Thursday, March 6, 2025

Update from Good Shepherd (March 6, 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 after Easter.

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

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS
          We will spring ahead in the wee hours of Sunday, March 9.  In order to get enough sleep and be rested for Sunday morning, move your clocks ahead early on Saturday, get mentally adjusted, and go to bed at your regular time.  (Although, relying on your cell phone makes this advice obsolete.)   
          Plan B: Lose that hour of sleep, but take a nap Sunday afternoon.
          In any case, plan accordingly or else you will show up in time for the Benediction and then go right back home.

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.
          March 12      Revealing Our Sinful Nature. (Psalm 51:5)
          March 19      Realizing Our Need for Repentance. (Ps 51:1-2)
          March 26      Recognizing Against Whom We Sin. (Ps 51:3-4)
          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.

PICTORIAL DIRECTORY PREP
          It has been quite a few years since Good Shepherd has produced a pictorial directory. We have also enjoyed added new members since then. In order for us to feel more connected to one another, we will produce a new pictorial directory so that you can be more easily acquainted with your fellow members. We will produce this in house, but it will require a good deal of planning and work. Our planning will begin on Sunday, March 9 after church. If you are interested in offering any assistance to this project, join us for the meeting. If you are interested but unable to attend, please speak with Pastor Schroeder.


SACRED MUSIC FOR THE SEASON OF LENT
          “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” “In the Cross of Christ I Glory,” “My Song Is Love Unknown,” “A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth.” Beginning Ash Wednesday, you can listen to sacred music for the season of Lent 24/7 at lutheranpublicradio.org, TuneIn, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomePod and the Lutheran Public Radio mobile app.

EUCHRE NIGHTS
            On the Sundays through March 30, there will be potential for euchre nights.  Various members will host for the evening, which means the venue will change from week to week.  If you are not a euchre player and want to come for the sake of visiting with your fellow members, please do.  It is very likely that not every euchre player will be able to play each game.
            To indicate your willingness to host a particular Sunday, please respond to welsnovi@aol.com.  As of this writing, almost all dates need hosts.

          MARCH 9 -- At Wozniak's, 6:30 PM.  Bring snacks to share.

OPEN FORUM HIGHLIGHTS (February)

> The new cabinets for the renovated the kitchen at the church have been ordered. We expect them to be here about April 7. Renovations will occur after Easter to allow us to use our existing kitchen for Lenten dinners and Easter breakfast.  If you are interested in using the old cabinets for your own usage, please speak with Bob Wozniak to claim them before they are deposited in a dumpster.  The flooring is still available.  It will hit the curb when some of the snow melts, so time is short.

> 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.


EASTER FOR KIDS PREP MEETING
          Our next organizational meeting for Easter for Kids will be after church on Sunday, March 16.  We will need people to attend each of the five stations for our visitors, as well as others who can assist with crafts as needed and to interact with our guests. To find out how you can serve, speak with Pastor Schroeder or join us on March 16.

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.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE
           Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the service from March 2, 2025: 
Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, March 2, 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.

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.

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 

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