Worship Notes: Imposition of Ashes

Remember that you are dust,

and to dust you will return.

            These words paraphrase Genesis 3:19 where the Lord proclaimed a curse upon man when he had first sinned.  St. Paul repeated that thought in his letter to the Romans: “Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12)

            Ashes to ashes.  Dust to dust.  This is the harsh reality of sin.  The use of ashes long pre-dates the New Testament Church.  In the era of the Patriarchs, Job confessed his sin and declared, “I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:6).  The Imposition of Ashes teaches a dual lesson.

            1)  It is a mark of penitence.  We demonstrate outwardly the sorrow for sin that we have inwardly. 

            2)  It is a mark of death.  It is a reminder that we are all dust, and to dust we will return.  The ashes remind us that we are helpless in our sinful condition.  Our only hope is a Savior.  We repent of our works.  We cling to Jesus for his.

            No one should feel obligated to receive the ashes on the forehead.  If you do not want to do it, the ushers will simply pass you by and go to the next row.  Children may participate at the discretion of their parents.

            We will begin the service with the rite.  Where the bulletin indicates, the ushers will begin to invite people by row to come to the communion railing to receive the ashes.  The penitent will kneel at the railing (like Lord’s Supper), and wait as the pastor applies the ashes to the forehead in the shape of a cross.  Please resist all temptations to scratch or smear the ashes.  (The ashes will easily be washed off with soapy water.)

            This ceremony truly sets the tone for Lenten season.  We are marked as sinners.  We are marked for death.  We are marked as the penitent whose only hope is Jesus Christ. 

            Our comfort comes from Jesus who takes our sin.  He dies our death.  He marks us as his own who have been baptized into his name.  That is where the penitent find comfort.  That is where the dying find life.

Super Bowl LX

Another Super Bowl is in the books.  Every year, we put together a board of squares to track the score as it changes.  Often, this provides more entertainment than the game itself.  This year's rendition is here:

I also have my annual rant about the Super Bowl MVP, which usually goes to the quarterback of the winning team.  It is easy to do that since the QB handles the ball on every offensive play.  This year's QB's, on each team, did not play exceptionally well.  Passes were often off-target.  I was pleased to see that the voters recognized that.

I am content with the selection of Kenneth Walker III as the MVP.  He was the major contributor of the Seahawks' offense.  I would also have been pleased to see it handed to a defensive player from the Seahawks for their outstanding effort.  Since you can't give it to the whole defense, I would have chosen defensive back Devon Witherspoon.  Another choice, which would have been bold, unprecedented, and justifiable, was kicker Josh Myers who scored more than half of the Seahawks' points.

And now, it's about 7 more months until football.  Sniff.

Mid-Week Lenten services 2026

LENTEN 

VESPERS

2026

February 18     ASH WEDNESDAY
                             Divine Service with the Imposition of Ashes

                             Return to Me! (Zechariah 1:1-6)
                               Rev. Thomas Schroeder, Good Shepherd, Novi

February 25     Scattered Sheep. (Zechariah 13:7-9)
                               Rev. James Frey from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Belleville

March 4            The Truth, the Whole Truth,

                                    and Nothing but the Truth. (Zechariah 8:14-17)
                               Rev. Paul Schaefer from St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Plymouth

March 11           What’s He Worth to You? (Zechariah 11:7-13)
                               Rev. Thomas Schroeder, Good Shepherd, Novi

March 18          The Kingly Priest. (Zechariah 6:9-13)
                               Rev. James Frey from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Belleville

March 25           Sacred Concert by
                              Michigan Lutheran Seminary Choir

All services for Lenten Vespers are at 7:00 PM.

A supper will be served each Wednesday at 6:00 PM.

Sermon -- 5th Sunday after Epiphany (February 8, 2026)

YOU ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH.

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

MATTHEW 5:13-20

In the name + of Jesus.

     It is important to recognize Jesus’ audience in this Gospel reading.  St. Matthew wrote, “When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up onto a mountain.  When he sat down, his disciples came to him.  He opened his mouth and began to teach them” (Matthew 5:1-2).  While God’s word is intended for everyone on earth, these words are spoken specifically to his disciples.  That means you and me, too.

     Jesus calls his disciples, “Follow me.”  Jesus’ disciples are to be different; for, they are set apart.  You have been set apart from sin, death, and Satan.  Jesus has taken every charge of guilt which had stood against you.  He was condemned so that you would not be.  You are free from sin.  Jesus went into the grave to rob it of its power.  Jesus died and rose so that you would also rise from the dead to receive eternal life.  You are free from death.  Jesus has also delivered you from the devil.  The devil has no claim on you.  The devil’s name is Satan which means “Accuser.”  But whatever accusations he makes against you are overruled by Jesus.  Jesus has crushed the serpent’s head.  He has rendered him powerless against you.  You are free from the devil.

     Just as Jesus has set you apart from sin, death, and the devil, he has also set you apart for a better path.  But God does more than declare you innocent.  He has changed your heart so that you strive for innocence as well.  He calls you to serve him in righteousness, innocence, and blessedness.  That is why he told his disciples, “You are the salt of the earth” and “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13,14).  Jesus does not say, “This is what you should be.”  No, he says, “This is what you are.”  You are the salt of the earth.  You are the light of the world.  You are set apart as God’s people, and he calls you to be godly people.

     “You are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13).  Salt was used in Jesus’ day mainly as a preservative.  In days before refrigerators and freezers, meat was packed in salt to prevent rot.  God’s people have the same influence on society.  This is done to an extent by upholding laws that promote righteousness and punish wickedness.  No doubt, you have noticed that our society keeps on moving the lines on what should be promoted and what should be punished.  If standards for morality can be moved that often and that quickly, does our society actually have any true standards? 

     God’s standards, however, remain unchanged.  Jesus said, “Until heaven and earth pass away, not even the smallest letter, or even part of a letter, will in any way pass away from the Law until everything is fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18).  God does not change; neither does his word.  God defines what is good and what is evil.  So, when we urge our leaders to pass laws that promote what is good and which prohibit what is wicked, we rely on God’s word as our standard.  In this way, God’s people preserve this world from rotting away.

     You are the salt of the earth.  While seeking to preserve the world from rotting through laws, your prayers will do much more.  Laws may curb behavior, but only God’s word will convert hearts to love what is good and to hate what is evil.  We pray that the Lord would raise up more faithful pastors to preach God’s word.  We pray that fathers and mothers would discipline their children in godliness and that families would be strengthened in the faith.  We pray that God would send his angels forth to defend and protect us from all that would harm us in body and soul.  We pray for our nation, its leaders, its teachers, and so forth.  When we commend all these things to God’s care, we trust that God will pour out his grace to preserve this world from rot and decay.

     You are the salt of the earth.  But sin continues to rot everything.  Unbelievers are going to act like unbelievers.  Their actions and attitudes are so prevalent that even Christians begin to accept and adopt them.  This rots your own heart and life.  So, what can you do?  You remember who you are: You are the salt of the earth.  You do not have to do what sinners do.  You don’t have to be ruled by your stomach, your wallet, your ego, or your hormones. Actually, it is stronger than “You don’t have to.”  Jesus says plainly, “Don’t.”  Jesus warned, “If salt has lost its flavor, how will it become salty again?  Then it is no good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people” (Matthew 5:13).  If you refuse to be the salt of the earth, you will not be Jesus’ disciple.  To be set free from sin and then to run back to it is to say that you would rather have your sins than to be set free from them.  You will be thrown out of the kingdom and trampled underfoot.

     But if you are Jesus’ disciple, you will be different.  Jesus said, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).  The true light is Jesus Christ.  But you are clothed with Christ.  You have been given a clean heart and a right spirit.  Therefore, you will reflect the light of Christ.  It will be displayed in your words and actions.  These cannot escape the notice of other people.  You may not think it is anything remarkable.  But others will see it.  Some will respect you for it because it encourages them to be godly.  But even if they remain ungodly, they will respect you for being trustworthy.  Others will be bothered by it because your light exposes the darkness in them.  These are the people who berate you for thinking you are holier than everyone else.  Do not ever let anyone put you to shame for being godly people.

     “You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden.  People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket.  No, they put it on a stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  In the same way let your light shine in people’s presence, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).  Of course, Jesus is not telling you to do anything for your own praise.  If your light shines and others take notice, it is not because you flaunt it.  It is simply a matter of living as God’s people because that is what you are. 

     Take the prophet Daniel as an example.  We call Daniel a prophet, and rightly so.  But Daniel’s profession was a government worker.  He served for decades in the Babylonian government.  Then Daniel served in the Persian Empire after they had conquered the Babylonians.  He was so proficient at his work that he was about to be promoted over a whole province.  The Persian officials would not stand for this Jew to be exalted over them, so they plotted to get Daniel ousted. 

     They scoured the records to prove that Daniel was corrupt.  To their surprise, Daniel was an honest politician.  So, they decided, “We will not find any accusation to bring against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God” (Daniel 6:5).  How did they know this?  Because Daniel had let his light shine.  They knew he followed the word of the Lord—not because Daniel boasted about it, but because he simply did it.  Daniel’s enemies got the king to pass a law that no one should pray to anyone but the king for thirty days under penalty of death.  When Daniel heard about the decree, he went home to pray about it.  Daniel’s enemies went to his house, knowing that he would be praying to the Lord.  How did they know?  Because Daniel had let his light shine.  They knew he would continue faithfully in prayer to the Lord. 

      “You are the light of the world.  A city located on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14).  While you have no need to flaunt your good works, you have no reason to hide them, either.  A godly life cannot be hidden from others.  Once again, these things may not seem extraordinary to you, but others see it.  When others are complaining about their wives and you praise yours and uphold marriage as the sacred union that it is, who could fail to notice?  When you pour water on the slander and the gossip against other people instead of piling more logs on that fire, who could not notice?  Or when a group of friends says, “Let’s go out.  Sunday mornings are mimosa mornings!” and you reply, “I can meet you after church,” who could miss it?

     You are the salt of the earth.  You are the light of the world.  But the light of Christ can be shadowed by poor choices and prickly words.  And the salt that is in you does not always have the same bite.  This is why you cannot take pride in your good works.  Who takes pride in what is flawed or in failings?

     Jesus’ words jolt us when he says, “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and experts in the law, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20).  The Pharisees did take pride in their works and their prayers and their tithing.  And the thing is—they actually did these things.  They were careful to do them, so when they boasted about them, no one could call them liars.  Jesus says you have to be more righteous than that.

     You and I do not possess such righteousness.  That is why we cling to Jesus.  He supplies the very righteousness we need.  Jesus perished in utter darkness so that you could be light in the Lord.  He was covered in your guilt so that you could be clothed in his righteousness.  Therefore, we rely on Jesus’ merits for the favor of God the Father which was earned by Jesus’ perfect life and for the forgiveness of God the Father which was earned by Jesus’ innocent death.  These assure us of a righteous verdict. 

     You are the salt of the earth.  You are the light of the world.  This is not only your status, it is also your life.  God’s word guides your works, your words, and your motives.  Jesus told his disciples, “Whoever practices and teaches (these commandments) will be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19).  Since you are Jesus’ disciples, you put God’s word into practice in your life.  You teach God’s word to your children.  You confess God’s word to others.  You not only find joy in following God’s word now, you will continue to love and serve the Lord in the kingdom of heaven.  In fact, you will be confirmed in holiness and rejoice in godliness. 

     You are the salt of the earth.  You are the light of the world.  And the Lord promises what you will be in the glories of heaven: “Those who have insight will shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who bring many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).  There is great joy in pondering what we will be in heaven.  But don’t forget what you are now.  You are a blessing to this world—reflecting the light of God’s goodness and seasoning the world with God’s grace.  For, you are Jesus’ disciples.  You are called to be different.  And this “different” is good.

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

Update from Good Shepherd (February 5, 2026)

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.

Bible Matters meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM. 

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

BIBLE MATTERS

          Bible Matters is a discussion group. We meet on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM. Each week, we will read through a chapter of, “Your Life Has Meaning: Discovering Your Role in an Epic Story,” and discuss how God’s word applies to our lives. The weekly topics are listed here.  Even if you feel you have a good handle on our topic, perhaps you can think of how you would speak to others who struggle with it. Or, perhaps you could invite those people to come to our class with you. All are welcome.

ADULT BIBLE CLASS

          Sometimes we have a hard time understanding parts of the Bible. Some of those words come from Jesus himself. We are considering the Hard Sayings of Jesus. The weekly schedule can be found here.  Adult Bible Class meets at 9:00 AM. All from grade 7 on up are welcome to attend.  

MURDER MYSTERY – OH, HORRORS! IT’S MURDER!
           Good Shepherd will be hosting an interactive theater experience on Saturday, February 7 at 7:00 PM.  (Doors open at 6:15 PM.) “Oh, Horrors! It’s Murder!” will be presented by a local theater group which will feature congregational members Diane Wozniak and Tom Mattison. We will watch the first act which will depict the murder (it’s not going to be gruesome; it’s church outing!). Then, we will interact with the characters during an intermission. In the second act, we will vote on who we think the murderer is, and the actors will respond based on our vote. Tickets are $25.  Look for tickets at the QR code in this link. Refreshments will be served before the play and during the intermission. You are encouraged to invite friends to this event.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE

           Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the Divine Service from January 25, 2026: Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, January 25, 2026

CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS (January)

>  A test for our texting service has been done twice.  If you did not receive a text message but would like to receive them, speak with Terry Barber. 

>  In an effort to engage more members with more opportunities to serve, we are summoning more men to serve as ushers.  We also intend to be more organized so that we don’t grab people at the last minute to fill in for absent people.  We will be recruiting people who will count and deposit the offerings.  We will also be recruiting more women who can serve in handling the sacred vessels for holy communion.  Training for all of these areas of service will be scheduled in the months to come.

>  Every four years or so, the pastor conducts visits at the homes of all the members.  It is intended to stay connected with everyone and to allow people to address any issues that may bother them or confuse them.  Every Member Visits will begin in February.  A sign-up sheet will be posted at church to allow people to schedule their visit.  As the year goes on, phone calls will be made to those who have not yet signed up (ominous music inserted here).

>  The Michigan Lutheran Seminary Choir will be conducting a sacred concert at Good Shepherd on Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00 PM.  While the concert is a ways off, we will need to prepare for them.  We will be providing a supper at church before the concert.  After the concert, host families will be needed to provide lodging, breakfast, a sack lunch, and a return trip to church on Thursday morning.  More details will be offered later.  For now, consider if you could host some teens and how many you would be able to take home for the night.

BAD WEATHER POLICY FOR SERVICES AT GOOD SHEPHERD
          We will always have services as scheduled at Good Shepherd. Since I live across the parking lot, I can get to the church no matter how bad the weather gets. Even if the service is just me and my family, we will be here. For everyone else, please use your God-given common sense to determine whether or not you will get on the road to attend any service when the weather is bad. We don't want anyone to risk his or her life to be here. But if you do venture out, the scheduled service will take place. It may be only a handful with a cappella singing and/or spoken liturgy, but we will be here.
          Bible Classes and meetings may be canceled due to weather. Check your email regarding announcements to see if any of those scheduled events are canceled. If there is no email about it, it is not canceled. But again, use common sense to determine if you can make it, and call the pastor to let him know if you will not be coming.

OPEN FORUM AND VOTERS’ MEETING

We have scheduled our Open Forum, followed up by our Annual Voters’ Meeting, on Sunday, February 15 at 11:15 AM.  We will present proposed projects for the coming year as well as various opportunities for our members to serve the congregation.

ASH WEDNESDAY is February 18.  This will also mark the beginning of our Lenten Dinners.  We will need people to provide for meals on February 25 and March 4, 11, and 18.  (The Ladies of Good Shepherd are taking February 18 and March 25.)  March 25 will also be including the supper for the Michigan Lutheran Seminary Choir.  If necessary, we can have a meal catered, but we will need to know which Wednesday to do that if no one is available to provide a dinner.

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  

Sermon -- 4th Sunday after Epiphany (February 1, 2026)

LET THE ONE WHO BOASTS BOAST IN THE LORD.

1 CORINTHIANS 1:26-31

In the name + of Jesus.

      You and I live in two kingdoms.  We live in the kingdom of the world, and we live in the kingdom of God.  They are two very different kingdoms.  They value things differently.  They prioritize things differently.  They reward people differently.  But since we live in both, we are conflicted about what we value and prioritize, and about the rewards we desire.

     Consider how St. Paul addressed the Corinthian Christians.  He wrote, “Consider your call, brothers.  Not many of you were wise from a human point of view, not many were powerful, and not many were born with high status” (1 Corinthians 1:26).  St. Paul said that not many had attained these things; that means that some had.  But for the most part, the congregation was made up of people who were striving just to get by.  They may have had dreams of bigger and better.  But there was no likelihood of one’s social status changing in the first century Roman Empire.  If you were poor, enslaved, or unschooled, you would remain poor, enslaved, or unschooled.  Your fantasies remained fantasies, and fantasies produce nothing.

     But those who had wealth, those who were heralded as scholars, those who were powerful, influential, or nobility could boast about their station in life—whether it was earned or inherited.  Perhaps nothing has changed.  These things are still highly regarded in our world.  Those who have not achieved them—no matter how noble, honest, or beneficial to society they are—are often held in low regard.  This might sound insulting, but you have been influenced to think the same way.  If you don’t think so, go to the Old Granary Burying Ground in Boston.  I bet you will take photos of the gravestones of Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock, and I bet you will not even pay attention to the other grave markers there.  We admire those who have achieved wealth, power, and fame.  Those who have not achieved such notoriety still fantasize about achieving it.  The have-nots want to boast like the haves.  That is life in this worldly kingdom. 

     You, however, live in another kingdom—the kingdom of God.  The kingdom of God is very different from the kingdom of this world.  In fact, the Lord turns things upside down.  The Lord values things differently.  He prioritizes things differently.  He rewards people differently.  Since the Lord is the one who blesses people with wealth and authority, he is not impressed when people take pride in them.  God can withdraw those blessings just as easily as he gives them.  And if someone should be born into a family of high-standing, that is an act of God’s grace.  No one is born to a particular time, place, or family because he has done something to deserve it.  So, if a man boasts about his noble birth, that is the height of arrogance.

     There is a fascinating chapter in the book of Daniel which highlights all of this.  King Nebuchadnezzar ruled the kingdom of Babylon, the most power kingdom in the world up to that time.  He enjoyed wealth, power, and fame.  The prophet Daniel had warned him that his pride would be judged by the Lord if he did not repent.  About year after this warning, “the king said, ‘Isn’t this the great Babylon that I built for a royal residence by my mighty power and my majestic glory?’  While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice came down from heaven.  It said, ‘It is announced to you, King Nebuchadnezzar: The kingdom has been taken away from you’” (Daniel 4:30-31).  For about seven years, Nebuchadnezzar went insane.  He was reduced to nothing.  Then, after Nebuchadnezzar had been properly humbled, the Lord was pleased to restore him.  Then he confessed, “Now, I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of Heaven, because all his works are true, and his ways are just.  All those who walk in arrogance he is able to humble” (Daniel 4:37).  Thanks be to God, Nebuchadnezzar learned the lesson: Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.

     Our Lord should not have to resort to that level of judgment for you to recognize that you are nothing but dust and breath.  Our Lord should not have to remove your wealth so you can no longer take pride in it, or to withdraw your health so that you can no longer take pride in your strength, or make you a victim of slander so that you can no longer find comfort in your popularity.  But sometimes he does.  If he does, the God be praised!  Because he is doing it for your good.  God may reduce our worldly goods and glory to nothing so that we do not remain devoted to our own earthly kingdom.  If we have nothing on earth to boast about but we still have God’s promises, we have everything of eternal value.  Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.

     “God chose the foolish things of the world to put to shame those who are wise.  God chose the weak things of the world to put to shame the things that are strong, and God chose the lowly things of the world and the despised things, and the things that are not, to do away with the things that are, so that no one may boast before God” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).  This is especially true regarding our salvation.  Our Lord was pleased to bring about our salvation through things that were weak, shameful, and despised. 

     When the Father sent his Son into the world to redeem mankind from a sinful existence in a dying world, he did not float down from heaven as an adult, glowing in glory and power.  He entered the world through a birth canal.  Totally dependent upon Joseph and Mary, Jesus experienced a world of cold and hunger, of splinters and callouses, false accusations and fake friends.  For acts of mercy, Jesus was vilified.  For relieving people of demon-possession, Jesus was accused of being in league with Satan.  As Isaiah had said, “He was despised and rejected by men, a man who knew grief, who was well acquainted with suffering.  Like someone whom people cannot bear to look at, he was despised, and we thought nothing of him” (Isaiah 53:3).
     When Jesus acted to deliver us from sin, death, and the devil, it was not with a drawn sword and laying waste to kingdoms and armies.  Instead, God chose what appeared to be foolish, weak, lowly, and despised.  Jesus made himself obedient to death—an unjust sentence upon an innocent man.  Jesus made himself obedient to death on a cross—beaten, bloodied, and naked.  He was mocked by the rich and powerful who boasted that their plans had been successful.  They put Jesus to death.  They preserved their earthly kingdom.  They received their reward. 

     It is common for a Christian church to display a cross as a reminder of where our sin was paid for.  Better still is a crucifix.  It is not the cross that has taken away your sin.  Your sin was put upon Jesus and buried with his lifeless body.  When someone sees the disfigured and dead body of Jesus suspended from a cross and asks you, “Is that your God?” you boast, “Yes, that is my God, my Savior.”  Some will mock you for trusting in one who appears weak and wretched, but you know that the Lamb who was slain shows you the very heart of God.  It shows you how seriously God is about sin and the penalty sin deserves—that God the Father would damn his own Son for bearing your sin.  But it also shows you how dearly God loves you—that God the Father would curse his own Son to grant you a full pardon for all your sin.  Jesus has taken away our sin.  God has no reason to punish or even to threaten you. 

     The crucified Jesus Christ appears utterly weak, shameful, and pathetic.  God, however, has chosen what appears foolish, weak, and despised to save us.  All the wealth, power, and PhD’s in the world can’t save anyone.  No matter how much a man may boast in his wisdom or wealth, he cannot buy his way out of death or outsmart the grave.  No matter how much power one accumulates, he cannot command death to bow to him.  Why?  “So that no one may boast before God.  But because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us the wisdom from God, namely, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption.  God did this so that, just as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord’” (1 Corinthians 1:29-31). 

     Now, understand this distinction.  You live in the kingdom of God.  God brought you into his kingdom through holy baptism.  To some, it seems foolish that a splashing of water in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit would have any real significance.  But God chooses the despised things of this world to bestow everlasting value to his people.  God grants his gracious reward without regard to how much we know, how much we are known, how much we attain, or how much we accomplish.  Whether you are an infant or an adult, whether you are at the top of your field or on the low end of the totem pole, whether you have a perfect score on your ACT’s or have Alzheimer’s Disease, your place in the kingdom of God has been secured by the Lord Jesus and by him alone.  So let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.

     At the same time, you live in the kingdom of this world.  If you possess wealth, intelligence, or authority, you can do great things for many people.  God grants you these gifts not so that you can build up a kingdom for yourself in this world.  Every worldly kingdom will finally be reduced to dust, as will the people who build them.  But God gives you gifts to use for his glory and for the good of your fellow man.  St. Paul directs us, “Instruct those who are rich in this present age not to be arrogant or to put their hope in the uncertainty of riches, but rather in God, who richly supplies us with all things for our enjoyment.  Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share.  In this way they are storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

     If God has chosen to not bless you with wealth, scholarly degrees, or authority, he still provides you with opportunities to do good and to bless your fellow man.  You do not need worldly acclaim to be honest, helpful, merciful, chaste, decent, or to show up on time and to do the work you were given to do.  And you don’t need the world’s praise for God to be pleased with you or for your life to matter.  Jesus has made you pleasing to the Lord.  If the world does not think much of you and your works, so what!  God does!

     Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.  The Lord has made you his priority.  You have infinite value to him.  And he rewards you with an eternal kingdom through the mercies and merits of Jesus.  Therefore, you have nothing greater to value than Jesus Christ.  Now your highest priority are God’s word and sacraments.  By these, the Holy Spirit preserves you in his kingdom.  And we boast in the Lord Jesus as we await his return to bring us to our heavenly reward.

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

Update from Good Shepherd (January 29, 2026)

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.

Bible Matters meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM. 

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

LADIES OF GOOD SHEPHERD will have a brief meeting after church today.  Among the topics of discussion will be bringing food for some of the Lenten Dinners.

BIBLE MATTERS

          Bible Matters is a discussion group. We meet on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM. Each week, we will read through a chapter of, “Your Life Has Meaning: Discovering Your Role in an Epic Story,” and discuss how God’s word applies to our lives. The weekly topics are listed here.  Even if you feel you have a good handle on our topic, perhaps you can think of how you would speak to others who struggle with it. Or, perhaps you could invite those people to come to our class with you. All are welcome.

BIBLE INFORMATION CLASS

          Our next Bible Information Class will begin on February 2. We will meet on Monday evenings (7:00 – 8:30 PM). This class is a review for long-time Christians and an opportunity for anyone to come, ask questions about God and the Bible, and to grow in faith and knowledge. Consider whom you might bring to this class. Many people have spiritual questions. This class will address many of them.  The tentative schedule can be found here.

ADULT BIBLE CLASS
          Sometimes we have a hard time understanding parts of the Bible. Some of those words come from Jesus himself. We are considering the Hard Sayings of Jesus. The weekly schedule can be found here.  Adult Bible Class meets at 9:00 AM. All from grade 7 on up are welcome to attend.  

MURDER MYSTERY – OH, HORRORS! IT’S MURDER!
           Good Shepherd will be hosting an interactive theater experience on Saturday, February 7 at 7:00 PM.  (Doors open at 6:15 PM.) “Oh, Horrors! It’s Murder!” will be presented by a local theater group which will feature congregational members Diane Wozniak and Tom Mattison. We will watch the first act which will depict the murder (it’s not going to be gruesome; it’s church outing!). Then, we will interact with the characters during an intermission. In the second act, we will vote on who we think the murderer is, and the actors will respond based on our vote. Tickets are $25.  Look for tickets at the QR code in this link. Refreshments will be served before the play and during the intermission. You are encouraged to invite friends to this event.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE

           Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the Divine Service from January 25, 2026: Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, January 25, 2026

CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS (January)

>  A test for our texting service was done on January 19.  If you did not receive a text message but would like to receive them, speak with Terry Barber. 

>  In an effort to engage more members with more opportunities to serve, we are summoning more men to serve as ushers.  We also intend to be more organized so that we don’t grab people at the last minute to fill in for absent people.  We will be recruiting people who will count and deposit the offerings.  We will also be recruiting more women who can serve in handling the sacred vessels for holy communion.  Training for all of these areas of service will be scheduled in the months to come.

>  Every four years or so, the pastor conducts visits at the homes of all the members.  It is intended to stay connected with everyone and to allow people to address any issues that may bother them or confuse them.  Every Member Visits will begin in February.  A sign-up sheet will be posted at church to allow people to schedule their visit.  As the year goes on, phone calls will be made to those who have not yet signed up (ominous music inserted here).

>  The Michigan Lutheran Seminary Choir will be conducting a sacred concert at Good Shepherd on Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00 PM.  While the concert is a ways off, we will need to prepare for them.  We will be providing a supper at church before the concert.  After the concert, host families will be needed to provide lodging, breakfast, a sack lunch, and a return trip to church on Thursday morning.  More details will be offered later.  For now, consider if you could host some teens and how many you would be able to take home for the night.

BAD WEATHER POLICY FOR SERVICES AT GOOD SHEPHERD
          We will always have services as scheduled at Good Shepherd. Since I live across the parking lot, I can get to the church no matter how bad the weather gets. Even if the service is just me and my family, we will be here. For everyone else, please use your God-given common sense to determine whether or not you will get on the road to attend any service when the weather is bad. We don't want anyone to risk his or her life to be here. But if you do venture out, the scheduled service will take place. It may be only a handful with a cappella singing and/or spoken liturgy, but we will be here.
          Bible Classes and meetings may be canceled due to weather. Check your email regarding announcements to see if any of those scheduled events are canceled. If there is no email about it, it is not canceled. But again, use common sense to determine if you can make it, and call the pastor to let him know if you will not be coming.

OPEN FORUM AND VOTERS’ MEETING

We have scheduled our Open Forum, followed up by our Annual Voters’ Meeting, on Sunday, February 15 at 11:15 AM.  We will present proposed projects for the coming year as well as various opportunities for our members to serve the congregation.

ASH WEDNESDAY is February 18.  This will also mark the beginning of our Lenten Dinners.  We will need people to provide for meals on February 18 and 25 and March 4, 11, 18, and 25.  March 25 will also be including the supper for the Michigan Lutheran Seminary Choir.  If necessary, we can have a meal catered, but we will need to know which Wednesday to do that if no one is available to provide a dinner.

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