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.
Advent Vespers will be observed on Wednesdays in December (6, 13, 20) at 7:00 PM.
Bible Matters will resume on Wednesday, January 10.
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.
DEC 3 -- Church Decoration; Stuffing Stockings for Veterans (both after church)
DEC 6,13,20 -- Mid-Week Advent
Dinners at 6:00 PM
Vespers at 7:00 PM
DEC 24 -- Christmas Eve Candlelight Service (7:00 PM)
DEC 25 -- Christmas Day Festival Service (10:00 AM)
Here is a video to introduce people to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Novi. Share it as much as you can.
Shout out to Kaitlyn Cole for her work on its production!
We have begun a series entitled The End Times. With all the turmoil going on in the Middle East, many pastors are saying that the final prophecies of the Bible are being fulfilled. Some speak of the conversion of all the Jews. Some talk about a rapture in which Christians will be taken up into the heavens to be spared any tribulation. Others speak about a 1,000 year reign of Christ in Jerusalem. Often, the order of events contradict each other from various pastors. What are we to believe?
We are considering how the Scriptures describe the End Times so that we can face it with both comfort and confidence and so that we will not be distracted by false teachings and promises. The tentative schedule can be found here.
Classes are Sundays at 9:00 AM.
PRIVATE CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION
Private confession and absolution will be available at church from 7:00 - 9:00 PM on Monday, December 4. (NOTE: This is a scheduling change!) No appointment is necessary. Just stop in. If this rite is new to you (and it is for many who attend here), the pastor will walk you through the rite so that you understand and appreciate it more. Private confession and absolution is always available by appointment throughout the year.
On Sunday, November 19, Pastor Schroeder received a Divine Call to serve at Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wautoma, Wisconsin (about 90 miles north of Madison). Over the next several weeks, Pastor Schroeder will have discussions with members of both congregations and other advisors to determine where he would serve in God’s kingdom as seems best to him. You can find letters which explain the calling process here.
> 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. More information can be attained by speaking to people from Church Council.
> We approved the proposed budget for the 2024 year. We have made some increases to the evangelism budget and congregational mission offerings, as well as to a few other places. We increased the stipend for guest preachers and for our organists/pianists which had remained at the same rate for a decade or more. A copy of the budget can be received on request.
> Election of Church Council officers resulted in the following: President: Dan L.; Financial Secretary: Terry B.; Elder: Dan S.; Properties Committee Chairman: Bob W. The position for Evangelism Committee chair is vacant.
> Please note that we have little to no committee for Evangelism and Stewardship. While members have been willing to help out leading up to a particular event, the planning of these events tends to be a bit scrambled, and some events get cancelled because they do not get planned well. In order to excel in our efforts for outreach to our community and to strengthen the bonds of fellowship among us, we welcome and encourage members to join us for these planning meetings. We meet roughly every other month, so the time commitment is minimal.
> 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.
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 are 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.
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.
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
==============================
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
Advent Vespers -- Wednesdays in December (6, 13, 20)
Supper at 6:00 PM
Worship at 7:00 PM
Bible Matters will resume on Wednesday, January 10 at 6:30 PM.
GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org
PASTOR SCHROEDER’S BLOG
www.LutheranSubject.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment
Due to recurring spam, all comments will now be moderated. Please be patient.