Update from Good Shepherd (October 23, 2025)

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE
Divine Service is Sundays at 10:00 AM.
Sunday School is Sundays at 9:00 AM.

Adult Bible Class is Sundays at 9:00 AM.  We will study the book of Revelation.  A schedule can be found here.

Bible Matters meets Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.  We will have an overview of the Minor Prophets.  A schedule can be found here.  

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

PICTORIAL DIRECTORY
         If you were not able to make it in to have your photo taken for the directory, photos can be submitted for inclusion in the upcoming directory. Please speak to Terry Barber about these submissions.

CALL FOR NAMES – ALL SAINTS' DAY REMEMBRANCE
          Every year, we remember the names of loved ones who have died in the Christian faith, praising God for the mercy he has had upon them and thanking God for preserving them in that saving faith throughout their life. Normally, the names of these departed souls are recalled in a prayer on All Saints' Day, which is November 1. Since Good Shepherd does not have a specific All Saints' Day service, we transfer this prayer and these remembrances to the first Sunday after All Saints Day. This year, that will be November 2.
          In addition to members of Good Shepherd who have been called to eternal rest, you may submit the names of your own loved ones who have died in the Christian faith between November 3, 2024 and November 1, 2025. When submitting these names, please include
                    1. the name of the deceased
                    2. your name
                    3. how he/she was related to you
                    4. the dates of his/her birth and death, if known
          All names submitted by Wednesday, October 29 will be submitted in the bulletin. Names may still be submitted as late as Sunday morning but will not be printed in the bulletin. Note: All who were members of Good Shepherd or were served by the pastor are automatically listed.
          The prayer which will be spoken on the Sunday of All Saints Day can be found here.

TRUNK OR TREAT
Trunk or Treat will be Sunday, October 26 (3:00 - 5:00 PM).
          We still need helpers!   Go to this Sign Up Genius form to indicate where you could help.
          For any who are helping out on October 26, we will be having a lunch after the service. This allows us to be on site and ready for guests who seem to start coming already at 2:30 PM. Menu items will be determined soon. Bring whatever clothes or costumes you will need and change at church after lunch. Do you need a Good Shepherd T-shirt if you are not wearing a costume? Let us know. Several sizes are still available.

FOOD DRIVE FOR MARRIED STUDENTS AT WISCONSIN LUTHERAN SEMINARY
          From now until Sunday, November 2, we will be taking a collection of food and sanitary items from the married students at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Our gifts help to alleviate the expenses of our future pastors, allowing them to potentially enter the ministry debt free. Items which are need most are posted at the bulletin boards in the fellowship hall above the boxes where the collection is being taken. Gifts of money are also welcome. Checks can be made out to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.

NEW PASTOR AT PALABRA DE VIDA
         Rev. Martin Loescher who had previously served in Neenah, Wisconsin has accepted the call to serve at Palabra de Vida Lutheran Church in Detroit. We look forward to having him, his wife, and his family come to southeast Michigan as he begins his service to God’s people at Palabra de Vida. As of this writing, there is no known date for his installation.
          When a new pastor moves to the congregation which has called him to serve him, it is customary for that congregation to welcome him with a food shower, gift cards, or some other expression of gratitude. While Palabra de Vida is certainly grateful for a new pastor, their resources are limited to express it with material gifts. We would like the congregations in the metro-Detroit area to share that expression of gratitude.
          If you would be willing to supply gift cards or gifts of money as part of the welcome for the Loescher family, please submit them to Good Shepherd so that they can be delivered to the Loescher family upon Pastor Loescher’s installation.

175^th Anniversary of the WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)

            The WELS was founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1850 by five Lutheran pastors.  Since then, it has grown to about 1,200 congregations throughout the USA and does mission work in about 50 countries.  We thank God for preserving a synod in which the Bible is upheld as God’s inerrant, inspired word.  We should not take this blessing for granted, as many denominations have chosen to ignore or reject parts of God’s word, leaving people to wonder what in the Bible is still true and what is not.

            In order to express our gratitude to the Lord for preserving our synod, and in hopes to see our synod expand its ministry to the USA and to the world, we will be participating in a thank offering throughout the month of November.  There will be a collection plate by the ushers’ station.  You may also designate an offering (mark it as “WELS 175”, but payable to Good Shepherd) and put it in the collection plate with your usual offering.

CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS (October)

>  Our projector has not been consistent in projecting.  Since it is better than ten years old, we are considering a replacement.  We are looking into getting a smart TV with interactive capabilities which allows HDMI input as well as ability to draw with a special, electronic pen.  

>  Our handicapped accessible entry via push-button should be installed on October 30. 

>  We plan on adding to our Servant Keeper office management system to allow for texting to large groups, similar to the email blasts, but with texting.  When it is ready to go, we will do a test run after church some Sunday.  

>  We have hired a professional janitorial service.

>  A gift was graciously given toward the purchase of a moveable coffee bar.  That coffee bar will be purchased soon.  We thank the donor for their generosity.

>  We are planning on two congregational meetings in late November and early December.  Our Open Forum on November 23 will present a recommended budget for the 2026 year, as well as present some plans we hope to implement in the next year or so.  On December 7, we will present a long-term plan for various improvements or maintenance projects which may need to be done in the next ten years or so.  Some projects are necessary; others would be nice.  We welcome feedback to see what the congregation would support or what alternatives we might consider.

PICTORIAL DIRECTORY
          If you were not able to make it in to have your photo taken for the directory, photos can be submitted for inclusion in the upcoming directory. Please speak to Terry Barber about these submissions.
         Those who had photos taken will have them sent to them electronically in the coming weeks.
         We are hoping for the pictorial directory to be completed by the end of year.

GROWING TOGETHER IN GOD’S WORD
          Starting in January, we are going to approach Bible Matters with a different format. We will be reading through a book as a group and meeting to discuss the chapter which was read the previous week. The book we will be working with is entitled, “Your Life Has Meaning: Discovering Your Role in an Epic Story.” This can be purchased in bulk for a discount ($20 each), but we will need to have people let us know if they will be purchasing the book so that we do not overspend on unused books. You can sign up for a book at church. They will be ordered so that you can have a copy by Christmas. Bible Matters will begin our discussion of the book on Wednesday, January 7.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE

           Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the Divine Service from October 19, 2025. Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, October 19, 2025

REGULAR OFFICE HOURS
          For the most part, the pastor will be observing formal office hours (Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – Noon). Occasionally, duties will take him away from the office during these scheduled times, so you will still want to 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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REGULAR SCHEDULE

Sunday School -- Sundays at 9:00 AM 

Adult Bible Class -- Sundays at 9:00 AM 

DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 AM.

Bible Matters -- Wednesdays at 6:30 PM 

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

PASTOR SCHROEDER’S BLOG

www.LutheranSubject.blogspot.com  

YouTube -- 19th Sunday after Pentecost (October 19, 2025)

Here is the Divine Service from Sunday, October 19, 2025.

For your amusement -- Tommy Emmanuel and Leonid and Friends

Last night, my lovely wife and I made another trip to the Royal Oak Music Theater. 

Back in September, we saw Leonid and Friends, a Russian group who covers songs mainly from Chicago and Earth, Wind, and Fire.  They are amazing.  I said they cover those songs, but you would be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the original recordings and Leonid and Friends.  Need proof?  Here are two recordings which we also got to see live.  The first is Fantasy by Earth, Wind, and Fire.  The second is I'm a Man by Chicago.  They were phenomenal.

Last night, the concert was by Tommy Emmanuel, an Australian guitarist who is a one-man band.  He plays in a way that includes a bass line, a rhythm section, and the melody.  I have to believe that he ices his fingers down after a concert.  He was lightning fast with finger picking and playing harmonics.  In addition, he uses his guitar as a percussion instrument.  Another fantastic show.  Below are some clips of Tommy Emmanuel.  The first is a song called Angelina.  Last night, he sang lyrics with it.  It is too bad they are not included here.  It sounded like a love song to his daughter when she was little.  Below that is a TED talk he did which explains and shows how he plays.  Some of these selections were also in the concern we saw.

Sermon -- 19th Sunday after Pentecost (October 19, 2025)

LUKE 18:1-8

ALWAYS PRAY AND DO NOT LOSE HEART.

In the name + of Jesus.

    Whenever there is crime, civil unrest, or war, people will say, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims.”  Others mock those sentiments.  They say that thoughts and prayers do nothing about the evils that occur.  This mockery is an attack on our Lord.  It suggests that he is incapable of doing anything or that he is disinterested in doing anything.  Of course, whoever does not believe the word of God regards prayers the same as carrying around a lucky rabbit’s foot.  (Maybe you remember those things from the 1970’s.)

     St. Paul had high regard for thoughts and prayers.  He began most of his epistles with this sentiment: “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love and faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints” (Philemon 1:4-5).  Paul kept the people he had served in his thoughts, and he prayed for them regularly.  Why?  Because prayers are significant and effective.  Our prayers serve as both a confession and an act of worship.  By them, we confess whom we honor as God above all.  By them, we worship our Lord as the one in whom we trust for all good things.  When we pray, we take all our concerns to the Lord to act according to his infinite wisdom, mercy, and power.  Do not be discouraged when unbelievers mock the thoughts and prayers of God’s people.  Rather, always pray and do not lose heart.

     Do you know who else had high regard for prayer?  Our Lord, Jesus Christ.  “Jesus told (his disciples) a parable about the need to always pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1).  Jesus spoke about a judge who did not care about God or people.  He also mentioned a widow who implored the judge for justice.  She had no one to help her.  No one else would speak up for her.  Her only hope was a judge who did not care about anyone but himself.  His motives were self-centered.  Even when he gave this woman the justice she demanded, he did it for his own benefit rather than hers.  “I will give her justice so that she will not wear me out with her endless pleading” (Luke 18:5).

     If this were Aesop’s Fables, the moral of the story would be “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.”  Children know this.  They will beg incessantly, “Can I have this?  Can I have this?  Can I have this?  Can I have this?  Can I have this?”  Eventually, beleaguered parents say, “Fine!  Have it!”  They do it because they are annoyed by the begging and want their children to be quiet.  But this is not the point of the parable, as if we must wear God down before he will do anything.

     Jesus taught us to pray to our Father.  He is not a deadbeat Dad who has abandoned his family.  He does not regard you as a burden to be freed from.  He is your good and merciful Father in heaven.  He created you and sustains you day by day.   He even supplies more than you need so you get to enjoy variety, beauty, and bounty.  He loves you.  He cares for you.  He is interested in you.  Most importantly, he invested the life and death of his only begotten Son to make you his own dear child.  Therefore, he wants you to entrust him with whatever it is that bothers you or scares you, whatever threatens you or tempts you, or whatever you need or want.  And since these issues never go away, it is good to always pray and not lose heart.

     Jesus noted that the judge who did not care about other people did finally cave in because of the woman’s constant pleading.  Now hear Jesus’ conclusion: “Will not God give justice to his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night?  Will he put off helping them?  I tell you that he will give them justice quickly” (Luke 18:7-8).  Since God the Father does care about you, he will listen to your prayers.  He will take up your cause.  He will do what serves for your eternal good.

     Always pray and do not lose heart.  Do not lose heart over what seems like the Lord’s slowness to act.  The Lord knows what is going on in this world.  In fact, he warned you that these things were coming.  The Bible teaches us: “In the last days there will be terrible times.  For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemous, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, not able to reconcile with others, slanderous, without self-control, savage, haters of what is good, treacherous, reckless, puffed up with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to an outward form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:1-5). 

     If you become anxious because you see these things unfolding right in front of your eyes, do not lose heart.  Our Lord knows the kind of society we live in.  Some places, of course, are worse than others, but no place is perfect.  What you are seeing is nothing new, and it will not cease as long as the earth endures.  When you see such wickedness, there is no place to turn but to our Lord.  That is why we always pray.  Our Lord told us that kingdoms will rise and fall, but the kingdom of our God endures forever.  So, always pray and do not lose heart.

     The widow hounded the judge for justice because she was being wronged.  To her credit, she did not take matters into her own hands to execute the kind of justice that she thought was right.  She turned to the one who had authority to carry out appropriate justice.  Understand your role in bringing justice to the world.  God does not call on you to fix everything as you see fit.  Lawmakers, judges, and police are all established as proper authorities to execute justice.

     What can you do?  You can protest without being destructive or disruptive to others’ lives.  You can write letters, appeal to congressmen, campaign, and run for office.  Parents are to discipline their children so they know right from wrong.  You can confess God’s word and let that word influence people to turn from wickedness and to promote righteousness.  Laws may enforce behavior, but only God’s mercy and love will change hearts.  So, if you want to see hearts changed, God’s word will do far more than legislation ever will.  Pray for courage to confess that word, to stand on it, and to live up to it.  And do not lose heart when others won’t.

     We all think that we have a handle on what is just.  Rarely do we know the whole story.  Sure, that guy was rude and insulting.  But who knows?  Maybe he is consumed by thoughts about his sick child more than being polite.  Your sense of justice may say, “He should suffer for his rudeness.”  But perhaps he is already suffering enough.  Rarely is our sense of justice free from bias.  We want justice that favors us, not always what is right.  That is why it is best to call upon God to carry out a righteous judgment.  Always pray and do not lose heart.

     We want God to make things right.  We want God to treat people fairly, thinking that all people deserve better than they are getting.  But what if God were fair with everyone?  This is what the Lord says, “There is surely not a righteous man on earth who does good and does not sin” (Ecclesiastes 7:20).  To exercise justice fairly, our Lord must convict and condemn everyone; for we all fail to do the good God demands of us.  We all have done the evil that God forbids us to do.  To demand justice from God is to demand our own damnation; for that is what our sin has earned us.  Our sin is the reason our sense of justice is biased.  It is the reason we assume that our assessment of right and wrong is what God must do rather than aligning our sense of right and wrong with his word.  It is the reason we are more interested in vengeance than righteousness. 

     The Lord is a righteous judge.  He takes his word seriously and will judge everyone according to it.  All who are guilty will pay the price.  And yet our Lord desires to be merciful.  He does not delight in damning anyone.  How can our Lord be both just and merciful?  He fulfills this through Jesus Christ.  The Father sent Jesus to bear the guilt of all mankind.  The Bible states, “God made him, who did not know sin, to become sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21).  Jesus accepted accountability for all the good we failed to do and for all the evil we have done.  Then he paid the price. 

     While he hung from the cross, Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” (Matthew 27:46)?  To be forsaken by God is to be cut off from all that is good, from every blessing, from life and mercy and hope.  Because he bore the guilt of every sinner, Jesus was cut off from all that is good, from every blessing, from life and mercy and hope.  So, justice was done.  The guilty one was condemned.  Since all your sin has been taken away, you are not condemned.  You have been declared, “Not guilty.”  And this is justice, too.  For God will not condemn you for sins that have already been paid for.  So, when you pray that God would be just, then pray that God would honor Jesus’ sufferings and death.  Pray that he would be merciful to sinners.  Rather than be consumed by what God should do with the wicked, rejoice that God has delivered you from all wickedness.  Always pray and do not lose heart.

     Jesus concludes his parable with a rather disturbing question: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth” (Luke 18:8)?  Jesus knows that many will grow weary and impatient.  He knows that many will give up praying and will lose heart.  Many will figure it is better to enjoy what you can in this world of sin than to patiently wait for the glories of heaven.  Those glories we don’t see, but the indulgent pleasures of the world are presented before us daily.  Will those temptations be too alluring?  Will instant gratification feel better than patient endurance?  Will the Son of Man find faith when he comes again to judge the living and the dead?
     Do not lose heart because God is not acting immediately to destroy the wicked.  Do not lose heart because God is granting more time for people to repent.  Do not lose heart because you are confusing God’s patience with inattentiveness.  And so that you do not lose heart, the Lord has given you his word and prayer.  In prayer, you speak to God about your fears and frustrations, your anxiety and your anger, your trails and temptations.  You get to call upon the king of heaven and earth to hear and act, knowing that he does, indeed, care for you and works for your eternal good.  And God has entrusted you with his word where he speaks to you.  The Lord assures you that he lives and reigns over all things.  He speaks tenderly with compassion and mercy.  He directs your attention not to a dying world but to everlasting life, not to the wickedness of men but to the goodness of Jesus. 

     This world will always have its share of evils and injustice.  We can pray for relief and for mercy in the midst of all of it.  But finally, the Church prays, “Come, Lord Jesus.”  He is our refuge and our hope.  Only Jesus will bring eternal freedom from all wickedness.  We keep God’s promises in our thoughts.  We always pray, “Lord, have mercy.”  In this way, we will not lose heart. 

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

Sermon -- Wedding of Brandon DuBois and Sarah Percival (October 18, 2025)

This sermon was preached at the wedding of Brandon DuBois and Sarah Percival, conducted at the Detroit Yacht Club.

EPHESIANS 5:23-33

THE GODLY GROOM EXALTS HIS BELOVED BRIDE.

In the name + of Jesus.

    The Bible begins with a marriage.  The Lord saw that it was not good for the man to be alone, so he created a helper suitable for him.  From the side of the groom, God gave life to his bride and united them as one.  God blessed them, and they were to be a blessing for each other.

     This is still God’s plan.  Marriage is the blessed union of one man and one woman—faithfully and exclusively joined together.  It is still a blessed union.  And it will be a blessing for you, Brandon and Sarah, to be bound together.  You will get to go through life together—supporting each other in difficult days, rejoicing together in good days, and benefiting from just being together in the many other days that are routine or boring. 

     As God joins you together today, he gives each of you specific roles.  Sarah, God instructs you, “Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he himself is the Savior.  Moreover, as the church submits to Christ, so also wives are to submit to their husbands in everything” (Ephesians 5:22-24).  These words make many women cringe, although it is often a misunderstanding of what God’s design is. 

     First of all, nowhere in Scripture is any man instructed to make sure that his wife submits to him.  This is not about a man putting a woman in her place.  It is about a wife willingly submitting to receive the benefits of having a husband.  It is about supporting him as he leads the family.  It is about working together for the good of the household. 

     I suppose many people feel like the woman is given the harder role or that this submission belittles or degrades her.  But let’s listen to what God tells husbands.  “Husbands, love your wives, in the same way as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25).  Brandon, you are responsible for the well-being of your wife and your household.  As the head of the house, you are to provide for your wife, protect her, exalt her, and sacrifice for her.  How much?  St. Paul said “as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25).  Love for your wife means seeking her good.  It means giving yourself up for her and giving yourself to her.  And Sarah, by submitting to him, you have to put up with that.  A godly groom exalts his beloved bride.

     St. Paul says that marriage is but a reflection of Christ and his Church.  Jesus Christ is the groom, and the Church is his beloved, beautiful bride.  Now, the Church is not naturally beautiful.  In fact, our sins are quite ugly.  Just consider how sin rears its ugly head in marriage.  Husbands and wives are supposed to be blessings to each other.  But how many spouses become rivals?  How many compete with each other to see who can get their way at the expense of the other?  How many keep track of wins and losses?  Rather than forgiving one another, how many make each other pay for their sins against each other again and again and again? 

     I don’t mean to scare you, but every marriage has its problems.  You are both sinners.  You will have problems.  Sarah, you may be tempted to treat Brandon like a 2^nd grader.  Worse, Brandon, you may prefer it, expecting Sarah to mother you like a 2^nd grader so that you can lie back and avoid your responsibilities.  Even if you think your sins benefit you, they do not benefit your marriage.  Yes, it can get ugly.  Now, not every sin you commit will be against each other, but every sin is an offense before God.  We sin against God with every heartless actions, every cruel word, and every self-centered thought. 

     Our Lord does not overlook these things.  What he does do is pay for them.  The church is not naturally beautiful, but Jesus Christ sacrificed himself for her, taking up all her sins and suffering and dying for her—not because we deserve it, but because of his faithful and enduring love for us.  He “did this so that he could present her to himself as a glorious church, having no stain or wrinkle or any such thing, but so that she would be holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:27).  When Jesus was suspended from the cross, he was pierced with a spear.  Out of that wound poured forth blood and water.  Once again, from the side of the groom, he gave life to his bride.  The blood of Jesus has purified you of all unrighteousness.  Through the waters of baptism, Jesus cleansed you of all sin.  You have been clothed in garments of salvation.  You are presented to the Lord in beauty and radiance.  The godly groom exalts his beautiful bride.

     The Church submits to Christ, but his bride is not belittled by submitting to him.  On the contrary, the Church is exalted by submitting to him.  Jesus does all things for her good.  In turn, she exalts him for his goodness and for his salvation.  “This is a great mystery, but I am talking about Christ and the church.  In any case, each one of you also is to love his wife as himself, and each wife is to respect her husband” (Ephesians 5:32-33).  The godly groom exalts his beloved bride.

     Brandon and Sarah, God intends your marriage to be a tremendous blessing for each of you.  Each of you gets to seek the good of the other, and you have a whole lifetime to dedicate yourself to this joyful duty.  This godly love seeks not to take, but to give.  It is eager to serve and to pour itself out for the good of the other person—just as Christ has done for the Church and just as the Church does for Christ.  A godly groom exalts his beautiful bride, and the bride responds by exalting her beloved husband.

     The Bible began with a wedding in the Garden of Eden.  It also ends with a wedding in the Paradise of God.  “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9).  The Lord has bound himself to you so that you will be his forever.  Remain committed to him as he is committed to you.  Remain committed to each other.  The blessed union of marriage is God’s plan.  It is seen in the union of a man and woman.  It is fulfilled in the union of Christ and his Church.  The godly groom exalts his beloved bride.

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

Update from Good Shepherd (October 16, 2025)

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE
Divine Service is Sundays at 10:00 AM.
Sunday School is Sundays at 9:00 AM.

Adult Bible Class is Sundays at 9:00 AM.  We will study the book of Revelation.  A schedule can be found here.

Bible Matters meets Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.  We will have an overview of the Minor Prophets.  A schedule can be found here.  

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

PICTORIAL DIRECTORY
         If you were not able to make it in to have your photo taken for the directory, photos can be submitted for inclusion in the upcoming directory. Please speak to Terry Barber about these submissions.

CALL FOR NAMES – ALL SAINTS' DAY REMEMBRANCE
          Every year, we remember the names of loved ones who have died in the Christian faith, praising God for the mercy he has had upon them and thanking God for preserving them in that saving faith throughout their life. Normally, the names of these departed souls are recalled in a prayer on All Saints' Day, which is November 1. Since Good Shepherd does not have a specific All Saints' Day service, we transfer this prayer and these remembrances to the first Sunday after All Saints Day. This year, that will be November 2.
          In addition to members of Good Shepherd who have been called to eternal rest, you may submit the names of your own loved ones who have died in the Christian faith between November 3, 2024 and November 1, 2025. When submitting these names, please include
                    1. the name of the deceased
                    2. your name
                    3. how he/she was related to you
                    4. the dates of his/her birth and death, if known
          All names submitted by Wednesday, October 29 will be submitted in the bulletin. Names may still be submitted as late as Sunday morning but will not be printed in the bulletin. Note: All who were members of Good Shepherd or were served by the pastor are automatically listed.
          The prayer which will be spoken on the Sunday of All Saints Day can be found here.

TRUNK OR TREAT
Trunk or Treat will be Sunday, October 26 (3:00 - 5:00 PM).
          We will have a planning meeting after church, Sunday, October 19, to make sure we are getting organized for this event which has proven to be quite popular with our community.  Go to this Sign Up Genius form to indicate where you could help.
          For any who are helping out on October 26, we will be having a lunch after the service. This allows us to be on site and ready for guests who seem to start coming already at 2:30 PM. Menu items will be determined soon. Bring whatever clothes or costumes you will need and change at church after lunch. Do you need a Good Shepherd T-shirt if you are not wearing a costume? Let us know. Several sizes are still available.

FOOD DRIVE FOR MARRIED STUDENTS AT WISCONSIN LUTHERAN SEMINARY
          From now until Sunday, November 2, we will be taking a collection of food and sanitary items from the married students at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Our gifts help to alleviate the expenses of our future pastors, allowing them to potentially enter the ministry debt free. Items which are need most are posted at the bulletin boards in the fellowship hall above the boxes where the collection is being taken. Gifts of money are also welcome. Checks can be made out to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.

CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS (September)

>  Our projector has not been consistent in projecting.  Since it is better than ten years old, we are considering a replacement.  We are looking into getting a smart TV with interactive capabilities which allows HDMI input as well as ability to draw with a special, electronic pen.  

>  We are hoping to get handicapped accessible entry via push-button installed in the coming weeks.  Currently, the parts are back-ordered.  So, we will wait. 

>  We plan on added to our Servant Keeper office management system to allow for texting to large groups, similar to the email blasts, but with texting.  When it is ready to go, we will do a test run after church some Sunday.  

>  We have hired a professional janitorial service.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE

           Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the Divine Service from October 12, 2025. Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, October 12, 2025

REGULAR OFFICE HOURS
          For the most part, the pastor will be observing formal office hours (Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – Noon). Occasionally, duties will take him away from the office during these scheduled times, so you will still want to 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

==================

REGULAR SCHEDULE

Sunday School -- Sundays at 9:00 AM 

Adult Bible Class -- Sundays at 9:00 AM 

DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 AM.

Bible Matters -- Wednesdays at 6:30 PM 

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

PASTOR SCHROEDER’S BLOG

www.LutheranSubject.blogspot.com  

YouTube -- 18th Sunday after Pentecost (October 12, 2025)

Here is the Divine Service from Sunday, October 12, 2025.

Something from ... Gottesdienst re: Masculinity

I've said before that we are more influenced by our culture than we think.  Christians have bought into much of what our culture has taught us about men and women.

I've told young couples that the greatest task they will ever perform in this lifetime is raising their children.  They may agree in theory; it is not followed through in practice.  The world has taught them that they will only find purpose and satisfaction in a career and that basking in a double-income-no-kids lifestyle is where true happiness is found.  Of course, others avoid marriage altogether.  Many are saying that being a spouse or a parent is oppressive.  This is not only wrong; it is Satanic.  

Much of what our society teaches regarding men and women is Satanic, even to the point where we now must honor people who lie about their sex (incorrectly labeled as "gender"), invent pronouns that do not reflect reality, and engage in sex-with-anything lifestyles (cf. pansexuals).  

If you don't think you've been influenced by society, take a look (or a listen) to the blogpost by Rev. Larry Beane at Gottesdienst.org.  How many times do you find his observations cringe-worthy?  How many women feel they are attacked or belittled when he upholds God's design for men?  Do you have a desire to correct or counter what he has to say?  Do you believe that he is fighting a problem that does not exist?

Chances are, you will find yourself bristling at some of his comments.  The question is not whether or not his comments make you cringe, but whether or not his comments are unscriptural and whether or not his depiction of godly masculinity goes against God's design.

If we have been influenced by our society, it is time to take pains to correct it and to promote the goodness of God's design for both men and women.

Anyway, here is something from Gottesdienst: How Young Men Can Serve the Church — Gottesdienst

Call for Names -- All Saints' Day remembrances

CALL FOR NAMES – ALL SAINTS' DAY REMEMBRANCE

            Every year, we remember the names of loved ones who have died in the Christian faith, praising God for the mercy he has had upon them and thanking God for preserving them in that saving faith throughout their life.  Normally, the names of these departed souls are recalled in a prayer on All Saints' Day, which is November 1.  Since Good Shepherd does not have a specific All Saints' Day service, we transfer this prayer and these remembrances to the first Sunday after All Saints Day.  This year, that will be November 2.

            In addition to members of Good Shepherd who have been called to eternal rest, you may submit the names of your own loved ones who have died in the Christian faith between November 3, 2024 and November 1, 2025.  When submitting these names, please include

                    1. the name of the deceased
                    2. your name
                    3. how he/she was related to you
                    4. the dates of his/her birth and death, if known

            All names submitted by Wednesday, October November 29 will be submitted in the bulletin.  Names may still be submitted as late as Sunday morning, but will not be printed in the bulletin.  Note: All who were members of Good Shepherd or were served by the pastor are automatically listed.

            The prayer which will be spoken on the Sunday of All Saints Day is listed here:

PRAYER FOR ALL SAINTS’ DAY

          Almighty God, today we recall with thanksgiving those saints who were taken from us in the Church Militant and carried by the angels to you and the Church Triumphant.  Especially, we give you praise for our departed family and friends who have gone before us in faith and all those who are in our hearts and minds this day:

          (The names of those who are to be remembered are read).

          To these, you have granted eternal rest this past year.  We thank you for giving them new life in Christ while on this earth and for sustaining them in true and saving faith throughout their life.  We praise you for finally giving them the fulfillment of your promises of salvation and eternal life.  Strengthen and sustain us in this saving faith so that we may also join with the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven in joyful praise, peace, and rest forever; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Cong:          Amen.

Update from Good Shepherd (October 9, 2025)

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE
Divine Service is Sundays at 10:00 AM.
Sunday School is Sundays at 9:00 AM.

Adult Bible Class is Sundays at 9:00 AM.  We will study the book of Revelation.  A schedule can be found here.

Bible Matters meets Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.  We will have an overview of the Minor Prophets.  A schedule can be found here.  

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

PICTORIAL DIRECTORY
         If you were not able to make it in to have your photo taken for the directory, photos can be submitted for inclusion in the upcoming directory. Please speak to Terry Barber about these submissions.

TRUNK OR TREAT
Trunk or Treat will be Sunday, October 26 (3:00 - 5:00 PM).
          We will have a planning meeting after church, Sunday, October 19, to make sure we are getting organized for this event which has proven to be quite popular with our community. Look for a Sign Up Genius form to indicate where we will still need help.
          For any who are helping out on October 26, we will be having a lunch after the service. This allows us to be on site and ready for guests who seem to start coming already at 2:30 PM. Menu items will be determined soon. Bring whatever clothes or costumes you will need and change at church after lunch. Do you need a Good Shepherd T-shirt if you are not wearing a costume? Let us know. Several sizes are still available.

FOOD DRIVE FOR MARRIED STUDENTS AT WISCONSIN LUTHERAN SEMINARY
          From now until Sunday, November 2, we will be taking a collection of food and sanitary items from the married students at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Our gifts help to alleviate the expenses of our future pastors, allowing them to potentially enter the ministry debt free. Items which are need most are posted at the bulletin boards in the fellowship hall above the boxes where the collection is being taken. Gifts of money are also welcome. Checks can be made out to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.

CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS (September)

>  Our projector has not been consistent in projecting.  Since it is better than ten years old, we are considering a replacement.  We are looking into getting a smart TV with interactive capabilities which allows HDMI input as well as ability to draw with a special, electronic pen.  

>  We are hoping to get handicapped accessible entry via push-button installed in the coming weeks.  Currently, the parts are back-ordered.  So, we will wait. 

>  We plan on added to our Servant Keeper office management system to allow for texting to large groups, similar to the email blasts, but with texting.  When it is ready to go, we will do a test run after church some Sunday.  

>  We are hiring a professional janitorial service soon.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE

           Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the Divine Service from October 5, 2025. (1777) Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, October 5, 2025 - YouTube

REGULAR OFFICE HOURS
          For the most part, the pastor will be observing formal office hours (Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – Noon). Occasionally, duties will take him away from the office during these scheduled times, so you will still want to 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

==================

REGULAR SCHEDULE

Sunday School -- Sundays at 9:00 AM 

Adult Bible Class -- Sundays at 9:00 AM 

DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 AM.

Bible Matters -- Wednesdays at 6:30 PM 

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

PASTOR SCHROEDER’S BLOG

www.LutheranSubject.blogspot.com  

YouTube -- 17th Sunday after Pentecost (October 5, 2025)

Here is the Divine Service from Sunday, October 5, 2025.

Pastors' Conference at Trinity Lutheran Church in Saline

Last week Monday and Tuesday, September 29-30, the pastors of the Southeast Conference of the Michigan District of the WELS met at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Saline, Michigan.

The brisket for lunch on Monday was outstanding. 

Sermon -- 17th Sunday after Pentecost (October 5, 2025)

LUKE 17:1-10

LORD, INCREASE OUR FAITH.

In the name + of Jesus.

    In his letter to the Corinthians, St. Paul addressed the congregation in regard to their reception of the Lord’s Supper.  He wrote, “Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the Lord’s body and blood.  Instead, let a person examine himself and after doing so, let him eat of the bread and drink from the cup.  For if anyone eats and drinks in an unworthy way because he does not recognize the Lord’s body, he eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).  Our Lord does not want us to treat the holy things lightly.  We have nothing more sacred in our services than the body and blood of Jesus Christ.  That is why we are careful about who receives it.  We do not want anyone to receive it to his detriment, particularly those who insist that it is not, but merely represents, the body of Christ.  This is the historic Christian practice, and it is followed by almost every church that confesses Jesus’ body and blood are truly present in the sacrament.

     Taking care of the holy things also refers to ourselves.  You are the Lord’s holy ones.  You have been purified by the blood of Jesus in your baptism and declared to be the saints of God.  As his holy ones, you and I are to examine ourselves.  We are to assess our thoughts, words, and actions to ensure that they align with God’s holy word. 

     Our Catechism has taught us to do this.  “Consider your place in life according to the Ten Commandments.  Are you a father, mother, son, daughter, employer, or employee?  Have you been disobedient, unfaithful, or lazy?  Have you hurt anyone by word or deed?  Have you been dishonest, careless, wasteful, or done other wrong?” (Luther’s Small Catechism: Confession).  We should recognize our sins, repent of them, and confess them.  After we are absolved for them, we strive to amend our lives so that we do not continue in them.  Such assessment is done so that sin does not fester in our hearts and destroy faith. 

     Our Gospel reading, however, may lead you to assess yourself wrongly. Jesus said, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you could tell this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you” (Luke 17:6).  Who of us, when we hear this, does not try to figure out just how big our faith is?  Is it the size of a mustard seed?  Is it as big as a pear?  Perhaps a watermelon?  Since we are not uprooting trees, we might wonder if we have faith at all. 

     Trying to determine the size of one’s faith is a useless exercise.  It will result in one of two things.  You will either despair, thinking that you have no faith at all, or you will become proud and boast about how great your faith is.  People who focus on the size of their faith end up saying things like, “I don’t know if my faith is strong enough for me to be saved.”  Your salvation does not rest on how great or big or strong your faith is.  Your faith does not rest in yourself.  Jesus taught us, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on bedrock.  The rain came down, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house.  But it did not fall, because it was founded on bedrock” (Matthew 7:24-25).  Jesus did not talk about the size of the house, because the point was not how big the house was.  The point is that it rested on the rock.  Faith rests on Jesus Christ. 

     The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith” (Luke 17:5).  What prompted that request?  It is what Jesus had just told them.  “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!  It would be better for that person if a millstone would be hung around his neck and he would be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.  Watch yourselves” (Luke 17:1-3).  More literally, Jesus said it is impossible that temptations not come.  And it is actually stronger than “temptations.”  The word is skandalon (you can hear the word scandal in there), which usually means something that either would prevent a person from coming to faith in Jesus or would drive a person from the Christian faith.  There will always be people or teachings or temptations to lure us away from Jesus Christ and his Church.  In order to stand firm, in order to not be deceived, we pray, “Lord, increase our faith!”

     The Lord goes on to say, “If your brother sins, rebuke him.  If he repents, forgive him.  Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him” (Luke 17:3-4).  Forgiveness is hard, especially when it is a repeat offender.  If someone sins against you three times in a day, you’ve probably had it with him.  You might respond with threats, not mercy. 

     Therefore, we pray, “Lord, increase our faith!”  If we are disciples of Jesus, we want to be like Jesus.  Our Lord Jesus Christ continues to forgive us, day after day.  We come to God’s house week after week and confess our sins.  Forgiveness has never been withheld.  If you came to Private Confession, and time after time ended up confessing, “It’s me, Lord.  Again.  For the same thing,” the Lord does not say, “You’ve reached your quota.  You’re done for a while.”  Even if you came before the Lord seven times in one day in repentance, he forgives your sins.  The Lord is eager to forgive the penitent, as the Psalms remind us, “A broken and crushed heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).  This is the kind of mercy we strive to demonstrate.  “If your brother … sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him” (Luke 17:3-4).  This is hard to live up to.  So, we continue to pray, “Lord, increase our faith!”

     Our prayer intensifies as Jesus continues to instruct his apostles what discipleship means.  We are servants of the Lord, which means that we submit our will to God’s will and do what he has given us to do.  Nowhere has the Lord commanded you to invoke his name to uproot trees and to cast them into the sea, so don’t worry about that.  But the Lord has given you the Ten Commandments to follow.  That is enough to keep all of us busy. 

     Now, you are a disciple of Jesus; he calls you to a higher place.  He calls on you to follow him and his word—to exercise patience, to love your neighbor and even your enemies, to be compassionate to the needy and the suffering, to be merciful, and to bless even when you are cursed.  But who is up to the task?  It is enough for a servant to be like his master, but who is?  We all struggle with godly living.  We get tired.  We get distracted.  We fear being taken advantage of, and maybe we are.  Some people make it very hard to love them.  It is all the more reason to pray, “Lord, increase our faith!”

     On the other hand, maybe you feel like you are doing pretty well.  Maybe you even feel this is worthy of recognition or reward.  Jesus would have you ponder this: “[The master] does not thank the servant because he did what he was commanded to do, does he?  So also you, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants.  We have only done what we were supposed to do’” (Luke 17:9-10).  Even if we could be holy, we have not gone above and beyond the call.  We have only done what was expected of us. 

     Maybe you think that you are getting short-changed if you are not getting any special reward for faithfulness to the Lord.  Perhaps there should be a bonus of some sort for being godly in a godless world.  If you are seeking this reward, then understand that you would rather be saved by your merits than by faith.  And even if your good deeds manage to be more prominent than your sins (which is unlikely), your sins still stand against you.  Just consider what your initial reaction to Jesus’ words were.  Even if someone “sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him” (Luke 17:4)?!  Did you think, “Gladly!” or, “Unlikely!”?  When Jesus said that keeping all of God’s commands should be followed with, “We are unworthy servants.  We have only done what we were supposed to do’” (Luke 17:10), did you think, “That sounds right”?  Our obedience is less than willing, which merits God’s judgment.

     Jesus Christ was sent into the world by his Father to do what no one else has ever been asked to do.  Jesus Christ was sent to pay for sins he never committed.  He was sent to rescue us from a fiery future that we had brought upon ourselves and from endless torment that we have earned.  The Bible states, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the book of the law” (Galatians 3:10)?  We have earned the curse.  So, what did the Father send his Son to do?  “Christ Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13).  This is something Jesus should never have had to do.  But the Father sent Jesus to do it in order to serve and to save sinners.  Jesus willingly submitted to it, doing what he was supposed to do.  This is what saves you.  This is what faith rests upon. 

     What’s more, Jesus still serves you!  Having risen and ascended to his Father, Jesus prepares a place for you in the heavenly kingdom.  Jesus lives and reigns over all things for the good of his Church.  Jesus lives and reigns to forgive you of all your sins—seven times in a day if he must.  Jesus feeds you with the sacred meal of his body and blood to strengthen you in your weakness and to encourage you in a life of service.  Jesus speaks to you in his word because he knows that it is impossible that temptations, deceptions, and enticements will not come.  He exposes the lies so that you will not be deceived.  He directs you to godly living so you do not become entangled in sin and lose the salvation he gives you.  He strengthens you to do what is good, and he comforts you when you suffer what is bad.

     We pray, “Lord, increase our faith!  Help us to do what you have called us to do with joy.  Help us to commit ourselves to faithful service, not for the sake of fanfare, but for the honor of your name and for the good of our neighbor.  Teach us to be merciful, to be eager to forgive, and to be dedicated to your word.  Lord, increase our faith!”  This is a prayer to which our Lord will always say, “Yes.”  But he will not have you focus on how big or how strong or how sincere your faith is.  He will show you the fullness of his mercy.  He will declare the depth of his compassion.  He will apply the benefits of Jesus’ sacrifice to you.  For, it is not the size of one’s faith that saves; it is the immeasurable love and mercy of our Lord.  “Lord, increase our faith in that.”

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