Thursday, July 30, 2020

Update from Good Shepherd (July 30, 2020)

Greetings!


      For information on what you can expect when you come to church and what will be expected of you, see this link.
        Services will still be broadcast on Facebook Live, Sundays at 10:00 AM, and uploaded to YouTube.   Share our services and invite friends to tune in.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE
         Services are posted on YouTube, usually in a few hours after the service.  When you go to YouTube, do a search for "Good Shepherd Novi" and they should pop up.  (The service from July 26 is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFhl7z0Zfws  Feel free to share the videos.
         Bulletins for services can be downloaded from here (scroll down): 

SUMMER SERMON SERIES -- TEN WORDS
Our sermons throughout the summer will focus on the Ten Commandments.  For the schedule, see this link.

CONCERNING PASTORAL CARE
        Online Worship:  Besides Facebook Live and YouTube, you can find the pastor's sermons archived on this blog.  You can use the search bar to find a particular date, day of the Church Year, or Scripture reference.
        Pastor Schroeder will be available for private devotions, Holy Absolution, and Holy Communion to members in small groups or to individuals.  You may call to set up an appointment at any time.  Visits by appointment can be done either at church or at your home.
        If you want to ask for intercessions for loved ones, we will certainly remember them in our prayers, too.  If your loved one has no pastor, ask if they would like Pastor Schroeder to visit them.  

PRIVATE COMMUNION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Private Communion is available by appointment at any time.
To limit the risk of contracting COVID-19 as much as possible, please review the protocol we will follow when you come in.  You can see it here.

OFFERINGS
While we may not be meeting for worship, we do have financial obligations to meet.  You may either mail your offering into Good Shepherd, or you can set up your offering to be transferred electronically from your bank.  If you are interested in the automatic transfer of funds for your offering, please contact the church at (248) 349-0565 or welsnovi@aol.com.

BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS
If you or anyone you know would like to study the Scriptures and learn the basics of the Bible, please contact Pastor Schroeder for a Bible Information Class.  It will be done over Zoom (or in person if you are willing) at your convenience.

OFFICE HOURS
The office hours at Good Shepherd are going to be fairly fluid throughout the summer months.  If you want to contact Pastor Schroeder for any kind of meeting, call or text (248) 719-5218.

DO YOU LIKE US?
Look for Good Shepherd on Facebook.  Then “LIKE” us for updates and other postings.  Be sure to share posts with friends.

SHARE THIS POST!
We desire as many as possible to rejoice in the Gospel which we proclaim and confess.  Share the information from our weekly email blast, links to our web page, and even to the pastor's blog to let others know that we have a space in our congregation for them!

In Christ,
Pastor Schroeder
==============================
SUMMER SCHEDULE
DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 AM  (We also stream on Facebook Live )

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Sermon -- TEN WORDS: 4th Commandment (July 26, 2020)

EXODUS 20:12

TEN WORDS – THE FIFTH WORD.
DIVINELY ORDAINED AUTHORITY IS WORTHY OF HONOR.

In the name + of Jesus.

      Today our sermon series turns to the second table of the Law which is boiled down to this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31)  When God brought you into the world, your closest neighbor was your parents.  They were the authority God established over you, and they had the most influence on you.  God designed it this way for your good; for no one will care for a child more than his own parents.  Therefore, the 4th Commandment says, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12) 
     Martin Luther's explanation of this commandment says: “We should fear and love God that we do not dishonor or anger our parents and others in authority....” (Explanation of the 4th Commandment, Luther's Small Catechism)  While God has established a number of authorities over us, the authority that dealt with you during the crucial and formative years of your life was your father and mother.  They established the rules of the house.  They provided for your welfare.  They protected you from harm and danger.  They disciplined you to know right from wrong and to behave accordingly.  They punished you if you were disobedient or unruly. 
     Your parents also shaped your faith by bringing you to church, teaching you God's word, and showing you how to pray.  Faith does not come naturally.  It is not passed on like curly hair or brown eyes.  It must be taught and modeled so that children will be grounded in the Christian faith.  If this is neglected, parents should not be surprised when their children leave the Church—and, tragically, forfeit eternity.  Since God established parents for the high and holy calling of passing the faith down to their children, this divinely established authority is worthy of honor.
     God has established authorities for your good, and each has its own role.   Government cares for your physical well-being.  They curb wickedness with punishment and maintain order for a peaceful society.  The Church cares for souls.  It preaches God's word to call you to repent and proclaims God's mercy and salvation for your comfort and peace.  Parents cover both realms, so they serve the highest good of their children.  These divinely established authorities are worthy of honor.
     Unfortunately, we have a natural resistance to authority.  The reason is simple—we want to do our own thing and have our own way.  To submit to authority means that we must say “No” to our selfish goals.  If we pursue our selfish goals anyway, we face the wrath and punishment of the authority.  Speeders get tickets.  Felons get prison sentences.  Obstinate sinners are denied holy communion.  In our sinful stubbornness, we conclude that the authority is the one with the problem. 
     If there is one thing we sinners are good at, it is insisting upon getting our way.  We usually package that by saying we want our rights or what is fair.  If a parent starts spooning out the ice cream to two or more children, they won't be thinking that they are getting a special treat.  They will be assessing the scoops to make sure they aren't getting less than their siblings.  If one feels slighted, he will whine at the parent about getting an equal share.  The others will assess if the extra scraping results in more ice cream for the first child who complained.  Then they will demand more to make it all even.  If you are a parent of more than one child, you have endured this fight.  If you had a sibling, you engaged in this fight.  Either way, neither the generosity nor the authority of the parent mattered.  The sinful heart always demands more.  We believe that whatever is to our advantage is our right and is fair.  We never outgrow that.  This is why we always criticize divinely established authorities.  If we face their wrath, it is often because we gave them reason to become angry.
     The 4th Commandment states: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)  It is important to recognize this: The 4th Commandment does not talk about what authorities are obligated to do for you.  It is strictly about the honor and obedience you owe them—even if you think they are incompetent or uncaring or wicked.  (We could talk about what they owe you, but that is a different sermon.)
     Divinely established authority is worthy of honor because of the God who established them.  No authority on earth is perfect; nevertheless, all authority stands in the stead of the God who established them.  This is especially true of fathers and mothers.  Men and women become fathers and mothers by God's design and blessing.  Then they carry out the role that God gives to them to provide for, protect, and discipline their children.  The parents' love and duty is not based on how much the children please them.  That love and duty are to be performed by parents for the good of their children no matter what.
     Parents are but a reflection of God the Father.  God the Father is the giver of every good and perfect gift.  He supplies us with all that we need to live.  He protects us from harm and danger.  If you think of all the ways the devil could afflict us with disease or disaster, God protects us from most of it.  All this he does because he is our good and merciful Father in heaven and not because we have earned or deserved it.  Still, we groan under God's authority because he forbids us from pursuing our selfish aims.  When we see others who are blessed differently, we grumble that God has not given us our fair share.  And yet, God remains good and generous.
     In fact, God is most gracious to us by not giving us what is fair.  For our grumbling against God the Father's blessings, for despising God's established authorities, for insisting upon our own way, God would be just and fair in damning us all.  In fact, sin is the great equalizer; for everyone has earned God's wrath and punishment.  And because of sin, everyone is going to die.
     But our Father has not treated us fairly.  He has been most gracious to us in sending his Son.  Jesus is the only person who was fully obedient to the Father.  He did not grumble about any hardships he had to face.  He did not reject the authority of emperors, kings, governors, or occupying armies.  He did not rebel when he was sent to suffer damnation for sins he did not commit.  Jesus willingly endured all of these things because he loves his Father.  And trusting that his Father is good, gracious, and right,  Jesus went forth to suffer and die for our groaning, grumbling, and rebellion.  Jesus gave up his rights—the honor and glory that are his because he is God—in order to do what was beneficial for us.  He endured shame on the cross to redeem us from the dishonor we have given to divinely established authorities.  You are forgiven of your sins—not because you deserve it, but because God is good and gracious to you. 
     God the Father continues to love us, care for us, and protect us.  He also disciplines us so that we do not return to our sins.  It does not always seem that he is a loving Father when he inflicts upon us what seems painful and for no good purpose.  We only know that we have lost something that we liked.  But he is doing the work of a father—curbing us from loving and trusting in things that cannot save us.  For the moment it is painful.  But God does not cater to what provides a moment's pleasure.  Your friends will encourage you to do or take what makes you happy right now.  Parents look past the present moment.  They are thinking of your next 50 years and advise you accordingly.  Your Father in heaven loves you even more; he is focused on your eternal good.  The Father always disciplines you with that as his goal.
     Divinely established authority is worthy of honor.  That is what the commandment says.  In addition to the command, God has extended a promise  “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)  The fact is that obedience to the authorities God has established usually results in a long life.  By obeying the authorities God has established, you avoid wicked behavior, foolish choices, and temporal punishment.  Wicked behavior usually leads to a harder life and an earlier grave.  But the Lord promises grace and every blessing to those who obey his commandments, giving us all the more reason to follow them.
     “We should fear and love God that we do not dishonor or anger our parents and others in authority, but honor, serve, and obey them, and give them love and respect.” (Explanation of the 4th Commandment, Luther's Small Catechism)  To do this is to honor the God who established these authorities for your good.  Parents delight in their children and seek their good.  By honoring, serving, and obeying their parents, children actually benefit themselves.  This is God's design, who does all things for your good—both for the moment, and for eternity.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Thursday, July 23, 2020

Update from Good Shepherd (July 23, 2020)

Greetings!


WORSHIP DURING COVID-19
        Services will continue to be on Sundays at 10:00 AM.  For information on what you can expect when you come to church and what will be expected of you, see this link.
        Services will still be broadcast on Facebook Live, Sundays at 10:00 AM, and uploaded to YouTube.   Share our services and invite friends to tune in.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE
         Services are posted on YouTube, usually in a few hours after the service.  When you go to YouTube, do a search for "Good Shepherd Novi" and they should pop up.  (The service from July 19 is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWoUn0l7MwE&t=1s   Feel free to share the videos.
         Bulletins for services can be downloaded from here (scroll down): 

SUMMER SERMON SERIES -- TEN WORDS
Our sermons throughout the summer will focus on the Ten Commandments.  For the schedule, see this link.

ADULT BIBLE CLASS – JULY 27-29 (7:00 pm)
COVID-19 restrictions is making a regular VBS impractical, if not impossible, this year.  There will, however, be a three-night virtual Bible Class on Zoom.  It will run Monday-Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM, July 27-29.  We will be considering the Missionary Journeys of St. Paul.  You may want to read through the book of Acts leading up to the dates for our Bible Class.  Paul's journeys in particular cover Acts 13-21.  Time will not permit an in depth study of all verses, but we will consider how Paul served as a missionary and how we can adapt Paul's mission work to our own setting.  
All are welcome to join us for this class, but registration will be necessary.  Call or text (248-719-5218) or email (welsnovi@aol.com) to get the information for our Zoom sessions.  If you would choose to join us in person, please let the pastor know that so he may be prepared with class materials for you.

BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS
If you or anyone you know would like to study the Scriptures and learn the basics of the Bible, please contact Pastor Schroeder for a Bible Information Class.  It will be done over Zoom (or in person if you are willing) at your convenience.

CONCERNING PASTORAL CARE
        Online Worship:  Besides Facebook Live and YouTube, you can find the pastor's sermons archived on this blog.  You can use the search bar to find a particular date, day of the Church Year, or Scripture reference.
        Person-to-person care: As much as possible, Pastor Schroeder will be available for private devotions, Holy Absolution, and Holy Communion to members in small groups or to individuals.  You may call to set up an appointment at any time.  Visits by appointment can be done either at church or at your home.
        In case you contract COVID-19:  Please contact Pastor Schroeder.  He will alert the congregation so that your fellow members may pray for you, and he will keep everyone informed of your condition.  If possible, Pastor Schroeder will visit you during your quarantine.  At the very least, he will keep in contact with you and provide devotional materials.  If you want to ask for intercessions for loved ones, we will certainly remember them in our prayers, too.  If your loved one has no pastor, ask if they would like Pastor Schroeder to visit them.  

PRIVATE COMMUNION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Private Communion is available by appointment at any time.
To limit the risk of contracting COVID-19 as much as possible, please review the protocol we will follow when you come in.  You can see it here.

OFFERINGS
While we may not be meeting for worship, we do have financial obligations to meet.  You may either mail your offering into Good Shepherd, or you can set up your offering to be transferred electronically from your bank.  If you are interested in the automatic transfer of funds for your offering, please contact the church at welsnovi@aol.com .

OFFICE HOURS
The office hours at Good Shepherd are going to be fairly fluid throughout the summer months.  If you want to contact Pastor Schroeder for any kind of meeting, call or text (248) 719-5218.

DO YOU LIKE US?
Look for Good Shepherd on Facebook.  Then “LIKE” us for updates and other postings.  Be sure to share posts with friends.

SHARE THIS POST!
We desire as many as possible to rejoice in the Gospel which we proclaim and confess.  Share the information from our weekly email blast, links to our web page, and even to the pastor's blog to let others know that we have a space in our congregation for them!

God bless you.


In Christ,
Pastor Schroeder
==============================
SUMMER SCHEDULE
DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 AM  (We also stream on Facebook Live )

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE

Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church
41415 W. Nine Mile Road
Novi, Michigan  48375-4306
+   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +

Sunday, July 19, 2020

Sermon -- TEN WORDS: 3rd Commandment (July 19, 2022)

EXODUS 20:8-11

TEN WORDS – THE FOURTH WORD
JESUS CHRIST IS OUR SABBATH REST.

In the name + of Jesus.

      For as much as we enjoy vacation days and dream about retirement, God has given us work as a blessing.  Work might be draining or drudgery, but it is not a curse.  Even before sin entered into the world, “the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” (Genesis 2:15)  The work which God gave Adam to do was a blessing, both for himself and for the family whom the Lord would eventually give him.
     Although work in a sinful world has its challenges and frustrations, work itself is a gift of God.  It is one of the most practical ways you carry out God's will to love your neighbor as yourself.  Whether it is a career, tending to household chores, a weekend project, or volunteering, it is through work that you get to serve your neighbor in his need.  If you view work only as a means to your income, your labors will not be fulfilling.  If you recognize work is how you love and serve your neighbor in his need, you will find your work is a noble task even when it is toil and sweat and drudgery.  
     But our Lord did not put us on earth to do nothing but work.  In the 3rd Commandment, the Lord declares a day of rest.  Through Moses, the Lord proclaimed to Israel: “Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. … For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. ” (Exodus 20:9-11)  This was more than just a divinely ordained weekend or a day off to relax.  While the Israelites certainly benefited from that, this was not the reason for the day of rest.
     The Lord linked the Sabbath day to the week of creation.  For six days, the Lord labored, but on the seventh day he rested from his creating activity.  This was the same pattern God had prescribed for his people.  For six days, they were to labor—providing for their families and serving their neighbor with their various occupations.  But the seventh day was set apart as holy to the Lord.
    The Lord gave particular instructions about what that rest was for.  He said, “Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation.” (Leviticus 23:3)  So, the point was not a day for oneself.  The Sabbath was to be a day set aside to hear God's word and meditate upon it, to pray, praise, and give thanks.  For six days, the Israelites would love their neighbor through their jobs and serve their families in their homes, but on the Sabbath they would rest and the Lord would serve them.  The Lord, through his word, would bestow on them blessing and comfort, consolation and encouragement, forgiveness and peace.  And that is still the point of the 3rd Commandment.  
     Seventh Day Adventists will accuse us of willfully violating this commandment because we do not adhere to a Saturday worship day.  But God's concern is not really about Saturday.  God's concern is about the peace and rest he desires to give us through his word.  Every Sabbath which was set apart as holy to the Lord was to keep Israel focused on the Savior who would come to them and secure rest for their souls.  But now that the Savior has come, we do not need to keep on preparing for him.  So, St. Paul wrote to the Colossians: “Let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.  These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” (Colossians 3:16-17)  The peace and rest that our Lord gives are not delivered by a day of the week, but by Jesus. 
     Jesus Christ is our Sabbath rest.  We heard it in our Gospel lesson where Jesus summons us, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Mathew 11:28-30)  What is the Sabbath rest that Jesus gives us?  It is that he takes away from you all the demands that need to be met to know that God is pleased with you.
     That does not mean the works don't have to be done.  God's Law is always in force.  His will is eternal, and it is not optional.  No one is ever excused from loving his neighbor.  There is no day off from observing God's word.  If we can't do it, the problem is not with God's Commandments.  The Commandments show the problem lies within us.  No matter how hard we try to follow God's Law—that is, to do good to all people at all times—we can't.  We become weary and worn out from trying to fulfill this never-ending task of honoring God with good and godly lives.  It is a burden that never gets lighter.  We can't shed the burden because we can't shed our sinfulness.
     But Jesus Christ is your Sabbath rest, and that means that Jesus removes from you the burden of sin and the curse of the Law.  Jesus has done this by doing the work for you.  Jesus loved God's word and upheld every passage in it.  He did not make excuses why something in the Scriptures doesn't matter, isn't important, or could be ignored.  He upheld every word in his manners and in his message.  But he did not throw the Commandments in people's faces to watch them cower in fear and guilt.  Jesus loved the people with whom he came into contact, even the unlovable.  While Jesus loved the passages of Scripture above all, he also loved the people to whom they applied.  This is how he could deal compassionately with prostitutes, tax collectors, and other flagrant sinners but still not give approval to their wicked choices.  He did not engage people according to their faults, but according to their needs.  Rather than hold their iniquities against them, he took them away.  He covered their shame with his innocence.  He exchanged his perfect obedience for their sins, and he died in their place so that they could have life.
     He has done this for you, too.  Jesus Christ is your Sabbath rest.  Jesus not only upheld the Law, he fulfilled it.  If Jesus only upholds the Law, he must condemn you for sinning against it.  But by fulfilling the Law, Jesus has done the work and alleviates you of the burden of having to be perfect.  In baptism, Jesus cloaked you with the righteousness God demands of you.  He covers your guilt with his innocence.  Jesus cleanses you of every spot and every blemish by his holy, precious blood.  Jesus has cleansed you through your baptism, and he sustains you by his body and blood in holy communion.  
     Jesus Christ is our Sabbath rest.  Therefore, we make it a priority to gather in sacred assembly to hear God's Word and to partake in the heavenly banquet.  All week long, we labor and serve and toil for the benefit of our family, for the good of our neighbor, and for the glory of God.  But here, we get to rest.  Here, God serves us.  Here, the Lord bestows blessing and comfort, consolation and encouragement, forgiveness and peace.  Here, the Lord supplies what we need to live in peace and joy in this life and what we need to enter into glory in the life to come.  Jesus did the work to save us, and here he administers the benefits of it to us.  Jesus Christ is our Sabbath rest.
     Once you depart from God's house, Jesus continues to bless who you are and what you do.  As I had mentioned, the Commandments are not optional.  They express God's will for your life, and God's will is eternal.  Since you have been set apart as God's people and for God's glory, you strive to live what God has decreed to be a good and godly life.  Even if you regard this as a burden because you are fighting your sinful nature to do this, the yoke is easy and the burden is light.  For Jesus remains your Sabbath rest, which means you get to live in the peace of knowing that God is always pleased with you and your life.  For, that is not based on your life, but Christ's.
     You have been set apart as God's people.  This is not a fickle status.  Since you have been covered by Christ, you remain in God's grace.  If you are grieved because you confess with St. Paul, “I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing” (Romans 7:19), then heed Jesus' summons to find rest in his gracious words and to feast at this altar where his body and blood strengthen and keep you in the true faith until life everlasting.  In this way, God's favor remains upon you.  His words of grace continue to sanctify your life, your work, and your eternal destiny.  Apart from that word, nothing is holy.  Therefore, we cling to his word and promises.  We devote ourselves to hearing, learning, studying, and meditating upon his word.  For, Jesus alone has the words of eternal life.  Jesus Christ alone is our Sabbath rest.  Jesus Christ alone will deliver us from our struggles and labors and bring us to a rest that will have no interruption and no end.
     Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.  Remember Jesus Christ who removes your burdens and covers you with his innocence.  And find your peace in this, that Jesus Christ remembers you and gives you rest for your souls.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. 

Thursday, July 16, 2020

Traveling with the Schroeders -- Trip to Sheboygan

It had been more than six months since I had seen my parents, and it had been about 3 years since Caleb had seen them, so we waited until Caleb was on vacation to make this trip to Wisconsin to see my parents.  We managed to get some yard work done for them, and we put Peter to work picking raspberries in their back yard.  My brother made the trip over from Fond du Lac to see us for the evening.  And then after a nice stroll out the the lighthouse at the Sheboygan marina, we came back home.  Here are some photos.




Notice how the harbor side is brown and the lake side is blue.


Update from Good Shepherd (July 16, 2020)

Greetings!


WORSHIP DURING COVID-19
        Services will continue to be on Sundays at 10:00 AM.  For information on what you can expect when you come to church and what will be expected of you, see this link.
        Services will still be broadcast on Facebook Live, Sundays at 10:00 AM, and uploaded to YouTube.   Share our services and invite friends to tune in.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE
         Services are posted on YouTube, usually in a few hours after the service.  When you go to YouTube, do a search for "Good Shepherd Novi" and they should pop up.  (The service from July 12 is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMisj-8q9Ws   Feel free to share the videos.
         Bulletins for services can be downloaded from here (scroll down): 

BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS
If you or anyone you know would like to study the Scriptures and learn the basics of the Bible, please contact Pastor Schroeder for a Bible Information Class.  It will be done over Zoom (or in person if you are willing) at your convenience.

SUMMER SERMON SERIES -- TEN WORDS
Our sermons throughout the summer will focus on the Ten Commandments.  For the schedule, see this link.

ADULT BIBLE CLASS – JULY 27-29 (7:00 pm)
COVID-19 restrictions is making a regular VBS impractical, if not impossible, this year.  There will, however, be a three-night virtual Bible Class on Zoom.  It will run Monday-Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM, July 27-29.  We will be considering the Missionary Journeys of St. Paul.  You may want to read through the book of Acts leading up to the dates for our Bible Class.  Paul's journeys in particular cover Acts 13-21.  Time will not permit an in depth study of all verses, but we will consider how Paul served as a missionary and how we can adapt Paul's mission work to our own setting.  
All are welcome to join us for this class, but registration will be necessary.  Call or text (248-719-5218) or email (welsnovi@aol.com) to get the information for our Zoom sessions.  If you would choose to join us in person, please let the pastor know that so he may be prepared with class materials for you.

CONCERNING PASTORAL CARE
        Online Worship:  Besides Facebook Live and YouTube, you can find the pastor's sermons archived on this blog.  You can use the search bar to find a particular date, day of the Church Year, or Scripture reference.
        Person-to-person care: As much as possible, Pastor Schroeder will be available for private devotions, Holy Absolution, and Holy Communion to members in small groups or to individuals.  You may call to set up an appointment at any time.  Visits by appointment can be done either at church or at your home.
        In case you contract COVID-19:  Please contact Pastor Schroeder.  He will alert the congregation so that your fellow members may pray for you, and he will keep everyone informed of your condition.  If possible, Pastor Schroeder will visit you during your quarantine.  At the very least, he will keep in contact with you and provide devotional materials.  If you want to ask for intercessions for loved ones, we will certainly remember them in our prayers, too.  If your loved one has no pastor, ask if they would like Pastor Schroeder to visit them.  

PRIVATE COMMUNION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Private Communion is available by appointment at any time.
To limit the risk of contracting COVID-19 as much as possible, please review the protocol we will follow when you come in.  You can see it here.

OFFERINGS
While we may not be meeting for worship, we do have financial obligations to meet.  You may either mail your offering into Good Shepherd, or you can set up your offering to be transferred electronically from your bank.  If you are interested in the automatic transfer of funds for your offering, please contact the church at welsnovi@aol.com .

OFFICE HOURS
The office hours at Good Shepherd are going to be fairly fluid throughout the summer months.  If you want to contact Pastor Schroeder for any kind of meeting, call or text (248) 719-5218.

DO YOU LIKE US?
Look for Good Shepherd on Facebook.  Then “LIKE” us for updates and other postings.  Be sure to share posts with friends.

SHARE THIS POST!
We desire as many as possible to rejoice in the Gospel which we proclaim and confess.  Share the information from our weekly email blast, links to our web page, and even to the pastor's blog to let others know that we have a space in our congregation for them!

God bless you.


In Christ,
Pastor Schroeder
==============================
SUMMER SCHEDULE
DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 AM  (We also stream on Facebook Live )

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE

Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church
41415 W. Nine Mile Road
Novi, Michigan  48375-4306
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Sunday, July 12, 2020

Sermon -- TEN WORDS: 2nd Commandment (July 12, 2020)

EXODUS 20:7

TEN WORDS – THE THIRD WORD.
GOD'S NAME IS GIVEN FOR A GOOD PURPOSE.

In the name + of Jesus.

      There is a kind of comfort we take in knowing the name of someone.  When a mother gives birth and I tell my wife about it, she will likely excuse me if I don't recall the length or weight of the baby.  But I know she will be frustrated with me if she asks the child's name and I say, “I forget.”  Somehow, knowing someone's name makes us feel like we know them even if we've never seen or met them.  There are several places in the Bible where we hear that a man of God came to proclaim the word of the Lord, but we are never told his name.  The point is that we are to focus on the message rather than the prophet who delivered it.  But we feel like we are missing something when we don't know his name.  Samson's parents faced the same issue.  When the angel of the Lord told Manoah and his wife that they would have a son, Manoah said to the angel, “What is your name, so that, when your words come true, we may honor you?”  And the angel of the LORD said to him, “Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?” (Judges 13:17-18)  Despite receiving a divine word from a divine messenger, Manoah wanted to know his name.  Knowing someone's name produces familiarity and binds a relationship more tightly.
     We tend to respond the same way regarding God's name.  When we hear people say that they believe in “God,” we don't always know what they mean.  The Scouts and the Lodges boast that they hold to a belief in God, but they leave it to you to make God whatever you want him to be—whether it is the Triune God, the Muslim god Allah, the Hindu god Vishnu, or some generic, nebulous god in the sky.  To them, any and every expression of “god” is valid, and belief in any “god” is praise-worthy.  So when you discover that I urge you not to join such organizations, this is why.  Who God is matters.  How we confess God matters.  While the word “god” can be used in a generic sense for any god, the true and only God is not a generic being.  He is a specific, unique, real, and personal being who gives us his name so that we can know him.  
     The Creeds of the Christian Church say more than, “I believe in God.”  God defines himself much more clearly than that.  He reveals his name to us so that we can have familiarity with him and be bound to him in a saving relationship.  The Bible gives us many names for God, and each name is a description of who God is, what he is like, and what he does.  The most personal revelation of God is in his Son, Jesus.  God the Son was sent by God the Father to make known God's identity, God's desires, and God's deeds—in particular, God's saving love for mankind, not merely be talking about it, but by acting to secure it.  Jesus declared, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” (John 14:9)  All that Jesus has said and done reveals who God is.  And Jesus gives us the most definitive name for our God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)  This is the name which we are baptized into so that we might become the saints of God and heirs of his kingdom.  This is the name which makes God familiar to us and binds us to him in a loving relationship.  God's name is given for a good purpose.
     Since God is holy, his name is holy.  And he commands us to regard it that way: “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)  The phrase “in vain” might be better understood if we say that God forbids that his name be used “for no good purpose.”  So, when we use the name of God or Jesus as an expression of surprise or outrage, God is not amused.  He pins guilt on those who take what is holy and use it profanely.  For God's name is given for a good purpose, not for a curse word.
     How is God's name used for no good purpose?  Luther offers this: “We should fear and love God that we do not use his name to curse, swear, lie or deceive, or use witchcraft.” (Luther's Small Catechism, Explanation of the 2nd Commandment)  Cursing uses God's name for evil.  Swearing, lying, and deceiving uses God's name to hide evil.  Witchcraft and psychic activity has us call on an unholy name for divine guidance.  While we all should be on guard against these things, Christians are most likely using God's good name for no good purpose when we fail to honor him in our lives.
     If you are a Christian, you bear God's name.  You belong to Christ; therefore, you are Christians.  St. Paul urges you to consider this: “You then who teach others, do you not teach yourself?  While you preach against stealing, do you steal?  You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery?  You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?  You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law.  For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” (Romans 2:21-24)  When you bear the name of Christ but fail to live according to the very words you confess, you disgrace God's name to the world.  And the world is both disgusted and delighted by it.  They are delighted because they believe that your sins vindicate their sins.  If God's people don't honor his word or his name, why should they?  If God's people don't fear him, why should they?  But they also express their disgust for you.  They feel that you ought to live up to the standard that you say is the truth, and they say that you are guilty of hypocrisy if you don't.  In this way, they conclude that the Christian faith is a farce.  In this way, God's name is blasphemed because of us.
     God's name is given for a good purpose, so it is no small matter to dishonor God's name.  In some cultures, one of the greatest sins you can commit is to bring shame to your family.  Sometimes, the phrase, “Death before dishonor,” (or perhaps “Death because of dishonor”) is actually carried out.  Those who shame the family are killed so that the dishonor dies with the offender.  While we would consider such an action extreme, it does demonstrate the high value that is given toward honor of one's family.  The Lord has declared, “The LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)  When we dishonor God's name with our sins, we deserve death.  That which is holy dare not be desecrated.  If we truly think little that God's name would be held in derision because of us, then the world is right and we are hypocrites.  Repent.
     But God has given us his name for a good purpose.  We call upon God's name in every trouble.  Our greatest trouble is the sin that names us and claims us and shames us all.  For the shame we have brought on ourselves, death is demanded.  Therefore, we call on the name of our God because he has revealed this name to us: Jesus, which means, “The Lord who saves.”  Jesus took upon himself the sin and the shame of every sinner.  He was labeled a liar, a scoundrel, a blasphemer and was accused of much more wickedness; and he did not dispute it.  Every charge that has been named against us, Jesus made his own.  Bearing our shame and dishonor, Jesus was put to death for it.  Death because of our dishonor.  But by his innocent death, the Son of God has cleared our names of all charges.  Now, he has given us a new name.  The Bible says: “In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.” (Galatians 3:26)  
     God has given his name for a good purpose.  Jesus shows you that you have a loving Father in heaven.  Through Jesus, he calls you all sons of God.  In New Testament times, the sons were the heirs of the estate.  So, if you are all sons of God, you are all heirs of the heavenly kingdom.  Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is your dear brother.  The Holy Spirit dwells in you.  This name—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—was put on you when you were baptized.  By your baptism, God named you as his very own.  That name is a family name.  It binds you to God as his own people.  For you do not have a nebulous god.  You have a personal God who has given you his name so that you can know him, call upon him, and be saved by him.
     God has given his name for a good purpose.  He gives you his name so that you are familiar with him and are bound to him in a loving relationship.  And God knows your name, too.   You are not some faceless, anonymous person—just one of 7 billion.  No, you are his.  He knows you by name and is intimately interested in you.  He knows when you lie down and when you get up.  He knows the number of hairs on your head.  He delights in your good works.  In fact, he has written your name in the Book of Life so that you will be his forever.  On the Last Day, Jesus will confess you before his Father and call you by name to receive your place in heavenly glory.  
     Therefore, we get to use God's name for a very good purpose.  We confess his name and tell of his wonderful deeds.  We pray, praise, and give thanks.  For his name is worthy of praise, and it is the only name given by which we must be saved.  

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Thursday, July 9, 2020

Update from Good Shepherd (July 9, 2020)

Greetings!


WORSHIP DURING COVID-19
        Services will continue to be on Sundays at 10:00 AM.  For information on what you can expect when you come to church and what will be expected of you, see this link.
        Services will still be broadcast on Facebook Live, Sundays at 10:00 AM, and uploaded to YouTube.   Share our services and invite friends to tune in.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE
         Services are posted on YouTube, usually in a few hours after the service.  When you go to YouTube, do a search for "Good Shepherd Novi" and they should pop up.  (The service from July 5 is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc6rObWb6X8&t=1s   Feel free to share the videos.
         Bulletins for services can be downloaded from here (scroll down): 

BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS
If you or anyone you know would like to study the Scriptures and learn the basics of the Bible, please contact Pastor Schroeder for a Bible Information Class.  It will be done over Zoom (or in person if you are willing) at your convenience.

GOING OUT OF TOWN THIS SUMMER?
As you make your vacation plans, be sure to include a faithful worship pattern as part of your plans.  In order to find the nearest WELS congregation at your vacation destination, check out the WELS Church Locator at https://yearbook.wels.net/unitsearch . 

SUMMER SERMON SERIES -- TEN WORDS
Our sermons throughout the summer will focus on the Ten Commandments.  For the schedule, see this link.

ADULT BIBLE CLASS – JULY 27-29 (7:00 pm)
COVID-19 restrictions is making a regular VBS impractical, if not impossible, this year.  There will, however, be a three-night virtual Bible Class on Zoom.  It will run Monday-Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM, July 27-29.  We will be considering the Missionary Journeys of St. Paul.  You may want to read through the book of Acts leading up to the dates for our Bible Class.  Paul's journeys in particular cover Acts 13-21.  Time will not permit an in depth study of all verses, but we will consider how Paul served as a missionary and how we can adapt Paul's mission work to our own setting.  
All are welcome to join us for this class, but registration will be necessary.  Call or text (248-719-5218) or email (welsnovi@aol.com) to get the information for our Zoom sessions.  If you would choose to join us in person, please let the pastor know that so he may be prepared with class materials for you.

CONCERNING PASTORAL CARE
        Online Worship:  Besides Facebook Live and YouTube, you can find the pastor's sermons archived on this blog.  You can use the search bar to find a particular date, day of the Church Year, or Scripture reference.
        Person-to-person care: As much as possible, Pastor Schroeder will be available for private devotions, Holy Absolution, and Holy Communion to members in small groups or to individuals.  You may call to set up an appointment at any time.  Visits by appointment can be done either at church or at your home.
        In case you contract COVID-19:  Please contact Pastor Schroeder.  He will alert the congregation so that your fellow members may pray for you, and he will keep everyone informed of your condition.  If possible, Pastor Schroeder will visit you during your quarantine.  At the very least, he will keep in contact with you and provide devotional materials.  If you want to ask for intercessions for loved ones, we will certainly remember them in our prayers, too.  If your loved one has no pastor, ask if they would like Pastor Schroeder to visit them.  

PRIVATE COMMUNION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Private Communion is available by appointment at any time.
To limit the risk of contracting COVID-19 as much as possible, please review the protocol we will follow when you come in.  You can see it here.

OFFERINGS
While we may not be meeting for worship, we do have financial obligations to meet.  You may either mail your offering into Good Shepherd, or you can set up your offering to be transferred electronically from your bank.  If you are interested in the automatic transfer of funds for your offering, please contact the church at welsnovi@aol.com .

OFFICE HOURS
The office hours at Good Shepherd are going to be fairly fluid throughout the summer months.  If you want to contact Pastor Schroeder for any kind of meeting, call or text (248) 719-5218.

DO YOU LIKE US?
Look for Good Shepherd on Facebook.  Then “LIKE” us for updates and other postings.  Be sure to share posts with friends.

SHARE THIS POST!
We desire as many as possible to rejoice in the Gospel which we proclaim and confess.  Share the information from our weekly email blast, links to our web page, and even to the pastor's blog to let others know that we have a space in our congregation for them!

God bless you.


In Christ,
Pastor Schroeder
==============================
SUMMER SCHEDULE
DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 AM  (We also stream on Facebook Live )

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE

Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church
41415 W. Nine Mile Road
Novi, Michigan  48375-4306
+   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +   +