Thursday, October 3, 2024

Update from Good Shepherd (October 3, 2024)

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE 

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

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

EVERYONE OUTREACH – FOLLOW-UP
             Our one-day seminar, Everyone Outreach, was completed on Saturday, September 21. But to establish an outreach culture, we will need to keep our goals present and encourage one another to pursue them.  There will be follow-up meetings (TBA) where we can encourage efforts and discuss what has been accomplished so far.  The Church Council will be taking the lead as we will dedicate a good portion of our next meeting to how we will implement our plans. 

LADIES OF GOOD SHEPHERD
            The Ladies of Good Shepherd will meet after church on October 6 to discuss plans for the remainder of 2024 and into 2025. The following activities will be discussed and planned. Collegiate care kits: End of October; Come to the Table Friendsgiving: November 10th at 4PM; Veterans Stocking for Christmas: assembled in November, Jeannete will provide details; Christmas bake sale/cookie exchange (date TBD); LOGS Funding for new/update Christmas decorations, Advent dinners (two dinners in December, dates TBD); Ladies Tea (Spring 2025); and a potential brunch or dinner get-together. All ladies from Good Shepherd are welcome to attend the meeting and any future gatherings. Friends are always welcome, too!

EUCHRE NIGHT AND GAME NIGHT
             On Sunday, October 6, we will open the doors at 6:30 PM for an evening of games. Our main feature will be euchre, but other games will be available. You are welcome to bring snacks and beverages to share. And by all means, invite friends to join us!

HYMNFEST
          On Sunday, October 13, we will have a HymnFest in which we will feature hymns under the theme, "In Days of Sorrow and Distress."  These hymns provide great comfort to us in dark days.  Most of them were written by people who either had been or were experiencing the hardships common to this life, some hardships much more crushing than others.  For a preview of the hymns, click here.

INTRODUCTION VIDEO FOR GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH
          Here is a video to introduce people to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Novi. Share it as much as you can.

CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS (September)

>    The LED sign is now installed and working.  There is still some work to be done on it to complete the project.  A training session was presented to the pastor, the secretary, and our properties committee chairman, allowing us to control the sign’s content.

>    We are exploring an improvement to the tinting on the window above the altar.  Early research has not produced a workable solution.  The good news is that the blinding sun will cease to be a problem as we head further into Fall.  But we hope to have a solution before the blinding sun hits again next summer.

>    A request was made for some kind of pictorial directory which will be helpful for having new and old members become more familiar with each other.  Our first priority is having someone who will be willing to spearhead the effort.  We did not place a time table on its completion.

>    We reviewed our commitments for mission offerings and for Hope Christian Academy.  We will fulfill Good Shepherd’s commitment by the end of September and will determine how much additional offering we will submit as we reach the end of the year.  We will also reflect increased support when we present the proposed budget for 2025 at our Open Forum in mid-November (date TBD). 

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE
          Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the service from September 15, 2024: 
Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, September 15, 2024 (youtube.com)

REGULAR OFFICE HOURS
            The pastor will try to hold formal office hours Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – Noon. It should be noted that some meetings are scheduled for those times. It is best to call or text to confirm any meetings with the pastor (248-719-5218).
 
DO YOU LIKE US?
          Look for Good Shepherd on Facebook. Then “LIKE” us for updates and other postings. Be sure to share posts with friends.

SHARE THIS POST!
          We desire as many as possible to rejoice in the Gospel which we proclaim and confess. Share the information from our weekly email blast, links to our web page, and even to the pastor's blog to let others know that we have a space in our congregation for them!

In Christ,
Pastor Schroeder

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

REGULAR SCHEDULE
DIVINE SERVICES are on Sundays at 10:00 AM.

Sunday School -- Sundays at 9:00 AM.
Adult Bible Class -- Sundays at 9:00 AM.
Bible Matters will resume in January 2025.

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

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

Monday, September 30, 2024

Health Update -- Chemo & Immunotherapy

This morning was my final chemo treatment (#4).  After this, treatments will continue with infusions for immunotherapy.  They will still be every 3rd Monday, but the duration of the infusion will be much shorter than the chemo treatments (2 hours vs. 5-6 hours).  

The immunotherapy treatments will endure for a year.  It remains to be seen what kind of reactions I will have.  I have been told that some have developed a rash.  Others have nausea.  Others get fatigued.  I guess I will have to learn by experience what effects I will face, but I am hoping that it will be minimal and that my schedule will not need to be altered because of it.

I had a PET scan back on September 20, and the results were very good.  My oncologist, Dr. Manam, said that they were not only improved, but much improved.  I am grateful for that.  Since I never felt bad to begin with, it was hard to know if I was getting better.  According to Dr. Manam, things are better.

I am grateful that the Lord has spared me from some rather difficult treatments and after-effects that are common in many others.  I am grateful for doctors who pursued their concerns and caught everything early so that my condition was not beyond help.  I am grateful for so many who have expressed their concerns and offered up their prayers.  And I am hoping that these treatments will allow me to continue to in my various vocations for many years to come.  But even if everything falls apart health-wise, I am still in God's hands, and that is a good place to be.

HYMNFEST 2024 -- In Days of Sorrow and Distress

HYMNFEST – 2024

In Days of Sorrow and Distress

Sunday, October 13

If a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all;
but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. (Ecclesiastes 11:8)


         On Sunday, October 13, we will have a HymnFest for our service.  Many beautiful hymns have arisen out of very bitter and difficult circumstances.  The hymn writers, by God’s grace, were able to confess their faith in God’s promises.  While our world may be shaken, God’s promises never are.  These hymns proclaim that, giving us incredible comfort and peace, even in days of sorrow and distress.

Categories of sorrow and distress and corresponding hymns will include: 

Fear and Worry -- Entrust Your Fear and Doubting (841)

Temptation -- Jesus, Grant that Balm and Healing (404)

Guilt -- His Robes for Mine (568)

Bearing One's Cross -- Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken (694)

Sickness -- By Still, My Soul (844)

Oppression and Persecution -- Afflicted Saint, to Christ Draw Near (867)

Apostasy and False Teachers -- Lord, Take Pity Once You've Seen (865)

Death -- Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense (446)

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Sermon -- Festival of St. Michael and All Angels (September 29, 2024)

REVELATION 12:7-12

ANGELS: GOD’S SERVANTS FOR GOD’S PEOPLE.

In the name + of Jesus.

     When we start to delve into the spiritual realm of angels and demons, things can get confusing.  Scripture speaks about things that are unseen, but it does not provide all the information we might want.  Since we cannot see what is unseen, we are often perplexed by it.  For example, it appears that in Old Testament times, Satan had access to the presence of God.  The most familiar account is when Satan challenged Job.  “There was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them” (Job 1:6).  We hear how, in the days of King Ahab, a lying spirit came before the Lord and promised to entice King Ahab to his death through false prophets.  St. Jude writes how Satan contended with St. Michael over the body of Moses.  So, it appears that Satan had access to God’s presence for a while.

     But then St. John wrote, “Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon.  And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven” (Revelation 12:7-8).  We will consider the war later.  But the point is that the devil no longer has any access to the glory of God; for the angels have driven out the devil and his demons. 

     While the angels are spiritual beings, they are still creatures whom God has made.  We do not know on which day of creation God created the angels, but since everything that was created was created during those first six days, the angels were created during that time.  God’s assessment of his creation at the end of day six is this: “God saw everything that he had made and, behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31).  At that point in time, everything was perfect.  But it was probably very soon after the sixth day that the devil and his demons rebelled.  So now, there are good angels, and there are evil angels whom we call demons.

      The angels are much more powerful than we are; therefore, we are impressed by them.  We would be frightened at the sight of them because they are holy.  Just ask the shepherds in the Bethlehem fields or the women at the Easter tomb.  St. John certainly was humbled before one.  He wrote in Revelation, “I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed (this revelation) to me, but he said to me, ‘You must not do that!  I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book.  Worship God’” (Revelation 22:8-9).  We do not worship the angels or call upon them in prayer.  They are God’s servants, not God.  Our worship and our prayers are reserved for the Lord.

     The angels are God’s servants for God’s people.  The writer to the Hebrews asks this rhetorical question: “Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation” (Hebrews 1:14)?  Not everyone on earth has an angel.  Those who are outside the kingdom of God are captives of the devil, and he fights to keep them.  But the angels serve you because you are God’s redeemed.  They act to guard and keep you so that the devil would not overcome you.  They are God’s servants for God’s people.  

     Now to address some misunderstandings.  People do not become angels when we die.  No matter how popular or endearing this idea is, it is wrong.  God created people to be people.  You remain you in heavenly glory, although with a spiritual and glorified body.  The angels remain angels.  Nor is there anything in Scripture to tell us that departed relatives watch over us.  We must stick to what God does tell us.  And the Lord tells us that the angels watch over us.  They are God’s servants for God’s people.

     The Bible is also unclear if one guardian angel has been assigned to you.  Perhaps, but perhaps there are more than one.  The Bible says that the number of angels is myriads upon myriads, often translated 10,000 times 10,000.  The number of angels is great, but it does not increase.  Jesus told us, “In the resurrection (the saints) neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:30).  The angels do not need to procreate in order to produce the next generation of angels.  On earth, we have to.  But it is not so in the heavenly kingdom.  Whether saints or angels in heaven, all are eternal.  There are no maternity wards or mortuaries.  The number is fixed.

     The angels also served a key function in the Bible: They were messengers.  That is what the word angel means, “messenger.”  They proclaimed peace on earth and good will toward men when God the Father sent his Son into the world to serve as our Savior.  They were at the tomb on Easter morning to declare to the women that Jesus is risen from the dead.  Sin, death, and the devil have been conquered by Jesus.  This message is now repeated through mortal messengers because that is how God delivers his salvation to you.  God’s grace is revealed and delivered through words.

     The war in heaven came to an end when St. Michael and his angels drove the devil and his demons out, but the devil has come down to earth.  The war rages here.  It is a battle for the hearts, minds, and souls of people.  When we hear it is a war, we may think of blades, bullets, and bombs.  But this is a spiritual battle, and the weapons are words.  That is how the devil attacks and ensnares you.  The devil is described by St. John as “the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world” (Revelation 12:9).  The serpent makes us mindful of the temptation in the Garden of Eden.  Now, where is a serpent dangerous—or for that matter, a dragon?  In his mouth.  That is where the fangs and the venom are.  That is where a viper inflicts his victim with pain and death.  The devil attacks you from his mouth, too.

     St. John calls him Satan, which means “accuser.”  The devil accuses you of your sins, even the ones that are distant history.  He makes your shame wound fresh all over again, causing you to relive your sin.  The guilt he lays on you is real, and it torments you.  St. John tells you that this is to be expected.  “The accuser of our brothers … accuses them day and night before our God” (Revelation 12:10).  Satan would have you question whether sins that still haunt you are really forgiven.  He would try to convince you that your sins still stick to you.  But the devil is a liar.  The devil does not lie about your sins; the lie is that your sins still stand against you.  If the devil’s words ever torment you over your sins, then shove this word in the devil’s face: “The blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us of all sin” (1 John 1:7).  Jesus has cleansed you and renders you pure and innocent before the Father.  Therefore, the devil’s accusations cannot stand.  It is just as St. John recorded, “They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 12:11). 

     The war continues to be waged on earth, and Satan fights fiercely.  St. John warns, “Woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short” (Revelation 12:12).  He cannot overcome Jesus.  He cannot snatch you and rip you out of the kingdom of God.  But he will entice you to leave the kingdom through deception.  The devil uses his words to twist and distort God’s word, and he deceives people.  He tries to mimic God’s word so that his words sound right.  He appeals to your feelings and emotions.  He wants you to trust your own reason and follow your own heart.  But if your reason and your heart have been corrupted by sin, what you follow will be corrupt, too.  That is why St. John wrote, “(The saints) have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death” (Revelation 12:11, emphasis added).  God’s word preserves us from the devil’s deceptions.  We forsake a life that is guided by sinful impulses, and we take every thought and make it captive to Christ.  By his word and sacraments, Jesus preserves us in the faith, works in us a godly life, and gives eternal life.  If our thoughts will be captive to Christ, then we must read his words, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them.  This is how Satan is overcome.  This is how the battle is won.

     Our victory is found in Jesus Christ alone.  Deliverance comes through the blood of the Lamb.  And to keep us secure, the Lord Jesus gives us his holy blood in the holy supper.  From this altar, the body which rose from death and lives is fed to us for our eternal life.  From this altar, the blood which was shed to atone for our sins is given to us for our forgiveness.  Here, the devil is cast down and chased away.  For, he cannot stand against the Savior who lives and reigns over all things.

     When we gather for the heavenly feast, the whole Church in heaven and on earth join in praise of God.  We join the angels in the song from heaven: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.”  They join with us in the song from earth: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna in the highest!”  Voices blend together to marvel at God’s goodness.  We sing God’s praise because he joined himself to us to bestow his salvation.  The angels sing because they marvel that God would make himself a man in order to redeem mankind.  In worship, the angels serve God just as we do.  The angels are God’s servants with us to declare the wonders of our Lord.

     When our last hour comes, the angels will still be God’s servants for God’s people.  Just as the angels carried Lazarus to Abraham’s side, so they will come to escort your soul to heavenly glory.  If Satan would dare to contest your admission into heaven, St. Michael and all his angels will rebuke him in the Lord’s name.  For, you are the Lord’s redeemed, and Satan cannot have you.  When the resurrection of all flesh shall come, God will send his angels to gather his people from all the ends of the earth.  They will divide the redeemed from the condemned, and our Lord will usher us into the heavenly home from which the devil, his demons, and all evils have been banished.

     “Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them” (Revelation 12:12)!  Rejoice together, angels and archangels and all the company of heaven!  For the devil has been cast down.  The ancient serpent has been crushed under food.  The Accuser has been silenced.  The Lord Jesus lives and reigns.  And he will bring us to live and reign with him.

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

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Lutheran Satire: Angels

In honor of the Minor Festival, St. Michael and All Angels (September 29), here is a bit from Lutheran Satire about angels.  Angels are often depicted as cute, but Scripture gives us a far different image.  When the angels have to begin pretty much every encounter with the phrase, "Fear not," we ought to recognize that their holiness would strike terror in every one of us.

From Lutheran Satire: 



Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Update from Good Shepherd (September 26, 2024)

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE 

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

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

EVERYONE OUTREACH – FOLLOW-UP
             Our one-day seminar, Everyone Outreach, was completed on Saturday, September 21. But to establish an outreach culture, we will need to keep our goals present and encourage one another to pursue them.  There will be follow-up meetings (TBA) where we can encourage efforts and discuss what has been accomplished so far.  The Church Council will be taking the lead as we will dedicate a good portion of our next meeting to how we will implement our plans. 

MINOR FESTIVAL – St. Michael and All Angels
             Lutheran worship is liturgical. While that often refers to an order of worship, it can also refer to the calendar of the Church Year. The Church Year includes major festivals, such as Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, and Pentecost. This Sunday (September 29) we will recognize a minor festival, the Festival of St. Michael and All Angels.
             At this festival, we praise God for his servants, the angels. God employs angels to watch over his people (Psalm 91:9-12; Hebrews 1:14). When we survey the Scriptures, we see that angels do much more. They proclaim God’s praise, and they point us to Christ as the Savior of all mankind. As we observe this Minor Festival, we will heed the angel’s words, giving our attention to the grace God has poured out on all the world through Christ.

EUCHRE NIGHT AND GAME NIGHT
             On Sunday, October 6, we will open the doors at 6:30 PM for an evening of games. Our main feature will be euchre, but other games will be available. You are welcome to bring snacks and beverages to share. And by all means, invite friends to join us!

HYMNFEST
          On Sunday, October 13, we will have a HymnFest in which we will feature hymns under the theme, "In Days of Sorrow and Distress."  These hymns provide great comfort to us in dark days.  Most of them were written by people who either had been or were experiencing the hardships common to this life, some hardships much more crushing than others.

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.

CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS (September)

>    The LED sign is now installed and working.  There is still some work to be done on it to complete the project.  A training session was presented to the pastor, the secretary, and our properties committee chairman, allowing us to control the sign’s content.

>    We are exploring an improvement to the tinting on the window above the altar.  Early research has not produced a workable solution.  The good news is that the blinding sun will cease to be a problem as we head further into Fall.  But we hope to have a solution before the blinding sun hits again next summer.

>    A request was made for some kind of pictorial directory which will be helpful for having new and old members become more familiar with each other.  Our first priority is having someone who will be willing to spearhead the effort.  We did not place a time table on its completion.

>    We reviewed our commitments for mission offerings and for Hope Christian Academy.  We will fulfill Good Shepherd’s commitment by the end of September and will determine how much additional offering we will submit as we reach the end of the year.  We will also reflect increased support when we present the proposed budget for 2025 at our Open Forum in mid-November (date TBD). 

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE
          Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the service from September 15, 2024: 
Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, September 15, 2024 (youtube.com)

REGULAR OFFICE HOURS
            The pastor will try to hold formal office hours Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – Noon. It should be noted that some meetings are scheduled for those times. It is best to call or text to confirm any meetings with the pastor (248-719-5218).
 
DO YOU LIKE US?
          Look for Good Shepherd on Facebook. Then “LIKE” us for updates and other postings. Be sure to share posts with friends.

SHARE THIS POST!
          We desire as many as possible to rejoice in the Gospel which we proclaim and confess. Share the information from our weekly email blast, links to our web page, and even to the pastor's blog to let others know that we have a space in our congregation for them!

In Christ,
Pastor Schroeder

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

REGULAR SCHEDULE
DIVINE SERVICES are on Sundays at 10:00 AM.

Sunday School -- Sundays at 9:00 AM.
Adult Bible Class -- Sundays at 9:00 AM.
Bible Matters will resume in January 2025.

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

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

Monday, September 23, 2024

Minor Festival -- St. Michael and All Angels (September 29, 2024)

               Lutheran worship is liturgical.  While that often refers to an order of worship, it can also refer to the calendar of the Church Year.  The Church Year includes major festivals, such as Christmas, Epiphany, Easter, Pentecost, etc...  On Sunday, September 29, we will recognize a minor festival, the Festival of St. Michael and All Angels.

               At this festival, we praise God for his servants, the angels.  God employs angels to watch over his people (Psalm 91:9-12; Hebrews 1:14).  When we survey the Scriptures, we see that angels do much more.  They proclaim God’s praise, and they point us to Christ as the Savior of all mankind.  As we observe this Minor Festival, we will heed the angel’s words, giving our attention to the grace God has poured out on all the world through Christ.