Kitchen Renovation -- progress!

Here are some photos to show the progress on the church kitchen renovations.  Many thanks go to Bob W., Ken D., and Jim D. (among others, I'm sure) for the work they have contributed to this project.

Kitchen renovations have begun

The work on renovating the kitchen at church has begun.  Bob Wozniak and Jim Datte have removed all the cabinets.  Ken DeSantis came to do some electrical work.  Thank you for your diligent work.  More updates will be posted as the work progresses.

Everything has been taken away except the kitchen sink.  Bottom photo: The kitchen sink.

Fowling outing

On Friday, February 21, some brave souls from Good Shepherd went to go fowling at the HUB Stadium in Novi.  The object is to knock down the pins by throwing a football at them.  You get as many turns as it takes.  When you get down to one pin still standing, it requires some accuracy or dumb luck to get it down.  We experienced both.  

Euchre Nights -- Winter 2025

EUCHRE NIGHTS

          On the Sundays from February 23 through March 30, there will be potential for euchre nights.  Various members will host for the evening, which means the venue will change from week to week. 

Once we have hosts lined up, we will ask people to RSVP so that each host knows how many to expect.  If you are not a euchre player and want to come for the sake of visiting with your fellow members, please do.  It is very likely that not every euchre player will be able to play each game.

          NOTE: If there are no hosts for a particular Sunday, we will not have a euchre night.

Good Shepherd ethnic food outing

On Friday, January 31, a group from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church went out for ethnic food.  One of the suggested restaurants for Thai food was Thai Basil.  Great food.  Great company.  Great times.

Family Fun Night at Good Shepherd

On Thursday, August 8, we welcomed Messy Ace's Rib Shack to Good Shepherd.  We invited our community (could have advertised better) to enjoy some great food with us.  We also had a bouncy house, a 9-hole putt-putt golf course, and corn hole for our guests to enjoy.

We had a pretty good turn out, and the weather was WAY better than last year.  Last year we also lost power.  This year we were able to have people sit outside and enjoy the weather and one another's company.

We were already brainstorming about how we can improve on this event for next year.  NOTE: Our BBQ master was awesome, and I have since forgotten his name.  He is hopeful to be back next year.  He was kind enough to put us on his Facebook page here: messy ace's ribshack - Search Results | Facebook

Here are some photos from the evening.  

YouTube -- 4th Sunday of Easter (April 21, 2024)

Here is the Divine Service from Sunday, April 21, 2024.

Sermon -- 4th Sunday of Easter (April 21, 2024)

JOHN 10:11-18

LISTEN TO YOUR GOOD SHEPHERD AND FOLLOW HIM CLOSELY.

In the name + of Jesus.

M:       Alleluia!  Christ is risen!

C:        He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

     Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd.  The word “good,” employed here by Jesus, refers to something that is beautiful or useful.  It is the same word that Peter used at Jesus’ transfiguration when he said, “Lord, it is good that we are here” (Matthew 17:4).  Then he suggested that they build three shelters.  So, it was good in the sense that it was useful that they were there.  This particular Greek word for “good” refers to the essence of its object, in other words, what makes it useful.  For example, you could use many items for a hammer—the heel of your shoe, a brick, or the end of a wrench.  While those could serve as a hammer, best would be a claw hammer of forged steel.  That is a good hammer because it was designed to be a hammer.

     Jesus is the Good Shepherd.  He is the essence of a shepherd.  He is uniquely qualified to serve as the shepherd of his flock, the Church.  The Church has other shepherds.  We call them pastors because the Latin word for shepherd is “pastor.”  But no matter how good you might think a pastor is, he is not the Good Shepherd.  Pastors have weaknesses.  They may sin against you because of negligence.  They may use harsh, judgmental, or ignorant words.  They may even deceive you by twisting God’s word.  A pastor may fail you.  On the other hand, Jesus does not fail you, and he will not mislead you.  Listen to your Good Shepherd and follow him closely.

     Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.  I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father” (John 10:14-15).  Jesus knows the Father because he is the Son.  God the Father and God the Son are one.  They are in perfect harmony in thoughts and actions; for the Father and the Son are one God.  Jesus establishes this same kind of harmony and unity with his Church.  He does this by making himself known to us.  And this he does the way a shepherd leads his flock: He speaks to us.  Listen to the Good Shepherd and follow him closely.

     Jesus is the Good Shepherd.  His invitation to disciples is, “Follow me.”  Jesus not only brings us into the safety of his care, but he also leads us throughout our lives.  This is why we listen to him.  We need to listen so that we follow Jesus closely.  We don’t know where life will take us.  We anticipate blessings, and we have hopes and plans for our future.  Young people hope to graduate and find employment.  They have plans to get married and have children.  Parents also hope to see their children enjoy these blessings.  Then they hope to see grandchildren.  We make plans, and we pray that God will bless them.  But God may have other plans.

     St. James warns us not to be so sure of our plans that we would be crushed if they do not come to fruition.  James wrote, “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.  …Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that’” (James 4:13,15).  In other words, you don’t know where the Lord will lead your life.  But what you do know is that you have a Good Shepherd.  He knows you because he has redeemed you and made you his.  You know him because he has made himself known to you as your loving and faithful Savior.  He calls you to follow him for your good.  Listen to your Good Shepherd and follow him closely.

     As a Good Shepherd, Jesus continually speaks to you in his word.  He has to because there are many other voices which are calling for your attention.  The devil seduces you with lies that sound very attractive.  The world peppers you with slogans and soundbites which sound very reasonable.  These voices can be very persuasive.  They certainly are persistent.  And to be fair, there is often just enough truth in these voices that you can believe that they are in line with God’s word. 

     Consider the phrase, “Don’t get mad, get even.”  This appeals to our sense of justice.  If someone has wronged you, you are right to call it what it is.  That man sinned against you.  What he did was wicked.  If it was wrong, there should be a penalty for it.  Justice demands it.  Since it is unlikely that anyone else will step in to administer such justice, it is up to you to take care of matters.  That seems to make sense.  And it would feel so good to make someone suffer who brought suffering on you or your family.  Entire movie plots are based on that. 

     But this is what the Lord says: “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’” (Romans 12:17-19).  These are hard words for us to follow.  Our sinful nature craves revenge.  We want to take it upon ourselves to execute justice which is reserved for God.  The devil and the world may even taunt you: “What kind of God do you have who tells you to put up with people who sin against you?  ‘Turn the other cheek’?!  Ha!  Revenge is sweet!  The way of the Lord is bitter.  Maybe it is time to find a new way.”

     The devil, the world, and your own sinful nature call you to follow them on a path which promises satisfaction, but it leads to unending violence, strife, pain, and death.  The fact is: The devil does not care about you.  He wants you damned.  The world does not care about you.  When you die, the world moves on and makes more empty promises to the next generation.  But Jesus is the Good Shepherd.  He not only cares about you; he has invested himself completely to secure your temporal and eternal good.  Listen to your Good Shepherd and follow him closely.

     Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me” (John 10:14).  What you know best about your Good Shepherd is this: “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).  For all the pleasures promised by the world, the world will not do you any favors.  For as much as the devil promises you, he will give up nothing for you.  Jesus, however, lays down his life for you.  He owed you nothing, but he gave up everything to save you. 

     Jesus left the glories of heaven to live in a world that has been corrupted by sin.  Jesus emptied himself of his divine majesty to take into himself the guilt of mankind.  Jesus exchanged the innocence of a holy life for the sins of the world.  He was marked for death—dying for people who loved the devil’s lies and were seduced by worldly schemes.  No one else would do this for you.  Even if they tried, they could not take away your sins or win your place in heaven.  Jesus did both.  He has paid for your sins with his holy, precious blood, and he has satisfied God’s judgment with his innocent sufferings and death.  “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).  What do the sheep get out of it?  Peace, comfort, blessing, hope, and life everlasting.  What does the Good Shepherd get out of it?  You.

     The Good Shepherd, however, does not remain a dead shepherd.  The sheep would remain helpless without a Good Shepherd to protect them, to guide them, and to speak to them.  Listen to your Good Shepherd and follow him closely.  For this is what he says: “I lay down my life that I may take it up again.  No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.  I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again” (John 10:17-18). 

     Sometimes it looks like your life is out of control, and you might question where Jesus is leading you.  You might even wonder if Jesus has lost control because difficulties and disasters are piling up.  Fear not.  Jesus has never lost control, and he never will.  Even when Jesus was going to be crucified, he did not lose control.  St. John wrote about Jesus’ arrest.   “Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, ‘Whom do you seek?’  They answered him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’  Jesus said to them, ‘I am he.’  …When Jesus^] said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground” (John 18:4-6).  Then he patiently waited for them to collect themselves and arrest him.  Jesus was in control.  He was not seeking to escape arrest or death.  He went to the cross on purpose.  The purpose was to claim you.

     The way the Gospel writers describe Jesus’ death is striking, too.  For us, death is something that happens to us.  We fight to live and strain for breath until death finally takes us.  We fight, but death overcomes us.  Not so with Jesus.  St. John records Jesus’ death this way: “He bowed his head and gave up his spirit” (John 19:30).  Death did not take Jesus; Jesus willingly went into death.  He was active in dying.  As Jesus said, “No one takes (my life) from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.  I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again” (John 10:18). 

     The Good Shepherd willingly went into death.  The Good Shepherd definitively walked out of death.  Death did not take Jesus; Jesus took death.  He lives, and he lives to faithfully protect and guide his flock.  He speaks to you so that sin, death, and the devil cannot harm you.  Listen to your Good Shepherd and follow him closely. 

      Even as you listen to your Good Shepherd and follow him, you may still feel like your life is out of control.  Jesus may lead you through hardships.  A Good Shepherd may have to lead his flock through rough and rocky terrain to get them to where they need to be.  The sheep will prefer a softer path, but the softer path may not lead to the place you need to be.  So, if Jesus causes you to struggle, drains you of your strength, and makes you wonder if you can even go on, Jesus remains in control.  Listen to him and follow him closely.

     You know your Good Shepherd.  He cares for you.  He guides and protects you.  If he leads you through difficulties, Jesus uses them to discipline you.  Just as your muscles get stronger only when you put strain on them, so also your faith is strengthened when Jesus lays a cross on you.  But he remains your Good Shepherd.  Everything he does is for your good.  Rather than trust your fears, your hardships, or your lack of control, listen to your Good Shepherd.  He did not make you his own to neglect or deceive you.  Follow him closely; for only Jesus provides comfort which cannot be destroyed by problems.  Only Jesus makes promises which cannot be overcome even by death.  Jesus is the Good Shepherd.  He lives and reigns forever, and he lives and reigns for you.

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

Divine Call Returned

This letter was read to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church this morning and, presumably, was read at Peace Lutheran Church of Wautoma, Wisconsin as well.  

Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church
335 W. Prairie Street
Wautoma, Wisconsin 54982-8447

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

After prayerful deliberation and numerous conversations, I have decided to return the Divine Call to Peace Lutheran Church and to continue serving at Good Shepherd in Novi.

I am grateful for your confidence in extending the call to me and allowing me to assess how I am serving in our Lord’s church.  I have heard nothing but good things about Peace, so there is nothing that I found which is undesirable about this call.  At the same time, there are many good things about serving where I am.  The decision was a matter of good versus good.

Our Lord loves his church, and he will continue to watch over you, bless you, and preserve you.  According to the Lord’s own timing, you can be sure that the Holy Spirit will provide the pastor he has in mind for you.  I will keep you in my prayers that your call will be answered quickly.

God bless and keep you.

                                                                                                In Christ,

                                                                                                Pastor Thomas E. Schroeder

Christmas -- 2024

 Christmas Schedule at Good Shepherd

 

Christmas Eve

Candlelight Service

Sunday, December 24, 

7:00 PM

 

Christmas Day

Festival Service

Monday, December 25, 

10:00 AM

Busy day at Good Shepherd

Our members were busy today.  Following Bible Class and the Divine Service, we had people stuffing stockings for veterans.  Others were busy putting lights and ornaments on the tree.  It was rainy, so we chose to delay standing out in the elements to put up our outdoor Nativity scene.  We also enjoyed a pot luck meal with each other.   

Busy is good.

Divine Call received

On Sunday, November 19, I received a Divine Call to serve at Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wautoma, Wisconsin.  Below are letters I composed.  The first is a letter of acknowledgement which was sent to Peace in Wautoma and was read at Good Shepherd on Sunday, November 26.  Below that is a letter sent to the members of Good Shepherd to explain what receiving a Divine Call means and what it does not.  

Comments, words of insight, and prayers are welcome. 

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

Greetings in the name of our Savior.

Dear members of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church,

I am writing to acknowledge that on Sunday, November 19, I received a Divine Call to serve as your pastor.  I thank you that you have considered me for this high privilege.

For the past 27 years, I have had the privilege of serving at Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church in Novi, Michigan (metro Detroit).  Over the next few weeks, I will be considering the challenges and possibilities of each congregation, as well as my own strengths and weaknesses, so that I may determine, to the best of my ability, where I may serve the Lord’s kingdom best.

My wife, Laura, our family, and I welcome your prayers and your insights.

My contact information is:
Cell phone (call or text)       (248) 719-5218

Email                                      welsnovi@aol.com

Mailing address:                  41441 W. 9 Mile Road
                                                Novi, Michigan 48375-4306

God bless and keep you.

In Christ,

Pastor Thomas E. Schroeder

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

Greetings in the name of our Savior.

On Sunday, November 19, I received a Divine Call to serve at Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wautoma, Wisconsin (about 90 miles north of Madison). 

The last time I held a call to another congregation was back in 2008.  Since it has been over 15 years since Good Shepherd has experienced its pastor deliberating a call to another congregation, I thought it would be worthwhile to alert you to the calling process, what it means, and what it does not mean.

The calling process:  In our synod, district presidents (similar to bishops) will assemble a list of candidates at the request of a congregation who is seeking a pastor, perhaps because the pastor from that congregation retired, died, resigned, or accepted a call elsewhere.  He presents the vacant congregation with a list of pastors who are eligible to receive and consider a call to that congregation.  The congregation does not go hunting for their own pastor or put out feelers for applicants.  We draw from within our own synod so that the doctrine and practice remain confessionally Lutheran.  Of the people on the list of potential pastors, Peace Lutheran Church in Wautoma selected me.

When a call is extended, the Holy Spirit works through a congregation to find a man who will serve them.  The call that Good Shepherd has extended to me has not been terminated; the call to Peace has been added.  Therefore, I am currently holding calls to two places where I may serve as a pastor—Good Shepherd in Novi and Peace in Wautoma.  The Holy Spirit is allowing me to decide where I can serve his church.  While neither decision would be sinful, I pray that the Lord makes it clear which decision serves his kingdom best.

What it does not mean: It does not mean that I have to move.  These are not marching orders.  It does not mean that I am looking for reasons to leave or that I am unhappy serving where I am.  I did not submit my name to be considered for the call list for Peace Lutheran Church or for any other list.  For all I know, my name has been on several lists over the past few years but was never selected.  There are currently about 190 pastoral vacancies across our synod, so the fact that a congregation called me was practically inevitable.  For what it is worth, Peace Lutheran Church in Wautoma has been without a pastor for just over a year, and a retired pastor is covering the services there.

What it does mean: Over the next few weeks, I will be communicating with people from Wautoma as well as from our congregation and others in the area to determine where I might best serve in God’s kingdom.  I welcome your prayers and your thoughts.  If you have questions about the calling process, I will gladly answer them for you.  

I don’t have a deadline right now for when I would announce a decision.  Usually, decisions are formed in about a month’s time (enabling me to assess challenges and possibilities in both locations, as well as how my own strengths and weaknesses come into play), but that puts us right up to Christmas which might affect that timing.  I will not let any announcement detract from the Christmas celebration.  Our focus should be on the Christ child, not on me.

I should also note that, as I deliberate, I will be making comments which may sound like I am staying or that I am going.  Please don’t draw any conclusions by those comments.  It is just part of how I deliberate as I consider plans as if I were going and as if I were staying. 

Once again, I welcome your insights and your prayers.

God bless and keep you.

In Christ,

Pastor Schroeder

Thanksgiving Worship -- Wednesday, November 22, 7:00 PM

Our annual Thanksgiving Service will be Wednesday, November 22 at 7:00 PM.  Join us for another opportunity to give thanks to the Lord for his bountiful blessings.

PSALM 118
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

     for his steadfast love endures forever!

2 Let Israel say,
     “His steadfast love endures forever.”
3 Let the house of Aaron say,
     “His steadfast love endures forever.”
4 Let those who fear the Lord say,
     “His steadfast love endures forever.”

5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord;
     the Lord answered me and set me free.
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.
     What can man do to me?
7 The Lord is on my side as my helper;
     I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.

8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
     than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
     than to trust in princes.

10 All nations surrounded me;
     in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;
     in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
12 They surrounded me like bees;
     they went out like a fire among thorns;
     in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
13 I was pushed hard, so that I was falling,
     but the Lord helped me.

14 The Lord is my strength and my song;
     he has become my salvation.
15 Glad songs of salvation
     are in the tents of the righteous:
     “The right hand of the Lord does valiantly,
16 the right hand of the Lord exalts,
     the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!”

17 I shall not die, but I shall live,
     and recount the deeds of the Lord.
18 The Lord has disciplined me severely,
     but he has not given me over to death.

19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,
     that I may enter through them
     and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord;
     the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank you that you have answered me
     and have become my salvation.
22 The stone that the builders rejected
     has become the cornerstone.

23 This is the Lord's doing;
     it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day that the Lord has made;
     let us rejoice and be glad in it.

25 Save us, we pray, O Lord!
     O Lord, we pray, give us success!

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
     We bless you from the house of the Lord.
27 The Lord is God,
     and he has made his light to shine upon us.
Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,
     up to the horns of the altar!

28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
     you are my God; I will extol you.
29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
     for his steadfast love endures forever!

Trunk or Treat 2023

These photos were taken before the madness kicked in.  We were excited to host so many guests this year (300 was a guess, and it was a reasonable guess!).  Apparently, people were parking in adjacent subdivisions and walking over because our parking lot did not have enough space.  Kudos for doing that.  We also ran short on cider and candy and had to make an emergency run for more supplies.  Still, I had not heard about any complaints from our guests.

Many thanks to the members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church who donated items and volunteered their time.  This was a great event!

And in case anyone was curious, there were 444 M&Ms in the jar.  Congratulations to Raniya N. who won with a guess of 452.

Trunk or Treat -- Sunday, October 22 (3:00-5:00 PM)

Dealing with Anxiety -- A Christian Perspective

DEALING WITH ANXIETY

– A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE

 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5 at 6:30 PM

          Mental health has become a common issue among people of all ages.  It seems to be affecting young people particularly hard.  There are many problems in this world and in our lives that can foster anxiety.  What comfort do we have?  What relief can we find?

          William Woodington is a member at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids, MN.  He published a book entitled, Whatever Is True: A Christian View of Anxiety. 

          On Sunday, November 5 at 6:30 PM, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Novi will be hosting a virtual presentation by Mr. Woodington.  He will discuss about his own struggles with anxiety and the relief he found in God’s word and prayer.  Following his presentation, he will facilitate a question and answer session for all attendees.

          Snacks will be available.  All are welcome. 

          Please register at welsnovi@aol.com.  Let us know your name and how many may be attending with you.   Attendees who register will receive a copy of Mr. Woodington’s book.  Your registration will also help us set up the appropriate meeting room.

Read more about Woodington’s journey in his book Whatever Is True: A Christian View of Anxiety, available from Northwestern Publishing House, https://online.nph.net/whatever-is-true.html.

Good Shepherd Church Picnic 2023

Thanks to Rob & Colleen for graciously offering their home for Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church's Church picnic yesterday. I don't know if anyone got out on the boat after I left, but if so, I am guessing it was a nice day on the lake. The food was great, though. Not enough stomachs for the desserts! Some photos:

Our Good Shepherd gives peace

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

Shout out to Kaitlyn Cole for her work on its production!

Good Shepherd's Family Fun Night -- Wednesday, July 26 (6 - 8 PM)

 Here it is!  Share it and invite friends!

Good Shepherd Tree Removal

Due to a virus which has been killing off blue spruce trees in the city of Novi, we were instructed by city officials to remove all our blue spruces which were on the church property.  The result: 28 trees were taken down on Monday, July 10 and Tuesday, July 11.

While the berm looks rather barren, it will not remain so for long.  City of Novi officials have given us a list of suggested replacements for the felled trees.  City regulations require the trees which provide a degree of privacy between us and our neighbors (not that we despise our neighbors).

Later this year, we will be adding quite a few bushes and trees to the property.  Sadly, it will be many years before they achieve the kind of growth we had with the trees that came down.

Before:

During:

After: