Update from Good Shepherd (January 5, 2023)

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 will meet on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.

For a calendar of events and meetings, click here.

JEREMIAH, THE WEEPING PROPHET

          Our current series for Adult Bible Class is 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.
          The schedule for this class can be found here.  

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PRIVATE CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION

          On Saturday, January 7, from 9:00-10:30 AM, the pastor will be in his office for anyone who wants to partake in Private Confession and Absolution.  No appointment will be necessary.

          To understand the purpose of Private Confession & Absolution, you can refer to this link.

NEW HYMNAL INTRODUCTION, PART 1
          Our target date for using the CW21 hymnal will be Sunday, February 5. While Setting 1 of the Divine Service bears some resemblance to The Common Service in our current hymnal, there will be a few differences. Some of the canticles have been rewritten, and we will want to practice those before we utilize them for the entire service. A tentative schedule for the rehearsal of these canticles is here:

          Sunday, January 8
                    Dedication of the CW21 Hymnals and resources

                    Breaking in the new hymnals (after church)

          Sunday, January 15
                    Responsive "Lord, have mercy" (Kyrie)

                    NOTE: Glory be to God on High (Gloria in Excelsis) is the same as The Common Service

                    Gospel Acclamation for the season

                    Preface for the Sacrament

          Sunday, January 22
                    Gospel Acclamation for the Lenten season

                    Holy, Holy, Holy (Sanctus)

                    NOTE: O Christ, Lamb of God (Agnus Dei) is the same as The Common Service

          Sunday, January 29
                    Review all parts of the liturgy

May God bless our worship for the glory of his name and for the edification of his people.

NEW HYMNAL INTRODUCTION, PART 2

               In order to prepare our new hymnals for use, we will take time after the service on Sunday, January 8 to break them in so that the bindings do not get destroyed.  Each hymnal has a breaking-in procedure to follow, and we will have about 125 hymnals to deal with.  We welcome many to do this so that it can be done quickly.

               We will also be adding new ribbons to the new hymnals in order to enable worshipers to bookmark the Psalms and any other portions of the hymnal prior to each Divine Service.  The date to make these new ribbon inserts will be announced once we have the materials to do it.

               We will also be making 3-hole punches into all of our organists’ accompaniment books to make their service much easier.  The accompaniment books are large and will create a great deal of havoc if we expect our organists to use them as is.  The 3-hole punch will allow them to manage their work much more efficiently.  There are probably over 1,000 pages to take care of, so this may take place over different times.  

CHURCH UNDECORATION
          If you are not helping out with breaking in the new hymnals on Sunday, January 8, you can lend a hand with the un-decoration of the church. We will need a few people to take down ornaments, lights, wreathes, the Nativity scene, and other Christmas-related items.

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.  We are down to only two months in 2022.

          The January calendar is here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050a4fa8aa2ea64-every12#/ 

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, January 1: (89) Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, January 1, 2023 - 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.

Bible Matters
          Bible Matters will resume on Wednesday, January 11. We will have a five-week session leading up to the season of Lent. Classes begin at 6:30 PM. The winter session will be: What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?  The particular topics can be found here.

Bible Information Class
          Starting a new year also means resolutions. Why not resolve to become better acquainted with the Bible? Or resolve to bring friends to become better acquainted with the Bible. While any of our Bible Classes would be valuable, Bible Information Class presents an overview of the basic Bible teachings. Members of Good Shepherd, start thinking of people whom you might invite to this class and bring them along. There is no cost. The schedule can be found here.
          Bible Information Class will meet on Sundays (7:00 – 8:30 PM) beginning January 15. To register, please contact to Pastor Schroeder at welsnovi@aol.com or (248) 349-0565.

BAD WEATHER POLICY FOR 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.

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In Christ,
Pastor Schroeder

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REGULAR 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 meets on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM. 

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

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