Update from Good Shepherd (March 27, 2025)

Greetings!

REGULAR SCHEDULE 

Divine Service is Sunday at 10:00 AM.
Adult Bible Class is on Sunday at 9:00 AM.
Mid-week Lenten Services are on Wednesdays through April 9.
          Supper – 6:00 PM.  Vespers – 7:00 PM.
Bible Matters will resume on Wednesday, April 23 at 6:30 PM.

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

LENTEN VESPERS

          We will continue to have mid-week Lenten services throughout the season of Lent. There will be a supper served at 6:00 PM. Vespers will be at 7:00 PM. Our theme for the mid-week services will be “Reflections on Repentance,” all based on portions of Psalm 51. The schedule is here.
          April 2           Restored by His Sacrifice. (Psalm 51:14-17)
          April 9           Removing Our Guilt. (Psalm 51:8-9)

WORSHIP NOTES FOR LENTEN SEASON
          We will be making use of Service Setting 2 throughout the Lenten season.

          You will also notice elements missing from the service to highlight that this is a penitential season.  We will omit the Gloria in Excelsis and Alleluias.  The altar will be devoid of flowers.  

          As we get closer to Holy Week, other elements of our worship will be omitted as well.  This is a Lenten fast for our ears and eyes.  All these elements will be restored when we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord on Easter.

ADULT BIBLE CLASS
          The prophet Malachi was the last prophet among the Old Testament writers. He prophesied about 400 BC. The next prophet from the Lord was John the Baptist, beginning his preaching about 29 AD. What was going on between these two prophets? Was God silent? Was he active? What was going on with God’s covenant and with God’s people?
          Our Bible study will consider “The Time Between the Testaments,” as the Lord was setting the stage for the coming of the Christ.  The tentative schedule can be found here.  Bible Class is on Sundays at 9:00 AM.

EASTER FOR KIDS PREP MEETING
          On Sunday March 30, we will have another organizational meeting to check out our progress in preparing for our Easter for Kids event. Our event is an Easter journey where participants will visit different stations representing Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. There will also be a selfie station which will provide other activities. How can you help? We will need the following:
     > A set-up crew on Friday, April 11.
     > A person or two at the reception desk to register and to distribute a passport to each guest
     > “Tour guides” at each of the three station to tell that part of the story, to stamp the passport, and to assist with the craft
     > Characters at each station – a disciple or two at the cross; a Roman soldier or two guarding the tomb; and an angel or two at empty tomb.
     > A person to welcome people to the selfie station, give the gift bag to all who completed their passport, and to supervise any who stay to color sheets, etc…
          None of these tasks is hard, but all are necessary. If you can give a few hours of your time at our Easter for Kids on Saturday, April 12 (10 AM – Noon), it will be appreciated. Volunteers will enjoy a meal after the event.

EUCHRE NIGHTS
            Our final euchre night will be on March 30 at church at 6:30 PM.  Snacks are always appreciated.

OPEN FORUM HIGHLIGHTS (March)

>    The new cabinets for the renovation of the kitchen at the church have been ordered.  We expect them to be here about April 7.  Renovations will not occur until after Easter to allow us to use our existing kitchen for Lenten dinners and Easter breakfast.  Sadly, the dates of our renovations will mean that we will not be able to host the Ladies’ Brunch this year.

>   Our Evangelism & Stewardship Committees met to set up some tentative dates of interest:

               Lenten dinners – Wednesdays through April 9.
               Euchre nights -- Sunday nights through March 30.
               April 12 -- Easter for Kids
               April 20 -- Easter services and Easter breakfast
We welcome members to join us and to help plan these various events. Even if you take charge of one event, that will benefit us all.

>  We will be looking at options to replace the windows in the chapel that are above the altar and the organ pipes.  We are also looking at options to reduce or eliminate the blinding sun.  If you are interested in offering input, samples can be viewed on Sunday, March 23.  Inquiries can be made to Bob Wozniak.

>  We will be ordering five large print hymnals for those with weak eyesight to use.  While the hymnals will be the same as our regular hymnals, they will be much larger.  Unfortunately, that also means they will be heavier.  Anyone interested in the large print hymnals should request them from the ushers.  The arrival date of these hymnals is yet unknown.

>  We are eager to follow up on our Everyone Outreach seminar from last fall.  While we have set up some congregational events at which we could invite guests, we also want to encourage individuals to be more zealous in confessing their faith or in inviting friends to church for worship or fellowship outings.  

NEW VESTMENTS

          A generous gift was given to Good Shepherd.  We have received a new set of vestments for each season of the church year.  Most noticeable will be chasubles.  They will be dedicated to the glory of our Lord in an upcoming service, and the chasubles will make their debut on Easter Sunday.  To understand more about the chasubles and vestments in general, you can check out this blog post.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE
           Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the service from March 23, 2025: Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, March 23, 2025

REGULAR OFFICE HOURS

            The pastor will try to hold formal office hours Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – Noon. It should be noted that some meetings are scheduled for those times. It is best 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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SHARE THIS POST!
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In Christ,
Pastor Schroeder

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REGULAR SCHEDULE
DIVINE SERVICES are on Sundays at 10:00 AM.
Adult Bible Class -- Sundays at 9:00 AM.  

Mid-Week Lenten Vespers -- Wednesdays through Apil 9.

     Supper -- 6:00 PM.   Vespers -- 7:00 PM

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

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