Monday, July 7, 2025

Sermon -- Funeral for David Rumics (July 7, 2025)

Christian Funeral for
+ David John Rumics +
May 12, 1946 – June 19, 2025

1 THESSALONIANS 4:13-18

DAVID RUMICS HAD AN INDESTRUCTABLE HOPE.

In the name + of Jesus.

    David Rumics had a positive attitude and a good sense of humor, but he did not live under the illusion that life is always good.  He was grateful for his many blessings, but he also endured his share of hardships.  When he had to deal with heart surgery some years ago, and again, when diminished health had him walking with a walker or a cane, he endured the realities of an imperfect world.  Worse, when Jon died from cancer, Diane, you and David both had to endure the pains of watching him suffer and then bidding farewell.  So, David knew his share of grief.  Despite the grief, David always had hope.

     Grief comes from what sin has brought into the world.  Whether it is a failed relationship, struggles with health, bouts of doubt or guilt, or the finality of death, it all comes because we are sinners living in a sinful world.  Some griefs are the result of our own sins; other griefs come because of the sinful world we live in.  Sin not only produces grief, it brings death.  David was a sinner in a sinful world.  We are all sinners; therefore, we are all marked for death.

     Hope, on the other hand, comes from outside of us.  It has to if it is going to endure.  Hope that is based on our wishes can be easily destroyed.  You can hope for the best in life, but that is a wish—and such hopes are often dashed.  Hope that comes from the Lord, however, will never be dashed.  In fact, hope that comes from God is indestructible.  David Rumics had an indestructible hope; and so do you.

     St. Paul wrote to the Christians in Thessalonica who had feared that those who died in the faith lost out on the glories that we hope for.  This misunderstanding produced a great deal of grief for those who mourned for their dead.  St. Paul corrected their beliefs and gave them an indestructible hope.  He wrote, “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you do not grieve in the same way as the others, who have no hope.  Indeed, if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then in the same way we also believe that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).  Although grief comes because of sin and death, the hope that we have remains.  Hope from the Lord cannot be destroyed, even by death.

     David Rumics was baptized into this indestructible hope when he was a little boy.  Through baptism, God made a covenant with him.  It was a one-sided covenant.  God made the promise; David received its benefit—the hope of everlasting life.  David’s life as a child of God began then, and it continued through his whole life.  From going to St. Joseph Catholic High School, to attending Lutheran churches with his wife and children, even to partaking in the Lord’s Supper at Good Shepherd on the Sunday before he died, David was sustained and strengthened in the Christian faith.  In fact, David’s life as a child of God has not ended, and it never will.  David Rumics had an indestructible hope, and not even death can end it.

     This is the hope that comforts you through your grief.  St. Paul did not suggest that Christians will not grieve.  He said that you do not need to “grieve in the same way as the others, who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13).  Your hope remains.  It is indestructible because it is based on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are historical events, not fanciful stories.  That is why your hope is not wishful thinking.  We don’t imagine that David has gone to some nebulous “better place.”  He has gone to be with Jesus—the Savior into whom he as baptized; the Savior who suffered to take away the sins which would have condemned him; the Savior who died and bore God’s curse for him; the Savior who overcame death and now holds the power over the grave.  The Savior who came for David Rumics has taken him to be with him in heavenly glory.

     We hope for even more because Jesus promises even more.  Today, we have the remains of a body.  That seems pretty final—ashes to ashes, dust to dust.  But St. Paul declares that this body which has been reduced to ashes will be raised.  This is the Christian hope: “The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).  The Savior who possesses power over death and the grave will raise up all the dead.  Those who believe and are baptized will be saved—raised from the dead with perfected bodies, minds, and hearts.  This is what David Rumics hoped for.  This is what we still wait for because this is what Jesus has promised.  And just as the Lord has been faithful in all his promises, so he will be faithful in this one.  Death will meet its end.  Grief will turn to joy.  David will live—body and soul, risen and restored by Jesus.  Frailty will turn into glory.  Hope will be fulfilled because this hope is indestructible.

     Back in the 1960’s, David Rumics got to meet a nice girl at a McDonald’s in Benton Harbor.  They were united in Christ in 1967.  Diane, I am willing to bet you would like to have another 58 years with David.  Or at least just one more camping trip.  April, I am sure you would like to have another 50-some years with your father, too.  Anyone who knew him would like just a little more time to share a joke, have one more conversation, or enjoy a tasty meal together. 

     You can set your hopes higher.  For this is what the Lord promises to all who believe in Jesus and are baptized into his name: “We will always be with the Lord.  Therefore, encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18).  This is your indestructible hope: You will get David Rumics back—not for 50 more years, but forever.  It is not wishful thinking.  It is not a nebulous “better place.”  The Lord Jesus will gather into Paradise all who are his.  We will be with the Lord who created us, redeemed us, and set us apart for the resurrection to everlasting glory.  Death may bring grief, but Jesus, who rules over death, encourages you with this indestructible hope.  Death, on the other hand, will be destroyed.  Those who mourn will be comforted.  The dead in Christ will live.  And your hope will be fulfilled.

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

Sunday, July 6, 2025

Sermon -- Summer Sermon Series: Lord's Prayer, Address (July 6, 2025)

LUKE 11:1-2

OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN.

In the name + of Jesus.

    To my knowledge, every religion in the world has prayer.  That is no surprise.  Prayer is an act of worship in which we call upon God for hope, for help, and for healing.  We pray because we recognize our limitations.  We do not have the power to create our own blessings or to fix our problems.  We are compelled to call on a power greater than ourselves for aid. 

     Consider the prayer in Psalm 123: “To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!  Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us.  Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt.  Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.”  This prayer was uttered by a person who had no power or hope to change anything.  So, he called upon the Lord to hear him.

     All people call upon their god or gods to help them.  But that does not mean that the Lord, the only true God, acknowledges every prayer that is uttered.  In the days of Elijah, the people of Israel hemmed and hawed over whom they would honor as God.  They wavered between the Lord and the Canaanite fertility god.  Elijah confronted the people, insisting that there is one God.  Whom would they serve—the Lord or Baal?  Again, the people hemmed and hawed.  They would side with whoever gave them what they wanted.

     Elijah proposed a showdown.  He told the prophets of Baal to build an altar and to pray to Baal to consume it with fire.  He would do the same with the Lord.  He said, “‘You call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.’” And all the people answered, “‘It is well spoken’” (1 Kings 18:24).  The prophets of Baal prayed frantically to their god.  They danced around their altar all day.  They even slashed themselves with knives to provoke some sympathetic response.  But no one answered because Baal is not real. 

     Now, you cannot deny the sincerity, the passion, or the dedication by the prophets of Baal.  They were completely invested in their prayers.  But the Lord is not moved by sincerity, posture, or passion.  The prophet Isaiah tells us why: “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).  Sin hides God’s face so that he does not hear prayers, no matter how religious they appear.  This is why God does not honor the prayers of Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, and others.  They deny Jesus Christ.  They reject the one who delivers people from sin.  As a result, their iniquities remain; their separation from God remains.  The Father does not recognize them or their prayers.

     Are we any better?  No!  Even when we have unlimited access to the heavenly throne, you and I have dishonored the Lord with hearts that are faster to criticize him than to call upon him.  Consider how you have responded to God’s promises and goodness.  Do your prayers give thanks to the Lord for his generous gifts, or are they a continual list of what you want next?  Do you quickly take matters to your Father in prayer, or is he a last resort?  When God’s answer does not match your request, do you cast blame?  Do you question his compassion, saying, “If God really cares, he would have done such and such”?  Do you tell people that you will pray for them, only to have that promise amount to happy words with no prayers offered?  Our prayers do not honor the Father the way they should.  Repent.

     As a perfectly obedient son, Jesus prayed often, and often for great lengths of time.  God the Father was pleased with his Son.  He heard his prayers and provided strength and comfort.  Once when Jesus concluded his prayers, “one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples’” (Luke 11:1).  Jesus could have said, “Why should the Father listen to your prayers?”  Now, that would have been cruel, but it would not necessarily have been wrong.  Why should God honor the prayers of those who dishonor him?  But Jesus did not come to keep sinners separated from God; he came to bring them into God’s family.  So, Jesus taught his disciples how to pray.  He began by teaching us to address the Lord as “our Father.” 

     He is your Father not only because he has created you, but especially because he has redeemed you.  The Father’s love is made known by sending his only begotten Son to reconcile you to the Father and to bring you into his family.  Even while Jesus was suffering under God’s wrath for sins he did not commit, Jesus’ prayers were perfect.  In pure love and immeasurable compassion, Jesus prayed for those who were crucifying him: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).  Jesus prayed for the salvation of sinners.  Then, to secure that salvation, Jesus died as a sin offering for you. 

     In bearing your sins, Jesus was forsaken by the Father.  He cried out the lament of Psalm 22, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1; Mark 15:34).  Isaiah told us why: “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).  Sin had separated Jesus from his Father.  The Father turned a deaf ear to Jesus’ prayer for relief.  Jesus drank the cup of the Father’s wrath down to its dregs.  By his perfect sacrificial death, Jesus removed your sins from you.  And if your sins have been taken away, then nothing separates you from the Father anymore. 

     This is why Jesus teaches you to pray, “Our Father.”  For, you have been adopted into God’s family through your baptism.  For, this is what the Lord says: “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  Indeed, as many of you as were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27).  So, the Father does not see your sins; he sees the righteousness of Jesus covering you.  And while he remains the all-powerful, all-glorious, and all-supreme God, we do not need to fear him.  St. Paul wrote, “All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father’” (Romans 8:14-15)!  Abba is a term that is used by a child who calls to his father.  It is a term of familial affection.  The child does not live in terror of his father.  He recognizes that his father is there to provide, to protect, and to preserve him.  So, he runs to his father with joy.  He is excited to see him and talk to him.  When he is afraid or hurt, he will seek refuge in his father’s arms.  He does this because he loves and trusts his father.

     Parents love their children and want to do what is best for them.  When you were little, you took all your concerns to your parents.  That was the right thing to do, and your parents wanted you to do that.  They wanted to do what was best for you and to give you what you needed to thrive.  But parents have limitations.  They are limited in knowledge.  They make their decisions based on the information they have, but they cannot know the future.  Circumstances can change, making some decisions seem foolish.  How often have we said, “If I had known that would happen, I would have done something else”?  Likewise, parents are limited in power.  They might want to fix the problem.  If the problem is beyond their abilities, they will call upon doctors, mechanics, or therapists.  But parents can only do so much.  This frustrates parents and children alike. 

     God the Father, however, has no limitations.  Psalm 115 teaches us, “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Psalm 115:3).  God can do whatever he wants.  He is not limited by knowledge.  God knows all things.  No circumstance will ever take God by surprise so that he would wish he would have made a better decision.  God is not limited by wisdom.  His plans are perfectly crafted for your eternal good.  God is not limited by love.  Everything your Father in heaven does is for your good.  God is not limited by power or resources.  If he can command the wind and the waves, if he can annually provide food for billions, if he can raise the dead, then there is nothing beyond his ability to help you.  This is why the Bible summons you, “Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).  Your Father not only cares, he can do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine.

     In his explanation of this first phrase of the Lord’s Prayer, Martin Luther wrote, “God tenderly invites us to believe that he is our true Father and that we are his true children, so that we may pray to him as boldly and confidently as dear children ask their dear father” (Luther’s Small Catechism; Lord’s Prayer).  Children are bold in asking their parents for anything.  In the same way, you can ask your heavenly Father for anything.  You can boldly ask for the impossible.  And you do not annoy him when you ask for the insignificant.  He is not a distant God who is disinterested in you.  You do not have to pester him until he finally gives in.  He is your Father.  He delights in hearing your prayers.  He glories in being the Father who provides, protects, and preserves you.

     Our Father in heaven can do whatever he wants to supply your need.  But understand this: While God can do whatever he wants, that does not mean he will do whatever we want.  Our goals are often short-term goals.  “Take away my pain.  Resolve my financial struggles.  Fix my marriage.  Help my child get along with the neighbors.”  These are all good reasons to pray.  But our Father’s goal for us is always long-term.  His goal is that we enjoy our eternity in his kingdom.  So, he may have us struggle, endure, or battle for the short-term if this is what serves our ultimate good.  But if he chooses to discipline us through suffering or endurance, he will also grant us strength when we call upon him.  And he will be with us through it all. 

     It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places call upon our Father in heaven.  He is the giver of every good and perfect gift.  He is the omnipotent, omniscient, loving, and merciful God who works all things for our eternal good.  He is the God who sent his Son to save sinners, and who sent his Holy Spirit to bring you into his family.  He is your dear Father.  You are his dear children.  Your prayers are pleasing and important to him, for Jesus Christ has made you pleasing and important to him.

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

Thursday, July 3, 2025

Update from Good Shepherd (July 3, 2025)

Greetings!

SUMMER SCHEDULE 

Divine Service is Sunday at 10:00 AM.
Sunday School & Adult Bible Classes resume in September.

          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.

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

SUMMER SERMON SERIES
          On the Sundays in July and August, we will meditate on the Lord’s Prayer.  You can find the schedule here.

BBQ THURSDAYS
          We are looking for people who are willing to host an evening of summer fun and fellowship on Thursday evenings. While the host family provides burgers, hotdogs, or your preference, other members are encouraged to bring other dishes to round out the menu. Contact the host family to indicate how you can help.
          So far, we have the following hosts:
                    July 10 -- Ken & Jen Reisig
                    August 7 -- Family Food & Fun Night at Good Shepherd. (We will have a food truck and yard games.)
          Feel free to invite friends to these events!  Arrival time is 6:30 PM unless otherwise indicated.


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.

          Update: Paving on west-bound 9 Mile Road continues.

OPEN FORUM HIGHLIGHTS (June)

>    The renovation of the kitchen at the church has been completed!  A few additional amenities are expected.  A portable coffee bar will likely be purchased in the near future.  Many thanks to Bob W., Ken D., Mark H., Jim D., Ken R., 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 got one final look.  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.  Action, based on feedback, will likely take place in July.    

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

>  Members are encouraged to invite and bring friends to church.  If someone is reluctant to come to church, the pastor is willing to meet people in a different setting to address any questions or concerns people have about church, the Bible, or other matters.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE
           Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the Divine Service from  June 22, 2025: 
Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, June 22, 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

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

 SUMMER SCHEDULE

DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 AM.

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

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

Thursday, June 26, 2025

Update from Good Shepherd (June 26, 2025)

Greetings!

SUMMER SCHEDULE 

Divine Service is Sunday at 10:00 AM.
Sunday School & Adult Bible Classes resume in September.

          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.

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

SUMMER SERMON SERIES
          On the Sundays in July and August, we will meditate on the Lord’s Prayer.

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.

          Update: Paving on west-bound 9 Mile Road continues.

OPEN FORUM HIGHLIGHTS (June)

>    The renovation of the kitchen at the church has been completed!  A few additional amenities are expected.  A portable coffee bar will likely be purchased in the near future.  Many thanks to Bob W., Ken D., Mark H., Jim D., Ken R., 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 got one final look.  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.  Action, based on feedback, will likely take place in July.    

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

>  Members are encouraged to invite and bring friends to church.  If someone is reluctant to come to church, the pastor is willing to meet people in a different setting to address any questions or concerns people have about church, the Bible, or other matters.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE
           Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the Divine Service from  June 22, 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YUAfTrexOI&pp=ygUaZ29vZCBzaGVwaGVyZCBub3ZpIGp1bmUgMTU%3D

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

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

 SUMMER SCHEDULE

DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 AM.

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

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

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Sunday, June 22, 2025

Summer Sermon Series 2025

SUMMER SERIES – 2025


Meditations on the Lord’s Prayer


       On another occasion, Jesus was praying in a certain place.  When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.”  He said to them, “When you pray, say..." (Luke 11:1-2).


       On the Sundays in July and August, we will meditate on the Lord’s Prayer. The focus of each Sunday will be as follows. 

July 6         Our Father, who art in heaven.

July 13       Hallowed be thy name.

July 20       Thy kingdom come.

July 27       Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Aug 3         Give us this day our daily bread.

Aug 10       Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Aug 17       Lead us not into temptation.

Aug 24       But deliver us from evil.

Aug 31       For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.


Thursday, June 19, 2025

Update from Good Shepherd (June 19, 2025)

Greetings!

SUMMER SCHEDULE 

Divine Service is Sunday at 10:00 AM.
Sunday School & Adult Bible Classes resume in September.

          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.

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

SUMMER SERMON SERIES
          On the Sundays in July and August, we will meditate on the Lord’s Prayer.

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.

          Update: Paving on west-bound 9 Mile Road continues.

OPEN FORUM HIGHLIGHTS (June)

>    The renovation of the kitchen at the church has been completed!  A few additional amenities are expected.  A portable coffee bar will likely be purchased in the near future.  Many thanks to Bob W., Ken D., Mark H., Jim D., Ken R., 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 got one final look.  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.  Action, based on feedback, will likely take place in July.    

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

>  Members are encouraged to invite and bring friends to church.  If someone is reluctant to come to church, the pastor is willing to meet people in a different setting to address any questions or concerns people have about church, the Bible, or other matters.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE
           Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the Divine Service from  June 8, 2025: 
Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, June 8, 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.

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

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