News & Notes - May 10, 2009
GOOD SHEPHERD
NEWS & NOTES
MAY 10, 2009
EASTER SEASON: The Easter season is a fifty-day-long season of joy extending from Easter to Pentecost. During this time, the Church celebrates the end of Christ’s struggles and proclaims His victory over death and the reception of the benefits of His life, death and resurrection as gracious gifts of love and mercy for all those who believe in Him. This is the Church’s great season of joy! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia! (From the Treasury of Daily Prayer, The Time of Easter, pg. 189)
WELCOME TO GOOD SHEPHERD: Good Shepherd welcomes you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We invite you to stay for fellowship, coffee and goodies, and Sunday School and Bible study following the 8 am service. 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. May God richly bless our time together and please come again.
LIFE MOMENT: “Did you know there is another ‘mothers’ day’ in May? The Visitation falls on May 31. This day commemorates the visiting of two mothers, Mary and Elizabeth. Both experienced unplanned pregnancies. Both their babies were still in the wombs. Both trusted God in seemingly impossible situations. Mary had said, ‘Let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1: 38) and Elizabeth also acknowledged God’s presence in her pregnancy (Luke 1: 25).” -Rev. Dr. James I Lamb-
FIRST CALL: Seminarian and Good Shepherd member, Mark Duer, received his first call to serve members of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Cushing, OK. Please keep Mark in your prayers as he finishes with classes and prepares to serve God’s people in a new place.
SUNDAY SCHOOL: The Sunday School students study the story of “Lydia” today. Just as God worked His miracle beside the river, clothing Lydia with Christ in Baptism, so God works His miracles in pulpits and fonts around the world today., destroying the work of Satan, ripping believers from the jaws of death, washing away sins in water tinged with Jesus’ blood, and clothing believers with His righteousness. Parents could ask, “How did God use water to save Lydia and us? Who does God use to reveal His Word to us today?”
BIBLE STUDIES TODAY:
“MY NEIGHBOR’S FAITH”: Pastor Poppe will begin a new Bible study on Sunday, May 10th (TODAY) entitled, “My Neighbor’s Faith”. This study will meet in the fellowship hall between services (about 9:30 - 10:15 am) and will compare what we believe, teach and confess as Lutheran Christians with the teachings of other Christian denominations and other world religions. Plan to join us for an interesting and informational study of God’s Word.
“A SUMMARY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE”: Pastor Berndt will begin another session of “A Summary of Christian Doctrine” classes today between services in room 109. (Follow the long hallway and turn right twice. Room 109 is the last classroom.) This class is a great review of what Lutherans believe, teach and confess as it is taken from God’s Word. Completion of this series of classes may lead to adult confirmation and communicant membership at Good Shepherd. If you would like more information or have questions, please contact Pastor Berndt.
ASCENSION DAY: Good Shepherd will celebrate Ascension Day at the Wednesday, May 20th service at 6:30 pm. As a part of this midweek service, the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated.
CHOIRS: All choirs at Good Shepherd are taking a break for the summer and will resume rehearsal in the fall.
STEWARDSHIP MOMENT: I John 4: 1-11: This passage of Holy Scripture encourages us to love one another because love comes from God who sent His only-begotten Son into the world so that we might have life through Him. God’s stewards demonstrate their love for Him by loving others.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL: Good Shepherd’s Vacation Bible School this summer will be the week of June 8-12 for kids from the age of 2 (with a parent) through grade 8. The theme will be, “Follow the Lamb”. Adults can participate by helping out with snacks, teaching, helping in the classrooms, working with crafts, registering kids, assisting with publicity, and in many other ways. If you are interested in helping, contact Patty Stradley at pattystradley@gmail.com or call the church office.
VBS REGISTRATION: Vacation Bible School registration forms were sent by e-mail to all who receive their newsletters by e-mail. There are also forms at the information center. Feel free to invite neighbors, cousins, friends, etc. There will be a box at the information center to receive completed forms.
SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL: Our summer Sunday School session will begin on June 1st and we need your help. Please volunteer to teach during the summer so that we can give our faithful teachers a break. Pick a date or several dates and a grade level on the volunteer form and sign up. These forms are at the information center. Team teaching is encouraged. There are easy-to-follow teachers’ guides and student materials for each lesson. If you have any questions, please call the church office at 423-7639 or Beth Huff at 304-3352.
CHECK YOUR CUBBIES: The May 2009 newsletter has been placed in the cubbie boxes. There are still some cards, Today’s Light devotionals, and other communication in some cubbies and folders. Please check yours.
EDUCATING A NEW GENERATION OF LUTHERANS: Issues, Etc. is a live, interactive radio talk show produced by Lutheran Public Radio and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken. Topics include: Things We See in Church, Miss California & Gay Rights Tolerance, Scientology, The King James Only Controversy, Classical Christian Worship, and more. You can listen love or on-demand at www.issuesetc.org.
THANK YOU: Thank you all for the many cards, kind thought, and prayers during this sad but joyous time during the mourning of my mother. We’re sad that Mom is no longer with us but has finished her walk of faith here on earth but it is a joy to know that she has obtained the crown of life with our Lord and Savior in heaven. It is such a blessing to have so much support from the family of Good Shepherd.
Corie & Curt Christiansen
A SPECIAL THANKS!: Thank you to all who were able to join us at our wedding and also for those who were not able to attend but sent their blessings and kept us in their prayers. All the cards and support mean a lot to us and are a great encouragement. May the Lord bless you as he has so richly blessed us in our lives and now in our marriage union in Christ Jesus.
Curt & Corie Christiansen
AWARD: We received news that Jordan Carpenter will be receiving the President’s Academic Achievement Award for his scholastic achievement. To receive this honor a student must have at least a 3.5 GPA and be in the top 15% of his/her class in both math and reading. These awards are given to 8th graders and 12th graders.
LAWN CARE: Lawn care this week will be provided by Matt Durr and Mark Nispel. Thanks, guys!
DCE PRACTICUM STUDENTS: It is time for our two DCE practicum students, Kate and Matt, to move on to their DCE internship assignments. Kate Luckemeyer will be serving St. John Lutheran Church in Ellenwood, KS. Matt Harwell will be serving at Mt. Olive Lutheran in Greenwood, IN. We pray that God would grow their faith and bless their service.
ASSISTING WITH THE SERVICES TODAY:
Elder: Gary Baker
Organist: Cathy Nitzel
Acolytes: 8 am: Nathan Siefkes
10:30 am: Reagan Bergen
Greeters: 8 am: Bruce & Deborah Dabbert
10:30 am: Truman & Sherry Burton
Coffeemakers: Tyler & Jeanette Sapp
Information Center: Bob McClellan
Ushers: 8 am: Allen Wilkens, Bryan & Jason Prenosil
10:30 am: Gary & Vickie Rockel, Bill & Cindy Lester
Communion Bread: Carol Navratil
Communion Set-up: Jan Anderson
Communion Clean-up: Kathy Everman
Meals on Wheels Today: The Stradley Family
Meals on Wheels Friday: Carl & Marilyn McReynolds
THE SHEPHERD’S FLOCK THIS WEEK:
Attendance Gifts for Our Savior
Wed., Apr. 29 87
Sun., May 3 522 $ 16,180.60
Growing in the Gospel $ 2,255.00
Totals for the Week 609 $ 18,435.60
Needed Weekly $ 12,617.00
Difference + $ 5,818.60
Cumulative Difference* - $ 36,795.05
“20 Not 40" This Week $ 310.00
“20 Not 40" Year-to-Date $ 15,647.00
“20 Not 40" Goal $ 48,000.00
* Based on the fiscal year June 1, 2008 - May 31, 2009
PART-TIME POSITION: There is a part-time opening in Good Shepherd Preschool . This person will be needed on Mon.-Fri. from 8:15 - 11:45 am. Stop by the school office to pick up an application.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: On Wednesday of this week the church office will be closed for part or all of the day. Leave a message and we will return your call for non-emergency contacts. Please call ahead to check if the building is open if you plan to enter the building. In case of an emergency, please contact your elder.
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK OF MAY 10:
MON 6:45 PM STEPHEN MINISTRY
7:00 PM A A MEETING
7:00 PM BRIARHURST NEIGHBORHOOD ASSN
7:00 PM BOY SCOUTS
TUES 6:00 AM MEN’S BIBLE STUDY
7:00 PM CHURCH COUNCIL
WED 5:30 PM MIDWEEK CLASS PARTY/MIDWEEK BIBLE STUDY
6:30 PM WORSHIP
7:30 PM LIFELIGHT BIBLE STUDY
THURS 1:00 PM LIFELIGHT BIBLE STUDY
6:30 PM BOY SCOUTS
FRI 8:00 AM VOLUNTEERS FOR CHRIST
SAT 11:00 AM DUERR/SAATGAST REHEARSAL & DINNER
SUN 8:00 AM WORSHIP/COMMUNION
9:20 AM SUNDAY SCHOOL & BIBLE STUDY
10:30 AM WORSHIP
12:00 PM ERICKSON BAPTISM DINNER
4:00 PM DUERR/SAATGAST WEDDING
NEBRASKA LUTHERANS FOR CONFESSIONAL STUDY: The May gathering of the Nebraska Lutherans for Confessional Study (NLCS) will be held on Thursday, May 21st at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 3825 Wildbriar Lane in Lincoln. Refreshments will be in the fellowship hall at 9:30 am followed by Matins at 10 am. Presenter for the day will be Rev. Robert Wentzel, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Walton, Nebraska; his topic will be “The First Commandment.” The morning session will start at about 10:30; following lunch the afternoon topic will start at about 1 pm. Meeting will conclude by 2:30 pm. Everyone is invited, both clergy and laity. A free-will offering will be taken to help defray expenses.
PRAYERS FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD: “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4: 2
* Bonnie Gass, recovering at home.
* Jerry Gass, recovering at Tabitha
*Linda Riehl, daughter of Jerry & Bonnie Gass, receiving cancer treatment.
* Damaris Poppe, sister-in-law of Pastor Poppe, hospitalized.
* Merrill (Mac) Bergen, brother of Lynn Bergen, who was in a very serious car accident.
* Loraine Harnett, for continued healing.
* Adeline Vavak, mother of Darla Posner, for successful treatment
* Fern Poppe, recovering from surgery
* Paul Eilers, cousin of Loree Kirilloff & Doretta Kleinkauf, awaiting a kidney transplant and just diagnosed with bone cancer.
* Jacob McClellan, grandson of Bob & Marlene McClellan, being treated for leukemia.
* Anne Nelson, recovering at home.
* Nadine, friend of Terry & Vickie Princ, recovering from a slight stroke.
* Glen Waddle, friend of Mark & Bonnie Lemke, recovering from a stroke. Pray for continued healing.
* Janet Schmeling, recovering at Homestead
* Harry Farley, receiving treatment for stomach cancer.
* Beth Loper, recovering at home from surgery.
* Lenora Lueders, in rehab at Tabitha
* Lowell Renken, recovering from surgery.
* Greg, nephew of Joe & Nancy Velasquez, receiving treatment for a brain tumor.
FOR THOSE IN LONG-TERM TREATMENT: Linda (friend of Be Magdanz), Cathy Neben, Sam Malone, Sheryl Chisum, Elijah Ruegge, Vera & Richard Schwarz, Pat Bergen, Norma (aunt of Sharon Burke), Megan Eckardt, Carl Fosler, Jackie K (friend of Be Magdanz), and Vivian Brinkmeyer.
FOR PEACE AND COMFORT: “The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.” Psalm 29: 11
IN THANKSGIVING: “Let us give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men.”
* for the gift of a son, Kane Malachi, to Jason & Angela Schroeder.
* for the gift of a daughter, Mayah Grace, to Corby & Shelley Stolcpart.
FOR OUR SHUT-IN MEMBERS:
* Marilee Miller * Marylou Smith * Lenora Lueders
* Milton Launer * Cal Tvrz * Bill Palmer
* Jack Carskaddon * Jerry & Bonnie Gass
* Marian Schmieding * Gene & DeeDee Denner
FOR THOSE IN THE MILITARY:
* Ron Van Valkenburg * Melissa & Bret Gash * B. J. Rohde
* Kelli Kitchens * Michael Swyers * Brock Ernst
* Andrew Wolcott * Brent Flachsbart * Kevin Huneke
* Brad Merriman * Lane Jackson * Matthew Fritz
* Jennifer Schwarz * Robert Humphrey * Kent Marshall
BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS TO:
May 10 Calvin Cuddy, Molly Sorensen
May 11 Scott Piening, Zach Yelkin
May 12 Stacey DeVore
May 13 Pam Deines, Lowell Fahsholtz, Casey Nichols, Chad Renter Jr., Tanya Wagner
May 15 Joleen Elwell, Miranda Maser, Mary Spitsnogle
May 16 Isabella Esquivel, Kristin Hillabrand, Kathy Knoche, Chad Magdanz, Dominic Thompson
ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS TO:
May 10 Jerry & Arnette Garris
May 11 Victor & Loree Kirilloff
Brent & Cherie Travis
May 13 Pastor Clint & Barb Poppe
May 15 Chris & Paulette Luebbe
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