Thursday, November 9, 2023

Update from Good Shepherd (November 9, 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 (through November 15)
     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 22 -- Thanksgiving Worship (7:00 PM)
          DEC 3 -- Church Decoration; Stuffing Stockings for Veterans (both after church)
          DEC 6,13,20 -- Mid-Week Advent Dinners (6:00 PM)
          DEC 24 / 25 -- Christmas services

A CHRISTIAN VIEW OF ANXIETY – THE VIDEO
          We hosted a virtual seminar on a Christian view of anxiety on November 5. Mr. William Woodington from Coon Rapids, MN visited us via Zoom to discuss his own struggles with anxiety and spoke about the comfort he found in God's word. While he still considers himself an anxious person, he knows and trusts the promises of God which help him cope with his anxiety. The video recording is here: (277) Whatever is True A Christian View of Anxiety Good Shepherd Novi Nov 6 2023 - YouTube
          If you want to order a copy of Mr. Woodington's book, Whatever Is True, you can find a link to his book here.

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.
          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 15    The hope of the resurrection (Genesis 49-50; Exodus 13:19)
          Nov 22    Thanksgiving Worship at 7:00 PM

ADULT BIBLE CLASS -- A NEW SERIES
          We will begin a new series beginning on Sunday, November 26. Our topic will be The End Times. With all of the turmoil going on in the Middle East, many pastors are saying that the final prophecies of the Bible are being fulfilled. Some will speak of the conversion of all the Jews. Some will talk about a rapture in which Christians will be taken up into the heavens to be spared any tribulation. Others will 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 will consider 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.  You can find a tentative schedule here.
         Classes are Sundays at 9:00 AM.

CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS (October)

>    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.

OPEN FORUM AND VOTERS’ MEETING

            On Sunday, November 19 after church, we will have an open forum to present several projects that have or will demand some sizeable expenses—replacing the trees around the church property (by city ordinance) and replacing the church sign with an LED sign.  Our 2024 budget will also be presented, allowing for people to ask about our anticipated expenditures and priorities.  All confirmed members of Good Shepherd are invited and encouraged to attend, ask questions, and offer suggestions.  More than that, we hope you can help our various committees make plans and achieve what we plan.

            Following the open forum, our voters will meet to formally adopt motions based on our input from the open forum.  We will also elect officers to our Church Council for 2024.  All men 18 and older are encouraged to attend and participate.


ATTENTION ACTIVE AND VETERAN MILITARY
          The WELS has a support group for military veterans. You are able to acquire materials and attain services through the Lutheran Military Support Group (lutheranmilitary.org). You can either submit your information to the pastor to enroll you, or you can go to wels.net/refer to add your name and information to their data base.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE
          Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the service from Sunday, November 5: 
(279) Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, November 5, 2023 - YouTube

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

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

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 (through November 15)

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.