense, this is a good class to come with your questions.  For more information, click the link to the pastor's blog here.

PRIVATE CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION
On Saturday, January 11, 9:00-11:00 AM, 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.  For more information on the rationale for Private Confession & Absolution, see this link.

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. 

REDFORD PREGNANCY CARE CENTER

The Redford Pregnancy Care Center is eager to enjoy a greater participation with the WELS congregations who so graciously support this charitable work.  In the past, the role of the center was mostly to offer free pregnancy tests to concerned women, to give encouragement to cherish the child they were carrying so that they would carry their child to term and give birth, and to witness with the Gospel as much as possible.  With pregnancy tests so readily available from many sources, that kind of interaction doesn't happen much anymore.  The role of the center has become much more a source of support for the women who have given birth and now whose concern is caring for their children.  The Redford Pregnancy Care Center, therefore, is mainly a center for charitable aid to struggling mothers/families.  Of course, the encouragement to cherish life and witnessing with the Gospel remain a strong emphasis.
In order to continue our service to mothers and families, we think it is important to have our congregations aware and engaged in this ministry.  We hope to increase and improve the communications on our end so that you know the connections we are making with people.   And we hope that these connections will lead to people connecting with our congregations.  
        For now, we are hoping to increase awareness by asking you to like our Facebook page.  Search for “The Pregnancy Care Center” and follow us for updates. 

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.

EVANGELISM COMMITTEE MEETING
          In order to make the most of opportunities to proclaim the Gospel in our community, we need to budget our expenses and our time.  We will be meeting to determine our plans and to pray that God will bless them.  Our next Evangelism Committee meeting will be Sunday, January 19 at 11:15 AM.  All members are encouraged to participate in our Evangelism efforts, whether on the committee or not.  But we do need people who are willing to be on the committee to plan.

STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING

          Our next Stewardship Committee meeting will be Sunday, January 19 at 11:15 AM.  The main purpose of our Stewardship Committee right now is to coordinate events to foster the bonds of fellowship among our members and to serve our community as well.  While we can come up with ideas, it is important that congregation is on board with these ideas to make them beneficial for us and for others.  In other words, we need your participation to make these events go well.  Got an idea?  Willing to make some phone calls?  Want to see our congregation more energetic and vibrant?  Then you can help.  Join us on Sunday, January 19 after church.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2020 

     >>> A new Bible Information Class will be starting up on Monday, January 13 (7:00–8:30 PM).  Now is the time to be thinking of whom you might invite and bring to this class.  For details, check out this link.
     >>> Want to read through the Bible in a year?  You can find a schedule for daily Bible readings at Good Shepherd’s web site here.  This schedule is rather aggressive, covering the entire Bible and the Gospels twice.  A less aggressive schedule (Through the Bible in 3 Years) is available in the tract rack at Good Shepherd.

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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