Sermon -- Pentecost (May 24, 2026)

THE HOLY SPIRIT MAKES GOD KNOWN.

ACTS 2:1-21

In the name + of Jesus.

     How do you know where to find God?  People have crafted many ideas about where and how to find God.  Some tell you to look within yourself to hear the voice of God, either through meditation or trusting your feelings.  This is appealing because we end up crafting God in our own image.  Others tell you that you can see the face of God in a newborn baby, in a homeless person, or in any stranger.  These are objects of our compassion, but they are not God.  You may be told you can find God in the beauty of creation.  If you can marvel at the grandeur of a mountain range, at the serenity of a brook, or at the vastness of space, they say, you can catch a glimpse of God.  While all created things bear witness to God’s existence, they are not God.

     God, however, has made himself known; and he tells us where to find him.  In the Old Testament, God was quite specific about this.  He spoke to Moses and told him, “(The Israelites) are to make a sanctuary for me, so that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8).  He promised that that is where the people would find him.  Eventually, King Solomon constructed a permanent dwelling for the Lord.  Once again, God gave a promise about Solomon’s Temple: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house for sacrifice.  …Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer from this place.  I have chosen and consecrated this house for my Name to be there forever.  My eyes and my heart will be there every day” (2 Chronicles 7:12,15,16).  The Lord had made it clear where he would be found.  He fixed one place where he put his name, where he would meet his people, and where he would bestow his favor upon them.

     Even though the Lord was very clear about where he would be found and how he was to be worshiped, people still proved themselves sinners and turned to their own inventive ways.  They did not come before God as he had directed.  They wanted God to be the way they thought and felt.  God had first created man in his own image.  But men became sinners and chose to craft God in their own image.  This invented god is not God.  There is no life or mercy or hope in any fabricated God.  To find those, you need to know who the true God is and cling to him.  To find God, God must reveal himself to us.  The Holy Spirit makes God known to us. 

     God is made known most vividly in Jesus of Nazareth.  He is God in the flesh.  In him, we see how God speaks and acts.  In Jesus, we see how God interacts with other people—in mercy on those in need, in patience with sinners and those slow to understand, and in diligently upholding God’s commands—both in his life and in what is expected of us.  We see it especially in his redeeming love in which he gave himself as the ransom payment for our sins.  Jesus rescued us from the consequences of approaching God according to our desires, of crafting a god who is just like us, and of living to please ourselves rather than God.  Jesus delivered us from the curse we deserve.  He bore our curse and revealed God’s blessing.  He has won our place in the kingdom of God.

     After completing his work of paying for the sins of the world and conquering death by his resurrection, Jesus ascended to heaven.  So, it’s not like we can travel to one place to find Jesus and to see the face of God.  We cannot meet Jesus to receive his blessing and his benefits.  So, how does he deliver those to us?    

     In the second part of the Apostles’ Creed, we confess who Jesus is and what he has done to save us.  The Apostles’ Creed does not get to the blessings that Jesus won until we get to the Holy Spirit.  It is the Holy Spirit who imparts the blessings Jesus won.  So, our confession about the Holy Spirit includes these things: “the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.”  Jesus won those benefits, but they are delivered you to by the Holy Spirit. 

     When the day of Pentecost came, the Holy Spirit whom Jesus promised was poured out upon his apostles.  The signs of his coming were obvious—the sound of a violent wind which filled a house, the flames of fire resting upon their heads, and the ability to speak in many unlearned, foreign languages.  The crowds who heard the violent wind also acknowledged the languages.  They also acknowledged the content of the apostles’ preaching: “We hear them declaring in our own languages the wonderful works of God” (Acts 2:11).   This is where the Holy Spirit was at work.  This is where life in God’s kingdom is given.  This is where the Holy Spirit makes God known. 

     The day of Pentecost produced a seismic shift in where God said he would be found.  In the Old Testament, God confined himself to one location where he put his name.  There, the sacrifices were made.  There, God listened to his people’s cry for mercy. The day of Pentecost changed where God would be found from one place to many places.  If God wanted to have his disciples lock into one place on earth, he would not have blessed the apostles to speak in languages which were spoken around the world.  Rather, he would have converted all the people to speak Hebrew so that they would find him in one location—his temple. 

     But now, the Holy Spirit makes God known wherever his word is preached.  Through that word, the Holy Spirit makes God known to all people.  And the Holy Spirit does more than impart knowledge.  Just knowing Bible facts does not save anyone.  Rather, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21)—whether they call upon the Lord in Hebrew, Russian, Hindi, German, or English.  God has chosen to bless all languages to carry the good news of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.  As St. Paul declared, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).  The message of Christ was given by the Holy Spirit to the apostles and prophets.  They wrote it so we can hear and read it.  The Lord does not tell us that we have to learn Hebrew or Greek if we want to know what God has to say.  Rather, God’s word has been translated into almost every language on earth so that everyone can call upon the Lord in their own native language and be saved.  Through the word, whether in Greek, Farsi, Finnish, Urdu, or even in Braille, the Holy Spirit makes God known to all people. 

     While the Holy Spirit does not draw attention to himself, you cannot get far into the Bible before you find him at work.  You have to make it to verse 2.  “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was undeveloped and empty.  Darkness covered the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:1-2).  The Holy Spirit was connected with the waters.  The Holy Spirit plus water results in a new creation.  And isn’t that what happened to you?  When you were baptized, the Holy Spirit connected to the water made you a new creation. 

     Not only did he change your status from sinner to saint, but the Holy Spirit also took up residence within you.  As a result, you are now the temple of God.  St. Paul wrote: “Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit lives in you?  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him.  For God’s temple is holy, and that is what you are” 1 (Corinthians 3:16-17).  So, rather than command you to go to one place where God has placed his name, such as the temple in Jerusalem, now God has put his name upon you.  God dwells in you and is with you at all times and in all places.  That means that God’s favor always rests upon you.  Your sins are continually forgiven.  Your place in God’s kingdom is certain and constant.  There is nothing for you to fear—not war or pestilence, not loss of health or wealth, not unfaithful friends or bitter enemies, not death or the devil.  You are the Lord’s and the Lord is yours.  The Holy Spirit has made all of this known to you.

     As we had considered earlier, it is not merely the knowledge of God and the Bible that saves you.  It is by faith that you are saved.  It is through faith that you receive the forgiveness of sins, new life, and salvation.  And to sustain this faith, you and I gather together where the word is preached and the sacraments are administered.  This is where God is found to strengthen and sustain us in this saving faith.  In order for anything to remain alive, it needs to be nourished.  If you stop providing nourishment, whatever is living will starve and die.  Consider a bouquet of flowers.  When they are delivered to you, they look and smell beautiful.  You can put them in a vase, and that will keep them looking and smelling beautiful for a while.  But since they have been cut off from their root, it will not be long before they wither.  They dry out.  Their petals fall off.  Eventually, they are tossed in the trash.  Faith is the same. 

     St. Peter assured the Pentecost crowd, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21).  Those who do not hear the word of the Lord and who are not fed by the body and blood of the Lord will eventually stop calling upon the name of the Lord.  It does not mean they forget who Jesus is.  Knowledge won’t die, but trust in the Lord and in his promises fades and dies when it is not being nourished.  You neglect God’s word and sacrament at the peril of your faith and your salvation.  St. Paul declared, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).  That is a present tense.  Faith comes.  It continues to come and it grows and it is strengthened, because the Holy Spirit comes through the words he gave to the apostles and prophets.  That’s how he makes God known to you.  This is where God is found for your benefit.

     The Holy Spirit has enlightened you to see Jesus as your Savior.  The Holy Spirit has called you to know God as a merciful and faithful Father.  The Holy Spirit has gathered you and people from around the world with their various languages into the kingdom of God.  The Holy Spirit has set you apart from sin and death and sanctifies you for lives of godliness and holiness.  For, the Holy Spirit does not only make God known to you, he works in you the desire to live according to the word of the Lord.  In this way, the Holy Spirit also makes you known as God’s people.  Thanks to the Holy Spirit, God is known to you.  You are known to God.  God is yours.  You are God’s.  And you will be forever.

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

Update from Good Shepherd (May 21, 2026)

Greetings!

SUMMER SCHEDULE (Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend)
Divine Service is Sundays at 10:00 AM.

Bible Matters is Wednesdays at 6:30 PM and runs through May 27.  

Sunday School and Adult Bible Class will resume on Sunday, September 13.  

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

OPEN FORUM / VOTERS’ MEETING
          We will have our summer Open Forum after church on Sunday, June 21. The Voters’ meeting will follow to ratify any actions that need to be made.

BIBLE MATTERS
          Our Spring series is entitled, "Who Are These People? Lessons on Lesser-Known People of the Bible." We will be looking at some less than familiar people from the Old Testament and consider what lessons they can teach us today. Bible Matters will meet through May 27.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE

           Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the Divine Service from May 10, 2026: Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, May 10, 2026

CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS (May)

>          On Thursday, June 4, Good Shepherd will host a table at Novi’s Community Day.  Community Day will be held at the Novi Civic Center.  Feel free to stop by between 4:00-8:00 PM and say “Hi” to us. 

>          Payment has been made on a Smart TV to replace our projector and screen in the fellowship hall.  We are still waiting for its delivery.  It will be installed shortly after that. 

>          We have had issues recording the service and uploading them on our YouTube channel.  We will be looking at replacing some equipment and running new wiring to improve our recordings.  When the new equipment is in place, we will begin to live-stream our services again.

>          We are hoping to have the chairs in the sanctuary reupholstered.  One estimate has been received at a cost of $450 per chair.  We are attaining a few other estimates before we begin this project.

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS
          The pastor will be a little looser in observing formal office hours in the summer (usually, Monday-Thursday, 9:00 AM – Noon). During the summer months, it is more enjoyable to read outside than in the office, weather permitting. 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

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

SUMMER SCHEDULE (Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend)

DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 AM.

Bible Matters -- Wednesdays at 6:30 PM, concludes on May 27. 

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

PASTOR SCHROEDER’S BLOG

www.LutheranSubject.blogspot.com  

Sermon -- Ascension of our Lord, transferred (May 17, 2026)

JESUS IS EXALTED TO EXALT YOU.

EPHESIANS 1:15-23

In the name + of Jesus.

M:       Alleluia!  Christ is risen!

Cong:  He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

     Every Sunday, we confess about Jesus, “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty” (Apostles’ Creed).  Jesus Christ is exalted above all things, just as St. Paul wrote: “(God) raised (Jesus) from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Ephesians 1:20-21).  There is no one who is greater, more powerful, more sovereign than Jesus.  He is exalted above all things and all people.

     During his life, Jesus was not exalted.  Rather, we speak of his humiliation.  In this case, humiliation is not embarrassment.  God the Son was not embarrassed to become a man.  But God the Son humbled himself to take the form of a servant—subservient to the demands of God’s Law and subservient to the trials, temptations, and troubles of a sinful world.  Jesus made himself subservient to his enemies who slandered him, seized him, and sentenced him.  God the Son humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.  Jesus humbled himself so that he could exalt you.

     You and I have every reason to humble ourselves.  Consider what St. Paul wrote to the Philippians: “In humility consider one another better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).  How are you doing with that?  How many people do you consider better than yourself?  Who knows your sins better than you do?  You might see some sins in other people, but you know all of yours.  Despite our sins, we don’t humble ourselves as we ought.  If you believe that your sins deserve God’s righteous judgment, then how could you boast that you deserve honor?  And how could you exalt yourself over others?  This is what the Lord says, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled” (Matthew 23:12).  If you will not humble yourself before the Lord, he will humble you at the final judgment.  Repent.

     God the Son humbled himself to die on a cross.  More than that, God the Son humbled himself to be cursed for us.  Jesus willingly took the lowest place, dying as THE sinner on behalf of all sinners.  Jesus humbled himself in order to exalt you.  His humility atones for your exalting yourself over others.  He died in shame to secure eternal glory for you.  He has pulled you up from an eternity of hellfire so that you will receive the everlasting peace and joy of heaven.  Jesus was humbled to exalt you.

     We think of Jesus’ crucifixion as a beautiful thing.  We have adorned our sanctuary with a processional crucifix.  For, it is not the bare cross that paid for the sins of the world, but it was the God who suffered and died on that cross which pays for the sins of all.  Faith sees the crucified Lord as something beautiful and glorious, but there was never any beauty in crucifixion.  There was never intended to be.  The Romans carried out this sentence publicly so that no one else would be emboldened to attempt what the condemned man had done.  They stripped their victims to die naked.  They made this death as shameful as they could.  In many cases, the bodies were also left on the cross to rot, left for birds of prey.  If this disgusts you, that’s what was intended.  There was no glory in crucifixion. 

     We are not scandalized by the cross because we know that was the payment for our sins.  Just as we are not scandalized by Jesus’ humble sufferings and death, neither are we astounded by Jesus’ exaltation and ascension into heaven.  Who is surprised to hear that God rules over everything?  Even though God the Son humbled himself to be our Savior, he never stopped being God.  He never lost his power, glory, or majesty.  So, it’s not like he was given back glory that was taken from him.  That God, who humbled himself, is now again exalted does not come as a shock.  The shock is that a man has been exalted.  Jesus did not shed his humanity when he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven.  This man now possesses all power, glory, and majesty.  The hosts of heaven proclaim his praise: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing” (Revelation 5:12).  Now, a man has all things under his feet.  Now, a man holds all authority in heaven and on earth.  Now, a man has ascended to reign in heaven, equal to the Father and the Holy Spirit.  This is what it means that Jesus is exalted.  This is certainly worthy of praise. 

     On June 10, 1945, there was a parade in New York City.  General Dwight D. Eisenhower was honored with a ticker-tape parade.  It is estimated that over 5,000 tons of paper, confetti, and cloth were thrown from the buildings.  An estimated four million people were there to celebrate General Eisenhower.  Now, if the celebration were just to honor Eisenhower for being a general or for coming to New York, the celebration would have served no purpose except to stroke his ego.  But the people celebrated because Eisenhower commanded the Allied troops to defeat Nazi Germany and save thousands, if not millions, of lives.  So, the people celebrated not just because of Eisenhower’s victory, but because Eisenhower’s victory benefited them.  He conquered the enemy for them!

     If Jesus’ ascension is only about his glory and honor, then we might think, “Well, good for him.”  But St. Paul reminds you that Jesus’ ascension is not for his exaltation alone.  “God placed all things under his feet and made him head over everything for the church” (Ephesians 1:22, emphasis added).  Jesus lives and reigns over all things for you!  This man went into death to redeem you from damnation.  This man conquered the grave so that death and the grave would not hold mankind.  This man ascended into heaven, paving the way for mankind to enter the glories of heaven and to dwell with the Father in peace.  This man now lives and reigns over all things for you.  Jesus is exalted to exalt you!

     God the Son became a man to redeem mankind.  Upon completing this mission, Jesus is exalted to the highest place.  But he did not stop being a man.  Instead, Jesus exalts our humanity.  He shows us what God intends us to be.  And at the resurrection, you will not be changed into another person or become something completely different.  You will be raised up perfect people—with whole bodies, sound minds, pure thoughts, and godly attitudes.  God first created mankind to be holy and he called them good.  Jesus will exalt you back to such glory.  Jesus is exalted to exalt you.

     “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty” (Apostles’ Creed).  “God placed all things under his feet and made him head over everything for the church” (Ephesians 1:22, emphasis added).  Here is where we still need to practice our humility.  If Jesus is ruling over all things for the good of his Church, we might ask, “Then why isn’t everything good?  Why do I have to endure weaknesses?  Why must I bear a cross?  Why do I still endure a troubled world?  Why do I still struggle with sin and temptation?” 

     Dear Christians, Jesus is ruling all things for your good.  But understand that Jesus’ goal is not just to make life easy so that you can coast through it.  If he did, you would conclude that you don’t need Jesus.  But he lets you suffer weaknesses so that you will call upon him for strength.  He makes you bear a cross so you will put to death desires for a perfect world when your desires should be for the Paradise to come.  He leaves you in a troubled world so that you can bear witness to many troubled souls that Jesus is the remedy for all troubles. 

     He humbles you for the time being so that he will finally exalt you forever.  After all, this is the pattern Jesus himself followed when he walked the earth.  On the earth, Jesus dwelt in a state of humiliation.  It was not until his resurrection that Jesus was exalted to glory.  And so it is with you.  In this world, you are humbled, but at the resurrection, you will be exalted to glory.  That is the good that Jesus intends for you, and it is the good that he is working in you and for you.  Jesus is exalted to exalt you.

     This is the prayer that St. Paul prayed for the Ephesian Christians, and it is still the prayer for Christians today.  Paul wrote, “I keep praying that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, will give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing Christ fully.  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope to which he has called you, just how rich his glorious inheritance among the saints is, and just how surpassingly great his power is for us who believe” (Ephesians 1:17-19). 

     The prayer of the Church is that we get to know Christ more fully and to benefit from the gifts that he gives.  We not only get to know him more fully, we also become more like him.  He became one of us so that we could become more like him—pure in thoughts and speech, devoted to godliness and good works, waiting to be exalted and welcomed into heavenly glory.

     But do not lose sight of this: Jesus has exalted you already.  You are children of the Most High God.  You may not feel like it.  It does not look like it, but it is true.  You have God’s own word on it.  When Jesus walked the earth, he did not look like God the Son.  He did not radiate with glory.  He did not appear in dazzling splendor, with one exception (his transfiguration).  Nevertheless, Jesus is and always was God the Son.  It’s just that his divinity was hidden in his humble state under frail flesh.

     So also, you are children of the Most High God.  You are heirs of heavenly riches.  You are saints destined for endless glory.  Jesus has told you so.  And since his word is supreme, you can be sure that it is true.  It is as St. John wrote in his first epistle, “See the kind of love the Father has given us that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are!  The world does not know us, because it did not know him.  Dear friends, we are children of God now, but what we will be has not yet been revealed.  We know that when he is revealed we will be like him” (1 John 3:1-2). 

     Jesus is exalted to exalt you.  And Jesus will lead you through the path he has set—humility, then glory.  Death, then resurrection, then ascension to the glorious kingdom.  “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty” (Apostles’ Creed)—and all for you.

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

Update from Good Shepherd (May 14, 2026)

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.  

Bible Matters is Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.  

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

EVANGELISM & STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE MEETINGS
          We will be meeting to determine our plans for the summer months. Our efforts are both to tighten the bonds of fellowship among us and to gather others into our fellowship. For this reason, we are combining the efforts of the Evangelism & Stewardship Committees. We will meet on Sunday, May 17 after church to discuss the best ways to do that.

ADULT BIBLE CLASS
          Why do we sing what we sing? Our final Sunday morning Bible Class (May 17) will consider hymns of the Church regarding the Church Militant, the Church Triumphant, and hymns appropriate for the Christian funeral. Adult Bible Class meets at 9:00 AM on Sunday.

BIBLE MATTERS
          Our Spring series is entitled, "Who Are These People? Lessons on Lesser-Known People of the Bible." We will be looking at some less than familiar people from the Old Testament and consider what lessons they can teach us today. Bible Matters will meet through May 27.

ICE CREAM SOCIAL

          After church on Sunday, May 17, we will have an ice cream social as we mark the end of our Sunday School and Adult Bible Classes for the summer months.  If you would like to contribute items for the ice cream social, you can go to this Sign Up Genius link to indicate what you would bring.  Thanks for your generosity.

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE

           Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the Divine Service from May 10, 2026: Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, May 10, 2026

CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS (May)

>          On Thursday, June 4, Good Shepherd will host a table at Novi’s Community Day.  Community Day will be held at the Novi Civic Center.  Feel free to stop by between 4:00-8:00 PM and say “Hi” to us. 

>          Payment has been made on a Smart TV to replace our projector and screen in the fellowship hall.  We are still waiting for its delivery.  It will be installed shortly after that. 

>          We have had issues recording the service and uploading them on our YouTube channel.  We will be looking at replacing some equipment and running new wiring to improve our recordings.  When the new equipment is in place, we will begin to live-stream our services again.

>          We are planning a Work Bee on Saturday, May 16.  Look for a list of projects that we will try to tackle.

>          We are hoping to have the chairs in the sanctuary reupholstered.  One estimate has been received at a cost of $450 per chair.  We are attaining a few other estimates before we begin this project.

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. 

SUMMER SCHEDULE BEGINS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

DIVINE SERVICES -- Sundays at 10:00 AM.

Bible Matters -- Wednesdays at 6:30 PM, concludes on May 27. 

GOOD SHEPHERD’S WEBSITE
www.GoodShepherdNovi.org

PASTOR SCHROEDER’S BLOG

www.LutheranSubject.blogspot.com  

Worship Note: The Paschal Candle at the Ascension of our Lord

THE PASCHAL CANDLE ON THE FESTIVAL OF THE ASCENSION

            The Paschal Candle is lit for all Divine Services during the forty days from Easter Sunday to Ascension Day.  It reminds us how the Risen Savior, the Light of the World, dwelled with his apostles for forty days following his resurrection. 

            Today, as we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord (transferred from last Thursday), we note Jesus’ departure from this world.  He has ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

            Jesus’ departure is symbolized by the departure of the Paschal Candle from the nave as the gospel lesson is read.  Although it is carried out of our sight, its light is not extinguished.  For, though Jesus is no longer visible to his Church, the Light of the word has not been extinguished.  He is with us whenever we gather in his name to give us blessing and salvation.

Making the move to Lake City, Minnesota

Last weekend, Laura and I made a trip to Lake City, Minnesota to move a trailer-full of items to the parsonage.  This gave us a chance to see the parsonage in person to determine whether or not we should purge ourselves of more household goods.  (I think we should, anyway.)  It also gave us a chance to see the church where I will serve for, God-willing, the remainder of my ministry.  There is more to be shared about St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lake City later, but for now, here are a few photos.

YouTube -- 6th Sunday of Easter (May 10, 2026)

 Here is the Divine Service from Sunday, May 10, 2026.  It joins the service in progress at the sermon.

Update from Good Shepherd (May 7, 2026)

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 NOT meet on May 10.

Bible Matters is Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.  

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

ADULT BIBLE CLASS

          Why do we sing what we sing?  Our Sunday morning Bible Class is looking at the hymns of the Church dating all the way back to the earliest songs of praise which were rendered to our Lord.  Hymns can be judged as good, medium, and bad.  How is that judgment determined?  Why does the pastor select the hymns he does?  We will explore these questions and others as we give careful attention to the songs we sing in worship.  The schedule can be found here.  Adult Bible Class meets at 9:00 AM on Sunday. NOTE: Adult Bible Class will NOT meet on May 10.

BIBLE MATTERS

          Our Spring series is, "Who Are These People?  Lessons on Lesser-Known People of the Bible."  The schedule is here.  We meet on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM.  

GOOD SHEPHERD ON YOUTUBE

           Services are uploaded to YouTube each week. Feel free to share the videos. Here is the Divine Service from April 12, 2026: Good Shepherd Novi, Divine Service, April 12, 2026

CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS (April)

>     On Thursday, June 4, Good Shepherd will host a table at Novi’s Community Day.  Feel free to stop by between 4:00-8:00 PM and say “Hi” to us. 

>    The windows above the altar and organ pipes have been replaced!! Hopefully the blinding rays of the sun will be reduced significantly. 

>    Payment has been made on a Smart TV to replace our projector and screen in the fellowship hall.  We are waiting for its delivery and we will be installed shortly after that. 

>    We have had issues recording the service and uploading them on our YouTube channel.  We will be looking at replacing some equipment and running new wiring to improve our recordings.  When the new equipment is in place, we will begin to live-stream our services again.

>    We are planning a Work Bee on Saturday, May 16.  Look for a list of projects that we will try to tackle.

>    Upon the completion of the windows being replaced, we will be looking to tackle another large project—the reupholstering of the chairs in the sanctuary.  The current chairs are about 30 years old and the cushions are disintegrating.  One estimate has been received at a cost of $450 per chair.  We will be attaining another estimate before we begin this project.

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

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REGULAR SCHEDULE

Sunday School -- Sundays at 9:00 AM.

Adult Bible Class -- Sundays at 9:00 AM.

       NOTE: We will NOT have Adult Bible Class on May 10.

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  

Letter to Good Shepherd re: departure and plans for a new pastor

This letter, slightly redacted, was sent to the members of Good Shepherd to alert everyone of a change in ministry at Good Shepherd and the plans as the congregation says "Goodbye" to one pastor and makes plans to welcome another.

Dear Members of Good Shepherd,

            On March 10, St. John’s Lutheran Church of Lake City, Minnesota issued a Divine Call to me to serve as their pastor.  On Sunday, April 19, I announced that I have accepted that call.

            Lake City is a city of about 5,000 on the Mississippi River.  St. John’s is a congregation of about 550 baptized members.  They have a Lutheran elementary school of about 70 with a preschool of about 30 children.  They have been without a pastor for almost two years.  The school has been working for the past three school years with a principal who had planned retirement but held on while they waited for the principal Call to be filled.  As of this writing, they are still waiting, and the current acting principal is retiring for good.  My installation at St. John’s will be Sunday, July 12.

            St. John’s had also called Laura to be a 4^th-5^th grade teacher.  For various reasons, especially that she feels this grade level is outside of her area of ability and interest, she has declined her Call to serve as teacher.

            So, what comes next for Good Shepherd?

            While plans continue to be addressed and updated, there are a few plans in place.  My final Sunday at Good Shepherd will be on June 14.  I anticipate that we will be moved out of the parsonage just a few days after that.  A definite date for the move is still to be determined.

            Good Shepherd will have an open house farewell on Sunday, June 7.  More details will come soon.

            Ken R., the church council president, has contacted  the president of the Michigan District of WELS to arrange a pre-call meeting.  This meeting will advise the District President about what particular strengths Good Shepherd hopes to find in their next pastor.  It will help him to draft a list of candidates from which Good Shepherd will extend a Divine Call.  Further inquiries about this meeting and any other input you might have can be addressed to Ken or to one of our elders, Tom B., Mark C., or Ron R.  The date for the pre-call meeting will be announced when it is set.  The meeting for actually issuing a Call will likely not take place until July. 

            While we are looking forward to our move to Lake City and the opportunities at St. John’s, we will be forever grateful for the friendships, encouragement, support, and the love that we have received from Good Shepherd over the past thirty years.

            We will continue to keep the members and acquaintances of Good Shepherd in our prayers as you make plans to receive your next pastor according to our Lord’s timing and mercy.

            God bless and keep you.

 In Christ,

Pastor Thomas E. Schroeder

Sermon -- Chapel at Hope Christian Academy

This sermon was reworked from a sermon that was preached at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Novi on May 14, 2023.  

It was preached at Hope Christian Academy on May 5, 2026.

ACTS 17:22-31

WE WORSHIP THE ONLY GOD WORTH KNOWING.

In the name + of Jesus.

M:       Alleluia!  Christ is risen!

C:        He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

     When the apostle Paul walked through the streets of Athens, he saw many shrines to many gods.  The Greeks and Romans acknowledged all kinds of gods, each responsible for some part of creation or life.  It was an admission that they were not in control of their lives.  They could not control the weather which, in turn, meant that they had no control over their harvests.  There must be a god who is in charge of those.  They were not in control of what stirs up people to love or war.  Mars and Venus were worshiped for that.  Sailors and travelers knew they had no control over the sea.  A trip to Neptune’s shrine might result in good sailing.  You can at least give the Greeks and Romans credit for recognizing that they did not have control, and that someone influenced times and events.

     As the apostle Paul observed the various temples and shrines for all these gods, he noticed another altar.  He said, “As I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god’” (Acts 17:23).  It was as if the people in Athens did not want to offend any god that they happened to have missed.  Well, the truth is they had missed one—the triune God.  Rather than mock the Athenians for their pagan worship, St. Paul seized the opportunity to teach them about the God they did not know. 

     What Paul encountered in Athens is not much different than what we run into today.  People are still very religious, but they claim to be spiritual.  Many are claiming to be “Nones,” that is, not affiliated with any religion.  When filling out a survey, they check, “None” for religion.  But such people have not abandoned interest in God.  That should not surprise us.  St. Paul noted, “(God) made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth … that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him” (Acts 17:26-27).  So, it is no surprise that people are religious.  What many lack, however, is any real source of truth.  Their faith is in their opinion—or worse, whatever they have seen on a TikTok video.  If people claim to be spiritual, their god is whatever they think he is or should be.  But just as I cannot tell you what you are like, we do not get to tell God what he is like or should be like.  God must reveal himself to us if we are to know him rightly.

     Dear Christians, you do know the triune God who insists, “I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God” (Isaiah 45:5).  “Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.  I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior” (Isaiah 43:10-11).  There can only be one God.  Only one can be almighty.  You can’t have two almighties; one would have to be more powerful than the other.  Only one can reign supreme.  You can’t have two supremes; one would have to be greater than the other.  Our Lord does not allow himself to be worshiped as chief of many gods.  He demands, “You shall have no other gods” (Exodus 20:3); for, there are no other gods.  As it turns out, he is also the only one who saves.  We worship the only God worth knowing. 

     The people of Athens demonstrated a natural knowledge of God.  That was apparent when St. Paul walked through Athens.  In each of the shrines he passed, he saw altars.  What is an altar for?  It is for offerings.  An animal is slaughtered and consumed by fire.  This was done to purchase the favor or to appease the wrath of a god.  In either case, it showed the worshiper was seeking to make things right between themselves and God.  Their consciences testified that something needed to be done to make things right.  So, they made sacrifices at these altars.  But how could they know which offerings were pleasing?  And how could they know if their offerings were enough?  Just as they made assumptions about who God is, so also they had to make assumptions about whether or not some god was pleased with them.

     We worship the only God worth knowing.  The Lord has not only revealed his nature to us, he has also revealed what reconciles us to him.  Jesus has won God’s favor by his perfect obedience.  That favor was poured out upon you in your baptism.  And Jesus also has appeased God’s wrath.  Unlike false gods who demand sacrifices to be appeased, Jesus came to be the sacrifice which appeases God’s wrath.  Jesus took upon himself our sin—the defilement in our hearts that leads us to jealousy, bitterness, and self-centeredness.  What makes us jealous?  We despise someone else’s blessings, thinking that we deserved them more.  What makes us bitter?  We thought we deserved the recognition that someone else got.  We are self-centered, thinking that the universe revolves around us, and we are angry and surprised when others do not agree.

     This sin of making myself my own god affects the way I think others.  And it affects the way I treat others.  It is worthy of God’s wrath.  But Jesus has taken all sin and guilt from us.  He was slaughtered on the cross and there was consumed by God’s fiery wrath.  Since Jesus has taken away the curse of sin, we are not condemned.  Since Jesus has taken into himself the full load of God’s wrath, God has only blessing left for us.  We worship the God who saves, and this is the only God worth knowing.

     How blessed you are to know the true God!  How blessed you are to live your life in peace!  For, the day is coming when we will all have to stand before God to answer for our lives.  St. Paul told the people of Athens, “(God) commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31).  We worship the only God worth knowing who has revealed his word to you so that you don’t have to guess where you stand with him. 

     Jesus died to pay for your sins.  Jesus is risen and lives to proclaim a full pardon and endless peace.  You don’t have to guess or assume it is true.  This is not your opinion that you believe in.  These are the words of your living Savior, and they are the words which he will utter before you at the final judgment.  For your comfort and peace, he proclaims them already!

     When the apostle Paul walked through the streets of Athens, he saw many people clinging to gods that were not real and could not save.  So, he preached to them.  You and I will encounter more and more people who claim to be spiritual, who grew up never going to church, or who have been badly misinformed about what the Bible teaches.  Some do not worship God at all.  Others, because of their assumptions, worship a god which, for all intents and purposes, is an unknown god.  How do you engage them?  Start by asking questions.  What do they believe?  Why do they believe it?  How did they come to that conclusion?  Like St. Paul, you have the word of God which reveals salvation.  You have compassion for the lost.  Start with people where they are, and then proclaim what the true God has revealed.  Through you, God will reveal his mercy, his peace, and his salvation.  Our Triune God is the only God worth knowing.  For, he is the only God who saves, and he is the only God there is.

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

Sermon -- 5th Sunday of Easter (May 3, 2026)

JESUS REVEALS A LOVING FATHER TO YOU.

JOHN 14:1-11

In the name + of Jesus.

M:       Alleluia!  Christ is risen!

C:        He is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

      When St. Paul preached to the philosophers in Athens, he said, “From one man, [God] made every nation of mankind to live over the entire face of the earth.  He determined the appointed times and the boundaries where they would live.  He did this so they would seek God and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:26-27).  In other words, everyone is religious.  Everyone has an innate desire to know who God is.  The atheist is the exception, not the rule.

     You can travel all over the world and find people who practice many different religions.  They all have the same goal—to get on God’s good side.  The way that people try to get on God’s good side is through some act of obedience.  The specific acts of obedience vary from religion to religion, but they all focus on being good and doing something to appease God for the evils they have done.  This is why people insist that all religions are the same.  Do good.  Appease God for your sins.  And hope that you have been able to make God happy enough with you that you can enjoy a good life after death.

     Everyone has this innate desire to know who God is and what he wants.  But how can anyone know he is right?  On what do they base their hopes and their beliefs?  If an eternity hangs in the balance, this is no time to guess. 

     The Lord Jesus makes a bold claim.  Jesus declared, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.  No one comes to the Father, except through me” (John 14:6).  Some may say that all religions are just different paths to heaven, Jesus rejects that completely.  Jesus states emphatically that the only way into that kingdom is through him.  Jesus rejects every other religion on earth. 

     Jesus said, “‘No one comes to the Father, except through me.  If you know me, you would also know my Father.  From now on you do know him and have seen him.’  ‘Lord,’ said Philip, ‘show us the Father, and that is enough for us’” (John 14:6-8).  Philip’s request resonates with all mankind.  Of course, the problem is that we don’t see God.  As a result, people end up trying to reach up into heaven to envision what God wants, what God likes, and what God does.  Often, the result is that we craft a god who is just like we are.  God likes what I like.  God hates what I hate.  If I despise someone, God must hate him too.  If I like that person, she must be going to heaven.  This god is nothing but a mirror.  It is also a great deception because it leads people to believe that they stand on a good footing with God even though they do not know what God says or wants.  It comes down to, “I’m okay with me, so God must be okay with me.”  This is idolatry and blasphemy.

     “Lord, show us the Father, and that is enough for us” (John 14:8).  Our conscience gives us some idea what God is like.  There is fairly common agreement on what is evil and what is good.  But what about appeasing God when you have failed to live up to the dictates of your conscience?  What would be acceptable?  Sacrifice?  And if so, what kind of sacrifice?  And how often?  And how do you know that it would actually appease God?  This is where people are left groping for hope and for comfort.  There is no comfort in guessing.

     Rather that remain hidden, God the Father has chosen to make himself known.  He revealed his words in the past through Moses and the Prophets.  But to give us the most vivid and accurate depiction of himself, God the Father sent his Son into the world.  If you consider what Jesus said, what he did, and how he interacted with other people, then you can see what God the Father is like.  Jesus said it: “If you know me, you would also know my Father.  From now on you do know him and have seen him.  The one who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:7,9).  Jesus reveals a loving Father to you. 

     What evidence does Jesus present?  He said, “Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me.  Or else believe because of the works themselves” (John 14:11).  Jesus performed many miraculous signs.  They are called signs because signs point you to something.  They point you to the fact that Jesus is God in the flesh.  Nicodemus recognized this when he told Jesus, “No one can do these miraculous signs you are doing unless God is with him” (John 3:2).  But the signs point to more than Jesus doing what only God can do.  Through these signs Jesus reveals a loving Father.

     God the Father Almighty is the Maker of heaven and earth.  He created a perfect world filled with beauty.  He crafted holy people to dwell in it.  And even though sin has sullied this world and produced many handicaps in people, God the Father still creates people with sound bodies, with sight, with hearing, with speech, and various abilities as he sees fit.  Does the fact that some are born blind, deaf, or with birth defects negate the Father’s goodness?  Hardly!  Most are not blind, deaf, or crippled.  Even though sin corrupts us, the Father still produces new lives with sound bodies.

     When Jesus encountered people with these handicaps and hardships, they appealed to him for mercy.  And just as your Father in heaven is good and merciful, so was Jesus.  He brought healing to the diseased and relief for the oppressed.  The Father sent Jesus to do this work because the Father loves his creation.  He does not discard this world or its people in disgust; he redeems it in love.  The miraculous signs that Jesus performed also point us to a greater future.  When all things are restored, the blind will see, the lame will walk, and the deaf will hear.  Bodies will be whole and spirits will be refreshed.  Jesus reveals that you have a loving Father; for Jesus does what the Father sent him to do.

     We can also see the Father in the way that Jesus dealt with sinners.  One example: Jesus had been invited to feast at the home of a Pharisee named Simon.  Being a Pharisee, he was a devout and religious man.  He would have been moral and decent and knew how to keep polite company.  Jesus reclined at the table in his home, laying with his left arm on a pillow with his body stretched away from the table.  While he was there, a sinful woman came up to him.  We don’t know what particular sins she was guilty of, but she apparently had developed quite a reputation for herself.  She wept over Jesus’ feet as they extended away from the table.  She washed them with her tears.  She dried his feet with her hair.  She kissed his feet and anointed them with perfume. 

     Simon’s reaction was disgust.  He questioned Jesus’ credibility as a prophet of God.  Simon said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would realize who is touching him and what kind of woman she is, because she is a sinner” (Luke 7:39).  Simon wasn’t wrong in labeling her.  Her reputation seems to have been earned, and he judged her according to her sins.  For Simon, the way to make God happy was by obedience.  Simon believed he had done this; the woman had not.  Simon expected each to be judged by their own merits.  For Simon, sadly, he was.  Jesus, on the other hand, did not kick this woman away.  Rather, Jesus may have been the first person to not treat her like a sinner.  While Jesus does not excuse sins, neither does he treat us as our sins deserve.  And rather than rub her face in her sins like Simon did, Jesus came to scrub her clean of all her sins. 

     Jesus reveals a loving Father to you.  For, the Father has compassion on sinners.  He longs for us to be freed from them—free from the shame of our past, free from the weight of our guilt, free from the fear of punishment and death.  In fact, the Father wants us to be free from the fear of him!  And to bring such consolation to us, the Father sent his Son into the world to rescue us from all our sin and to reconcile us to himself. 

     To do that, Jesus had to be treated as our sins deserve.  The Father does not excuse our sins anymore than Jesus does.  Sins bring consequences.  “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), St. Paul reminds us.  Sin produces a curse, as the Lord had decreed to Adam and Eve when they first brought sin into the world.  Sin brings consequences to everyone—whether jail time, fines, a broken home, a loss of trust or friendship or a job.  But even if you think you are getting away with your sins because they are done in secret, your own conscience afflicts you.  It testifies to the one consequence that all people face—God’s wrath and judgment.  All religions know it.  We have not done good.  We cannot appease God.  Does he even have a good side to get on?

     Jesus reveals a loving Father to us.  In love for sinners, the Father sent his Son to take on all the judgment, the punishment, the curse, and the death for our sins.  God the Son did this on behalf of all sinners, so there is no need for different nations to have different religions.  St. John wrote in his first epistle, “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the whole world.” (1 John 2:2).  Jesus’ sacrifice has appeased his Father.  Jesus’ sacrifice atones for all sins.  Jesus has done what no other religion can do or promise.  This is why Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father, except through me” (John 14:6).  Only Jesus brings a full pardon for all sin.  Only Jesus has overcome death.  Therefore, only Jesus will reveal to a loving Father to you.

     Some get the idea that God the Father is an angry Lord who is eager to strike people down, but that God the Son stepped in to calm him down.  If that were the case, then God the Father and God the Son would be of two different minds.  But they are not.  Jesus made that clear: “If you know me, you would also know my Father.  … The one who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:7,9).  If our threat was God the Father and our hope was in Jesus, Jesus would have promised to take us far away from the Father.

     Instead, Jesus promises that we will be taken to the Father.  This is his promise: “In my Father’s house are many mansions.  If it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that you may also be where I am” (John 14:2-3).  Jesus has ascended to heaven to prepare a place for us there.  For, God the Father wants us to be with him permanently—without terror, without troubles, and without end.  Jesus promises to take us to his Father’s house.  And, thanks to Jesus, he is your Father too.  Jesus reveals a loving Father to you.  He has made you his blessed children.  And he is eager to have you home.

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