SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER 2015

Transcription

1 SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER 2015 GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH 3234 Mishicot Road Two Rivers, WI (920)

2 This summer I experienced the mystery of vegetable gardening. For many people, gardening was a given in their lives. Living on farms or tending a family garden was a commonplace aspect to life. For thousands of years, growing ones own food was necessary. Today, few of us garden to simply survive. This year, with our small plot of land, Todd and I planted a moderate size vegetable garden for the first time. Frankly, I had no idea what I was doing, but I did my best with my Second Grade knowledge of plants and provided soil, sun, and water to a variety of seeds. The most amazing aspect of this was to see these tiny seeds grow into sometimes-huge plants. Zucchini and acorn squash have grown with sprawling vines. Tomato plants have matured to be much taller and fuller than I imagined. It was amazing to see lettuce, carrots, beets, and rutabagas forming from tiny seeds. What a blessing it s been to have these plants to eat now or freeze for later! But it has been a lot of work. Some days, I found myself weeding for 2 hours one week I pulled 5 wheelbarrows of weeds. Oh! Those aching muscles! Sometimes I wondered who would win, the weeds or me. As of today, the weeds won, but the plants are still thriving. While most of my work was fighting weeds, the vegetables progressed with little involvement from me. There are many spiritual lessons here, but I d like to focus on one. Our Lord provides for us. He cares for us, physically and spiritually. He is God of the harvest both for our daily needs and our spiritual life. In Luther s Catechism we read: I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightens me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole

3 Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one truth faith. Like the garden plants that matured from seed by God s design and keeping, so too our faith is given to us by God. It is all His doing. In a sin-sick world, our Heavenly Father provided His Son as the remedy for sin. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV). With the reality of Christ s atoning sacrifice on the cross, our sins are forgiven. Through this very Gospel, God draws us to himself. Then as the plants need soil, water, and sun, surely God nourishes our faith too. This he does through His Word and Sacraments. This is God s design - All His provision - All His keeping. It is a beautiful mystery. Thanks be to God! Deaconess Sarah We will be offering a mid-week service on Wednesday, September 23 rd beginning at 1:00 pm. All are welcome!

4 STEWARDSHIP/WITNESS SENTENCES SEPTEMBER 6 (Proper 18) James 2:2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in. God shows no partiality: rich and poor alike are called into the Kingdom. Both rich and poor alike have something to contribute to the Kingdom in accordance with the callings God has given them in their lives. This is why both the Old and New Testaments talk about proportional giving, that is: giving a proportion of our income to the Lord s work. This makes it possible for rich and poor alike to have the honor of supporting God s work. Witness: God plants His see in all kinds of soil. Share His Word with someone today, planting seeds that may bear fruit of eternal life. SEPTEMBER 13 (Proper 19) Mark 9:24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, I believe; help my unbelief! Haven t we often felt like this? Notice that Jesus does not throw the man out because of his weakness of faith. He still has pity; He still blesses the man as His Lord. But neither does Jesus leave people in weakness of faith. He blesses us and calls us to a deeper faith, as He did to the disciples in the boat on the storm tossed sea. How does our faith grow? By hearing the Word of God. What does our faith lead to as it grows? A godly life lived in thanksgiving to our Lord. Witness: Ever say to yourself, I knew I shouldn t do that? Be assured that Jesus forgives. Tell someone else about Him so they can also rejoice in His forgiveness. SEPTEMBER 20 (Proper 20) Mark 9:32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. The disciples really do hold up a mirror to our faces and force us to see ourselves: misunderstanding, afraid, confused. But the Word of God is clear, if only we will listen with open ears. What was blocking the disciples ears? The Gospels tell us time and again that they did not expect a suffering Christ, and so when Jesus spoke of suffering, they plugged their ears and didn t listen, and so were confused and scared. What about us? What s in the Word of God that we find hard to hear

5 and contrary to our desires and expectations? That might just be exactly what we need to hear! Witness: Sow the seed of God s Word, and let God take care of the harvest. Only He knows how to sort out the wheat from the weeds. SEPTEMBER 27 (Proper 21) Mark 9:45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two fee to be thrown into hell. So what is causing us to sin? Lust? Greed? Fear? Better to cut it off! We need the Lord s help to do this, and you are in the right place this Lord s Day to receive that help through Word and Sacrament. Witness: Jesus cared for the crowd and fed them. We have the bread of life to share with others. There is plenty to go around. LADIES OF GOOD SHEPHERD Once again we have received requests for Personal Care Kits, and because of your generous response to the last campaign here at Good Shepherd to LWR S (Lutheran World Relief) need, we are going to accept their appeal, and make it our appeal. You may have noticed the display in the display cabinet. Each kit will include: 1 towel (maximum 52x27 light weight dark color recommended, 1 small finger nail clipper, 1 heavy duty comb, 1 tooth brush (adult size in the original package), 2 bars of soap (4 to 5 oz. original wrapper). Paper bags will be provided for your donations. For more information you may call Evie Gagnon or Lu Mielke. Thank you! Our next monthly meeting will be on Tuesday, September 8 th at 1:00 pm.

6 4k/preschool news Good Shepherd will once again be a satellite for the Two Rivers Public School system and their 4K program in the upcoming school year. Your child needs to be four by September 1 st to qualify. If you or someone you know is interested in having their child attend our morning session, please contact the Two Rivers Public School office to make your request. Good Shepherd also offers a Christian preschool program for children ages 3 5 years of age in the afternoons from 12:30 3:00 pm, Monday through Thursday and we are currently accepting enrollment. The cost to register your child is $40 which is non-refundable, but does guarantee a spot for you in the new school year. Also available is Wrap Care. There are two sessions, the first from 11:25 am 12:30 pm and the second from 3:00 4:05 pm. The cost is $8 per session. If your child attends the noon wrap, please be sure you send a lunch with them. If you have any questions or would like to tour our facility, you may contact the church office at The first day of the new school year is Tuesday, September 8 th.

7 KIDS KORNER COLORING PAGE Have a great school year!!

8 MEALS ON WHEELS September November We ask that you arrive at the Senior Center by 11:00 am. Delivery takes approximately 1 hour. Thank You!! LADIES BIBLE CLASS The Ladies Bible Class will meet on Wednesdays this fall. Our first class is scheduled for September 9th at 6:00. We will study the Book of Ruth and discover how it is much more than a simple love story." All materials will be provided. Join us as we gather around God s Word for a time of study and fellowship. SUNDAY SCHOOL & ADULT BIBLE CLASS Our first day of the new Sunday School & Adult Bible Class year begins on Sunday, September 13 th. Class starts at 10:30 am and lasts until 11:15 am. GOOD SHEPHERD S 50 TH ANNIVERSARY We are marking the 50 th anniversary of our church and would like to have a celebration in honor of this momentous occasion. At this time, we would like to form an Anniversary Committee and are looking for volunteers. A sign up sheet is available on the announcement board located at the entrance of the church. Please leave your name and phone number in order for us to contact you about upcoming meetings. Our first meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 16 th at 5:00 pm. Jim Van Lanen is spear heading this event and you may reach him by calling

9 40 DAYS FOR LIFE The 40 Days for Life fall campaign is scheduled this year for September 23 - November 1. This year you can support this pro-life effort through prayer for life and the end of abortion. If you still have your 40 Days yard sign from last year, please once again place it in your yard during the campaign dates. Anyone who wishes to participate in walking in support of LIFE may join the volunteers at any time between 8 am - 8pm or you may call the schedule coordinators to set up a time to walk: Sharon McConnell , Sharon Bell , or Eileen Zdanowski The prayer vigil / walk will be held at the public right-of-way outside of Planned Parenthood, 1100 South 30th St. Manitowoc. For more information visit or contact Deaconess Sarah ROOF REPAIR As most of you know, we need to replace the church roof over the altar and banner room which is leaking and is in need of immediate attention. The Directing Council pursued 3 contractors and received a bid for $15,500 which includes a new gutter system. This is Phase 1 of 2, since the flat roof over the narthex, kitchen and offices also needs replacing. Currently the fund has available $13,425, leaving us $2,075 short at this time. Prayerfully consider donating to the Roofing Fund to help defray the expense involved. You may place your donation in the envelope provided at the back of the church. Thank you!!

10 september BIRTHDAYS Springstube, Aaron 9/2 Meisner, Ruth 9/3 Peterson, Russell 9/3 Laurent, Audrey 9/6 Pahl, Betty 9/6 Williams, Lois 9/9 Engman, Robert 9/17 Engman, Zachery 9/17 Gottschalk, Ken 9/21 Shimulunas, Karl 9/21 Otto, Breccan 9/23 Plansky, Leo 9/23 Kleckner, Barbara 9/24 Malchek, Nevaeh 9/24 Anderberg, Peggy 9/25 Krizizke, Mary 9/25 Myers, James 9/27 Plansky, Dori 9/29 NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: Monday, September 21, 2015

11 FLOWERS: SEPTEMBER SCHEDULES ALTAR GUILD: 6 th - Hintz/Thompson Carol Heller 13 th - Lois Williams 20 th - Warner 27 th - Shimulunas USHERS: GREETERS: 6 th - Team #2 6 th - Hearley 13 th - Team #3 13 th - Klimesh 20 th - Team #4 20 th - Mielke 27 th - Team #1 27 th - O Neill