“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Psalm 119: 105GOOD SHEPHERD
NEWS & NOTES
APRIL 3, 2011

WELCOME TO GOOD SHEPHERD: Good Shepherd welcomes you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Large-print worship folders and printed liturgy are available from the ushers. Ushers will also help with hearing assist devices for your audio needs. The cry room is located at the northwest corner of the sanctuary for your convenience. If you have other questions or needs, please stop at the information center. We invite you to stay following the 8 am service for coffee and goodies followed by Sunday School and Bible study. May God richly bless our time together and please come again.

GUEST PREACHER TODAY: Thank you to Rev. Daniel Preus, Fourth Vice President of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and Executive Director of Luther Academy for leading us in Bible study today and for bringing us the Word of God in our services this morning.

“HOW TO READ AND STUDY THE BIBLE”: Have you ever heard someone say about the Bible, “It’s just a matter of interpretation.”? Pastor Berndt will be leading a series of classes beginning in mid-May on the principles of Biblical Interpretation. Watch the News & Notes and the newsletter for more information.

LIFELIGHT CLASSES: Come on Wednesday at 7:20 pm (after the midweek service) or on Thursdays at 1 pm. Both classes are studying the book of Ephesians written by St. Paul from his prison cell. What would you expect Paul to write about to the people in Ephesus? These classes will be taking a break for Holy Week (April 20 and 21) and for the week following Easter (April 27 and 28).

MEN’S BIBLE STUDY: The Tuesday morning (at 6 am) Men’s Bible Study has just concluded the study of Jonah. Pastor Poppe will follow up with the “rest of the story” and a study of the book of Nahum. Please join us for a look at this little-known minor prophet.

SUNDAY SCHOOL TODAY: Today the students learn about Jesus healing a blind man (John 9). Jesus came into this world to forgive us and grant us faith – spiritual sight. He gives sight to our souls by forgiving our sins. In your family faith discussions talk about how sin blinds us in our life of faith. What ways does sin do this? How do the Word and Sacraments give us “eyes of faith” so that we can believe?

LIFE MOMENT: Why would somebody be born blind? (John 9: 2) Jesus’ answer then answers many of our “whys” today. “That the works of God might be displayed in him” (9: 3). Perhaps we could learn to change our question from “Why?” to “Where?” Where is God at work? Our disabilities do not disable His power to give meaning and purpose to every life.

LINCOLN CRISIS PREGNANCY FUNDRAISER: Remember the baby bottles we filled with spare change and checks? The people of Good Shepherd donated over $1,600 through this fundraiser. Many thanks!
NATIONAL LUTHERAN SCHOOLS WEEK ACTIVITIES:March 7th – 11th was National Lutheran Schools Week. During this special week at preschool and school students were able to show their excitement and support for our school by dressing up for special days. Noah, an Angel and a shepherd came to Mrs. Bock’s MWF morning class on Dress As Your Favorite Bible Person Friday. All students helped prepare a lunch for their VIPs on Thursday and Friday.

“VERY IMPORTANT PERSON”DAY: Good Shepherd Lutheran School hosted a VIP day several weeks ago. The following letter was received from one of their VIP’s:

Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to visit Good Shepherd School on VIP day. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. I left with a much broader appreciation for a Christian education and an insight into the learning that is happening at Good Shepherd. Having taught in the public school system for 34 years, I honestly did not know if a “church school with a classical education approach to teaching”, was best for my granddaughter. Good Shepherd School has exceeded my expectations while dispelling any fears I had concerning her education and ability to learn in this environment. I have been impressed with her reading, decoding, grammar, and math skills along with her ability to memorize geography and history facts plus Bible verses. Also I am pleased that creative writing has been encouraged. The teachers and staff are to be praised for providing a “well-rounded, diversified education” for the students of Good Shepherd. Also I appreciated the chance to eat lunch with my granddaughter. The food was delicious and the fellowship with other Good Shepherd parents was very rewarding. It was indeed an honor and privilege to be a “Very Important Person” at my granddaughter’s school.

Hop on over & bring your basket to our
annual Easter Egg Hunt on
Saturday, April 16th
at 10:00 am

We are now collecting plastic eggs, peanut-free candy and small Easter items such as erasers, tattoos, and stickers that can be placed into plastic eggs for our annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 16th. Items can be placed in the marked baskets in the narthex. If you do not have time to shop, but would like to help provide items for the hunt, we also accept monetary donations to help assist with purchasing items fosr the egg hunt. If you have any questions or would like to help with the hunt, please contact Nancy Stepp, Patty Stradley, or Kim Bock
THANK YOU: Bob and I wish to thank all our brothers and sisters in Christ for their many prayers, kind words, cards, and memorials we received since the death of my brother Kenny Shafer. (John 14: 1-7)
Bob & Marlene McClellan

LILIES: Easter lilies to glorify our risen Savior are available this year at the cost of $10 each. A sign-up table is in the narthex. Thank you.
Good Shepherd Flower Committee

WEDNESDAYS IN LENT: The schedule for the Wednesdays in Lent is as follows:
12:15 pm Lenten Service
5:00 pm Lenten Meal (Spaghetti prepared and served by the School and Preschool this week.)
5:30 pm Midweek Classes
6:30 pm Lenten Service/School & Preschool students sing
7:30 pm Adult Choir/LifeLight Bible Study (studying the book of Ephesians)

LADIES: You won’t want to miss this! On April 4th (note change of date) at 7 pm in room 109 Linda Preus will be speaking. Linda has had the opportunity to spend months at the Lutheran Seminary in South Africa getting to know the men studying to become pastors. Last year she visited Uganda to meet women from the congregations of these men. Come hear about the lives, challenges, hopes and dreams of the people in these churches. The women especially would like to form better relationships with women here in the United States. Sample of the unique crafts they make to support themselves and their pastors will be available. We hope to see you there.

SPRING CLEAN-UP: Getting anxious to enjoy the beautiful weather? Come on Saturday, April 16th at 8 am to fellowship outdoors and spruce up the property here at Good Shepherd.

THANK YOU: To the members of Good Shepherd - We wish to say “thank you” for the cards and greetings we received for our 60th wedding anniversary. A special thanks to C. B., Barb, and Anna for the cake served to the Bible study group. Thanks again for making our 60th anniversary very special. Vern & Arlene Hadenfeldt

CARD GROUP: The card group will be meeting at 6:30 pm on Friday, April 8th in the fellowship hall. Bring a favorite card game and/or a snack to share.

FORTY DAYS FOR LIFE continues from Ash Wednesday, March 9th through Palm Sunday, April 17th. You are encouraged to commit to praying for an end to abortion during these 40 days of Lent. Your presence is welcomed at the Lincoln Right to Life House, 2126 S. 37th St., on the public sidewalk at the Planned Parenthood facility at 37th & South Streets, or from home, work, or school. Pray specifically to seek God’s help for
* women who are at risk of having an abortion,
* innocent children who are at risk of perishing,
* men and women who carry the pain of a past abortion experience
* workers at Planned Parenthood facilities and abortion centers,
* local, state, and national leaders,
* revival and renewal in our churches,
and * repentance and healing throughout our nation.

LUTHERANS FOR LIFE: Lincoln Area Lutherans for Life invite you to join us for our quarterly meeting on Tuesday, April 12th at 7 pm at Christ Lutheran Church library. The program will feature a DVD entitled, “Blood Money” documenting the history of abortion in America. For further information or questions contact Lyn Maaske at 421-7363.

“CHOOSING YOUR LEGACY”: The Lincoln Caregivers Education Group will be sponsoring a free program here at Good Shepherd on Tuesday, April 12th at 6:30 pm entitled, “Choosing Your Legacy”. This event will feature speakers from Hospice/Asera Care; Butherus, Maser & Love, and legal advisors on living wills and DNR. This is the first of the workshops planned for 2011 geared towards highlighting resources, respite and care for caregivers and those for whom they provide care. All members and friends are invited to attend.

CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 4:
Mon. 7:00 pm Lutheran Women in Mission/Linda Preus - guest speaker - room 109
7:00 pm Alcoholics Anonymous - room 108

Tues. 6:00 am Men’s Bible Study
Tues. 6:30 pm School Board Mtg.

Wed. 12:15 pm Lenten Service
5:00 pm Lenten Meal
5:30 pm Midweek Classes
6:30 pm Lenten Service
7:30 pm Adult Choir/LifeLight Bible Study

Thurs. 1:00 pm LifeLight Bible Study
7:00 pm Sewing/Quilting Group

Fri. 8:00 am Volunteers for Christ
6:30 pm Card Group

Sat. 4:00 pm Kate Campbell/Zeb Smith Wedding

Sun. 8:00 am Divine Service
9:20 am Sunday School & Bible Study
10:30 am Divine Service/Communion
1:30 pm Savannah Pines Service

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The Nebraska District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod has a full-time position available for an administrative assistant in education, youth, lay leadership, and church worker health. Applicants should be self-motivated with a high degree of confidentiality; secretarial, computer and organizational skills; ability to handle pressure and time deadlines; outgoing and good at public relations. Familiarity with the LCMS is helpful. College degree preferred or equivalent work experience. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package. Confidential resume can be sent to: paulp@ndlcms.org or Paul Pettit, Nebraska District LCMS, P. O. Box 407, Seward, NE 68434 by April 8, 2011.

ASSISTING WITH THE SERVICES:
Elder: Lynn Bergen
Organist: Cathy Nitzel
Acolytes: 8 am: Seth Wesemann
10:30 am: Erin Klutz
Coffeemakers: Gary & Vickie Rockel
Information Center: Marvin Thompson
Ushers: 8 am: David Langemeier, Maynard Michel, Rich Ollenberg, Tim Higgins
10:30 am: Marilyn Meyer, Roger & Gayleen Potter
Meals on Wheels Today: The Burow Family
Meals on Wheels Friday: Steve & Jan Stover

THE SHEPHERD’S FLOCK THIS WEEK:
Attendance Gifts for Our Savior
Wed., March 23 153
Sun., March 27 339 $10,738.36
Growing in the Gospel $ 395.00

Totals for the Week 492 $ 11,133.36
Needed Weekly* $ 12,229.00

“20 Not 40" This Week $ 275.00

* based on the fiscal budget for the year ending 6/30/11. (Please contact the church office if the following prayer requests become outdated. If you have prayer requests for either the News & Notes or the prayer chain, please contact the church office.)

PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD: “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4: 2
*McKenna, friend of Lora Wilkens, who has been diagnosed with Juvenile Huntington Disease.
*Matt, relative of Wayne Gudgel, experiencing a recurrence of cancer.
*Ed, brother of Joe Velasquez, for successful treatment.
*Cindy Fox, mother of Nancy Stepp, suffering from macular degeneration. The disease has progressed recently and she will need to resume injections in her eye to treat it. Pray that she will regain the vision lost recently.
*Lynn Poppe, brother of Pastor Poppe, in chemotherapy.
*Anne Nelson, that her body can be stopped from rejecting the transplanted kidney.
*Herbie Ray Heckman, nephew of Gary Heckman, suffering from stage IV throat cancer.
*Denny Drummond, friend of the Stepps, recovering from lung surgery.
*Ron Kahle, friend of Rich & Barb Ollenburg, fighting a staph infection and pulmonary problems.
*Don Nelson, uncle of Sharon Burke, undergoing chemotherapy.
*Janet Schmeling, recovering from a fall.
*Jayne Snyder, friend of Bob & Elaine Van Valkenburg, being treated for cancer.
*Charlie New, friend of Bob & Elaine Van Valkenburg, struggling with medical problems.
*Suzanne Klein, recovering from surgery.
*Mike Wiseman, grandfather of McKenzie (friend of Anya Clutter), for healing.
*Bob White, recovering at home.
* Viola Mueller, recovering from pneumonia.
* Rev. Wade Mattsfield, considering a call to Immanuel, West Plains, MO to be their pastor.
* Micah Mattsfield, recovering from a broken arm.
* Andrea Kabourek, teacher at East High School, diagnosed with leukemia and beginning chemo. Please pray for successful treatment and healing.
* Edna Gade, for healing following a fall.

FOR PEACE AND COMFORT: “But the Lord has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge.” Psalm 94: 22
* for the family of Carl Fosler, friend of Terry & Be Magdanz, who was taken to his eternal home recently.

FOR THANKSGIVING: “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 106:1

FOR OUR SHUT-IN MEMBERS:
Gene & Delaine Denner Cal Tvrz Milton Launer
Jerry & Bonnie Gass Fern Poppe Marylou Smith
Jack & Alberta Carskaddon Edna Gade Marilee Miller
Marian Schmieding JoAnn Ernst Arvona Jaeger
Lois Herpolsheimer Viola Mueller Lynda Mahloch
Thelma Petersen Lois Goeres Janet Schmeling
Esther Schroeder Clara Deines Marilyn Gadeken

FOR THOSE IN LONG-TERM CARE:
Robert Jensen Sheryl Chism Maria Schwarz
Linda Alderson Samuel Schwarz Greg Kasl
Darlene Holle Joanne Scdoris Sam Malone
Jacob McClellan Cole Christenson Henry Tamasi
Sandra Smith Josalyn Kennell Tony Schkade
Don Grover Randy Groteleuschen Eldon Strasheim
Cindy Bottger Linda Swyers-Riehl Jan Heins
Sean Sedlacek

FOR THOSE IN THE MILITARY:
Kelli Kitchens Melissa & Bret Gash Michael Swyers
B.J. Rohde Brock Ernst Jordan Ernst
Lane Jackson Ron Van Valkenburg Andrew Wolcott
Jake Whitaker Brent Flachsbart Robert Humphrey
Rob Foxworthy Zach Fitzsimmons Beth Eisenmann
Casey Hughes Kimberly & Kyle Kunkee

BIRTHDAY BLESSING TO:
Apr 3 Paige Renter, Sara Schroeder, Ivy Theewen, Kiley Warner
Apr 4 Daniel Bergmeyer, Joel Dorfmeyer, Amy Fitzsimmons, Madysen Klein, Jaxson Poppe, Mariah Stradley, Laura Whitaker
Apr 5 Suzanne Klein, Brent Travis, Alyssa Wesemann
Apr 6 Gene Denner, Arnette Garris, Meggan Garris, Shelley Poore, Helen Snook
Apr 7 Evangeline Gutz, Elizabeth Phillips
Apr 8 Sara Harms, Ken Jaeger, Vera Magdanz, Maureen Marshall, Charity Mercer
Apr 9 Jeana Wood

ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS TO:
Apr 4 Curt & Corie Christiansen
David & Janet Kennedy
Bradley & Casey Rezny
Apr 6 Steve & Janet DeVore
Apr 7 Kurt & Patty Stradley