YouTube -- Holy Trinity (May 30, 2021)

Here is the service from May 30, 2021.

Sermon -- Holy Trinity (May 30, 2021)

ROMANS 8:14-17

YOU BELONG TO A DIVINE FAMILY.

 In the name + of Jesus.

      At your baptism, God put his name on you with the words, “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  But over the years, I have heard that name altered with invocations such as this: “In the name of the Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier.”  Now I suppose you could defend that by saying this is what God does.  And that would be true, but that is not who God is.  It would be like introducing your family, saying, “This is the construction worker.  She makes meals.  And this one is in college.”  That might be true, but it dismisses the relationship you have with them.

     God has told us who he is.  He is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  And yet, he is one God.  All the efforts to explain how this works end up making a false confession about God.  We simply take God at his word.  The Trinity is a mystery that we won’t ever unravel.  We do not get to alter God to our own understanding or liking. 

     God reveals himself to us in terms of a family.  The Father is the source of life.  Granted, mothers give birth, but fathers produce offspring.  A father gives his name to his children, protects, disciplines, and provides for them.  It does not always work out that way in a sinful world, but that is God’s design.  God the Father has a Son, begotten from eternity.  That does not mean God the Son has a birth date, as if he did not exist at one point.  God the Son was begotten in eternity.  In eternity, there is no time, calendar, or clock.  In regard to the begetting of the Son, the point is not when, but what.  The relationship is expressed.  There is God the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit—all eternal, all divine, all equal in glory, power, and majesty, all united in will and purpose.

     Now, the Lord does not reveal these things just to satisfy your curiosity.  He reveals these things for your blessing.  God tells you these things so that you can belong to his divine family.  St. Paul reminds you, “you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons” (Romans 8:15).  If you have been adopted as sons, that means you and I are not natural-born members of God’s family. 

     You and I had a different father.  This is evident by the fact that we do not naturally do what God tells us to do.  The Bible teaches us, “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning.  …By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God” (1 John 3:8,10).  God’s Law tells us what is righteous.  We often agree with it when we apply that Law to other people.  But when we apply that Law to ourselves, there are always reasons why, for us, it is different.  God says we should not lie, but we think covering up evil is a greater good than the truth.  God says that a man and woman sharing a bed is to be reserved for marriage, but as long as we say we love each other, our feelings are enough to overrule God’s word.  We are outraged when other people are rude or insulting.  But when we are, it is okay because someone deserved it.  We exonerate ourselves by declaring, “Well, in my case, it’s different.”  But the only thing different about it is that it is you.  We are fools to think this actually works, but the sinful heart is good at buying lies.

     This is why we have a spirit that makes us a slave to fear.  Guilt produces terror.  Mental gymnastics to bend around God’s Law don’t change that.  God’s Law is good, but we cannot keep it, so we become angry and fearful.  We are enslaved to the fear of death, of judgment, and of God.  This is not the life God the Father planned for us to have.

     Therefore, God acted to bring you into his divine family.  In baptism, he drove out the unclean, sinful spirit which is enslaved to fear and death.  He gave you his Holy Spirit who gives you peace and life.  Now, you belong to a divine family, as St. Paul says: “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father’” (Romans 8:14-15)! 

     You belong to a divine family.  The Holy Spirit has shown you that God the Father is not a vindictive, spiteful deity.  He does not want to destroy what he has made.  At the same time, he cannot dismiss the sin that infects us.  Therefore, the Holy Spirit has revealed to you what God the Father has done for you.  You know the verse well.  “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). 

     God the Father does not want to lose you to sin and hell.  He chose to free you from sin, fear, and death.  So, God the Father gave his only begotten Son for you.  God the Son was given into the world as a man.  Then God the Son gave himself to death in exchange for you.  In exchange for your sin, he gave his innocence.  In exchange for your death, he gave his life.  In order to secure your place in God’s family, he was forsaken by the Father.  In order for you to be acquitted, Jesus was found guilty of all sin.  Therefore, you will not perish, but have eternal life.  So, fear not; God’s pardon and peace are yours. 

     Now you belong to a divine family.  “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father’” (Romans 8:14-15)!  You know that you are led by the Spirit of God because you believe his words and promises.  You know that you have been adopted as sons of God because God did this to you in your baptism.  Adopted children don’t choose their parents; the parents bring the children into their family.  If you are sons of God, you share the status with the only begotten Son of God.  So, God the Father has made you full-fledged members of his divine family.  This is why you get to call on God in terms of endearment, “Abba!  Father!”  The Triune God is not some distant, disinterested deity.  He is your dear Father in heaven.  The Son is your beloved brother.  The Holy Spirit dwells within you to preserve you in God’s good care.  You belong to a divine family.

     You can hear these words, and you confess them.  You can even boldly proclaim them with new hymn that is worthy of becoming a favorite: “God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say it; I am baptized into Christ.”  It confesses what we are, and it confesses why that is true.  But it doesn’t often look like it.  It usually doesn’t feel like it.  We are all too familiar with our failures and weaknesses.  We wonder, “How can I consider myself a child of God when the deeds I do are done poorly or begrudgingly?”

     St. Paul gives a surprising answer to those questions: “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16).  The Holy Spirit testifies that you are a child of God based on divine promises.  The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that a godly life is good and right.  The Spirit himself works with our spirit to put off sin and to will and to do what is right.  And the Spirit continually bears witness to the only place frightful sinners have hope—in God the Son who takes away the sins of the world.  He points us to God the Father who is our Abba, our dear Father who is endeared to us.  Your place in the divine family is not teetering on the brink of losing it at any moment.  The Triune God assures you that your place is secure, even if you struggle or stumble.  For, the Triune God has been pleased to pay a great price to adopt you into his family.  You belong to the divine family.

     “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Romans 8:16-17).  Since you are sons of God, you are heirs of God’s kingdom.  For an inheritance to be given, someone has to die—which is what Jesus did for you.  But Jesus is risen.  He lives and reigns over his kingdom.  Since you are united to him, you will be raised from the dead to live and reign with him as heirs of heavenly glory.

     You belong to a divine family.  This means you have also been set apart from this world.  The world is still enslaved to sinful, selfish ways.  The world hates God’s word and denies that God actually has anything worth applying to their lives.  You are free from that, and it will show in your life, in your speech, and in your attitude.  The Spirit works with your spirit to delight in God’s word and to live according to it.

     You will not be the only one who notices that you are different.  Many in our world will notice it too, and you may feel their hatred for it.  Jesus was despised, and those who are his brothers and sisters will be too—to what extent varies in time and place.  Some live in a very real danger of their lives.  Others are simply mocked for taking God and his word seriously.  You will suffer to some extent as Jesus did.  There will always be enmity between the offspring of God and of the devil.  But fear not.  You have a divine family who holds you dear and will not let you perish.  If you share in his sufferings, you will also share in his glory.  Glory awaits.

     The Lord God has made himself known to you.  He is not just a father; he is your heavenly Father who has given you life, who provides, protects, and disciplines you.  No matter what you might endure, he remains your good and merciful Father in heaven.  He is God the Son who has become your brother in the flesh.  He laid down his life so that yours would be redeemed.  He makes you heirs with him of the resurrection to life and glory everlasting.  No matter what you might endure, he remains your Savior.  He is God the Holy Spirit who reveals God’s word and wisdom and will.  He dwells within you so that—no matter what you might endure—you are the Lord’s now and forever.  He remains the Lord and Giver of Life.

     The Triune God has made you his own.  He is not a nebulous God, and he does not give nebulous blessings.  He has given you the family name and entrusted you with the riches of his kingdom.  Cherish your place in his family, as well as your fellow brothers and sisters.  For, we are all beloved of the Lord and heirs of unending glory.

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

Update from Good Shepherd (May 27, 2021)

 Greetings!

SUMMER SCHEDULE
Divine Services are at 10:00 AM on Sundays, in person and on Facebook Live. Share our services and invite friends to tune in.

Sunday School, Adult Bible Class, and Bible Matters will resume in September

ATHANASIAN CREED

          This Sunday (May 30) is the Festival of the Holy Trinity on which we get to ponder the mystery of our Truine God.  This is also the one Sunday each year we will confess the Athanasian Creed.  For a background on this creed, you can check out this blog post.

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
          Between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, Pastor Schroeder’s office hours will be a bit more sporadic than usual. To ensure his availability, it is best to make an appointment. He will remain available by phone or text (248-719-5218). You may also email (welsnovi@aol.com), but the response may be slower.

CONCERNING PASTORAL CARE
             Pastor Schroeder is available for private devotions, Holy Absolution, and Holy Communion to members in small groups or to individuals.  You may call to set up an appointment at any time.  Visits by appointment can be done either at church or at your home.

            If you want to ask for intercessions for loved ones, we will certainly remember them in our prayers, too.  If your loved one has no pastor, ask if they would like Pastor Schroeder to visit them.  

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE

         Feel free to share the videos.  For other services, do a search for "Good Shepherd Novi."  The service from Sunday, May 23 is here: Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service - May 23, 2021 - YouTube

         Bulletins for services can be downloaded from here (scroll down): 

http://goodshepherdnovi.org/worship

FAMILY VBS – July 26-28; 6:30-8:00 PM
          We will be offering a Vacation Bible School for the whole family to partake in. It will be Monday – Wednesday evenings. The children will have their own materials that they will enjoy. Tentatively, the theme will be, “Soaring High.”
          Adults will have a different topic. We will work under the theme, “Finding God.” It is designed for all levels of interest in the Bible and religion in general. We will consider how various religious speak about God, how the true God reveals himself, and how to be sure what we know about God is true and helpful. We will consider what is trustworthy and untrustworthy when it comes to knowing God’s will for us. 

          While our Family VBS will meet in person, we also recognized that many people seemed to prefer a drive-through arrangement of picking up materials for their children and working through them at home. Since it was so well-received, we will try to offer the same thing with our Family VBS. Logistics have yet to be figured out with that. If you are able to help with our VBS this summer, especially in the area of the drive-through event, there will be a planning meeting after church on Sunday, June 13.

OFFERINGS

While we may not be meeting for worship, we do have financial obligations to meet.  You may either mail your offering into Good Shepherd, or you can set up your offering to be transferred electronically from your bank.  If you are interested in the automatic transfer of funds for your offering, please contact the church at (248) 349-0565 or welsnovi@aol.com.

DO YOU LIKE US?

Look for Good Shepherd on Facebook.  Then “LIKE” us for updates and other postings.  Be sure to share posts with friends.

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

In Christ,

Pastor Schroeder

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SUMMER SCHEDULE

DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 AM (We also stream on Facebook Live )

Sunday School, Adult Bible Class, and Bible Matters will resume in September.

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE

www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

PASTOR SCHROEDER’S BLOG

www.LutheranSubject.blogspot.com    

Worship Notes: The Athanasian Creed

Sunday, May 30 is the Festival of the Holy Trinity.  It is the one Sunday each year that we confess the Athanasian Creed.  It is one of the three ecumenical creeds of the Christian Church, the others being the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds.  Since the Athanasian Creed is seldom confessed publicly in a Divine Service, some background for it might be helpful.

THE ATHANASIAN CREED

             The Athanasian Creed is one of the three catholic creeds.  The word catholic means universal, as in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.  The word creed comes from the Latin word credo which means “I believe.”  Luther said of this creed, “I doubt whether the New Testament church has a more important document since the Apostolic age.”

             Although named for Athanasius, the bishop of Alexandria (ca. 296-373), it is almost certain that he did not write it.  Neither Athanasius nor his contemporaries ever refer to it.  But even if Athanasius did not write the creed, he certainly would have ascribed to it.  Athanasius was one of the bishops at the ecumenical Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325) which opposed the heresy of Arius (ca. 250-336).  Arius denied the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, teaching that he is of a similar substance to God the Father, but not of the same substance.  In essence, Arius claimed that Jesus Christ is not the eternal God.  This belief has resurfaced in modern-day cults such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons.  The Council of Nicaea adopted the Nicene Creed to affirm that Jesus is “God from God, Light from Light, true God from True God” and “of one being with the Father.”

             The Athanasian Creed first appeared in Gaul (France) late in the 5^th century.  Early in that century, Europe was invaded from the east by barbarian tribes, notably the Vandals and Goths.  This event marked the beginning of the Dark Ages.  During this time, the people and the clergy lapsed into illiteracy and ignorance of the Scriptures.  In addition, some of the invaders were Arian in their beliefs.  Out of this confusion came the need for a clear statement of faith.  The result was the Athanasian Creed.

             The Athanasian Creed quickly assumed an important role in the orthodox church.  (Much of the visible church was overrun with Arianism.)  Emperor Charlemagne (ca. 742-814), in order to preserve the true Christian faith, decreed that all churchmen had to learn this creed and to be able to teach it to the laity.

            The second portion of the Athanasian Creed reaffirms the Nicene Creed regarding the person of Jesus Christ.  However, it begins with a most excellent presentation on the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.  It says no more and no less than Scriptures say, letting the paradox of God’s nature stand (i.e., God is one; God is three).

            Confessors of the creed should not be put off by the second to last article which says: “Those who have done good will enter eternal life, but those who have done evil will go into eternal fire” (cp also John 5:28,29).  The article does not teach salvation attained by human works, but simply reflects that our good works (or lack thereof) are evidence of God-given faith (or unbelief).  When we remember that our good works are actually God’s work through us, then we will understand this article correctly (cf Ephesians 2:8-10).  In addition, we remember that are judged based on Jesus’ merits, not our own.  We have been given the credit for Christ’s righteousness.  Therefore, we are heirs of eternal life.

            This creed ought to bring us great comfort, as it speaks clearly about our God and his plan for our salvation.  Its clearness and boldness are refreshing in this age of doctrinal confusion.  This is no wishy-washy confession.  It states what the Scriptures teach – there is no God but the Lord revealed in the Scriptures, and there is no salvation outside of the name of Jesus Christ.  All who deny this deny the truth; and all who deny the truth forfeit salvation.

            Finally, a study of this creed and the history which surrounds it shows how important it is for us to be familiar with the history of the Christian Church.  When we understand how Christians who have gone before us identified error and combated it, then we will better be able to do the same.

YouTube -- Pentecost (May 23, 2021)

 Here is the service from May 23, 2021.

Traveling with the Schroeders -- Fort Meigs, Perrysburg, Ohio

A free Saturday allowed our family to visit a fort from the War of 1812.  Fort Meigs is in Perrysburg, Ohio, and was constructed to prevent the British from advancing to claim territory for Canada which would become Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.  They had also enlisted help from local Indian tribes who were annoyed by Americans impeding on their territory.  The British had already come down Michigan, had captured Fort Wayne (Detroit) without firing a shot, and intended to sweep down into Ohio without any resistance.

The US commissioned Major General William Henry Harrison to build a fort along to Maumee River to stop the British soldiers' advances.  The fort eventually became one of the places from which the US troops beat back the British.  The greatest battle in the area was on Lake Erie where Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry defeated the British in a naval battle.  Another historical site to be visited eventually.

I did not expect Fort Meigs to offer as much as it did.  The fort has been reconstructed completely.  Its footprint was determined to within a foot of the original fort and beams of timber were placed around it.  Seven block houses have been rebuilt, originally designed to withstand canon ball fire from the British across the river--and they did.  The only other original remnants of the fort are traverses--large earthen mounds which were built up to absorb canon fire which was being lobbed into the camp.  The soldiers' tents were pitched behind these traverses which protected them quite well.  The traverses stopped canon fire from hitting the soldiers, and any efforts to lob canon fire over these traverses usually meant that cannon balls cleared the fort completely.  It was a brilliant design constructed very hastily by William Henry Harrison.  Due to erosion over the past 200 years, the traverses are only half the size they once were.

Side note: The one thing that I did not see (and maybe I just missed it in the museum) is who this "Meigs" guy is for whom the fort is named.  As best as I can determine, it would be Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr. who served as governor of Ohio at the time.

The cost of admission is $10 for adults; Peter was $5.  It is well worth the cost.  Photos are below.

The wooden horse (above) was used to discipline disobedient soldiers.  The soldier would have weights tied to his ankles and would "ride the wooden horse" for 30 minutes, perhaps several times.

The monument to Commodore Perry is in downtown Perrysburg where we had stopped for lunch.  A larger monument is in Put-In-Bay, Ohio, on an island in Lake Erie, which we will have to visit some day.

Sermon -- Pentecost (May 23, 2021)

EZEKIEL 37:1-14

LIFE COMES THROUGH THE SPIRIT.

In the name + of Jesus.

     The prophecies of Ezekiel are usually very colorful, and the one in our reading is no exception.  Ezekiel was given a vision of bleached-out, skeletal remains, cluttered and scattered throughout a valley.  He was to proclaim the word of God to people whose remains had been reduced to bones.  But when the word of God goes forth, life returns.  The bones reassembled.  Flesh and muscle covered them.  And then Ezekiel prophesied to the Spirit which produced life in these bodies.

     The immediate fulfillment of this prophecy is given by God.  “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel.  … And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people.  And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land” (Ezekiel 37:11,13-14). 

     The nation of Israel was as good as dead.  They had been living in Babylonian lands for decades.  They were not guests; they were captives.  There was no hope of escape or return.  For all practical purposes, they had ceased being a nation.  What, then, would become of God’s promises?  Could a Savior come to the Promised Land when God’s people had been exiled from it?  Could life returned to God’s chosen ones?  God’s answer is: “Yes!”  He would bring Israel back to the Promised Land as if they had been raised up from the dead.  Life would come through the Spirit whose word would revive God’s people and whose work would sustain the Promise. 

     Life comes through the Spirit.  We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life.  This is what the Holy Spirit does, and it is seen already in the first verses of the Bible.  As soon as God produced the raw materials for creating the universe, “the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2).  The Holy Spirit plus water equals new life.  When God the Father created man, he fashioned a clod of dirt.  And then “the Lord God … breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature” (Genesis 2:7).  God’s breath makes alive.  Life comes through the Spirit.

     When God created mankind, he made the man and the woman in the image of God.  He set people apart from every other living creature.  The animals move about and live in their animal ways.  They do not pray or worship or seek fellowship with God.  We don’t baptize or commune them no matter how cute or beloved they are.  But Adam and Eve were made to have fellowship with God.  They were given intellect, emotions, and a will which were all in full agreement with God.  They rejoiced to know God and to live according to God’s word.  They were not only physical beings, but also spiritual beings, and their spiritual life was given and sustained by the Holy Spirit.

     But the image of God has been ruined by sin.  Rebellion against God’s word is also rebellion against the Spirit who reveals it.  Once mankind fell into sin, the nature of all people was corrupted and, in fact, dead.  People are still both physical and spiritual beings.  People still maintain intellect, but now each one’s intellect focuses in on himself.  Our own thoughts and schemes are for our own glory and gain, often at the expense of our neighbor.  Identity thieves are not stupid people; rather they use their skills wickedly.  People still are created with emotions.  In fact, if you want to get people to agree to wicked behavior, appeal to their emotions.  Emotions always seems to trump God’s word, because our emotions control us rather than we controlling them.  That is why calling people “haters” is so effective.  This accusation appeals to emotions rather than to doctrine.  And while we maintain a will, it is also self-serving.  We often hide our self-centered motives behind the banner of personal freedom.  We get to do what we want because we can, and no one dare forbid us!  None of these things are the image of God.  All these things are the result of buying the devil’s lies that sin makes us free.  But what sin makes us free from is God’s love, God’s wisdom, and God’s kingdom.  The devil’s freedom means that we are captives of guilt, shackled to death, and sentenced to hell.  What the devil sells as freedom is a death sentence from which we cannot escape.  Like the Jews in Babylon, we have no hope of returning to life in the image of God. 

     Like the Jews in Babylon, our only hope comes by God’s word to us and by God’s work for us.  Life comes through the Spirit, and with that life comes this blessing: “Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection!  Over such the second death has no power” (Revelation 20:6).  The first resurrection is that you are no longer dead in sin.  You have been rescued from the condition which binds you to guilt, shame, death, and damnation.  Hell cannot have you.  The curse has been taken away by Jesus who suffered hell for you, who died under God’s curse in your place, and who destroyed death and the devil at his resurrection.  This is what the Spirit has revealed to you through God’s word.  And by this word, the Holy Spirit revives you with new life and restores you as a new creation.

     We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life.  Life comes through the Spirit, but the Spirit does not work apart from the word of God.  No one comes into the kingdom of God by being zapped into it.  The Holy Spirit always works through God’s word, just as he did in Ezekiel’s vision.  “Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy, to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.’  So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army” (Ezekiel 37:9-10). 

     This is how it works for you, too.  The Holy Spirit inspired the prophets and apostles to pen the word of God.  Through this God-breathed word, the Spirit breathes life and faith in people.  This is the first resurrection—God comes to those who were dead in sin and makes the alive in Christ Jesus.  This life is given not only by the word preached, but also by the word applied with water in holy baptism.  Jesus declared, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:5-6).  Just as it was with the creation of the world, so it is when God makes a new creation of sinners: The Holy Spirit plus water equals new life. 

     Life comes through the Spirit.  The word is preached.  The Spirit goes forth.  The Spirit who breathed the word into the prophets and the apostles breathes from those words into the hearts, souls, and minds of people.  He applies the forgiveness of sins won by Jesus and pardons all sins of wicked intellect, emotional outbursts, and self-centered will.  He, then, begins your transformation back to the image of God.  He transforms your mind so that your intellect submits to the word of God.  Through the Holy Spirit’s work, you recognize that your emotions do not determine what is true, but God’s word does.  The Spirit also puts to death the will that is controlled by sin and produces in you a will that delights in God’s will.  This is the new creation and the new life that the Holy Spirit works in you.

     Life comes through the Spirit.  Life is sustained by the Spirit.  This is what the Lord says: “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).  This is a present tense verb.  It is not merely that faith once came to you by hearing the word of Christ; it is that faith continues to come to you by hearing the word of Christ.  The breath of God comes to you through the God-breathed words of Scripture.  When breathing ceases, life ceases.  In other words, if you do not continue to hear the word of God, faith will eventually expire.  It is like the astronauts from Apollo 13.  They lost their oxygen tank, so the oxygen levels in their craft got low.  If they had not returned to earth quickly, eventually they would have become light-headed until they just slipped away into unconsciousness, and then into death.  They knew of the danger because the gauges were telling them the problem.  But if they had remained unaware, they may not have noticed a problem until it was too late.  So also, people who stop hearing the word of God fall into a spiritual apathy.  They don’t notice it; eventually, they do not care.  Their bodies are alive, so everything seems fine.  It will not be until the final judgment that they will realize their bare knowledge of Bible facts will not save them.  Faith comes by hearing the word of Christ.  Through that word, the Spirit continues to come and to keep faith alive.  This is what the Church gathers for.  If Christians stop coming to church, it is a valid fear that they are slipping away and their faith is dying.  These are serious matters, and we should all be concerned about them.

     Life comes through the Spirit.  It culminates in everlasting life in the kingdom of heaven.  Of course, we are not there yet.  Eventually, you will pass away from this world.  Your spirit will not die; for you have already partaken in the first resurrection.  The body, however, will die, decay, and be reduced to dry bones.  “Son of man, can these bones live” (Ezekiel 37:3)?  And the Spirit says, “Yes!”  He will fulfill what was prophesied by Ezekiel.  “Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people.  …And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land” (Ezekiel 37:12,14).  On the Last Day, the Lord Jesus will return in glory.  The voice of God will summon all people from their graves.  The bones will be rejoined.  Flesh will cover them.  Body and soul will be reunited. 

     Life comes through the Spirit.  Just as the Lord gave breath and life to the first holy people on earth, so he will raise you up and restore breath and life in you.  You will be given the perfected bodies that you crave.  You will not only live without blemishes or impairments, you will also live without shame, regret, or frustration.  You will be fully restored to the image of God, free to live and to serve him without any weakness, fault, or struggles.  For, the Lord will confirm you in holiness.

     As God’s word is proclaimed, God’s Spirit goes forth.  As God’s Spirit goes forth, new life is given, is sustained, and increases.  Apart from the breath of God, there is no life.  But God-breathed Scripture will guard and keep you.  By it, the Holy Spirit will sustain your new life, now and for all eternity.

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

Prayer for Pentecost

Here is the responsive prayer we will be using for Pentecost.  The congregational response is from Martin Luther's Small Catechism.  It is the explanation of the 3rd Article of the Apostles' Creed.

PRAYER FOR PENTECOST

M: Praise to you, Holy Spirit. We worship and glorify you as the Lord and giver life. As you were present at the beginning of the world to shed life on all created things, as you gave new life of understanding to the disciples in your Pentecost baptism of fire, so by the baptism of water with the word, you have made the light of faith shine in our hearts to know Jesus as our Lord.
       In thanksgiving for your gifts to us, we confess:

C: I believe that I cannot by my own thinking or choosing believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him.
       But the Holy Spirit has called me by the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way he calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.

M: Holy Spirit, all-seeing Counselor and fountain of all spiritual gifts, stand by us in the weakness of our sinful flesh. Grant us a right understanding of the truths that Jesus taught. Give us strength to endure with patience whatever afflictions God may send into our lives. Help us. Intercede for us. Train us that we may pray to the Father with boldness and confidence. Preserve us by the power of your word in our most holy faith as members of the Church, the body of Jesus, where there is forgiveness for all.

C: In this Christian Church, he daily and fully forgives all sins to me and all believers.

M: Holy Spirit, highest comfort in every need, in these gray and latter days of the world, strengthen our feeble hands, steady our weak knees, and encourage our fearful hearts. Remind us of your word and promises: “Be strong; do not fear. Your Lord will come again. He will come to save you.” And in your final, mighty, creative act, O Holy Spirit, raise up our bodies so that we, together with all the saints, may lift up our heads and with glorified eyes see our Savior drawing near.

C: On the Last Day he will raise up me and all the dead and give eternal life to me and all believers in Christ. This is most certainly true. Amen.

Update from Good Shepherd (May 20, 2021)

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE
Divine Services are at 10:00 AM on Sundays, in person and on Facebook Live. Share our services and invite friends to tune in.

Sunday School is on Sundays at 8:45 AM.
Adult Bible Class is on Sundays at 8:45 AM. 

Bible Matters, a discussion group, meets on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM.

OFFICE HOURS

          Office hours are Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – Noon.  

          The pastor will be in his office unless a meeting has been scheduled elsewhere (consult the weekly schedule).  The pastor is also available by appointment.  Call or text (248-719-5218).  You may also email (welsnovi@aol.com), but the response may be slower.

BIBLE MATTERS

          Bible Matters is a topical discussion group that enables God’s people to become more comfortable in discussing matters of the Christian faith and more confident in defending the Bible’s teachings. We encourage open dialogue and welcome bold questions. All are welcome to consider how God’s word addresses various topics.
          Bible Matters meets on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM.  Our final session before the summer break will be on May 26.  Our topic will be: "How do God and religion really help you get through tough times?"
          If you want to join us on Zoom, contact the pastor to get links. NOTE: Zoom viewers may likely be delegated to listening as Zoom is not a great format for participating with the group meeting in person.

CONCERNING PASTORAL CARE
             Pastor Schroeder is available for private devotions, Holy Absolution, and Holy Communion to members in small groups or to individuals.  You may call to set up an appointment at any time.  Visits by appointment can be done either at church or at your home.

            If you want to ask for intercessions for loved ones, we will certainly remember them in our prayers, too.  If your loved one has no pastor, ask if they would like Pastor Schroeder to visit them.  

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE

         Feel free to share the videos.  For other services, do a search for "Good Shepherd Novi."  The service from Sunday, May 16 is here: Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service - May 16, 2021 - YouTube

         Bulletins for services can be downloaded from here (scroll down): 

http://goodshepherdnovi.org/worship

FAMILY VBS – July 26-28; 6:30-8:00 PM
          We will be offering a Vacation Bible School for the whole family to partake in. It will be Monday – Wednesday evenings. The children will have their own materials that they will enjoy. Tentatively, the theme will be, “Soaring High.”
          Adults will have a different topic. We will work under the theme, “Finding God.” It is designed for all levels of interest in the Bible and religion in general. We will consider how various religious speak about God, how the true God reveals himself, and how to be sure what we know about God is true and helpful. We will consider what is trustworthy and untrustworthy when it comes to knowing God’s will for us. 

          While our Family VBS will meet in person, we also recognized that many people seemed to prefer a drive-through arrangement of picking up materials for their children and working through them at home. Since it was so well-received, we will try to offer the same thing with our Family VBS. Logistics have yet to be figured out with that. If you are able to help with our VBS this summer, especially in the area of the drive-through event, there will be a planning meeting after church on Sunday, June 13.

OFFERINGS

While we may not be meeting for worship, we do have financial obligations to meet.  You may either mail your offering into Good Shepherd, or you can set up your offering to be transferred electronically from your bank.  If you are interested in the automatic transfer of funds for your offering, please contact the church at (248) 349-0565 or welsnovi@aol.com.

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Look for Good Shepherd on Facebook.  Then “LIKE” us for updates and other postings.  Be sure to share posts with friends.

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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

DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 AM (We also stream on Facebook Live )
SUNDAY SCHOOL & ADULT BIBLE CLASS on Sundays at 8:45 AM.
Bible Matters -- Wednesdays at 7:00 PM

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE

www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

PASTOR SCHROEDER’S BLOG

www.LutheranSubject.blogspot.com    

Bible Matters: Wednesday, May 19 at 7;00 pm

Good Shepherd will be revisiting the topic from last week's Bible Matters discussion: "I have been challenged or attacked for my Christian faith. How do I respond?"

It is safe to say, this topic applies to all Christians. If you have specific challenges you have faced, feel free to share them.

We meet at 7:00 PM. Join us.

If you want to join us over Zoom, please contact Good Shepherd (welsnovi@aol.com) to get the links.

YouTube -- Ascension, transferred (May 16, 2021)

 Here is the service from Sunday, May 16, 2021.

Sermon -- The Ascension of our Lord, transferred (May 16, 2021)

PSALM 47

GOD HAS ASCENDED

WITH A JOYFUL SHOUT. 

M: Alleluia. Christ is risen!
C: He is risen indeed! Alleluia.

In the name + of Jesus.

     I want you to ponder something unimaginable: The Lions win the Super Bowl, and it goes down this way.  When the clock reads 0:00, the Lions have won by a convincing score.  The players high five and hug each other.  Fans all over Michigan scream with joy.  Then the players quietly dismiss themselves to the locker room to shower up and go home.  No one gets any championship gear.  Roger Goodell asks the head coach, “Don’t you want the Lombardi Trophy?”  He says, “No thanks.  We saw the final score.  We’re good.”  There’s no way that would happen.  Every coach, every player, and every fan would embrace the trophy celebration.  There would be a sea of Honolulu blue T-shirts all over Michigan.  Everyone would bask in the glory of being coronated as Super Bowl champs.

     This is what it is like if we celebrate Easter but give little attention to Jesus’ ascension to heaven.  Yes, sin, death, and the devil were crushed on Easter Sunday when Jesus rose from the dead.  But at the ascension, Jesus was coronated as the King of kings and Lord of lords.  He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.  All authority has been given to Jesus.  He lives and reigns over all things—earthly kingdoms and rulers, forces of nature, cells in your body, days of the year: ALL THINGS—for the benefit of his redeemed.  God has ascended with a joyful shout.

     When Psalm 47 was first written, the likely occasion was when David brought the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem.  The ark of the covenant was the place where the Lord said he would dwell among his people.  Nevertheless, the ark of the covenant did not have as glorious a history as you might think.  It moved about from place to place from Mount Sinai, through the wilderness, and into the Promised Land.  Once it was in the Promised Land, it went from Shechem to Shiloh.  Later it was captured in battle by the Philistines.  When God’s wrath broke out against the Philistines, it was returned and kept without fanfare at a small town (Kiriath Jearim).  David was determined to give the ark a designated and dignified home.  While the temple was still some years away, the ark would at least be brought to the City of David.  There, the Lord would dwell with his people to bless them.

     King David had arranged great ceremony and celebration for bringing the ark to its resting place.  The director of music intoned Psalm 47.  “Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!  For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth.  He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.  He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves.  God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet (Psalm 47:1-5). 

     After the Lord had subdued the nations around Israel through David’s sword, the people of Israel were finally granted rest and peace.  God was with Israel, as he promised and where he promised.  The Lord declared that he dwelt with Israel above the mercy seat, which is the top of the ark of the covenant.  It was there that the high priest made atonement for Israel’s sins.  It was before the ark that priests offered up the prayers of the people with incense.  It was in the name of the Lord that blessings were bestowed and salvation was declared. 

     This Psalm finds its ultimate fulfillment in the ascension of Jesus to the right hand of God the Father.  Like the ark, Jesus had wandered through the land of Israel without having much of a home to speak of.  He is God who dwelt with his people.  He is the source of blessing and salvation.  Atonement was won by Jesus—not by blood spattered on the ark of the covenant in Jerusalem, but by Jesus himself spilling out his holy, precious blood at the cross just outside Jerusalem.  Jesus’ death has paid for your sins.  Jesus’ resurrection is the proof that the payment is complete.  Now Jesus has ascended, not merely the victor over death, as if that weren’t enough, but as the King who sits in the highest place with a name greater than all others.  God has ascended with a joyful shout. 
     We are never comfortable with anyone having unlimited power.  No matter who the President is, half the country laments that he has too much power.  Currently, a large segment of our country believes that the police flaunt their power and get away with whatever they want.  People also fear that Google has too much power.  All this is just within our own country.  How would you feel if we talked about all power resting with China, Iran, North Korea, or Syria?  We are alarmed over such things because we know what people tend to do once they have unbridled power.

     If history has not taught you that, your own sinful nature does.  What would you do if you had unlimited power?  However you end up answering that question, you would ultimately use it to serve yourself.  You would order the world to be run the way you think is right, but the rules would always lean in your favor.  If you decreed that everything would be perfect, you would want everyone to know that you were the one who did it.  Even our best intentions end up serving ourselves.

     But now, all power and authority has been entrusted to Jesus.  That strikes fear because Jesus knows all things.  He knows your past.  He sees your jealousy and is aware of your schemes.  You may convince yourself that your sins are warranted, but Jesus does not buy your arguments.  If you think you can get away with anything, it is only because you do not see Jesus face to face right now.  But look what Adam and Eve did when God came to them.  He did not come breathing fire, but they still ran away from him. They knew they were guilty, and they did everything to avoid having to face that. 

     It does not matter if you love it or hate it; Jesus has been given all authority over heaven and earth, over life and death, over angels, demons, and people.  That fact stands.  If it doesn’t look like it right now, it will be made undeniably clear.  The Psalm declares, “God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet” (Psalm 47:5).  Just as trumpets were blown to announce the ark of the covenant going up to Jerusalem, so also the blast of a trumpet will announce Jesus’ descent on the Last Day.  On that day, what is proclaimed as a word to be believed will become a fact to be seen.  For, “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).  It will not matter if a person rejoices at his coming or wants to flee from him.  Every knee will bow, that is, genuflect or kneel.  Every tongue will have to confess him Lord whether they want to or not.

     But now, dear Christians, none of this should strike in you the least bit of fear.  God has ascended with a joyful shout, and God’s people still have that same joy today. We do not kneel or genuflect at the name of Jesus under threat of punishment.  We do it to confess him our Lord and Savior.  No one forces us to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  We stand up willingly and proudly declare it every week.  It is our joy to make this confession.  Yes, the Lord Jesus has all authority and his kingdom endures forever.  But Jesus rules by grace.  By his sufferings and death, Jesus has taken away sins.  By his resurrection, Jesus has conquered death.  But his ascension, Jesus opens heaven and prepares a place for us. 

     Jesus’ kingdom is a kingdom of grace.  He does not force himself upon us.  Anyone who is determined to reject Jesus will be allowed to die apart from him.  He does not tax us for his own lavish tastes—as if he needs us to support his glory, or for world conquests—as if he needs us to maintain his power.  Jesus lives and reigns, but everything he does is for your benefit.  For you and for all who believe in him, Jesus lives and reigns to forgive sins, to save us from death and hell, to comfort the fearful, to encouraging those who suffer and struggle, and to bring you into eternal glory, endless, peace, and a perfect Paradise.  And while he does want you to know who delivers these things, it is not done for his ego, but so that you will know the only way you can receive them. 

     “God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.  Sing praises to God, sing praises!  Sing praises to our King, sing praises!  For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!  God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.  The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham.  For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted” (Psalm 47:5-9)! 

     Jesus lives and reigns over all things.  And he reigns for our eternal good.  Of course, this is held by faith and not by sight.  Our eyes, our feelings, and our bodies experience a world that is chaotic.  The wicked seem to have control.  The violent and vicious seem to get rewarded.  Because of that, we may wonder if Jesus is in heaven and doesn’t pay attention anymore to what we are going through.  But faith trusts the word of the Lord.  We believe that Jesus sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.  Therefore, we believe that whatever Jesus has us go through, it is for our ultimate good—even if it is hard or painful, chaotic or confusing. 

     If the world seems chaotic, fear not.  Life is often like a tapestry.  The front of a tapestry is beautiful, but not the back side.  The back of a tapestry is a mess with threads going in all directions and colors mish-mashed together.  Our world looks like the back of a tapestry, causing us to think that Jesus does not know what he is doing at the right hand of God.  But from the other side of heaven, Jesus produces a beautiful image for our life.  It may not be until you enter heavenly glory that you will appreciate the goodness of our God.  But fear not.  God has ascended with a joyful shout.  Jesus is seated on his holy throne.  Therefore, God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven.  Our prayer is that we are included in his will.  Thanks to Jesus, we are.

    God has ascended with a joyful shout.  He will return in glory with the joyful shouts of his redeemed who long for his coming and for his glorious kingdom.  And while we wait, the Church rejoices; for the Lord God Almighty reigns!

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