Sermon -- Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (December 24, 2024)

Our Christmas Eve service at Good Shepherd follows the Service of Lessons and Carols.  There are nine lessons.  A short devotion was given for eight of them.  Three of those devotions are below.

2^nd Lesson      Genesis 22:15-18      

         God never lies.  His word is always trustworthy and true.  And yet, God intensified his promise by saying, “I have sworn by myself.”  There is no higher authority to swear by, so the Lord swore by himself to Abraham.  “I have sworn by myself, declares the Lord…  In your seed all the nations of the earth will be blessed.”  God would send a Savior into the world.  The Savior comes for the whole world.  God stakes his reputation and his very being on it.  “In your seed,” God promised—no, God swore—"all the nations of the earth will be blessed.”

         God had tested Abraham, commanding him to offer up his beloved son as a sacrifice.  Abraham did not understand why, but he obeyed the word of the Lord.  He was prepared to offer up Isaac as a burnt offering, even having the knife drawn and ready to kill.  The Lord stepped in.  He called a halt to the sacrifice.  The death of Isaac would save no one.  Abraham’s faith and obedience had been proved genuine.  In place of Isaac, the Lord provided a ram whose horns were stuck in a thicket.  The ram was a substitute.  It was slain instead of Isaac.

     Abraham’s son, Isaac, foreshadowed the future Son of Abraham.  The Seed of Abraham would do what Isaac could not.  He would be slain to appease God.  God the Son, the only begotten Son of the Father, the Son whom he loved, would shed his blood to atone for the sins of all the world.  When he would be slain, the Father would not put a stop to it.  There would be no substitution, and there would be no mercy.  The Son would die.  His body would be consumed in God’s fiery wrath.  The Seed of Abraham would be the substitute, slain for you. 

         God has sworn by himself: All the people of the world would be blessed.  The Seed of Abraham takes away the sin of the world.    

4th Lesson        Micah 5:2-5a       

         When God created the world, he called all things into being out of nothing.  That is how God works: He takes what is nothing and makes it into something with which he is pleased.

         The cities and troops of Israel were organized in groups of thousands, and each was summoned by name to serve the Lord.  Though Bethlehem was among the towns of Judah, they were too insignificant to be listed among the thousands.  Bethlehem was little, obscure, unrecognized—like a small town with a blinking stop light at its one cross road.

         The Lord, however, takes what is nothing and makes it into something.  Out of little, insignificant Bethlehem comes a great king.  His origins are from of old, from ancient times.  If he exists long before the promise is even made, that means he is eternal. 

         Out of Bethlehem comes a king who is the eternal God.  He comes to shepherd his people.  He will provide for all his people’s needs.  He will protect his people from all that would destroy them.  The lion prowls around looking for someone to devour, but the Shepherd-King will fend him off.  The sheep tend to go astray, but he will search for them, put them up on his shoulders, and bring them back. 

         Out of Bethlehem comes one who will shepherd his people—a Good Shepherd.  He will guide his sheep by the words of his mouth.  He will encourage and instruct so that we walk the paths that are good and safe.  He proclaims words of comfort, admonition, and peace.  The sheep who hear his words and take them to heart live securely.  The prowling lion cannot have them. 

         There are many today who consider it an insult to be called a sheep.  They believe sheep to be gullible creatures that follow anyone.  But they don’t.  The sheep follow the shepherd they know.  We know our Good Shepherd.  He does not lead us to slaughter, but to pleasant pastures.  Some may regard sheep as nothing, but they are the ones with whom God is pleased.  For he takes what is nothing and makes it something good, something beloved, something precious.  He does that for you; for that is how God works.

8^th Lesson       Matthew 2:1-12                     The Magi worship the newborn King

         The Magi sought their king.  They already had a king in their homeland.  They met another king in Jerusalem.  But that’s not what they wanted.  They did not need a king who flexed his military muscle to demonstrate his power and to strike fear.  They needed a king who was rich in mercy and soothed fears.

         The Magi found their king.  They did not care that he was an infant—at the time totally dependent upon Mary and Joseph for everything, at the time hated by Herod and later hunted by him, at the time years from fulfilling all that he had come to do.  They knew he was king, and they bowed down before him.

         The Magi praised their king.  Even though Jesus had come for their good, they presented him with their goods.  They thanked him for work he had not yet done.  They paid homage to him even though he was not yet in his glory.  They rejoiced that their Savior had come.

         The Magi confessed their king.  Their journey to Bethlehem was no small feat.  But Jesus mattered enough to them to put forth the time and effort.  They made it a priority to see him.

         The Magi were saved by their king; for that is why he came. 

         This king still comes.  He comes veiled in word and sacrament to give his gifts of forgiveness, new life, and salvation.  If you would be wise for salvation, then it is wise to put forth time and effort and priority to come and worship him.  We do not come to God’s house for his good; rather, we come to receive his goods.  It is here that our Lord Jesus Christ continues to prepare us for death, to comfort us through life, and to sustain us in the saving faith.  It is good, right, and salutary to seek him and to confess him so that you would live under him in his kingdom and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness—just as he has risen from death and lives and rules eternally.  This is most certainly true.

Sermon -- 4th Sunday of Advent (December 22, 2024)

MICAH 5:2-5a

THIS ONE WILL BE THEIR PEACE.

In the name + of Jesus.

     When the Lord first promised a Savior, he was pretty vague about how we would know him.  The Lord spoke of the seed of the woman, which could have been anyone.  He narrowed the scope just a little bit when the Lord referred to the seed of the woman as “he.”  But that only limited the possibilities to a male child.  The Savior could come from anyone in half of the world’s population.  But this one, whoever he might be, would be their peace.  As time went by, the Lord continued to narrow the scope.  The Lord promised Abraham that the Savior would come through him.  The scope was further refined when it was revealed that the Savior would be the Son of David.  Later, the prophet Micah limited the scope even more. 

     Micah declared this word from the Lord: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, from you, will go out the one who will be the ruler for me in Israel” (Micah 5:2).  Since Bethlehem is a small town, that limits significantly the number of people who would qualify as the Savior of the world—a boy, from the line of David, born in Bethlehem.  Still unnamed to the people of the Old Testament, this one would be their peace.

     The Savior would have a birthday and a birthplace.  However, Micah also declared, “His goings forth are from the beginning, from the days of eternity” (Micah 5:2).  Micah prophesied about 700 BC, seven centuries before the Christ would be born in Bethlehem.  Yet, Micah tells us that this ruler who would come to Israel had his origins long before Micah was born.  He goes back to the beginning of all things, in fact, into eternity.  Therefore, the baby to be born in Bethlehem is eternal.  And if he is eternal, he is God.  The eternal God would enter our world at a specific time and place.  And this one would be their peace.

     Micah told us where the Savior would enter the world.  He also gave us a hint at the timing of his coming.  He said, “The Lord will give them up, until the time when the woman who is in labor bears a child” (Micah 5:3).  And who does the Lord give up?  The rulers from Judah.  God would allow their reign to come to an end.  This happened when Herod the Great assumed power as King of the Jews.  Up to that point in time, the people of Israel were always ruled by a fellow Israelite.  His power may have been insignificant, but it was always an Israelite who ruled over Israel.  Herod the Great was no Israelite.  He was from the nation of Edom.  Jacob’s yoke had finally been broken off of Esau’s neck (cf. Genesis 27:40).  The throne of David, powerless as it was, had finally expired.  But at that time, the woman who was in labor would bear a child, the Savior.  This birth would take place in Bethlehem.  Despite the small size of Bethlehem, someone great would come forth from there.  This one would be their peace.

     Micah helps us identify the Savior.  And when you consider all the other Old Testament prophecies, Jesus is the only one who could be the Savior.  Only Jesus has fulfilled every prophecy foretold and every promise sworn.  Besides identifying where and when he will enter the world, Micah also tells us what he will do.  “He will stand and shepherd with the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.  They will dwell securely, for at that time he will be great to the ends of the earth.  This one will be their peace” (Micah 5:3-5).  

     It is no small thing when Micah says that the Savior will allow his people to dwell securely.  The Promised Land has always been a hotbed of conflict.  The Promised Land was a crossroads between Asia, Africa, and Europe.  Besides traders, many armies travelled the roads through Israel.  Sometimes they passed through, although not without helping themselves to materials and supplies.  Other times, they came to kill, to conquer, and to make Israel a source of revenue for themselves.  In the days of Micah, the Assyrian nation came and took into exile the tribes of the north.  The people of Judea also suffered at the hands of the Assyrians until the Lord provided a miraculous deliverance.  But the violence and warfare have never stopped.  To this day, this plot of land in the Middle East remains a land of blood, currently with Israel and Lebanon and Gaza battling each other.  A ruler who would ensure peace would be welcomed and celebrated when he came.

     And wouldn’t such a ruler be welcomed and celebrated now, too?  The entire world is in chaos.  Jesus warned us it would be this way until his return.  He alerted us, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars.  See that you are not alarmed, because all these things must happen; but that is not yet the end.  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.  But all these things are only the beginning of birth pains.  … Then many will fall away from faith.  They will betray each other and hate each other.  Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.  Because lawlessness will increase, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:6-8,10-12).  It isn’t a rosy picture, is it?  But we see it unfold in front of us day by day, year after year.  The pundits may sing, “All we are saying is give peace a chance,” but according to Jesus, you won’t find it here.  It is not that we favor war and chaos; it is that we should not be surprised by it.

     Perhaps your tragedies are more personal.  Sin makes itself evident in many ways.  Sometimes it is family strife.  This is the time of year when families are supposed to get together and to enjoy one another’s company.  But sin produces feuds, divisions, and divorces.  Often, the problems are self-inflicted.  Perhaps you are the one who caused the rift with some poorly chosen words.  Or you are the one who bears the grudge, preferring your pride to forgiveness.  The holidays accentuate these family problems and underscore loneliness.  We use words like “dysfunctional” and “blended” and “broken” to describe families and homes.  This is not what God has intended, but it is what sin has produced. 

     Sin also makes itself evident from the anxiety we endure.  We get anxious about our health, the economy, job security, politics, elections, our popularity, and the expectations of other people.  We even get anxious about scenarios that we dream up in our minds which never happen.  And why the anxiety?  Because nothing in this world is secure.  As a result, people become depressed or angry or even suicidal.  Some choose to cope with life’s problems with intoxication.  But the problems don’t go away.  For as much as people talk about peace during the Christmas season, it is often elusive.  Life remains chaotic.  The world is still broken.  And people still seek hope and peace.

     The prophet Micah preached to troubled people at a troubled time.  His words still bring comfort to us today.  Micah promised us a Savior.  He said, “He will stand and shepherd with the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.  They will dwell securely, for at that time he will be great to the ends of the earth.  This one will be their peace” (Micah 5:3-5).  

     Listen carefully to Micah’s words.  He does not promise that the world will be at peace.  He said, “This one will be their peace” (Micah 5:5, emphasis added).  Jesus himself is the peace that you long for.  He delivers what nothing in the world will bring you.  The everlasting God comes into the world to bring everlasting hope and peace to people.  It’s not necessarily that he will make your world better.  It is that he will deliver you to a better world.  Only in the kingdom of heaven will you get life without war and crime, without pain and loss, without mental and emotional distress.  If this is what you long for, then cling to Jesus.  This one will be your peace.

     Jesus Christ makes promises that he has backed up with his very life.  He has taken care of the sins that have plagued you.  Jesus assures you that all your sins have been wiped out.  The Bible declares, “As distant as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our rebellious acts from us” (Psalm 103:12).  When the eternal God removes sins from you, they are taken away forever.  Therefore, you do not need to live with guilt or regret.  And this is nothing you have to wait for.  The payment for your sins has been made at Jesus’ crucifixion.  In his word and sacraments, Jesus delivers you this forgiveness now.  So, if you want your conscience to be at rest, this one will be your peace.

     Jesus also puts you at ease regarding your death.  Death will come; that is the wages of sin.  But Jesus delivers you from the terrors of death.  He went into death for you.  The flesh-and-blood Savior who came from Bethlehem had his body placed in a grave after he died to pay for your sins.  But the grave could not hold him.  Your flesh-and-blood Savior departed from the grave.  He rose with a glorified body, and assures you that, since you are his, you too will rise with a glorified body.  These bodies suffer all kinds of health problems.  We see that with the need for glasses, hearing aids, prescription medication, and intensive care units.  As you get older, the problems will increase in frequency and intensity.  All of that will be done forever.  Death will be undone.  The frailty of this flesh will be rectified.  No matter what difficulties you have now Jesus will fix.  You will be renewed and robust forever.  This one will be your peace.

     The world is still a troubled and troubling place.  Even after Micah declared that the ruler from the little town of Bethlehem would enable his people to live securely, Israel was invaded.  Its temple was destroyed.  Its people were taken into exile.  Life in the world was not any easier.  You should not expect it to be any different for you.  Wars and rumors of wars will not cease.  Natural disasters will not subside.  The world will still deceive and discourage you.  There is no peace, not in a world that has been marred by sin. 

     But Jesus Christ allows you to dwell securely in the knowledge that your eternal salvation is set.  That is the goal, and Jesus secures it.  This one, Jesus Christ, will be your peace.  The struggles in this world may be painful, but they are temporary.  The glories of heaven are eternal.  Nothing in this world can compare with them, and nothing in this world can take them from you.  All who believe in Jesus are safely preserved unto eternal life.  This peace stands in the midst of distress, disease, and death.  Our God is eternal.  His kingdom endures.  His love is steadfast.  And his peace is unending.

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

Christmas concert at MLS

Last night, we got to enjoy the Christmas concert at Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw.  

Below are Peter and Jake, friends since birth, but roommates only recently. 

Update from Good Shepherd (December 19, 2024)

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE 

Divine Service is Sunday at 10:00 AM.
Sunday School is on Sunday at 9:00 AM.
Adult Bible Class is on Sunday at 9:00 AM.
There will be NO Adult Bible Class or Sunday School on December 29.

CALENDAR: For a calendar of events and meetings, click here.

INTRODUCTION VIDEO FOR GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH

          Here is a video to introduce people to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Novi. Share it as much as you can.

POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS
          Good Shepherd will be purchasing poinsettias to be displayed during the Christmas season. You are welcome to purchase any of these and take them home following the Christmas Eve or Christmas Day service. In order to be sure that we have purchased enough poinsettias to allow people to take them home and still have some left for the altar, please indicate which kind and how many you would like to purchase. All poinsettias will be red. They will be $4.99 for a 4” pot and $14.99 for a 6” pot. Checks may be payable to Good Shepherd. If you opt for cash, please indicate who you are and what the cash offering is for.

CHRISTMAS SERVICES
          Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – December 24 at 7:00 PM.
          Christmas Day Festival Service – December 25 at 10:00 AM.
          Please invite family and friends to join us for these services. Then keep inviting them to join us for services in the new year!

BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS
          We will be starting up a new Bible Information Class in the new year. The classes will be on Mondays from 7:00-8:30 PM. The start date will be Monday, January 13. A schedule will be released soon. For now, think about whom you might invite to this class and attend it with them. There is no cost. For more information please speak to Pastor Schroeder.

CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS (December)

>    The church council approved expenditures of up to $15,000 for updating the kitchen at the church.  We will save on the cost of new cabinets by ordering them sooner rather than later, although we do not expect them to arrive until perhaps early March.  Renovations will not occur until after Easter to allow us to use our existing kitchen for Lenten dinners and Easter breakfast.

>    We discussed the possibility of adding a handicapped-accessible push-button entrance for the church.  It is possible that some grants will make this a less expensive project.  However, we also discussed adding an air-lock to the church entryway so that the winter winds do not whip right down the hallway.  That would be a more costly project, but would be a welcome addition to our entrance.  This is still in the discussion stage.  And as long as we were discussing ideas, we considered updating our bathrooms so that they would meet current handicapped-accessible codes.  This would likely increase the size of both bathrooms and would have the pastor’s office moved to a new location.

>  New flooring was installed in part of the parsonage basement.  There are about 100 sq. feet of extra flooring available for anyone who wants them.  They will be in an unused Sunday School classroom throughout the month of January.  After that, they will hit the curb and be free to the public.

>    If you would like to see a copy of the budget for the 2025 year, please contact Dan LeFevre.

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 are 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.

A NEW WEBSITE – MADEKNOWN.NET
          The made. known. website was introduced at the WELS Youth Rally earlier this summer. madeknown.net is dedicated to “walking with you in faith through identity, gender, and sexuality.” It does this through a growing library of written resources and connection to personal support.
          We pray madeknown.net can be a resource to you as you embrace Christ’s enduring message of grace and forgiveness for yourself and your loved ones.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE

          Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the service from December 8, 2024: (435) Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, December 15, 2024 - YouTube

REGULAR OFFICE HOURS

            The pastor will try to hold formal office hours Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – Noon. It should be noted that some meetings are scheduled for those times. It is best to call or text to confirm any meetings with the pastor (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

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REGULAR SCHEDULE
DIVINE SERVICES are on Sundays at 10:00 AM.
Sunday School -- Sundays at 9:00 AM.  There will be no class on December 29.
Adult Bible Class -- Sundays at 9:00 AM.  There will be no class on December 29.

Bible Matters will resume on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 -- 6:30 PM.

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

PASTOR SCHROEDER’S BLOG
www.LutheranSubject.blogspot.com 

Sermon -- Advent Vespers (December 2024)

This sermon was preached at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Novi on December 4, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Westland on December 11, and at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Westland on December 18.

LUKE 1:26-38

THE SAVIOR IS ANNOUNCED:

An Announcement Met With Faith.

In the name + of Jesus.

     Faith is a gift from God.  It is God’s work, both created and sustained by God.  It has to be.  If the teachings of the Bible were so obvious and full of common sense, then everyone would believe it.  No one would fight against it.  But that is not the case.  Sin has blinded people.  Many argue that the Bible is full of contradictions, errors, and lies.  St. Paul noted that “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).  What unbelievers deem to be foolish, we boldly confess and cherish.  This is to God’s credit, not ours.  Faith is God’s power, God’s working, and God’s gift.

     Our Lord was at work in the heart and mind of the Virgin Mary when the angel Gabriel came to her.  He announced, “Listen, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.   He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:31-33).  You and I are familiar with the fulfillment of this announcement.  If you’ve been a Christian all your life, there is nothing either shocking or surprising about it.  “He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary.”  We confess it every week probably without a measure of doubt, and probably without a measure of wonder.  God has granted you the faith to believe it, but it deserves to be pondered because it is so marvelous and miraculous.

     The Savior was announced, and it was an announcement met with faith.  Mary did not reject Gabriel’s words, but she was certainly confused by them.  For centuries, God’s people had waited for the Messiah to come.  Suddenly, Mary had an angel appear to her to tell her that the time is now, and that the way the Messiah would come into the world is through her.  I wonder how many questions went racing through Mary’s mind as she was trying to absorb this announcement.  “Why now?  Why me?  Why Nazareth?  Why to a young maiden who is betrothed but not yet married?”  Of all the questions that Mary could have asked, St. Luke records only one.  “Mary said to the angel, ‘How will this be’” (Luke 1:34)? 

     It was an announcement met with faith.  Besides all the questions Mary could have thought, she must have also thought about the ramifications of Gabriel’s announcement.  She would be pregnant outside of marriage.  People do not even bat an eye at such things anymore.  God’s order of marriage and then cohabitation and intimacy has been cast off.  Many, even Christians, find it antiquated and see no reason to follow it.  But for Mary and Joseph and the Jewish population in 1^st century Galilee, this pregnancy would have been scandalous.  What would Mary’s parents think?  Or the townsfolk?  Or Joseph, her betrothed?  The rumors and the gossip would follow her for the rest of her life.  If Mary had thought, “I don’t need this!”, she did not say it.  Mary had just one question: “How will this be” (Luke 1:34)?  She accepted the angel’s word, and she accepted God’s plan for her in bringing the Messiah into the world. 

     But Mary also knew how biology works.  She was betrothed to a man, but she had not been intimate with a man.  Now, in the past, the Lord had produced some births that were miraculous.  The most prominent example is with Abraham and Sarah.  Both were old, and Sarah had been barren her whole life.  Yet, God caused an 89-year-old woman to conceive from her 99-year-old husband.  God also duplicated that miracle with Mary’s elderly relatives, Zechariah and Elizabeth.  In both cases—Abraham and Sarah, Zechariah and Elizabeth—God had not acted apart from the marital union.  But for Mary, this was unprecedented.  How does a woman get pregnant without any union with a man?  Mary was confused.  Mary did not ask in defiance, “How can this be?”  Rather, she asked in faith “How will this be” (Luke 1:34)? 

     People have often wondered why the Virgin Mary was chosen to be the one through whom the Messiah would come into the world.  Ultimately, the answer is: By God’s grace.  This was not a reward for holiness.  The Lord had worked in Mary’s life so that she would be the appropriate choice for this honor.  Mary believed in God’s promises.  God had worked that in her.  Mary lived a chaste life, remaining virgin pure as she awaited marriage.  God worked that faithfulness in her, too.  Mary was betrothed to a man of faith.  So, when the angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and informed him what was going on with Mary, Joseph, too, met that announcement with faith.  He took Mary as his wife but was not intimate with her so that there was no doubt the child was from God and not from Joseph.  That was all God’s work.  Despite the scandal of her pregnancy, despite the townspeople whispering and gossiping, despite her reputation taking a hit, Mary humbly accepted the role that the angel announced to her.  “Mary said, ‘See, I am the Lord’s servant.  May it happen to me as you have said’” (Luke 1:38).  From beginning to end, God was at work through Mary and Joseph to bring his Son into the world. 

     Mary had asked the angel, “How will this be…” (Luke 1:34)?  The angel answered her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God’” (Luke 1:35).  Once again, this was met with faith.  We don’t hear Mary respond to the angel’s words with, “Well, that sounds reasonable.”  Who would?  This is a miracle.  That means that God was acting outside the natural order.  Miracles are surprising; they are not normal.  Normal is that a man and a woman become intimate and that produces a baby.  If you heard that a young lady was pregnant, you would not wonder if the Holy Spirit was at work again.  And no one assumed that about Mary, either.  This was a miracle that had to be revealed.  Mary and Joseph amazingly met the announcement with faith.  They took God at his word even when it defied reason and experience.

     Faith is a gift of God; it takes God at his word.  It has to be God’s work in us because we do not naturally believe what God says.  In some cases, God’s word reveals what we could not know—such as Mary’s child being conceived by the Holy Spirit and so entering this world without sin.  Faith accepts this not because it is reasonable, but because the Holy Spirit works in our hearts to assent to God’s word.  Faith accepts the mysteries that have been revealed by God.  In other cases, God’s will does not need special revelation.  It is evident to all people because God has written it in our hearts.  Our consciences testify what is good and what is evil.  And even though such things are evident, only by faith do we agree with them.  Only by faith do we confess them.  Only by faith do we acknowledge that they are good and strive to live according to them.

     Sin causes us to reject God’s word and God’s will.  Sin regards what is spiritual or miraculous as absurdity.  Even believers struggle to honor God’s will.  That is why not even Christians bat an eye when a man and woman live together before they are married.  That is why Christians will seek a divorce instead of sacrificing to make their marriage work.  Finding happiness trumps God’s commands.  It is why Christians defend their sins rather than confess them and repent of them.  It’s not that we don’t know God’s will; it is that we don’t like God’s will.  We want to do what is easy, what gratifies our desires, and what makes sense to us.  Because of our sinfulness, we consider the right thing to be repulsive.  But beware; for this is what the Lord says: “That servant who knew his master’s will and did not … act according to what his master wanted, will be punished severely” (Luke 12:47).  Repent.

     The Savior was announced to Mary, and it was met with faith.  Faith willingly did the hard thing because it was God’s will.  Do you think it was easy for Mary to carry this child?  Do you think it was convenient to have her plans altered like this?  It did not matter.  In faith, Mary accepted God’s plans for her.  Faith recognizes that everything God says and does is good, whether it is miraculous or mundane, whether it is a promise or a command, whether it means a bounty or a burden.  Faith always responds to God’s word with, “I am the Lord’s servant.  May it happen to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38).  Faith takes God at his word, even when it means having to do the hard thing because it is the right thing.

     The Lord Jesus Christ came into this world to bear the cross for us.  He did the hard thing because it was God’s will.  It was God’s will that Jesus bear a curse he did not deserve.  It was God’s will that Jesus endure a hellish torment he had not earned.  And yet, Jesus did it because God sent him to do it.  It was a payment he was pleased to make in order to redeem us.  He is the Lord’s servant who has come to do the work to save you.

     Faith responds to God’s word as Mary did: “I am the Lord’s servant.  May it happen to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38).  Faith clings to God’s word even when that word challenges us to trust God or offends our senses.  We might still feel the weight of our sins.  We see the reality of the grave, but we know that Jesus has redeemed us and has overcome the grave.  He lives and reigns to assure us of a resurrection to life everlasting.  And when you hear the absolution announced to you, it is an announcement met with faith.  Although the words come from the mouth of the minister, you know that it is the voice of Jesus who announces, “I forgive you.”

     Faith clings to all of God’s word.  His promises announce divine peace and proclaim eternal salvation.  His commands announce what a godly life is.  His Holy Spirit works in us not only a love for the promises, but also a love for the commands.  We are eager to honor our Lord with loving obedience even if it is strange to the world.  Sin may argue, “Why bother refraining from sin?  Everyone is doing it, and they aren’t hurting for it.”  Faith retorts, “I am a child of God, and I am going to live like it, even if I have to do the hard thing, even if I have to suffer for it.”  Sin may be repulsed by God’s word, but faith delights in it even if it is a cross to bear.  Faith never despises a cross.

     The Lord Jesus Christ continues to guide us to a godly life and to preserve us unto eternal life.  In faith, each of us responds to God’s word as Mary did: “I am the Lord’s servant.  May it happen to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38). 

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

YouTube -- 3rd Sunday of Advent (December 15, 2024)

Here is the Divine Service from Sunday, December 15, 2024.

For Your Amusement -- Christmas light display, featuring a chicken

According to something I stumbled across, this Christmas light display was inspired by a neighborhood spat.  Apparently, the neighbors had complained that this family's rooster was crowing too early in the morning.  I don't know how persistent or nasty the complaints were, but the family responded with this Christmas light display.

It is hilarious watching it a few times, but I can't imagine having to live with it--either as the neighbor or the family who had it installed.  In any case, you can watch it as often as you like.

Enjoy!

Sermon -- 3rd Sunday of Advent (December 15, 2024)

LUKE 3:7-18

PRODUCE FRUITS IN KEEPING WITH REPENTANCE.

In the name + of Jesus.

     What role do good works have in salvation?  That question plagued the Lutheran Church shortly after Martin Luther died.  One Lutheran pastor was teaching that good works are necessary for salvation.  This could be understood in the right way.  As St. James said in his epistle: “Faith, if it is alone and has no works, is dead” (James 2:17).  A dead faith cannot produce good works and is not a saving faith.  But the pastor pushed the point too far.  He insisted that good works are a necessary contribution to your salvation.  If you need to contribute to your salvation, that means that Jesus’ work of redemption was not enough.  But my problem in the first place is that I cannot do the works God’s Law demands.  So, any contribution I have to make would fail.  At best, I could only wonder if I were saved.  At worst, I would know I am not.

     To counter this teaching, another Lutheran pastor taught that good works are harmful to salvation.  If his point was that our good works do not contribute to our salvation, he would have stood on solid ground.  Unfortunately, he also pushed his point too far.  He insisted that your good works hurt your chance to be saved.  This controversy was addressed in the Formula of Concord.  Our confession remains that our good works do not save us, but that faith will produce good works if it is a living and saving faith. 

     John the Baptist never heard of the Formula of Concord, but his message was consistent with that confession.  John declared, “Produce fruits in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:8)!  Repentance is not merely sorrow over your sins.  Think of Cain.  God had been pleased with Cain’s brother, Abel, but not with Cain.  Cain’s solution was to murder Abel.  When the Lord confronted Cain and banished him for his sin, Cain was unhappy about his punishment.  So, there was sorrow, but not repentance.  Think also of Pharaoh.  When Moses called on him to let the Israelites leave Egypt, Pharaoh refused to listen to the Lord.  Therefore, the Lord sent in a series of plagues.  After the seventh plague, Pharaoh said, “I have sinned this time.  The Lord is the one who is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong.  … I will let you go” (Exodus 9:27-28).  But as soon as he got relief, Pharaoh refused to let Israel go.  He wanted only to escape punishment.  There was no change in Pharaoh’s heart.  He did not believe God’s word.  He did not repent.

     John the Baptist was preparing the people for the Savior who would deliver the people from their sins, but that also meant people should not continue in their sins.  John declared, “Produce fruits in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3:8)!  Repentance is not merely regret over sins; it is also a desire to flee from them.  It is a change of heart.  It is a change in behavior.  Instead of giving oneself over to acts of wickedness, we strive for acts of righteousness. 

     John warned of God’s judgment against those who do not repent.  He assured people that God’s judgment would be just, but it would also be harsh.  He said, “Even now the ax is ready to strike the root of the trees.  So every tree that does not produce good fruit is going to be cut down and thrown into the fire” (Luke 3:9).  If you have a fruit tree in your yard, you expect it to produce fruit for you.  If it does not, it has lost its purpose.  A fruit tree that does not bear fruit is as good as dead, and the only thing left to do with it is to cut it down.  In the same way, the Lord created people to be good, and he looks for good works in us.  He seeks evidence of repentance.  This evidence is that we stop producing bad fruit and instead produce good fruit, or good works.  It is just as St. James said in his epistle: “Faith, if it is alone and has no works, is dead” (James 2:17).  Those who fail to produce good works will be cut down.  The ax will fall.  God’s wrath will strike.

     The Pharisees did not take John’s words to heart.  They boasted that they were the children of Abraham, God’s chosen people.  This was their confidence and their refuge.  John destroyed this reasoning.  He told them, “Produce fruits in keeping with repentance!  Do not even think of saying to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ because I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones” (Luke 3:8). 

     The Pharisees trusted in what seemed like good and godly things.  Was there an advantage in living under God’s covenant?  Yes!  They had been entrusted with God’s word, but it would not save them if they did not follow it.  And the covenant would be useless if they did not seek the Messiah which it promised.  Likewise, we can place our confidence in what seems good and godly.  But we are not saved by church attendance.  We are not saved because we have a confirmation certificate.  We are not saved because we are model citizens or friendly neighbors or enjoy a solid marriage.  Without a doubt, there is a benefit to all these things, but they do not save you.  If your faith relies on these things, then your faith is in yourself and in your works.

     In contrast, the crowds who came to John were cut to the heart.  They asked what repentance would look like in practical terms.  “The crowds began to ask him, ‘What should we do then?’  He answered them, ‘Whoever has two shirts should share with the person who has none, and whoever has food should do the same’” (Luke 3:10-11).  John did not tell them to invent elaborate schemes to impress God.  The good works they were to do were right in front of them.  They would fulfill them by serving in their daily vocations.  They would demonstrate their love for God by loving their neighbor.  This is how they would produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

     The next groups to speak to John are rather shocking.  “Tax collectors also came to be baptized.  They said, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’”  We might have expected John to tell them that they had no place in God’s kingdom because they were a bunch of traitorous thieves.  But John did not dismiss them.  He did not even tell them to quit their jobs.  He instructed them to do their jobs faithfully.  “To them he said, “Collect no more than what you were authorized to’” (Luke 3:12-13).  They were not to overcharge to get rich at the expense of others.  Yes, they could collect taxes because taxes are a reality of life.  Thievery, on the other hand, is inexcusable.  To produce fruits in keeping with repentance, they would do their jobs honestly and honorably.

     Then the soldiers came, presumably Roman soldiers.  They could be thugs, making life miserable for the people.  They might falsely accuse in hopes of getting bribes.  They might treat people brutally just because they could.  Power can turn anyone into a bully.  John did not expel them from his audience.  Rather, he said, “Do not extort money from anyone by force or false accusation. Be satisfied with your wages” (Luke 3:14).  Although their position could be used to threaten, to terrorize, and to flaunt their power, it was rightly used to maintain good order.  This would be a good work which would benefit the people.  They did not need to abandon their vocation.  A soldier can fulfill his vocation both honestly and honorably.  This would be producing fruits in keeping with repentance.

     John’s description of Jesus’ coming would strike fear into anyone.  John warned, “His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he will thoroughly clean out his threshing floor.  He will gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire” (Luke 3:17).  The Lord Jesus desires what is good and will take it to himself.  But the chaff is not good.  It is like the popcorn husks that get stuck in your teeth.  It is useless.  It is designated for unquenchable fire, that is, everlasting damnation. 

     Now, Jesus could declare that all people have failed to produce the good works he is looking for.  He could judge us all as worthless as chaff and send us into unquenchable fire.  If he did, his judgment would not be wrong.  But before Jesus comes on the Last Day for this final judgment, he came in order to deliver us from it.  Jesus’ vocation was to save us.  So first, he lived the perfect life we have not lived.  Jesus performed only good works—continually loving his fellow man and even his enemy. 

     Then, Jesus made a great exchange.  “God made him, who did not know sin, to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).  Jesus exchanged his perfect obedience for our sin.  Although Jesus had no sin, he paid the price for us in his bitter sufferings and death.  In turn, he has given you the credit for his perfect life.  His life was lived for you.  His death was died for you.  Jesus has done the good work which saves you.  Jesus is the good fruit which hung on the tree of the cross, and whoever partakes of this good fruit will live forever. 

     Repentance means that we no longer put our hopes in ourselves.  We rest our faith completely on Jesus Christ for our salvation.  There is no need to make any contribution to this salvation because Jesus Christ has done all the work for us.  The work for your salvation is complete.  So, when Jesus comes again, you will be judged according to Jesus’ merits rather than your own.

     Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.  As God’s people, you are now set apart from sin and death.  And you are set apart for good works and godliness.  The very God who has worked faith and repentance in you will continue to work in you to produce the good works he seeks.  Jesus promises you: “I am the Vine; you are the branches.  The one who remains in me and I in him is the one who bears much fruit” (John 15:5).  He who has created in you new life produces in you a godly life.  He brings forth the fruits of repentance.  For, “it is God who is working in you, both to will and to work, for the sake of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). 

     John the Baptist urged people to produce fruit in keeping with repentance.  “Then with many other words, he appealed to them and was preaching good news to the people” (Luke 3:18).  The good news is that Jesus’ works atone for our works.  He has set you apart from sin, death, and the devil, and he has set you apart for God’s honor and for good works.  So, what role do those good works have in salvation?  They do not save, but those who are saved will produce good works.  A heart that repents over what is sinful will also rejoice in what is good.  Just as Jesus has made you God’s people, so he also makes you into godly people.

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

For Your Amusement -- Led Zeppelin on xylophones

I had stumbled across this some time ago, but it deserves a bit more attention.  Imagine being a parent, going to your kid's band concert.  You brace yourself to endure a mediocre (hopefully that good) performance.  You've heard your kid banging on either drums or xylophone in his or her bedroom.  You love your kid, but you doubt you will love this concert.

Suddenly, the band director cues the children in, and they start cranking out Led Zeppelin, first Kashmir, then The Ocean, and finally kick in with Immigrant Song.  You are blown away, belting out the lyrics in your head.  You wish you had brought a lighter to show your love for the group (1980's flashback with the lighter).  

Anyway, here it is: Led Zepplin on xylophones and drums.  These kids are awesome!

Local Tourist: Mannheim Steamroller at the Fox Theater

Last night, the Local Tourist and his Mrs. went to Detroit to see Mannheim Steamroller at the Fox Theater.  First, we enjoyed a supper at the Detroit Beer Company.  We both enjoyed a Detroit Dwarf beer.  After that, we took a chilly walk to the Fox Theater.  We had a bit of a fiasco with our tickets, as the email which was sent with the electronic tickets had disappeared.  After a ticket agent fixed that problem, we got into the warmth of the theater.

Mannheim Steamroller sounds great.  Their performance is almost identical to the studio recordings of their songs.  The only flaw was that the lighting from the back of the stage tended to blind the audience (at least it did where we sat).  It was nice to enjoy something "Christmas-y" with my date who is also my favorite person.

Update from Good Shepherd (December 12, 2024)

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE 

Divine Service is Sunday at 10:00 AM.
Sunday School is on Sunday at 9:00 AM.
Adult Bible Class is on Sunday at 9:00 AM.

CALENDAR: For a calendar of events and meetings, click here.

INTRODUCTION VIDEO FOR GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH

          Here is a video to introduce people to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Novi. Share it as much as you can.

MID-WEEK ADVENT VESPERS
           To prepare our hearts for Christmas, we offer additional services in the Advent season.  Our Advent Vespers (a prayer service) will be conducted on the Wednesdays in December leading up to Christmas.  We will serve a supper at 6:00 PM.  Vespers will be at 7:00 PM.  The schedule for topics and preachers can be found here.

COOKIE EXCHANGE

          On Sunday, December 15, the Ladies of Good Shepherd will sponsor a cookie exchange and offer other baked goods for your consumption.  If you want to contribute, bring a few dozen cookies or other baked goods.  Members may gather them up and give a free will donation to the Ladies of Good Shepherd in appreciation for their labors of love and holiday goodies.

POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS
          Good Shepherd will be purchasing poinsettias to be displayed during the Christmas season. You are welcome to purchase any of these and take them home following the Christmas Eve or Christmas Day service. In order to be sure that we have purchased enough poinsettias to allow people to take them home and still have some left for the altar, please indicate which kind and how many you would like to purchase. All poinsettias will be red. They will be $4.99 for a 4” pot and $14.99 for a 6” pot. Checks may be payable to Good Shepherd. If you opt for cash, please indicate who you are and what the cash offering is for.

CHRISTMAS SERVICES
          Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – December 24 at 7:00 PM.
          Christmas Day Festival Service – December 25 at 10:00 AM.
          Please invite family and friends to join us for these services. Then keep inviting them to join us for services in the new year!

BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS
          We will be starting up a new Bible Information Class in the new year. The classes will be on Mondays from 7:00-8:30 PM. The start date will be Monday, January 13. A schedule will be released soon. For now, think about whom you might invite to this class and attend it with them. There is no cost. For more information please speak to Pastor Schroeder.

OPEN FORUM/VOTERS' MEETING HIGHLIGHTS (November)

>    We are looking into updating the kitchen at the church.  Several ideas have been proposed for what will best suit our purposes.  If you have any ideas to enhancements to our kitchen, please speak to Bob Wozniak.  All suggestions will be received, but we may not be able to achieve all of them.

>    A proposal was made to renovate the kitchen in the parsonage.  This is a much larger project and would not happen until late in 2025.

>    We will be getting postcards printed to give out as invitations to our Christmas services.  In order to make these postcards worth the cost and effort, it will be up to our members to distribute them as invitations to friends and family.  You may also want to invite friends and family to a new Bible Information Class which will begin in January 2025.  Start date still TBD.

>    We passed a budget for the 2025 year.  If you would like to receive a copy of the budget, please contact Dan LeFevre.

>    Elected to Church Council offices are the following – Ken Reisig, president; Tom Brisbey and Ron Rose, elders; David Kirvan, treasurer; Matt Crenshaw, evangelism committee chairman; Philip Schroeder, stewardship committee chairman.  Each of these men will serve a two-year term, beginning on January 1, 2025. 

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 are 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.

A NEW WEBSITE – MADEKNOWN.NET
          The made. known. website was introduced at the WELS Youth Rally earlier this summer. madeknown.net is dedicated to “walking with you in faith through identity, gender, and sexuality.” It does this through a growing library of written resources and connection to personal support.
          We pray madeknown.net can be a resource to you as you embrace Christ’s enduring message of grace and forgiveness for yourself and your loved ones.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE

          Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the service from December 8, 2024: (410) Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, December 8, 2024 - YouTube

REGULAR OFFICE HOURS

            The pastor will try to hold formal office hours Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – Noon. It should be noted that some meetings are scheduled for those times. It is best to call or text to confirm any meetings with the pastor (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

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REGULAR SCHEDULE
DIVINE SERVICES are on Sundays at 10:00 AM.
Sunday School -- Sundays at 9:00 AM.
Adult Bible Class -- Sundays at 9:00 AM.

Advent Vespers -- Wednesdays at 7:00 PM.  (A supper will be served at 6:00 PM.)
Bible Matters will resume on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 -- 6:30 PM.

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

PASTOR SCHROEDER’S BLOG
www.LutheranSubject.blogspot.com