All Saints' Day Hymn -- For All the Saints

Enjoy!

Lutheran Reformation notes and stuff

October 31, 1517 marked the beginning of the Lutheran Reformation.  The years that followed continued efforts to restore the Church to a faithful proclamation and practice of the Gospel.  Entire books have been written on the topic, so I will limit my offerings to you here.

Luther Rose

          A seal or coat of arms is usually designed to commemorate an outstanding event or to express the hopes and ideals of the family or person who bears it. Each part of such an emblem has a special meaning. Martin Luther’s seal is no exception. As early as 1517, while Luther was professor at Wittenberg, he replaced his father’s seal with one that he himself designed. Composed of five parts, it suited him better than did the crossbow and two roses of Hans Luther.
          After Duke John Frederick had the seal cut in stone for a signet ring, Luther’s friend Spengler, the town clerk of Nuremberg, asked for an explanation of it. Luther wrote to him, in part:

          The first thing expressed in my seal is a cross, black, to put me in mind that Christ crucified saves us. “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness.”
          Now, although the cross is black, mortified, and intended to cause pain, yet it does not change the color of the heart, does not destroy nature – that is, does not kill, but keeps alive. “For the just shall live by faith” – by faith in the Savior.
          The heart is fixed upon the center of a white rose, to show that faith causes joy, consolation, and peace….
          The rose, moreover, is fixed in a sky-colored field to denote that such joy of faith … is but an earnest and beginning of heavenly joy to come….
          And around this field is a golden ring, to signify that such joy in heaven is endless….

          Luther explained in detail his reasons for choosing certain colors and the significance of those colors. He also made comparisons between this life and the “bliss in heaven” which is “anticipated and held by hope, though not yet revealed.” But brushing aside the details, the gist of the letter was simply this: The coat of arms tells the story of what I believe and confess.
-- p 94, Martin Luther, Man of God by Morton A. Schroeder, Northwestern Publishing House: Milwaukee, WI. 1983.

Book of Concord -- The book which contains the confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church

Lutheran Satire: Diet of Worms, Mixtape Edition

Lutheran Satire: Reformation Piggybackers (noting people who used the Reformation to promote various different teachings)

Update from Good Shepherd (October 30, 2025)

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE
Divine Service is Sundays at 10:00 AM.
Sunday School is Sundays at 9:00 AM.

Adult Bible Class is Sundays at 9:00 AM.  We will study the book of Revelation.  A schedule can be found here.

Bible Matters meets Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.  We will have an overview of the Minor Prophets.  A schedule can be found here.  

CALENDAR: For a calendar of events and meetings, click here.

PICTORIAL DIRECTORY
         If you were not able to make it in to have your photo taken for the directory, photos can be submitted for inclusion in the upcoming directory. Please speak to Terry Barber about these submissions.

CALL FOR NAMES – ALL SAINTS' DAY REMEMBRANCE
          By the time you get this, all the names submitted have been printed in the bulletin for the All Saints' Day prayer of remembrance.  You may still submit a name up to the time of our Divine Service at 10:00 AM on November 2.  If you do, please include the following information:
                    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

          The prayer with all names submitted will be printed on this blog shortly after the service on Sunday, November 2. 

FOOD DRIVE FOR MARRIED STUDENTS AT WISCONSIN LUTHERAN SEMINARY
          From now until Sunday, November 2, we will be taking a collection of food and sanitary items from the married students at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Our gifts help to alleviate the expenses of our future pastors, allowing them to potentially enter the ministry debt free. Items which are need most are posted at the bulletin boards in the fellowship hall above the boxes where the collection is being taken. Gifts of money are also welcome. Checks can be made out to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.

NEW PASTOR AT PALABRA DE VIDA
         Rev. Martin Loescher who had previously served in Neenah, Wisconsin has accepted the call to serve at Palabra de Vida Lutheran Church in Detroit. We look forward to having him, his wife, and his family come to southeast Michigan as he begins his service to God’s people at Palabra de Vida.  The likely date of his installation will be Sunday, December 7.
          When a new pastor moves to the congregation which has called him to serve him, it is customary for that congregation to welcome him with a food shower, gift cards, or some other expression of gratitude. While Palabra de Vida is certainly grateful for a new pastor, their resources are limited to express it with material gifts. We would like the congregations in the metro-Detroit area to share that expression of gratitude.
          If you would be willing to supply gift cards or gifts of money as part of the welcome for the Loescher family, please submit them to Good Shepherd so that they can be delivered to the Loescher family upon Pastor Loescher’s installation.

175^th Anniversary of the WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)

            The WELS was founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1850 by five Lutheran pastors.  Since then, it has grown to about 1,200 congregations throughout the USA and does mission work in about 50 countries.  We thank God for preserving a synod in which the Bible is upheld as God’s inerrant, inspired word.  We should not take this blessing for granted, as many denominations have chosen to ignore or reject parts of God’s word, leaving people to wonder what in the Bible is still true and what is not.

            In order to express our gratitude to the Lord for preserving our synod, and in hopes to see our synod expand its ministry to the USA and to the world, we will be participating in a thank offering throughout the month of November.  There will be a collection plate by the ushers’ station.  You may also designate an offering (mark it as “WELS 175”, but payable to Good Shepherd) and put it in the collection plate with your usual offering.

WELS NIGHT AT THE PISTONS
          The Detroit Pistons are sponsoring a WELS Night at the Pistons on Saturday, December 6 against the Milwaukee Bucks. Tip-off is 7:30 PM. Tickets can be purchased through a QR code (posted on the bulletin board in the hallway of church). The cheapest seats are $40.65 plus fees. You can spend up to $230.80 plus fees if you want to.

STOCKINGS FOR VETERANS
          We are collecting items for stockings for veterans again this year. We will be putting together 36 stockings. This year our stockings will be distributed to veterans at the VA hospital in Ann Arbor.
          The items to be purchased, as well as to NOT purchase, are listed here. If you are contributing to this effort, please plan accordingly. Items will need to be at church by Sunday, November 30. We will be assembling them after church on November 30. The stockings and hats will be provided.
          It is understandable if you don’t wish to donate enough items to cover all 36 stockings. If you would like to make a donation to cover part of the stockings, you can indicate that on a sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall, indicating the item and the quantity you will be donating. Your generosity is appreciated!

CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS (October)

>  Our projector has not been consistent in projecting.  Since it is better than ten years old, we are considering a replacement.  We are looking into getting a smart TV with interactive capabilities which allows HDMI input as well as ability to draw with a special, electronic pen.  

>  Our handicapped accessible entry via push-button should be installed on October 30. 

>  We plan on adding to our Servant Keeper office management system to allow for texting to large groups, similar to the email blasts, but with texting.  When it is ready to go, we will do a test run after church some Sunday.  

>  We have hired a professional janitorial service.

>  A gift was graciously given toward the purchase of a moveable coffee bar.  That coffee bar will be purchased soon.  We thank the donor for their generosity.

>  We are planning on two congregational meetings in late November and early December.  Our Open Forum on November 23 will present a recommended budget for the 2026 year, as well as present some plans we hope to implement in the next year or so.  On December 7, we will present a long-term plan for various improvements or maintenance projects which may need to be done in the next ten years or so.  Some projects are necessary; others would be nice.  We welcome feedback to see what the congregation would support or what alternatives we might consider.

GROWING TOGETHER IN GOD’S WORD
          Starting in January, we are going to approach Bible Matters with a different format. We will be reading through a book as a group and meeting to discuss the chapter which was read the previous week. The book we will be working with is entitled, “Your Life Has Meaning: Discovering Your Role in an Epic Story.” This can be purchased in bulk for a discount ($20 each), but we will need to have people let us know if they will be purchasing the book so that we do not overspend on unused books. You can sign up for a book at church. They will be ordered so that you can have a copy by Christmas. Bible Matters will begin our discussion of the book on Wednesday, January 7.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE

           Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the Divine Service from October 26, 2025. Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, October 25, 2025

REGULAR OFFICE HOURS
          For the most part, the pastor will be observing formal office hours (Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – Noon). Occasionally, duties will take him away from the office during these scheduled times, so you will still want to call or text to confirm any meetings with the pastor (248-719-5218).

INTRODUCTION VIDEO FOR GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH
          Here is a video to introduce people to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Novi. Share it as much as you can.

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

Sunday School -- Sundays at 9:00 AM 

Adult Bible Class -- Sundays at 9:00 AM 

DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 AM.

Bible Matters -- Wednesdays at 6:30 PM 

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

PASTOR SCHROEDER’S BLOG

www.LutheranSubject.blogspot.com  

YouTube -- Festival of the Reformation (October 26, 2025)

Here is the Divine Service from Sunday, October 26, 2025.

Stockings for Veterans

             We are collecting items for stockings for veterans again this year.  We will be putting together 36 stockings.  This year our stockings will be distributed to veterans at the VA hospital in AnnArbor. 

The items to be purchased, as well as to NOT purchase, are listed below.  If you are contributing to this effort, please plan accordingly.  Items will need to be at church by Sunday, November 30.  We will be assembling them after church on November 30.  The stockings and hats will be provided.

It is understandable if you don’t wish to donate enough items to cover all 36 stockings.  If you would like to make a donation to cover part of the stockings, you can indicate that on a sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall, indicating the item and the quantity you will be donating.  Your generosity is appreciated!

Items to include:
Slim Jims or Beef Jerky
Packages of Holiday nuts
Single-serving drink mix packets (i.e. Crystal Light, Powerade, etc.)
Candy Canes
Holiday candy (in sealed wrapping or small unopened bags)
Single-serving cookie packages
Peanut Brittle
Apple cider packets (must be in Ziploc baggies in case the packets break)
Hot chocolate packets (must be in Ziploc baggies in case the packets breaks)
Travel-sized games
Card games (Uno, Phase 10)
Stress balls (holiday-themed preferred)
Holiday-themed writing pens or pencils
Small notepads
Puzzle book (Crosswords, Sudoku, Word Find)
Playing cards
Holiday-themed lip balm
Gloves (preferably black; winter; one size fits all)
Socks
Other holiday-themed items


Items NOT TO include:
NO GLASS (containers, ornaments, etc)
NO SHARP OBJECTS (safety pins, razors, pocket knives)
NO PRODUCTS CONTAINING ALCOHOL (some mouthwash, hand sanitizer, and colognes may contain alcohol)
NO MEDICATIONS (OTC or otherwise)
NO CBD or HEMP PRODUCTS
NO Tobacco Products
NO AEROSOLS
NO HAND SANITIZER
NO GLITTER
NO BRANDED or marketing materials with company/organization names, logos, etc.
NO political materials
NO Nail Polish

Sermon -- Festival of the Lutheran Reformation (October 26, 2025)

JOHN 8:31-36

REMAIN IN HIS WORD.

In the name + of Jesus.

    Today, we are commemorating the beginning of the Lutheran Reformation which is marked by Martin Luther nailing the 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg.  It was an effort to correct an abuse which had been practiced in the church for some time.  What began as an invitation to debate ballooned into a full-scale overhaul of false teachings and poor practices.  Not that he asked for it, but Luther ended up being the main voice to reform a church that had gone off course.  Luther never intended to start anything new, but to reform and correct what already existed. 

     This was not the first time something like this had happened.  There has never been a golden age in the Christian Church when everything was peaceful and all was right.  Before the apostles had even died off, they had to write letters to Christian churches to correct false teachings and poor practices.  So, you’d think once those letters had been written and the New Testament books were completed, everything would be right.  You’d think so. 

     The devil has sown false teachings throughout the history of the Church.  The Church has had to go back to the Bible again and again make a clear confession and to correct error.  This is why Jesus told us, “If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples.  You will also know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).  In order to be free from false doctrine and practice, we must remain in his word.

     When the devil sows false teachings, he does not usually tell bald face lies.  Those are easy to expose and refute.  So, the devil tries to make his voice sound like Jesus’ voice.  He will say things that sound true and reasonable and feel right.  That is why they are so dangerous.  If you lived down south, you’d be familiar with two snakes that look similar.  One is a water snake which is not venomous; the other is a cottonmouth which is venomous.  They may look similar, but one is deadly.  In the same way, Satan’s words sound good, but they are deadly.  That is why it is imperative to remain in Jesus’ word.

     In the early church, there was a teacher named Arius.  He taught that Jesus is not eternal God.  He argued that, if he is the only begotten son of the Father, then he had a birthday.  If he had a birthday, there was a time he did not exist.  That sounds reasonable.  So, the pastors of the day turned to God’s word to show that God the Son is eternal.  The point of being only begotten is not when, but what.  “Only begotten” expresses the unique relationship between the Father and the Son, which is eternal.  Having corrected that, you might think that everything was finally right.  You’d think so.

     Later, another teacher came along named Nestorius.  He tried to reason how Jesus could be God and man.  Nestorius reasoned that Jesus was half man and half God.  The man part, he said, was born, grew in knowledge and stature, suffered, and died.  But the God part did miracles and rose from the dead.  This splits Jesus in half.  The pastors of his day turned to God’s word to see what it said.  They confirmed and confessed that Jesus is one person but has two natures—fully human and fully divine.  So, we can say that God was born of a virgin and God died at the cross.  We can say that a man did miracles and overcame death.

     Maybe this all sounds like the kind of stuff left for pastors to debate and not for you to worry about.  But the truth is that your very salvation is at stake in these matters.  If Jesus is not God, then his death did not pay for your sins.  If Jesus is not man, then he is not a true substitute for you and death still has power over mankind.  This is why we remain in his teaching.  Jesus promised, “If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples.  You will also know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).  

     The teachings of Arius and Nestorius and others led the Church off track.  Each time, pastors turned to God’s word to expose the false teachings and to confess the correct doctrine.  Through them, God preserved his Church and kept his people as Jesus’ disciples.  Having done that, you might think the Church was finally pure, that all was right, and that everyone was at peace.  You’d think so.  But the Church is constantly in need of being reformed and course corrected.  Even things that begin as good practices can go off the rails. 

     Say a man in the Middle Ages was grieved by his sins.  He would go to his priest, confess his sins, and receive absolution.  This is the faithful practice of the Church.  The priest may have told the man to amend his sinful life.  After all, forgiveness is not a license to return to your sins.  God calls us to godliness.  So, the admonition to amend one’s sinful life is also good, Christian practice.  But what should one do to make amends?  Suggestions were given.  Suggestions turned into requirements.  Eventually, forgiveness hinged on one’s works of satisfaction rather than on the divine promise. 

     Now, what if a person did not have time to make amends?  He was relegated to purgatory where he would be tormented and purged of whatever wickedness still clung to him at death (even though there is no support in God’s word for purgatory).  After a while, gifts could be given to shorten one’s time in purgatory.  The sale of indulgences was born—a certificate pledging that the Pope would reduce one’s time in purgatory.  These indulgences were soon extended to cover deceased relatives.  Would you really let your mother languish in purgatory any longer than she had to?  Christians were being taught that freedom from God’s judgment was a commodity to be purchased rather than to trust in Jesus’ sufferings, death, and resurrection for the payment of sin.  Indulgences also encouraged Christians to give up good works and to engage in sins.  After all, if you could be exonerated for a few bucks, why strive for godliness?

     This is the church that Martin Luther grew up in.  He challenged all of this, even though it was a practice that had been established for years.  If the Pope truly had authority over the souls in purgatory, Martin Luther asked, “Why does not the pope empty purgatory, for the sake of holy love and of the dire need of the souls that are there”? (95 Theses, Thesis #82).  Luther returned to God’s word to uphold true doctrine and to promote practices that were in accord with it.  He did not seek to stir up trouble, but to correct a Church that had gone off course.  Sadly, the powers had no interest in this correction.  Luther begged to be shown from the Bible where he had erred.  He was not given an answer, just a command to be silent.  When he would not be silent because he sought to relieve troubled souls of their guilt and fears, he was excommunicated.  Nevertheless, he remained in Jesus’ words and fiercely proclaimed it so that people would remain Jesus’ disciples.  After all that, you might think that the Church finally had peace and all was right—at least, in one segment of the Church.  You’d think so.

     Satan never ceases to deceive.  The attack on the Church never stops.  More than anything, the devil wants people to be enslaved to him and blinded by his lies.  That is why we must always remain in Jesus’ word.  St. Paul wrote, “All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, well equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  We remain in Jesus’ word so that we receive the correction we need for doctrine, practice, and, in particular, for our own lives.  You may not have to give an answer for the faithfulness of the Church, but you will have to give an answer for the faithfulness of yourself.  Whenever God’s word corrects and admonishes you, repent.  This is crucial for salvation.

     “Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples.  You will also know the truth, and the truth will set you free’” (John 8:31-32).  We might ask, “Free from what?”  Jesus sets us free from our sin.  We rightly stand under God’s judgment for our sin because we are guilty.  As we confess, we deserve his punishment both now and in eternity.  But Jesus has delivered us from the punishment and the curse of sin.  He bore the curse in his body when he hung from the cross.  He absorbed God’s condemning wrath for us so that we receive a pardon for all our guilt.  You are not condemned; you are free.

     Jesus also sets us free from death.  Sure, the grave may hold you for a brief while, but Jesus has overcome death in his resurrection.  This man assures that all mankind will escape the grave.  All will be raised up by his command on the Last Day.  In the end, death and the grave get nothing.  All who believe in Jesus and are baptized, however, will be given life everlasting.  Death does not own you.  Jesus does.  You are free.

     Jesus also sets you free from your fears.  There is a lot that can strike fear into our hearts—death, war, virus, violence, loss of a job, loss of a familiar lifestyle, loss of loved ones, and so on.  While all of these can be painful and sorrowful, none of these moves God’s promises even one inch.  An older translation of Martin Luther’s hymn, A Mighty Fortress, says, “And take they our life, goods, fame, child, and wife, let these all be gone.  They yet have nothing won” (stanza 4).  That’s not to say Luther did not love his wife and children.  It is to say even if they were taken from him or killed, God’s promises still remain.  As dear as our family and friends are, they don’t save us.  Jesus does.  And if our family and friends believe in Jesus, we actually don’t lose them at all.  They may be taken from this world, but they are not lost to Jesus.  At the resurrection, we get them back.  So, you need not fear.  If you are in God’s hands, you are safe.  To remain in God’s hands, remain in his word. 

     The devil will always deceive.  Jesus always tells you the truth.  His word corrects us and his Church when we begin to wander.  This correction is necessary and should be welcome so that we do not lose what we have been given.  And perhaps something that deserves correction for us is our reluctance to confess God’s word.  In an effort to preserve God’s word among us, we can find ourselves in a holy huddle of sorts, reluctant to let others in.  Dear Christian friends, God has not entrusted us with his word to hoard it, but to proclaim it.  The devil has influenced many Christians to alter God’s word.  Many prefer what feels good, what sounds good, or what our society says.  These are the very things that misled God’s people in the past.  The only way Satan’s lies can be countered is by God’s truth.  It is ours to confess.  So, remain in God’s word so that you remain Jesus’ disciples, so that your confession is true, and so that you confidently live in the Lord’s favor.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Update from Good Shepherd (October 23, 2025)

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE
Divine Service is Sundays at 10:00 AM.
Sunday School is Sundays at 9:00 AM.

Adult Bible Class is Sundays at 9:00 AM.  We will study the book of Revelation.  A schedule can be found here.

Bible Matters meets Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.  We will have an overview of the Minor Prophets.  A schedule can be found here.  

CALENDAR: For a calendar of events and meetings, click here.

PICTORIAL DIRECTORY
         If you were not able to make it in to have your photo taken for the directory, photos can be submitted for inclusion in the upcoming directory. Please speak to Terry Barber about these submissions.

CALL FOR NAMES – ALL SAINTS' DAY REMEMBRANCE
          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 this prayer and these remembrances to the first Sunday after All Saints Day. This year, that will be November 2.
          In addition to members of Good Shepherd who have been called to eternal rest, you may submit the names of your own loved ones who have died in the Christian faith between November 3, 2024 and November 1, 2025. 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, October 29 will be submitted in the bulletin. Names may still be submitted as late as Sunday morning but will not be printed in the bulletin. Note: All who were members of Good Shepherd or were served by the pastor are automatically listed.
          The prayer which will be spoken on the Sunday of All Saints Day can be found here.

TRUNK OR TREAT
Trunk or Treat will be Sunday, October 26 (3:00 - 5:00 PM).
          We still need helpers!   Go to this Sign Up Genius form to indicate where you could help.
          For any who are helping out on October 26, we will be having a lunch after the service. This allows us to be on site and ready for guests who seem to start coming already at 2:30 PM. Menu items will be determined soon. Bring whatever clothes or costumes you will need and change at church after lunch. Do you need a Good Shepherd T-shirt if you are not wearing a costume? Let us know. Several sizes are still available.

FOOD DRIVE FOR MARRIED STUDENTS AT WISCONSIN LUTHERAN SEMINARY
          From now until Sunday, November 2, we will be taking a collection of food and sanitary items from the married students at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Our gifts help to alleviate the expenses of our future pastors, allowing them to potentially enter the ministry debt free. Items which are need most are posted at the bulletin boards in the fellowship hall above the boxes where the collection is being taken. Gifts of money are also welcome. Checks can be made out to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.

NEW PASTOR AT PALABRA DE VIDA
         Rev. Martin Loescher who had previously served in Neenah, Wisconsin has accepted the call to serve at Palabra de Vida Lutheran Church in Detroit. We look forward to having him, his wife, and his family come to southeast Michigan as he begins his service to God’s people at Palabra de Vida. As of this writing, there is no known date for his installation.
          When a new pastor moves to the congregation which has called him to serve him, it is customary for that congregation to welcome him with a food shower, gift cards, or some other expression of gratitude. While Palabra de Vida is certainly grateful for a new pastor, their resources are limited to express it with material gifts. We would like the congregations in the metro-Detroit area to share that expression of gratitude.
          If you would be willing to supply gift cards or gifts of money as part of the welcome for the Loescher family, please submit them to Good Shepherd so that they can be delivered to the Loescher family upon Pastor Loescher’s installation.

175^th Anniversary of the WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)

            The WELS was founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1850 by five Lutheran pastors.  Since then, it has grown to about 1,200 congregations throughout the USA and does mission work in about 50 countries.  We thank God for preserving a synod in which the Bible is upheld as God’s inerrant, inspired word.  We should not take this blessing for granted, as many denominations have chosen to ignore or reject parts of God’s word, leaving people to wonder what in the Bible is still true and what is not.

            In order to express our gratitude to the Lord for preserving our synod, and in hopes to see our synod expand its ministry to the USA and to the world, we will be participating in a thank offering throughout the month of November.  There will be a collection plate by the ushers’ station.  You may also designate an offering (mark it as “WELS 175”, but payable to Good Shepherd) and put it in the collection plate with your usual offering.

CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS (October)

>  Our projector has not been consistent in projecting.  Since it is better than ten years old, we are considering a replacement.  We are looking into getting a smart TV with interactive capabilities which allows HDMI input as well as ability to draw with a special, electronic pen.  

>  Our handicapped accessible entry via push-button should be installed on October 30. 

>  We plan on adding to our Servant Keeper office management system to allow for texting to large groups, similar to the email blasts, but with texting.  When it is ready to go, we will do a test run after church some Sunday.  

>  We have hired a professional janitorial service.

>  A gift was graciously given toward the purchase of a moveable coffee bar.  That coffee bar will be purchased soon.  We thank the donor for their generosity.

>  We are planning on two congregational meetings in late November and early December.  Our Open Forum on November 23 will present a recommended budget for the 2026 year, as well as present some plans we hope to implement in the next year or so.  On December 7, we will present a long-term plan for various improvements or maintenance projects which may need to be done in the next ten years or so.  Some projects are necessary; others would be nice.  We welcome feedback to see what the congregation would support or what alternatives we might consider.

PICTORIAL DIRECTORY
          If you were not able to make it in to have your photo taken for the directory, photos can be submitted for inclusion in the upcoming directory. Please speak to Terry Barber about these submissions.
         Those who had photos taken will have them sent to them electronically in the coming weeks.
         We are hoping for the pictorial directory to be completed by the end of year.

GROWING TOGETHER IN GOD’S WORD
          Starting in January, we are going to approach Bible Matters with a different format. We will be reading through a book as a group and meeting to discuss the chapter which was read the previous week. The book we will be working with is entitled, “Your Life Has Meaning: Discovering Your Role in an Epic Story.” This can be purchased in bulk for a discount ($20 each), but we will need to have people let us know if they will be purchasing the book so that we do not overspend on unused books. You can sign up for a book at church. They will be ordered so that you can have a copy by Christmas. Bible Matters will begin our discussion of the book on Wednesday, January 7.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE

           Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the Divine Service from October 19, 2025. Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, October 19, 2025

REGULAR OFFICE HOURS
          For the most part, the pastor will be observing formal office hours (Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – Noon). Occasionally, duties will take him away from the office during these scheduled times, so you will still want to call or text to confirm any meetings with the pastor (248-719-5218).

INTRODUCTION VIDEO FOR GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH
          Here is a video to introduce people to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Novi. Share it as much as you can.

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In Christ,
Pastor Schroeder

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REGULAR SCHEDULE

Sunday School -- Sundays at 9:00 AM 

Adult Bible Class -- Sundays at 9:00 AM 

DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 AM.

Bible Matters -- Wednesdays at 6:30 PM 

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

PASTOR SCHROEDER’S BLOG

www.LutheranSubject.blogspot.com  

YouTube -- 19th Sunday after Pentecost (October 19, 2025)

Here is the Divine Service from Sunday, October 19, 2025.

For your amusement -- Tommy Emmanuel and Leonid and Friends

Last night, my lovely wife and I made another trip to the Royal Oak Music Theater. 

Back in September, we saw Leonid and Friends, a Russian group who covers songs mainly from Chicago and Earth, Wind, and Fire.  They are amazing.  I said they cover those songs, but you would be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the original recordings and Leonid and Friends.  Need proof?  Here are two recordings which we also got to see live.  The first is Fantasy by Earth, Wind, and Fire.  The second is I'm a Man by Chicago.  They were phenomenal.

Last night, the concert was by Tommy Emmanuel, an Australian guitarist who is a one-man band.  He plays in a way that includes a bass line, a rhythm section, and the melody.  I have to believe that he ices his fingers down after a concert.  He was lightning fast with finger picking and playing harmonics.  In addition, he uses his guitar as a percussion instrument.  Another fantastic show.  Below are some clips of Tommy Emmanuel.  The first is a song called Angelina.  Last night, he sang lyrics with it.  It is too bad they are not included here.  It sounded like a love song to his daughter when she was little.  Below that is a TED talk he did which explains and shows how he plays.  Some of these selections were also in the concern we saw.

Sermon -- 19th Sunday after Pentecost (October 19, 2025)

LUKE 18:1-8

ALWAYS PRAY AND DO NOT LOSE HEART.

In the name + of Jesus.

    Whenever there is crime, civil unrest, or war, people will say, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims.”  Others mock those sentiments.  They say that thoughts and prayers do nothing about the evils that occur.  This mockery is an attack on our Lord.  It suggests that he is incapable of doing anything or that he is disinterested in doing anything.  Of course, whoever does not believe the word of God regards prayers the same as carrying around a lucky rabbit’s foot.  (Maybe you remember those things from the 1970’s.)

     St. Paul had high regard for thoughts and prayers.  He began most of his epistles with this sentiment: “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love and faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints” (Philemon 1:4-5).  Paul kept the people he had served in his thoughts, and he prayed for them regularly.  Why?  Because prayers are significant and effective.  Our prayers serve as both a confession and an act of worship.  By them, we confess whom we honor as God above all.  By them, we worship our Lord as the one in whom we trust for all good things.  When we pray, we take all our concerns to the Lord to act according to his infinite wisdom, mercy, and power.  Do not be discouraged when unbelievers mock the thoughts and prayers of God’s people.  Rather, always pray and do not lose heart.

     Do you know who else had high regard for prayer?  Our Lord, Jesus Christ.  “Jesus told (his disciples) a parable about the need to always pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1).  Jesus spoke about a judge who did not care about God or people.  He also mentioned a widow who implored the judge for justice.  She had no one to help her.  No one else would speak up for her.  Her only hope was a judge who did not care about anyone but himself.  His motives were self-centered.  Even when he gave this woman the justice she demanded, he did it for his own benefit rather than hers.  “I will give her justice so that she will not wear me out with her endless pleading” (Luke 18:5).

     If this were Aesop’s Fables, the moral of the story would be “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.”  Children know this.  They will beg incessantly, “Can I have this?  Can I have this?  Can I have this?  Can I have this?  Can I have this?”  Eventually, beleaguered parents say, “Fine!  Have it!”  They do it because they are annoyed by the begging and want their children to be quiet.  But this is not the point of the parable, as if we must wear God down before he will do anything.

     Jesus taught us to pray to our Father.  He is not a deadbeat Dad who has abandoned his family.  He does not regard you as a burden to be freed from.  He is your good and merciful Father in heaven.  He created you and sustains you day by day.   He even supplies more than you need so you get to enjoy variety, beauty, and bounty.  He loves you.  He cares for you.  He is interested in you.  Most importantly, he invested the life and death of his only begotten Son to make you his own dear child.  Therefore, he wants you to entrust him with whatever it is that bothers you or scares you, whatever threatens you or tempts you, or whatever you need or want.  And since these issues never go away, it is good to always pray and not lose heart.

     Jesus noted that the judge who did not care about other people did finally cave in because of the woman’s constant pleading.  Now hear Jesus’ conclusion: “Will not God give justice to his chosen ones, who are crying out to him day and night?  Will he put off helping them?  I tell you that he will give them justice quickly” (Luke 18:7-8).  Since God the Father does care about you, he will listen to your prayers.  He will take up your cause.  He will do what serves for your eternal good.

     Always pray and do not lose heart.  Do not lose heart over what seems like the Lord’s slowness to act.  The Lord knows what is going on in this world.  In fact, he warned you that these things were coming.  The Bible teaches us: “In the last days there will be terrible times.  For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemous, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, not able to reconcile with others, slanderous, without self-control, savage, haters of what is good, treacherous, reckless, puffed up with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to an outward form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:1-5). 

     If you become anxious because you see these things unfolding right in front of your eyes, do not lose heart.  Our Lord knows the kind of society we live in.  Some places, of course, are worse than others, but no place is perfect.  What you are seeing is nothing new, and it will not cease as long as the earth endures.  When you see such wickedness, there is no place to turn but to our Lord.  That is why we always pray.  Our Lord told us that kingdoms will rise and fall, but the kingdom of our God endures forever.  So, always pray and do not lose heart.

     The widow hounded the judge for justice because she was being wronged.  To her credit, she did not take matters into her own hands to execute the kind of justice that she thought was right.  She turned to the one who had authority to carry out appropriate justice.  Understand your role in bringing justice to the world.  God does not call on you to fix everything as you see fit.  Lawmakers, judges, and police are all established as proper authorities to execute justice.

     What can you do?  You can protest without being destructive or disruptive to others’ lives.  You can write letters, appeal to congressmen, campaign, and run for office.  Parents are to discipline their children so they know right from wrong.  You can confess God’s word and let that word influence people to turn from wickedness and to promote righteousness.  Laws may enforce behavior, but only God’s mercy and love will change hearts.  So, if you want to see hearts changed, God’s word will do far more than legislation ever will.  Pray for courage to confess that word, to stand on it, and to live up to it.  And do not lose heart when others won’t.

     We all think that we have a handle on what is just.  Rarely do we know the whole story.  Sure, that guy was rude and insulting.  But who knows?  Maybe he is consumed by thoughts about his sick child more than being polite.  Your sense of justice may say, “He should suffer for his rudeness.”  But perhaps he is already suffering enough.  Rarely is our sense of justice free from bias.  We want justice that favors us, not always what is right.  That is why it is best to call upon God to carry out a righteous judgment.  Always pray and do not lose heart.

     We want God to make things right.  We want God to treat people fairly, thinking that all people deserve better than they are getting.  But what if God were fair with everyone?  This is what the Lord says, “There is surely not a righteous man on earth who does good and does not sin” (Ecclesiastes 7:20).  To exercise justice fairly, our Lord must convict and condemn everyone; for we all fail to do the good God demands of us.  We all have done the evil that God forbids us to do.  To demand justice from God is to demand our own damnation; for that is what our sin has earned us.  Our sin is the reason our sense of justice is biased.  It is the reason we assume that our assessment of right and wrong is what God must do rather than aligning our sense of right and wrong with his word.  It is the reason we are more interested in vengeance than righteousness. 

     The Lord is a righteous judge.  He takes his word seriously and will judge everyone according to it.  All who are guilty will pay the price.  And yet our Lord desires to be merciful.  He does not delight in damning anyone.  How can our Lord be both just and merciful?  He fulfills this through Jesus Christ.  The Father sent Jesus to bear the guilt of all mankind.  The Bible states, “God made him, who did not know sin, to become sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21).  Jesus accepted accountability for all the good we failed to do and for all the evil we have done.  Then he paid the price. 

     While he hung from the cross, Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me” (Matthew 27:46)?  To be forsaken by God is to be cut off from all that is good, from every blessing, from life and mercy and hope.  Because he bore the guilt of every sinner, Jesus was cut off from all that is good, from every blessing, from life and mercy and hope.  So, justice was done.  The guilty one was condemned.  Since all your sin has been taken away, you are not condemned.  You have been declared, “Not guilty.”  And this is justice, too.  For God will not condemn you for sins that have already been paid for.  So, when you pray that God would be just, then pray that God would honor Jesus’ sufferings and death.  Pray that he would be merciful to sinners.  Rather than be consumed by what God should do with the wicked, rejoice that God has delivered you from all wickedness.  Always pray and do not lose heart.

     Jesus concludes his parable with a rather disturbing question: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth” (Luke 18:8)?  Jesus knows that many will grow weary and impatient.  He knows that many will give up praying and will lose heart.  Many will figure it is better to enjoy what you can in this world of sin than to patiently wait for the glories of heaven.  Those glories we don’t see, but the indulgent pleasures of the world are presented before us daily.  Will those temptations be too alluring?  Will instant gratification feel better than patient endurance?  Will the Son of Man find faith when he comes again to judge the living and the dead?
     Do not lose heart because God is not acting immediately to destroy the wicked.  Do not lose heart because God is granting more time for people to repent.  Do not lose heart because you are confusing God’s patience with inattentiveness.  And so that you do not lose heart, the Lord has given you his word and prayer.  In prayer, you speak to God about your fears and frustrations, your anxiety and your anger, your trails and temptations.  You get to call upon the king of heaven and earth to hear and act, knowing that he does, indeed, care for you and works for your eternal good.  And God has entrusted you with his word where he speaks to you.  The Lord assures you that he lives and reigns over all things.  He speaks tenderly with compassion and mercy.  He directs your attention not to a dying world but to everlasting life, not to the wickedness of men but to the goodness of Jesus. 

     This world will always have its share of evils and injustice.  We can pray for relief and for mercy in the midst of all of it.  But finally, the Church prays, “Come, Lord Jesus.”  He is our refuge and our hope.  Only Jesus will bring eternal freedom from all wickedness.  We keep God’s promises in our thoughts.  We always pray, “Lord, have mercy.”  In this way, we will not lose heart. 

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Sermon -- Wedding of Brandon DuBois and Sarah Percival (October 18, 2025)

This sermon was preached at the wedding of Brandon DuBois and Sarah Percival, conducted at the Detroit Yacht Club.

EPHESIANS 5:23-33

THE GODLY GROOM EXALTS HIS BELOVED BRIDE.

In the name + of Jesus.

    The Bible begins with a marriage.  The Lord saw that it was not good for the man to be alone, so he created a helper suitable for him.  From the side of the groom, God gave life to his bride and united them as one.  God blessed them, and they were to be a blessing for each other.

     This is still God’s plan.  Marriage is the blessed union of one man and one woman—faithfully and exclusively joined together.  It is still a blessed union.  And it will be a blessing for you, Brandon and Sarah, to be bound together.  You will get to go through life together—supporting each other in difficult days, rejoicing together in good days, and benefiting from just being together in the many other days that are routine or boring. 

     As God joins you together today, he gives each of you specific roles.  Sarah, God instructs you, “Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he himself is the Savior.  Moreover, as the church submits to Christ, so also wives are to submit to their husbands in everything” (Ephesians 5:22-24).  These words make many women cringe, although it is often a misunderstanding of what God’s design is. 

     First of all, nowhere in Scripture is any man instructed to make sure that his wife submits to him.  This is not about a man putting a woman in her place.  It is about a wife willingly submitting to receive the benefits of having a husband.  It is about supporting him as he leads the family.  It is about working together for the good of the household. 

     I suppose many people feel like the woman is given the harder role or that this submission belittles or degrades her.  But let’s listen to what God tells husbands.  “Husbands, love your wives, in the same way as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25).  Brandon, you are responsible for the well-being of your wife and your household.  As the head of the house, you are to provide for your wife, protect her, exalt her, and sacrifice for her.  How much?  St. Paul said “as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25).  Love for your wife means seeking her good.  It means giving yourself up for her and giving yourself to her.  And Sarah, by submitting to him, you have to put up with that.  A godly groom exalts his beloved bride.

     St. Paul says that marriage is but a reflection of Christ and his Church.  Jesus Christ is the groom, and the Church is his beloved, beautiful bride.  Now, the Church is not naturally beautiful.  In fact, our sins are quite ugly.  Just consider how sin rears its ugly head in marriage.  Husbands and wives are supposed to be blessings to each other.  But how many spouses become rivals?  How many compete with each other to see who can get their way at the expense of the other?  How many keep track of wins and losses?  Rather than forgiving one another, how many make each other pay for their sins against each other again and again and again? 

     I don’t mean to scare you, but every marriage has its problems.  You are both sinners.  You will have problems.  Sarah, you may be tempted to treat Brandon like a 2^nd grader.  Worse, Brandon, you may prefer it, expecting Sarah to mother you like a 2^nd grader so that you can lie back and avoid your responsibilities.  Even if you think your sins benefit you, they do not benefit your marriage.  Yes, it can get ugly.  Now, not every sin you commit will be against each other, but every sin is an offense before God.  We sin against God with every heartless actions, every cruel word, and every self-centered thought. 

     Our Lord does not overlook these things.  What he does do is pay for them.  The church is not naturally beautiful, but Jesus Christ sacrificed himself for her, taking up all her sins and suffering and dying for her—not because we deserve it, but because of his faithful and enduring love for us.  He “did this so that he could present her to himself as a glorious church, having no stain or wrinkle or any such thing, but so that she would be holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:27).  When Jesus was suspended from the cross, he was pierced with a spear.  Out of that wound poured forth blood and water.  Once again, from the side of the groom, he gave life to his bride.  The blood of Jesus has purified you of all unrighteousness.  Through the waters of baptism, Jesus cleansed you of all sin.  You have been clothed in garments of salvation.  You are presented to the Lord in beauty and radiance.  The godly groom exalts his beautiful bride.

     The Church submits to Christ, but his bride is not belittled by submitting to him.  On the contrary, the Church is exalted by submitting to him.  Jesus does all things for her good.  In turn, she exalts him for his goodness and for his salvation.  “This is a great mystery, but I am talking about Christ and the church.  In any case, each one of you also is to love his wife as himself, and each wife is to respect her husband” (Ephesians 5:32-33).  The godly groom exalts his beloved bride.

     Brandon and Sarah, God intends your marriage to be a tremendous blessing for each of you.  Each of you gets to seek the good of the other, and you have a whole lifetime to dedicate yourself to this joyful duty.  This godly love seeks not to take, but to give.  It is eager to serve and to pour itself out for the good of the other person—just as Christ has done for the Church and just as the Church does for Christ.  A godly groom exalts his beautiful bride, and the bride responds by exalting her beloved husband.

     The Bible began with a wedding in the Garden of Eden.  It also ends with a wedding in the Paradise of God.  “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9).  The Lord has bound himself to you so that you will be his forever.  Remain committed to him as he is committed to you.  Remain committed to each other.  The blessed union of marriage is God’s plan.  It is seen in the union of a man and woman.  It is fulfilled in the union of Christ and his Church.  The godly groom exalts his beloved bride.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.