Update from Good Shepherd (October 6, 2022)

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE

Divine Service is Sundays at 10:00 AM.
Sunday School and Adult Bible Class are on Sundays at 9:00 AM.
Bible Matters meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.  The schedule can be seen here. 

For a calendar of events and meetings, click here.

OUTREACH MADE EASIER

          Our Adult Bible Class on Sunday is considering ways to make our personal efforts at outreach easier with a series entitled "In Season and Out of Season." 

          We all believe and confess the good news of Jesus.  Others are in dire need of what we have.  How can we make the most of opportunities to share it?  Join us on Sunday mornings to consider these things and pray for the Holy Spirit to embolden you when the opportunity to confess your faith presents itself.  Our final session will be this Sunday, October 9.

JEREMIAH, THE WEEPING PROPHET

          On Sunday, October 16, 23 will begin a new series for Adult Bible Class. We will consider the book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah is called the weeping prophet because, although he was faithful in his service as God’s prophet, he was grieved at the rebellion of God’s people and, eventually, at the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, the place where God had put his name.
          God’s people of all time do well to heed calls to repentance so that we do not lose the gifts God is eager to give. Therefore, we will hear Jeremiah preach to us and humbly take to heart his words of repentance and his words of promise.
          A tentative schedule for this class will be posted online soon here.

HYMNFEST -- Sunday, October 9

         THIS SUNDAY (October 9), we will have a HymnFest for our service.  We will choose hymns from members' favorites which have been submitted for suggested use.  We will learn about the background of these beloved hymns, which will aid to our appreciation as to why the Church has sung these hymns over the years.

          A list of the hymns can be found here.

EVERY MEMBER VISITS – 2022

          Every 3-4 years, the pastor desires to meet with all members in their homes.  It is an opportunity to speak with each other in a less-than-formal setting. The pastor gets to know the people he serves better. It also allows for members to ask about matters that might be personal, to offer suggestions and ideas, to inquire about matters of the Bible that have them confused, or just general chit-chat. Visits would be about 45-60 minutes but can last longer if you want them to. You can also sign up through the links below.  Time slots are first come, first served.  The visits will be available throughout 2022.

          October: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050a4fa8aa2ea64-every9 

CHURCH COUNCIL NOTES

>>>   The Church Council has not made any formal decision yet on the purchase and implementation of the new hymnal (CW21).  We will make a presentation at our November Open Forum to allow for questions and reactions from the congregation.  The date for the Open Forum has yet to be set.

            If you would like to see and hear what Setting 1 of the Divine Service  sounds like, see the video at this link.
            If you would like to see and hear what Setting 2 of the Divine Service sounds like, see this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3L5rrhpWfc .  (The liturgy begins at the 14:30 mark.)

>>>   We are hoping to make a congregational event out of several outreach efforts.  Our next outreach event will be Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 22 (10:00 AM – Noon ).  In order to make this event appealing to our community, we want to involve as many of our members as possible.  It will not only be an outreach event, it will also serve an opportunity for our own members to work together and build on our relationships to each other.  There will be a pumpkin carving event and bonfire (weather permitting) for our members on Friday, October 21.  After the Trunk or Treat, there will be a chili dinner provided for all workers.  You will receive specific directions soon about what we will need for the Trunk or Treat. 

>>>  What is “the next thing” we will invite people to?  Getting people to our church for an event is only Step 1.  We want them to come back.  Our desire is to have them join us for worship, but that may not be Step 2.  What will we invite people to next so that they become more acquainted with us?  We want to foster that mentality so that we are always inviting people to Good Shepherd for one thing or another.  Our goal is that “the next thing” people come to will be a Bible Class or to worship.  For some, it will take a few community events before they are ready for that.  Look for a general schedule to be presented so that we always have “the next thing” in mind.

REFORMATION CELEBRATION
          THIS SUNDAY (October 9), Our Saviour Lutheran Church (33333 Warren Road, Westland) will host the annual Reformation Vespers, Luther lecture, and German dinner. This year's topic for the Luther lecture is "The 500th Anniversary of Luther's Translation of the New Testament." Vespers will be at 5:00 pm; dinner at 5:30; and the Luther lecture will begin at 6:30. 

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE
Services are uploaded to YouTube each week, usually the Monday after the service. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the service from Sunday, October 2: (13) Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, October 2, 2022 - YouTube

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.

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

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

REGUARL SCHEDULE
DIVINE SERVICES are on Sundays at 10:00 AM.
Sunday School and Adult Bible Class are on Sundays at 9:00 AM.
Bible Matters will be on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM. 

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

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