Worship Note -- The Presentation of Our Lord

The Presentation of Our Lord

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, February 2, we recognize a minor festival, the Festival of the Presentation of Our Lord.

When Jesus was 40 days old, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple for the rite of presentation.  Since the Lord had spared the firstborn of all Israel at the Passover, the Lord claimed the right of each firstborn of the Israelites.  At the presentation, Joseph and Mary offered the sacrifice to “redeem” Jesus from the Lord.  This was done to fulfill the Law (Exodus 13:2,12).  It was at this visit to the temple that both Simeon and Anna praised the Lord for sending the Savior he had promised long ago.  The account of the Presentation of our Lord is found in Luke 2:22-39.  

Update from Good Shepherd (January 30, 2020)

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE

        Divine Services are Sundays at 10:00 AM.

        Sunday School is on Sundays at 8:45 AM. 

        Adult Bible Class meets on Sundays at 8:45 AM and on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.  The Adult Bible Class on Wednesday repeats the previous Sunday's lesson.

FELLOWSHIP OUTINGS

There are three outings for you to enjoy as fellow members of Good Shepherd.  Of course, you are encouraged to invite friends to join us too.  Perhaps they would be more comfortable learning about Christians in these informal settings before a more intimidating walk into church for a Divine Service.

1)  Super Bowl party at the parsonage, Sunday, February 2 at 5:00 PM.  The official kick off time is 6:20 PM, but you are welcome to come any time after 5:00 PM to enjoy some food, chat, and sign up for squares.  (Don't know what that is?  It is a chance to win a prize at no cost to you.  It also allows a boring game to still have some entertainment value.)  Deadline for squares will be 6:10 PM.  While an RSVP will not be necessary to get into our house, it would still be nice to know how many are coming.  You may reply to welsnovi@aol.com.  There is also a SignUp Genius web site floating out there somewhere, but I can't find the web address for it.

2)  Dinner at Randy & Jean's.  Randy & Jean Nabozny will be hosting this even at their home in Chelsea.  Dinner will be Friday, February 14th.  Arrive after 6 pm, with dinner around 7:30 pm. Please RSVP to Jean at jrauchholz@gmail.com no later than February 9th to ensure an accurate count for dinner.  If you would like to join in the fun, we are in need of salad, appetizers, and dessert.  

TEDDY BEAR DRIVE

During the month of March, we will be collecting teddy bears which will then be donated through Ascension Providence Park to children who are in St. John's Children's Hospital downtown Detroit and who are admitted to the ER at Ascension Providence Park.  Teddy bears are to be new.  Used and even gently used teddy bears are not permitted due to germs or other contaminates that may come from someone's home.  Drop-offs to Good Shepherd can be made on Sundays, during office hours, or by appointment.

OFFICE HOURS

        Regular office hours at Good Shepherd will be Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. While there may be some flexibility to this schedule, we will try to keep it as regular as possible.

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 is 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.

DO YOU LIKE US?

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

God bless you.

In Christ,

Pastor Schroeder

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

SUNDAY SCHOOL -- Sundays at 8:45 AM.

ADULT BIBLE CLASS -- Sundays at 8:45 AM and Wednesdays at 6:30 PM

DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 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

Sermon -- Sanctity of Life Sunday (January 26, 2020)

This sermon was preached at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Monroe, Michigan.

1 JOHN 3:1-3

YOU WERE CREATED 

BY GOD FOR HIS GLORY.

In the name + of Jesus.

     St. John addresses the church and reminds you that you are children of God.  It may not look like it.  You may not feel like it.  We don't always act like it.  But St. John tells us not to look to ourselves for evidence of this.  He points to God's love and promises.  “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” (1 John 3:1)  We take God at his word, and we are comforted by his love.
     This is what God has always intended for the people he has created.  Life is a gift, and God desires each life to reflect God's goodness and glory.  Mankind was created by God for his glory.  He hand-crafted them—Adam from the dust and Eve from Adam's rib.  They were created in the image of God.  Far above the level of the animals, Adam and Eve were blessed with intellect, reason, emotion, and will.  These were in perfect harmony with the Lord.  They reflected God's goodness and holiness in their lives, and they glorified God in their love and obedience.  They were created by God for his glory.
     But when sin entered the world through their disobedience, the image of God was lost.  That doesn't mean they suddenly became stupid, emotionless, or brutish, like animals.  It means that their intellect, reason, emotion, and will were all corrupted and turned in on themselves.  It means that now man trusts in his reason; we think that we know better than God.  It means that our emotions are driven by selfishness, envy, and revenge.  It means our desires are devoted to ourselves at the expense of our neighbor and in rebellion to God.  We do not behave like the children of God.  For without the image of God, we are not.
     This corrupt, sinful nature causes people to believe, desire, and defend terrible things. When parents-to-be are told that their child might have Down Syndrome or a birth defect, it is suggested that they should abort the child.  Why?  It's too much of a bother.  Parents don't want to be saddled with that kind of effort or expense.  This thinking extends all the way to the end of life.  When people are restricted to wheelchairs, have a terminal illness, or can't remember their own children because of Alzheimer's disease, we say they have a low quality of life.  It is argued that a low quality of life is not worth living.  While no one wants to live with handicaps, disease, or pain, they would not agree that death improves their quality.  This reasoning that life is not worth living unless it is exciting or easy has even caused young people to resort to suicide.  God never made people to be disposable. 
     Lest you think that this wickedness is only found in other people, ask yourself how many times you have concluded that some people don't deserve to live.  We judge people's worth based on what we can get out of them or what they can produce.  When a person is destructive or violent, do we pray they would be snuffed out?  If there is someone you just don't like, do you wish they would just die?  You see, we also hold a low view of life.  We just need the right criteria to prove it.  Repent.  Our Lord assigns value to all life.  And if you have ever thought that your life is not worth living for whatever reason, you can bet it is not your Lord telling you that.  You were created by God for his glory, and that is still true even when life is hard, when bodies break down, or when sinners act like sinners.
     When the image of God was lost, God went to work to restore it in us.  To do so, the Lord became one of us.  He was made man with reason, an intellect, emotion, and a will.  But all of this was in harmony with the Father's perfect will.  Jesus' emotions moved him to have compassion on people in their illnesses and hardships.  He healed the sick and consoled people with hard lives.  He subjected his reason to God's word, trusting that he would not be forsaken or forgotten when others sinned against him.  He even loved his enemies and prayed for them.  He submitted his desires to God's will, so that he willingly went to Jerusalem to be arrested without cause, tried without justice, condemned without evidence, flogged without mercy, and crucified without modesty or dignity.  And though the sufferings and death of Jesus were cruel and unjust, he did it willingly in order to be the ransom price that was paid to set you free from your sin, from death, and from the devil.  Jesus lived his life for the glory of God.  And God's greatest glory is revealed in the fact that Jesus' perfect life and innocent death was given to save sinners.
     You were created by God for his glory, and you have been redeemed by God for his glory.  Do you see the value that God has put on your life?  You are worth the payment of the holy Son of God.  Jesus has even atoned for your sins of thinking that some people are just not worth the space they take up or the trouble that comes with them.  Jesus was determined to take your space under God's judgment and to suffer for your troubles at the cross so that they would not be counted against you.  You were redeemed so that you would be children of God, so that you would inherit his kingdom, and so that you would dwell with him forevermore.  The Lord loves what he has created, and he has further redeemed it.  Therefore, you are his.  “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” (1 John 3:1) 
     You were created by God for his glory.  Through baptism, he has put to death the sinful nature in you to make you a new creation.  He has made you children of God, which is not only a status, it is also changing your reason, intellect, emotion, and will to be in agreement with God.  Think of the canticle we often sing after a sermon: “Create in me a clean heart, O God (that's your status), and renew a right spirit within me” (that's your new creation). (Psalm 51:10)  This right spirit recognizes that life is a precious gift of God—whether it is growing in the womb, handicapped through life, dealing with anxiety or shame, or feebly fading away.  All are God's creation, and therefore all of them are valuable. 
     What's more, Jesus went to the cross to save all people.  Even though all will not be saved, our Lord deemed them worthy of the sacrifice.  He has created in you a right spirit—with an intellect, reason, emotion, and will being conformed to God's—so that you will see people not according what you can get out of them, but according to the mercy which they need and which you can give.  All have quality of life, because all have been created by our God.  You were created by God for his glory.  And all were created by God for his glory, too.
     “Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.  And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3)  St. John reminds you that you are children of God.  It may not look like it.  You may not feel like it.  We don't always act like it.  For, we are not in glory yet.  Yet.  Soon our Lord will return and will raise us up to what God had always intended us to be—the perfect reflection of his goodness and glory.  He will transform us to perfection so that our intellect, reason, emotions, and will shall be in complete harmony with his.  He will perfect our lives not only in our minds and hearts, but also in our bodies.  When he appears we shall be like him. (1 John 3:2)  We will be risen from the grave with bodies that are completely whole.  There will be no disabled or diseased.  They will be no frail or weak.  There will be relief from shame and anxiety.  We will all be incorruptible and imperishable.  In body, mind, and spirit, we will be the image of God.  That is what God had designed mankind to be at the very beginning and will bring to perfection at the very end.   
     Beloved in the Lord, now you are the children of God.  You were created by God for his glory; it is what life is for.  So now, you get to reflect the goodness and glory of God to others.  Now you get to have compassion on the suffering, the struggling, and the saddened.  Now you get to tell people what they are worth to our Lord who gives and sustains us in this life.  And thanks to God, the life he gives does not end in a grave, but through Jesus goes on into endless glory.  That is what he created you for.

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

Sermon -- Wedding of Jim Hardiman and Lindsey Holloway (January 25, 2020)

EPHESIANS 5:22-33

COMMIT TO ONE ANOTHER 

AS CHRIST IS COMMITTED TO YOU.

In the name + of Jesus.

     When God first established marriage, he said that it was good.  He brought together one holy man and one holy woman in a perfect Paradise to be joined as husband and wife.  This marriage was assessed by God at the close of his week of creation.  “God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)  It stands to reason that marriage is good.  St. Paul said, “This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.” (Ephesians 5:32)  Since marriage is a reflection of the love Christ has for the Church and the love the Church has for Christ, it must be good.  And it shows us what God designs marriage to be.
     I suppose that we could define marriage in very simple terms—a man and a woman love each other and want to spend the rest of their lives together.  Chances are, you've said that to each other a number of times.  But it is more than that.  St. Paul tells us how God has designed marriage so that it will serve as the highest blessing for both of you.
     Although St. Paul begins by addressing wives, we will turn to the husband first.  Jim, this is what the Lord says: “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her...” (Ephesians 5:25)  Jesus Christ loved the Church in this way: He gave up everything to have her.  The Son of God left the glories of heaven to live as a man and to endure the sorrows and pains of this world.  He took up our guilt and gave his life in exchange for ours.  So, he suffered for sins he did not commit and paid a debt he did not owe.  He assumed into himself all of our wickedness, and then he gave us credit for all of his holiness.  He took our hell so that we could have heaven.  Jesus did this because he was committed to our good—that he would take away our sins, that he would deliver us from death, and that he would open up heaven to us.  This is how Christ showed his commitment to the Church: He loves the Church and died to win her.
     Jim, as a veterinarian, you have one simple goal—to care for the health and well-being of each animal that is brought to you.  Even if a dog snarls or snaps at you, you still care for and do what is best for that animal.  Now, I am not suggesting that Lindsey will snarl or snap at you, but she will sin against you from time to time.  For, you are both sinners.  So, while marriage is intended to be a Paradise for you, it will not be perfect.  Now, just as Christ is committed to the Church, that is how you are to be committed to your bride, Lindsey.  Just as Jesus continually forgives and loves, so you get to remain committed to loving your bride.  You will continue to serve and love and seek her best, and forgive her even if she does snarl and snap at you.  For, she is more precious to you that someone's schnauzer.  Commit to one another as Christ is committed to you.
     And now, Lindsey, see what St. Paul has written for you.  “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.” (Ephesians 5:22-24)  God's word is not telling you to present yourself as a doormat for your husband.  And I think you already know that your groom will not treat you that way.  No, the comparison is the commitment that the Church has to Christ.  Why does the Church submit to Christ?  In order to receive good things from him.  In fact, the Church receives her glory by submitting to Christ.  It is he who has given his name to his Bride, so that you confess to be a Christian.  It is he who provides for his Bride's well-being.  It is he who protects his Bride from all that would harm or destroy or damn her. 
     By submitting to your groom, Lindsey, you are accepting his provision, protection, love, and care.  The best of his is now yours and exclusively yours.  In turn, your submission means that you are committing yourself to love and care for him as the head of the household.  Now, the head does not do harm to the rest of his body.  What good would that be?  Think about it: If you are walking across a room in the dark and stub your toe, your head does not dismiss it and say, “I'll bet that hurt.”  No.  The whole body aches.  And so, Bride and Groom are united in this way.  If one hurts, you both hurt.  If one rejoices, you both rejoice.  Your commitment and devotion to each other serves for the great benefit of each one.  In a world that can be unkind and unfair, you each have a spouse who is committed to seeking your good.  You both get to support, encourage, and console one another.  You both get to exalt one another—just the Church exalts Christ and is exalted by Christ.  This is the commitment God intends for husbands and wives.  Commit to one another as Christ is committed to you.
     And so, today God brings together a man and a woman.  Even though it may not seem like it, you are a holy man and a holy woman in God's sight—for you have been “cleansed...by the washing of water with the word, so that (Jesus) might present (you) to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that (you) might be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:26-27)  Today, God joins you in the bond of marriage which he has created to be a blessing for both of you.  Today, God brings together one man and one woman to be husband and wife.  And though this world is not Paradise, you are the beneficiaries of Christ's perfect, committed love.  Your marriage gets to reflect that kind of love in each other.  God sees what he has created here, and behold, it is very good.

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

Update from Good Shepherd (January 23, 2020)

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE

        Divine Services are Sundays at 10:00 AM.

        Sunday School is on Sundays at 8:45 AM. 

        Adult Bible Class meets on Sundays at 8:45 AM and on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.  The Adult Bible Class on Wednesday repeats the previous Sunday's lesson.

IN OUR PRAYERS

        We give prayers and thanksgiving for Jim Hardiman and Lindsey Holloway who will be married at Good Shepherd this Saturday, January 25 at 3:00 PM.  May God grant them a long, joy-filled marriage built on Christ and his faithful love.

SANCTITY OF LIFE SUNDAY
        On Sunday, January 26, we will observe Sanctity of Life Sunday in recognition of the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision which legalized the abortion of children from their mother's wombs.  We pray that God would move the hearts of people to put an end to this evil practice, to guide people to end the need for this practice by living chaste and decent lives which limit sex to the marriage bed, and to bring comfort to all who live with the guilt and regret for whatever part they may have played in participating in or supporting the practice of abortions.  We also recognize that God cares for the lives of people of all ages, including the elderly, infirm, and disabled.  One prayer that can be offered in conjunction with this travesty can be found here:  http://lutheransubject.blogspot.com/2020/01/a-litany-for-gift-of-life-and-for.html
        Our guest preacher will be Rev. Ross Ulrich from Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Monroe, MI.  

FELLOWSHIP OUTINGS
There are three outings for you to enjoy as fellow members of Good Shepherd.  Of course, you are encouraged to invite friends to join us too.  Perhaps they would be more comfortable learning about Christians in these informal settings before a more intimidating walk into church for a Divine Service.
1)  Euchre and Game Night will be on Sunday, January 26, 7:00 PM.  If you aren't a euchre fan, we will have other games you can enjoy.  Interested in learning euchre?  We can help with that, too.
2)  Super Bowl party at the parsonage, Sunday, February 2 at 5:00 PM.  The official kick off time is 6:20 PM, but you are welcome to come any time after 5:00 PM to enjoy some food, chat, and sign up for squares.  (Don't know what that is?  It is a chance to win a prize at no cost to you.  It also allows a boring game to still have some entertainment value.)  Deadline for squares will be 6:00 PM.
3)  Dinner at Randy & Jean's.  Randy & Jean Nabozny will be hosting this even at their home in Chelsea.  Dinner will be Friday, February 14th.  Arrive after 6 pm, with dinner around 7:30 pm. Please RSVP to Jean at jrauchholz@gmail.com no later than February 9th to ensure an accurate count for dinner.  If you would like to join in the fun, we are in need of salad, appetizers, and dessert.  

OFFICE HOURS

        Regular office hours at Good Shepherd will be Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. While there may be some flexibility to this schedule, we will try to keep it as regular as possible.

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 is 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.

DO YOU LIKE US?

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

God bless you.

In Christ,

Pastor Schroeder

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

SUNDAY SCHOOL -- Sundays at 8:45 AM.

ADULT BIBLE CLASS -- Sundays at 8:45 AM

DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 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

A Litany for the Gift of Life and for the Protection of the Unborn

Below is a litany for the gift of life and for the protection of unborn children.  It is a sad state of affairs that the murder of unborn children is legal, tolerated, supported, and even celebrated.  It has been said that a society can be judged based on how it treats its most vulnerable.  If that is true, our society stands under the judgment of humanity.  As far as God's judgment, that is applied with the 5th Commandment: "You shall not murder."  And yet, Roe v. Wade made such murders legal, and that law has been defended vehemently since January 22, 1973.

Even if the whole world declares the abortion of children legal, good, and even desirable, the word of the Lord shall stand against it.  The faithful in the Church will continue to declare evil what God has declared evil, and we will pray for the hearts of many to repent of this evil and turn from it.

To that end, below is a litany that is often prayed at Good Shepherd on Sundays close to the January 22 anniversary.  May God bring this horrible practice to a swift end.  And may God grant consolation to those who are participated in abortions and who now bear the guilt and regret of their actions. 

Kyrie, eleison.  Lord, have mercy.

More materials regarding the Sanctity of Life can be found at Christian Life Resources website.

A Litany for the Gift of Life and for the Protection of the Unborn

P: Almighty and eternal God, you have created this world and all of us in it.  We praise you, for we are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Lead all people everywhere to see that you are our Maker and that we are the work of your hands so that all would consider human life to be sacred.  Protect and defend all to whom you give life, whether born or unborn, until that day when you take our life from us again.  Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.

P: Heavenly Father, you do not delight in the death of the wicked, but that all would turn from their evil ways and live.  Keep us from evil, and forgive us our sins.  Strengthen us to proclaim your Law and to warn those who would continue in their sins.  At this time, we especially pray that you would help us to warn those who continue in the sin of abortion.  Work mightily through your word to bring to repentance all who seek, provide, or support these willful acts of murder.  Change the hearts of people who see this wrong and dare to call it a right, and who are so blind to call good what is evil.  We ask not only that our nation may be cleansed of this heinous sin, but also that you turn all people from their evil ways so that they would live.  Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.

P: Lord of the nations, you have given authority to the governments of this world to bring order and protection and to punish the wrongdoer.  We pray for our rulers that they would act responsibly in their positions over us.  Cause the leaders of our nation to restore justice for the unborn, who are being oppressed and killed.  Grant our President wisdom and courage to speak out against abortion.  Guide our legislators to propose, support, and pass laws that would protect the life of all people, whether unborn, elderly, frail, defenseless, or handicapped.  Move our judges to do your will in all cases which decide life and death.  Teach all rulers to despise what is evil and to cling to what is good.  Lord, in your mercy, 
C: Hear our prayer.

P: Heavenly Father, you have commanded us to live chaste and decent lives.  Bring all people to recognize the virtue of chastity, to exercise self-control over their sexual impulses, to honor marriage, and to keep the marriage bed pure so that every pregnancy is a cause for joy rather than regret.  Teach husbands and wives to regard children as a reward to be cherished and not a burden to be avoided.  Grant to all pregnant women, according to your mercy, a happy result in their childbearing.  Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.

P:  Merciful Father, we thank you for the mercies you have bestowed upon us through your Son, Jesus Christ.  Many still bear the guilt, the shame, and the scars from sins they have committed against you.  Reveal to fearful sinners your mercies through the sufferings and death of your Son, Jesus Christ – whose body was cut, abused, and pierced to pay for sin, whose life was given up for the benefit of all, and whose blood was shed to cover over our guilt and shame.  Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.

P: Gracious Redeemer, you have called us to be the salt of the earth that this world might be preserved from greater wickedness.  Grant that more people will take your word to heart so that they will not sin by killing their children.  Bless those who work in our Pregnancy Care Centers so that they may faithfully speak your word to those who come to them.  Let the fear of your wrath crush those who plot wickedness, and let your forgiveness deliver the penitent from damnation and despair.  Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.

P: Gracious Redeemer, you have called us to be lights to the world.  Embolden us to bring your word to those around us.  Strengthen each of us so that, by our words, deeds, and prayers, we may truly be little christs to this world – doing your will, defending the helpless, aiding the needy, standing by the lonely, comforting the fearful, holding on to your truth, upholding your glory, and demonstrating your love.  Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.

Other intercessions may be offered.

P: Heavenly Father, we bring all of our petitions and intercessions to you, trusting that you will hear and act for our good, according to the promises of your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we join to pray….

LORD’S PRAYER

Sermon -- Stewardship: Proportionate Giving (January 19, 2020)

MARK 12:41-44

WHAT WE GIVE REFLECTS WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US.

In the name + of Jesus.

     “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury.” (Mark 12:41)  Did you catch that?  The verb does not say that Jesus noticed people were giving their offerings.  He was intently observing it.  Do you find that a little unsettling, that Jesus would look intently at your offerings? 
     We try to keep our offerings a matter of privacy.  We submit them in envelopes.  Some have opted for electronic transfer of funds from their bank account to the church, which means no envelopes are used.  Ushers do not give you a stare down, assessing what you put in the plate—or even IF you do, for that matter.  Even your pastor does not know who gives what, as if his care and concern for you is measured by your offerings.  Jesus, on the other hand, does pay careful attention to our lives, and that includes our offerings.  The Lord is the giver of all that we have, and he intently watches how we use it.
     Jesus sat in the temple near a receptacle where the people would come at the time of the Passover to pay the temple tax or to give other gifts.  Among the givers were the rich.  From their lavish possessions they gave lavish gifts.  While we would be impressed and pleased with such offerings in our coffers, Jesus was much more impressed with a different gift.  “A poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.” (Mark 12:42)  The two coins the widow put into the receptacle at the temple were the two smallest coins in the Roman Empire.  And yet, as Jesus noted, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  ... She, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43-44)  
     Some are stunned that Jesus deemed the widow's offering to be greater than those of the rich.  Even more stunning is that we learn that she put in all she had to live on.  What was she thinking?  Why was she so determined to give to the Lord?  And why didn't Jesus run up to her and tell her, “No, dear lady, you need this far more than the Lord does.  Please, take your coins and go home”?
     The answer has to do with why we give offerings at all.  We usually speak about offerings in practical terms: “We need to pay bills to have light and heat on.  We cover the pastor's salary and insurance premiums.  The siding on the church is badly in need of repairs.”  And while it is true that this is what we use some of our offerings for, that is not what our Lord is concerned with.  Our offerings are part of our worship.  With our offerings, we make a confession.  The widow's confession was that God's mercy and his kingdom meant everything to her.  What we give reflects what God has given to us.
     Certainly, the principle applies to all parts of our life.  Since the earth is the Lord's and everything in it, we can only give what the Lord first gives to us.  We can only employ talent that God grants; we can't all play at Wimbledon, write symphonies, or perform surgery.  But whatever talent God has given, we can use for the honor of God and for the good of our neighbor.  And so it is with our wealth.  We can't all give $1 million or personally fund a building project for church.  We can only give according to what God has given us.  What we give reflects what God has given to us.  And since it is a confession, what we give also reflects what is in our hearts.
     If the rich Jesus observed were the Pharisees or the Sadducees, Jesus revealed what was in their hearts.  He said, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.  Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others.  Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.” (Matthew 6:1-2)  While the gifts appeared lavish, the hearts from which those gifts came were devoted to self-praise.  Their generosity served only to gain them glory among other people.  They received that praise, but they received no praise from the Lord.  On the other hand, a widow who only had two cents to give was commended by our Lord.  What we give reflects what God has given to us.
     Our hearts always struggle against sin and selfishness.  We know the good that money can do, because we make it do good things for us.  The good we desire is much more than what we need to live.  A good portion of our wealth is dedicated to worldly comforts.  We find value in that.  But what is given to the Lord or for the good of others is given reluctantly because we don't see how it does any good—for us, that is.  And our arguments sound reasonable.  Do charities really use our gifts for the needy, or for the staff which runs the charity?  Will the needy actually make smart choices with what they are given?  Does the church really need this money?  Is it worth funding a mission where only a few people receive God's word with thanks?  But what we offer as an argument for being smart with our money becomes an excuse to keep it for ourselves.
     Our Lord knows full well what it is to spend and to get nothing for it.  When Jesus went to the cross, he did not go for a few.  He went for all people of all time.  He suffered for sins he did not commit and paid a debt he did not owe.  The Lamb of God was slain to take away the sins of the world.  Jesus shed his innocent blood to atone for our greed and selfishness and laid down his life as the ransom for ours.  He has done this for people who continue to come back to him with sins to confess, and he continues to forgive.  He has also suffered torment and damnation for people who won't ever care and who despise the good news of his salvation.  Some would say that a smart Savior would have carefully chosen a few who were worth dying for and cast the rest away for being ungrateful or unfaithful.  And yet, Jesus willingly invested himself completely for all.  For he desires that all would be saved.  Even though it grieves him that many will not benefit from his sufferings and death, he does not regret going through it.  And God be praised!—you are among his redeemed who benefit from his lavish grace.  Even when you come again and again to confess your sins, he does not run out of mercy and grace.  Your sins are covered by a selfless Savior who has given all to have you.
     This is why a widow would give all she had to honor the Lord.  She had to honor the Lord!  And the God who loves widows and orphans would see to it that she would be cared for—or do you think God let her go home and starve to death?  In the same way, the Lord will see to your needs.  So, how could we refuse to honor the Lord with the wealth he has given us?  How could we be reluctant to give generously when our Lord has given his all for us?  What we give reflects what God has given us.
     How much is enough?  God does not assign you an amount.  But he does want you to consider how he has blessed you.  If God has been pleased to give you little, then honor him with a little.  For, what man considers a little, God may regard as great honor, just like that widow in Jerusalem.  But for most of us, God has blessed us with much.  Shouldn't our offerings reflect how God has blessed us?  After all, even our offerings are a confession.  And though we do not broadcast to the world or each other what we give, God, who sees all, finds honor in what you give for the work of maintaining and expanding upon ministry here and of spreading the Gospel to the world.  He has given us all things for our good.  What we give is but a reflection of what God has given to us.  And since he has given all to save us, we honor him with a proportion of our wealth that reflects how God has blessed us.  What we give reflects what God has given us, and why we give honors our Lord gave all to redeem us.

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

Update from Good Shepherd (January 16, 2020)

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE

        Divine Services are Sundays at 10:00 AM.

        Sunday School is on Sundays at 8:45 AM. 

        Adult Bible Class meets on Sundays at 8:45 AM and on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.  The Adult Bible Class on Wednesday repeats the previous Sunday's lesson.

EVANGELISM COMMITTEE MEETING
          In order to make the most of opportunities to proclaim the Gospel in our community, we need to budget our expenses and our time.  We will be meeting to determine our plans and to pray that God will bless them.  Our next Evangelism Committee meeting will be Sunday, January 19 at 11:15 AM.  All members are encouraged to participate in our Evangelism efforts, whether on the committee or not.  But we do need people who are willing to be on the committee to plan.

STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING
          Our next Stewardship Committee meeting will be Sunday, January 19 at 11:15 AM.  The main purpose of our Stewardship Committee right now is to coordinate events to foster the bonds of fellowship among our members and to serve our community as well.  While we can come up with ideas, it is important that congregation is on board with these ideas to make them beneficial for us and for others.  In other words, we need your participation to make these events go well.  Got an idea?  Willing to make some phone calls?  Want to see our congregation more energetic and vibrant?  Then you can help.  Join us on Sunday, January 19 after church.

OFFICE HOURS

        Regular office hours at Good Shepherd will be Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. While there may be some flexibility to this schedule, we will try to keep it as regular as possible.

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 is 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.

DO YOU LIKE US?

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

God bless you.

In Christ,

Pastor Schroeder

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SUNDAY SCHOOL -- Sundays at 8:45 AM.

ADULT BIBLE CLASS -- Sundays at 8:45 AM

DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 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
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Divine Services -- Sundays at 10:00 AM