Lutheran Subject (Schroeder's blog): February 2019

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Update from Good Shepherd (February 28, 2019)

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE

Our Divine Services are on Sundays at 10:00 AM.

Thursday services at 3:30 PM are also offered, but call or text to confirm you are coming (248-719-5218). If no one calls to confirm their attendance, he may not be at the church.

SUNDAY SCHOOL & ADULT BIBLE CLASS
Our Sunday School & Adult Bible Class meet at 8:45 AM.

ADULT BIBLE CLASS — Galatians

The next Adult Bible Class series will begin on Sunday, March 3.

We will read through St. Paul's letter to the Galatians. The main purpose

of this letter was to offer correction and encouragement to a congregation

which was convinced that human effort must be added to the Gospel

promises to be assured of one's place in the kingdom of God. This is a

constant struggle that we face, convinced that our salvation is somehow

based on our performance or worthiness. This epistle, perhaps more

than any other, teaches us what it means that we are saved “by faith

alone.” Class begins on Sundays at 8:45 AM.

Mid-Week Lenten Vespers The Lenten season begins on Wednesday, March 6. As a penitential

season, we offer additional services to ponder the sufferings and death of

our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lenten series, based on the theme, “Three Words

of Truth,” is below. Lenten Vespers (an evening prayer service) begins at 7:00 PM;

a supper is served at 6:00 PM. If you are interested in helping provide food for

the supper, please speak to Pastor Schroeder, Dan Rauchholz, or Brian Wilder. March 6 ASH WEDNESDAY -- Divine Service with the Imposition of Ashes March 13 “Is it I?” Matthew 26:20-25 March 20 “Watch and pray.” Matthew 26:35-41 March 27 “Take him away!” John 19:14-18 April 3 “I am he.” John 18:3-9 April 10 “What is truth?” John 18:33-40

Mid-Week Lenten Suppers The schedule for our Lenten suppers is as follows: March 6 Ladies of Good Shepherd March 13 Church Council March 20 Church Council March 27 Church Council April 3 Church Council April 10 Ladies of Good Shepherd

SUNDAY NIGHT BIBLE SERIES
A next session of our Sunday Night Bible Series will be Sunday, March 10 at 6:00 PM. This series, entitled “Eating God's Sacrifice,” explores the Lord's Supper portrayal in the Old Testament sacrifices. While the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper flows from the Passover, its roots and forgiveness come from all the Old Testament sacrifices. After viewing each DVD segment, Pastor Purdue and Pastor Schroeder will lead a discussion about the material which is in the DVD. All sessions will begin at 6:00 PM. These are intended to be interactive discussions as well as informational. Desserts and snacks will be served. All are welcome.

WELS YOUTH RALLY

Join Us for the 2019 WELS Regional Youth Rally in West Virginia!

This year's regional Youth Rally will take place at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, from July 15-18th. The Michigan District and North Atlantic District will again be partnering on this project.

The event will be similar to the rallies held at Villanova in 2015 and at Xavier in 2017. Students and chaperones will have the chance to join fellow WELS members from around the country for worship, Bible study, games, exploring the West Virginia countryside, a trip to an amusement park, and much more!

Earlybird online registration is already open! Save now by registering before March 16th. You can find Rally information at welsyouth.net or simply click the link below.

https://mailchi.mp/16009c75a633/register-for-the-2019-wels-regional-youth-rally-in-west-virginia

MARTIN LUTHER COLLEGE (MLC) CHOIR CONCERT
The MLC college choir will give a partial concert at Huron Valley Lutheran High School on Tuesday, March 5. Pastor David Starr (admissions counselor at MLC) will open with a brief chapel service at 10 am, which will then be followed by the concert. The concert will finish around 11:00. Anyone who is interested is welcome to join us for the concert.

DO YOU LIKE US?
Look for Good Shepherd on Facebook. Then “LIKE” us for updates and other postings.

BAD WEATHER POLICY FOR SERVICES AT GOOD SHEPHERD
For future reference (or a reminder) here is the bad weather policy for Good Shepherd services:
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 capella singing and/or spoken liturgy, but we will be here.
Bible Classes and meetings may be cancelled due to weather. Check your email regarding announcements to see if any of those scheduled events is cancelled. If there is no email about it, it is not cancelled. 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.

God bless you.

In Christ,
Pastor Schroeder

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

DIVINE SERVICES

Sundays at 10:00 AM

Thursdays at 3:30 PM (call or text 248-719-5218 to confirm)

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sundays at 8:45 AM

ADULT BIBLE CLASS

Sundays at 8:45 AM

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE

www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

PASTOR SCHROEDER’S BLOG

www.LutheranSubject.blogspot.com

Good Shepherd Evangelical Lutheran Church
41415 W. Nine Mile Road
Novi, Michigan 48375-4306
+ + + + + + + + + + + +
Divine Services -- Sundays at 10:00 AM

Sunday, February 24, 2019

Sermon -- Festival of St. Matthias, Apostle (February 24, 2019)

ACTS 1:15-26

GOD GRANTS BLESSING,

EVEN THROUGH FLAWED PEOPLE.

In the name + of Jesus.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. (James 1:17) That means everything God the Father gives us is good. It may not always seem like it because God's gifts get messed up. But the problem is never with the giver of the gift or with the gift. It is with the sinners to whom the gifts are given. For example, marriage is a gift of God, and it is good. I am sure you can think of some marriages that are not good. But the problem is not with God or with marriage; it is with the sinners who are in the marriage. Likewise, government is a gift of God. It serves our good by keeping society orderly and peaceful. But politicians can be crooked scoundrels, and governments can become corrupt, oppressive, or even tyrannical. Once again, God is good and his gift is good. The people in those positions of government may not be good; nevertheless, God still grants blessings, even through flawed people.
Jesus Christ is our good and merciful Savior. He established the Christian Church for our good, and he gave the holy ministry for the good of the Christians in the church. However, horrible stories of clergy abuse have become all too common these days. Many claim the Church is wicked and that the ministry is an abomination. But Jesus Christ is good. The Church is good, and the office of the holy ministry is good. Sadly, the office has been occupied by some wicked people. Just as married people and politicians are accountable for their sins, so are the clergy who are guilty of their scandalous actions. Nevertheless, God is still good, and his gifts are still good.
The Christian Church was in its infancy when the first clergy scandal hit. Judas Iscariot had betrayed Jesus, showing himself to be a traitor. Although Judas tried to return the money and stop Jesus' trial, the priests had no interest in letting Jesus go. In his grief and despair, Judas went and hanged himself. His suicide became well known throughout Jerusalem because of the grotesque nature of his death. Meanwhile, the apostles with whom he had served for three years were coping with all that Judas did. I imagine their emotions ran the full gamut—disbelief, sadness, anger, bitterness, and even guilt from thinking that they should have seen it coming.
Judas proved to be a tremendous disappointment. His betraying of Jesus and his suicide were a great scandal. But the office of apostle was still good. The other apostles, even with their own faults, were still beneficial to the Church. And so, based on the Psalm which said, “Let another take his office,” (Acts 1:20; Psalm 109:8) Peter led the effort to replace Judas, restoring the number of apostles again to twelve.
Peter noted the qualifications for apostleship. “One of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” (Acts 1:21-22) The choice came down to Justus and Matthias. They invoked Lord in prayer. They cast lots. And Matthias was chosen to fulfill the place of apostleship.
From this point on, the Bible says nothing of Matthias. We assume that he served the Lord faithfully, that he bore witness to Jesus' resurrection, that he declared salvation in Jesus' name, and that he served the Church as a pastor. Where he went, what he did, and what he suffered for Jesus and for the Gospel remains unknown. We don't remember Matthias because he perfected the apostolic ministry. We remember him because the Lord chose to work through him. God grants blessings, even through flawed people.
Now, the Lord has not called you or me to be an apostle. But he has given us our various vocations. These vocations are where God has called you to honor him and to serve your neighbor. These vocations are good, but we are not always good in fulfilling them. Just as the other apostles regarded Judas, so people have been disappointed or saddened or even angry with you. You and I have not been flawless in our service. We have failed. Whether we forgot to do what we were supposed to or intentionally didn't do it, we have sinned against others. We have not glorified God with our vocations, even considering them to be a punishment or a curse rather than the blessing and the gift they are. As Judas' failure grieved our Lord, so do our faults and failures. Repent.
We do not know where Matthias went to preach, but we can be sure of what he did preach. Matthias did what Peter said he was appointed to do: “One of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” (Acts 1:22) Matthias, a sinner himself, preached to burdened and broken sinners the comfort that comes from a good and merciful Savior. He bore witness to Jesus' flawless love and faultless service to sinners. Jesus never loved people because they proved themselves worthy. Jesus loves people because they need his love and compassion. He reached out his hands to heal the sick. He lent his ears to cries for mercy. He opened his mouth to soothe frightened souls and to encourage struggling believers. And then he offered his ears to hold up a crown of thorns. He kept his mouth silent when vicious accusations were leveled against him, accepting the guilt of every charge. He stretched out his hands to be nailed to a cross so that he could pay for the sins of everyone who has failed him, who has fled from him, and who has fought against him. Matthias had witnessed it all. And then Matthias got to declare that he saw Jesus, after his death for sinners, alive again—risen from the grave. Jesus did not come breathing fire against those who sinned against him. Instead, he proclaimed peace. Jesus lives to credit you with his innocence. Jesus lives to grant forgiveness to flawed people. Jesus lives. His love endures. He calls you to honor him with a life of service, and he blesses it. God grants blessing, even through flawed people.
When St. Peter added Matthias to the number of the apostles, it seems to me (this is opinion; take it for what it is worth) that he acted rashly. He quoted Psalm 109: “Let another take his office.” (Acts 1:20), but it seems to me that our Lord had another man in mind to fulfill that prophecy. Later, the risen and ascended Lord Jesus personally did add another man to be among the apostles—St. Paul. So, Peter may have overstepped his bounds in adding Matthias. But even if Peter's actions were presumptuous and flawed, God still blessed the Church through them. The office of apostle is good, and God did good things through the addition of Matthias to the apostles. Matthias served as a witness of the resurrection and proclaimed salvation through Jesus.
You and I serve our Lord as best as we can. As children of God, that is our duty. As those who are loved by God, it is our joy. But none of us serves perfectly; and God still blesses it. Even if our efforts are less than perfect or our motives are less than pure, God still grants blessing through flawed people. Riddle: What do you call someone who graduates from medical school last in his class? Answer: Doctor. Not everyone can graduate at the top of the class. Yet God still blesses people through the work of those doctors, too. In the same way, our works are not perfect. Not every meal prepared will be gourmet. Not every word of advice will be life-altering. Not every sermon will be an award-winner. But God will still work through these things to feed people, to encourage people, to help people, and to bless people. For, God is good, and the gifts he gives us are good. God works good through them, and God is even pleased with them because Jesus Christ has made you pleasing to him.
God grants blessings, even through flawed people. They cast lots.... The lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:26) We don't know what became of Matthias after that. You might not even remember his name after today. That's okay. The Lord knows him and was pleased to work through him. Likewise, the Lord gives you ways to serve him. The world may not remember your name or your service. That's okay, too. The Lord knows. He loves you. He delights in your works, and he blesses people through them. You may recognize your flaws, beat yourself up over them, and strive to correct them. Know that the Lord has handled them differently: He forgives them. He covers them in Jesus' innocence. Therefore, he delights in you. He is proud to call you his own. For, God is good. His gifts are good. And his love and his blessings are flawless.

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

Friday, February 22, 2019

Minor Festival -- St. Matthias, Apostle (February 24, 2019)

Worship Note for the Festival of St. Matthias, Apostle

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... Today we recognize a minor festival, the Festival of St. Matthias, Apostle.

St. Matthias received his apostleship after the original Twelve. After Judas Iscariot had betrayed Jesus, despaired of hope, and committed suicide, the remaining apostles replaced Judas with Matthias. We are told nothing else of Matthias. What is most noteworthy in Matthias’ filling in the twelfth position among the apostles was the apostles’ desire for this to be a divine appointment (Acts 1:24-26). Even today, we recognize that it is God who calls pastors and teachers to serve his people – a comfort for the pastor or teacher who knows that this is where God wants him to serve; and a comfort for God’s people who know that this is the servant God has chosen just for them.

We will observe the Festival of St. Matthias, Apostle this Sunday, February 24.

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Update from Good Shepherd -- February 21, 2019

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE

Our Divine Services are on Sundays at 10:00 AM.

OPEN FORUM & VOTERS' MEETING

On Sunday, February 24 after the service,we will have an Open Forum which will present the various plans which we hope to implement in the coming year and beyond. This offers all of our members information on how they can serve and become more active in our congregation. It also allows you to ask questions and offer input to help us with future planning. While there may not be much to report so quickly after the School of Strategic Planning, we should be able to mention some highlights we gleaned from that. All confirmed members of Good Shepherd are welcome and encouraged to join us.

The Voters' Meeting will take place immediately following the Open Forum.

ADULT BIBLE CLASS — JESUS – Legend or Lord?

The final segment, "The Explosion of Christianity" is this Sunday. In order to give ourselves enough time to discuss the materials presented, the DVD will begin promptly at 8:55 AM.