Thursday, October 26, 2023

Update from Good Shepherd (October 26, 2023)

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE 
     Sunday School
 -- Sundays at 9:00 AM.
     Adult Bible Class -- Sundays at 9:00 AM.
     Divine Service -- Sundays at 10:00 AM.
     Bible Matters -- Wednesdays at 6:30 PM 
     For a calendar of events and meetings, click here.

FALL EVENTS

          These events serve both to unite our own members better and to connect with people from our community. Look for ways that you can help out to make each event a success. Let’s make the most of the opportunity for each event.
          NOV 5 -- Presentation on how a Christian may deal with Anxiety (6:30 PM)
          DEC 3 -- Church Decoration; Stuffing Stockings for Veterans (both after church)
          DEC ? -- Christmas for Kids (TBD)
          DEC 6,13,20 -- Mid-Week Advent Dinners (6:00 PM)
          DEC 24 / 25 -- Christmas services

EVANGELISM & STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE MEETINGS
           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 on Sunday, October 29 after church to make our plans for 2024 and to pray that God will bless them. We will not only be planning events, we will be looking for people to help make these events happen.  Join us for our brainstorming / planning session.

DEALING WITH ANXIETY – A SEMINAR ON NOVEMBER 5
          Mental health has become a common issue among people of all ages. It seems to be affecting young people particularly hard. There are many problems in this world and in our lives that can foster anxiety. What comfort do we have? What relief can we find?
          William Woodington is a member at Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids, MN. He published a book entitled, Whatever Is True: A Christian View of Anxiety (available at: online.nph.net/whatever-is-true.html).
          On Sunday, November 5 at 6:30 PM, Mr. Woodington will be giving a virtual presentation about his own struggles with anxiety and the relief he found in God’s word. Following his presentation, he will facilitate a question and answer session for all attendees.
          Please register at welsnovi@aol.com. Let us know your name and how many may be attending with you. Attendees who register will receive a copy of Mr. Woodington’s book. Your registration will also help us set up the appropriate meeting room.
          Snacks will be available. All are welcome.

WORSHIP FOCUS FOR OCTOBER 29: SUPPORT AND COUNSELLING FOR THOSE WHO STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES 
          Our guest preacher for Sunday, October 29 is Rev. James Mattek. After years of serving various parishes, Pastor Mattek now serves at Christian Family Solutions. Christian Family Solutions is a WELS organization which provides counselors for people who struggle with mental or emotional challenges. These sessions, usually virtual, can be set up through Good Shepherd and cost about $80 per session. Pastor Mattek will be giving a demonstration of how these sessions operate after the service.

A LUTHERAN VIEW OF DEPRESSION…
          Here is another resource regarding mental health, depression in particular.
          You can listen to the new audiobook, "I Trust When Dark My Road: A Lutheran View of Depression" by Pastor Todd Peperkorn. Go to issuesetc.org, enter your email address, and you’ll receive a link to “I Trust When Dark My Road.” This new audiobook is produced by Lutheran Public Radio based in Collinsville, IL. LPR produces radio talk shows, podcasts, and 24/7 sacred music and talk stations. These are highly recommended.

NEW VIDEO FOR GOOD SHEPHERD
          Here is a video to introduce people to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Novi. Feel free to share it as much as you can.
          Shout out to Kaitlyn Cole for her work on its production!

ADULT BIBLE CLASSES

SUNDAYS at 9:00 AM. We are studying St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians.
          10/29    Ephesians 5:1-21 
                         Living as Christians – Fleeing the Darkness; Walking in Light (part 2)
          11/05     Ephesians 5:22-33 
                         Living as Christians – Vocation: Marriage
          11/12     Ephesians 6:1-9
                         Living as Christians – Vocation: Family; Employment 
          11/19     Ephesians 6:10-24
                         Equipped for Battle

WEDNESDAYS at 6:30 PM. We will be studying the life of Joseph: Humbled and Exalted Servant of God's People.
          Nov
 1      God’s people preserved (Genesis 45-46)
          Nov 8     Forgiveness: Not deserved but freely given (Genesis 50)
          Nov 15    The hope of the resurrection (Genesis 49-50; Exodus 13:19)

CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS (October)

>    Bob W. has been busy setting up a company to plant trees around our berm.  There are several proposals which range a great deal in price.  We will be alerting our members to these proposals soon to determine our best course of action.  In addition, Bob W. and David K. will be moving some of our burning bushes and replanting them, as well as some lilacs, in the vacated spaces in our church yard on Saturday, October 28, 8:00 AM - Noon.  Helpers would be appreciated.

>     We have made some headway on a new LED sign for the church.  There is a proposal to use our current sign base and frame, and there is a proposal to move the church sign so that it faces 9 Mile Road in both directions.  This would involve a new base and is quite a bit more expensive.  We are arranging a demonstration of what this sign would look like so our members have an opportunity to see it before we make such a large expense.  We will discuss our options at an Open Forum on November 19.  More information can be attained by speaking to people from Church Council.

>    We will be looking into a method for people to give offerings through an app on their phones.  When we get this service set up, we will provide more information.


GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE
          Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the service from Sunday, October 22: 
(253) Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, Ocotber 22, 2023 - YouTube

CALL FOR NAMES: PRAYER FOR ALL SAINTS DAY
          Every year, we remember the names of loved ones who have died in the Christian faith, praising God for the mercy he has had upon them and thanking God for preserving them in that saving faith throughout their life. Normally, the names of these departed souls are recalled in a prayer on All Saints' Day, which is November 1. Since Good Shepherd does not have a specific All Saints' Day service, we transfer our observance of All Saints' Day to Sunday, November 5 which will include this prayer and these remembrances.
          Members of Good Shepherd who have been called to eternal rest this past year are automatically included. Members of Good Shepherd, you may also submit the names of your own loved ones who have died in the Christian faith between November 13, 2022 and November 4, 2023. When submitting these names, please include:
                    1. the name of the deceased
                    2. your name
                    3. how he/she was related to you
                    4. the dates of his/her birth and death, if known
          All names submitted by Wednesday, November 1 will be listed in the bulletin. Names may still be submitted as late as Sunday morning but will not be printed in the bulletin. Names can be submitted to: welsnovi@aol.com.


FOOD DRIVE FOR MARRIED SEMINARY STUDENTS

            We will continue our fall Food Drive for the married students at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary through Sunday, November 5.  The donated items will be delivered to Hope Christian Academy where they will be picked up and delivered to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary (Mequon, WI).  Our gifts show support for the men studying to be pastors and relieve them and their families from some of the expenses they incur as they prepare to fill some of the many pastoral vacancies in our synod.  Gifts of money may also be given.  Checks can be made out to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and marked: Food Bank.
 
REGULAR OFFICE HOURS
          The pastor will try to maintain regular office hours are Monday – Thursday, 9:00 AM - Noon. To ensure the pastor’s availability, it is best to make an appointment. He is available by phone 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

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REGULAR SCHEDULE
DIVINE SERVICES are on Sundays at 10:00 AM.
Sunday School -- Sundays at 9:00 AM
Adult Bible Class -- Sundays at 9:00 AM
Bible Matters -- Wednesdays at 6:30 PM

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

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

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