Update from Good Shepherd (May 22, 2025)

Greetings!

SUMMER SCHEDULE 

Divine Service is Sunday at 10:00 AM.
Bible Matters is on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM, through May 28.

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

SUMMER SCHEDULE
          The summer schedule will run from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. There will be no Sunday School or Adult Bible Class. Divine Services will be at 10:00 AM.
          If you will be away for the weekend, alternative local options include St. Paul's (17810 Farmington Road, Livonia) which offers a service on Thursdays at 6:30 PM; St. Peter's (1343 Penniman Ave., Plymouth) which offers a service on Mondays at 7:00 PM; and Peace (9415 Merriman Ave., Livonia) which offers a service on Mondays at 7:00 PM.
          If you are traveling, consult the WELS Church Locator to find a WELS church near your destination. You may want to call to confirm the worship time(s) as their schedule may change for the summer months.

ASCENSION OF OUR LORD

          The Ascension of our Lord occurred forty days after his resurrection. The festival always lands on a Thursday. Good Shepherd chooses to transfer this festival to the Sunday that follows. This year, we will celebrate the ascension of our Lord on Sunday, June 1.
          If you would like to attend a church on the actual day of Ascension (Thursday, May 29), you can find a service offered at St. Paul’s (17810 Farmington Road, Livonia) at 6:30 PM or at St. Peter’s (1343 Penniman Avenue, Plymouth) at 7:00 PM.

BIBLE MATTERS

          Bible Matters is a topical discussion group that enables God’s people to become more comfortable in discussing matters of the Christian faith and more confident in defending the Bible’s teachings. We encourage open dialogue and welcome bold questions. All are welcome to consider how God’s word addresses various topics.
          Sessions will focus on the topic: The Resurrection Accounts in the Gospels. The resurrection of our Lord is recorded in each of the four Gospels. Each one gives an account with different details, as each account focuses on different emphases and had different initial audiences. Each deserves to be considered in its own context. The schedule can be found here.

OPEN FORUM / VOTERS' MEETING
          On Sunday, June 8, we will have an Open Forum after church to discuss plans for our congregation. There are a number of potential building projects coming up. Some are more pressing than others, but we want to present what could be possible. We will also highlight the progress for the pictorial directory. We will present some plans and welcome suggestions and questions to work to improve how we serve each other and our community.
          The Voters will meet following the Open Forum to ratify any plans that the congregation deems worthy. All confirmed men 18 and older are encouraged to attend and be leaders of the congregation.

PICTORIAL DIRECTORY

          The first step in getting our pictorial directory going is collecting information from all our members 18 and older.  You will find a form in your church mailbox which is to be completed and returned to Carol Casmer, our secretary.  You are encouraged to fill it out at church and turn it in right away so that it does not get lost.  If you need to take it home to look up some information, that is understandable.  But please try to return it as soon as possible to limit the number of follow-up phone calls that will need to be made.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION
           Be aware that west-bound traffic on 9 Mile Road is closed between Haggerty and Meadowbrook. There is no known date for the end of this project.

CHURCH COUCNIL HIGHLIGHTS (May)

>    The renovation of the kitchen at the church has enjoyed much progress.  Appliances should be showing up soon.  Many thanks to Bob W., Ken. D., and Jim D, and probably others.

> Our Evangelism & Stewardship Committees met to set up some tentative dates of interest:
               Family Fun Night with a Food Truck – August 7 (6:00 – 8:00 PM)
              BBQ Thursdays – We are looking for some people to host an evening in your backyard with members of Good Shepherd. It is a relaxing evening among friends.
          We welcome members to join us and to help plan these various events. Even if you take charge of one event, that will benefit us all.

>  Options to replace the windows in the chapel will get one final look at our Open Forum on June 8.  The windows, original since 1991, are single-paned and should be replaced with double-paned windows.  Regardless of any replacement for the windows, they will need to be re-caulked.  Inquiries can be made to Bob Wozniak.    

>  The parking lot has had some restriping to add some handicapped spaces. 

>  We plan to replace the existing water fountain with a filling station.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE
           Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the Divine Service from May 18, 2025: Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, May 18, 2025

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS

The pastor will be a little looser in observing formal office hours in the summer (usually, Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – Noon).  During the summer months, it is more enjoyable to read outside than in the office, weather permitting.  Call or text to confirm any meetings with the pastor (248-719-5218).  

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.

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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SUMMER SCHEDULE
DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 AM.
BIBLE MATTERS -- Wednesday at 6:30 PM (through May 28).

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

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