Verbal Announcements
As We Gather
It would be a strange thing for God to send His Son to prepare the way of salvation for the world and then not give us a way to receive that salvation. “Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God” (1Peter 3:18). How does Jesus “bring us to God”? Peter says, “Baptism . . . now saves you” (1Peter 3:21). Here is the most important way Jesus sends the Helper, the Holy Spirit, who works repentance and faith in the heart. Saving faith is not a product of our own effort, decision, or desire. It is always the gift of God, continually renewed and strengthened by the Holy Spirit working through God’s Word and Sacraments. As our Easter celebration continues, we are drawn closer to our Lord, who remains close to us, as He said, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).
Holy Communion
The Lord’s Supper is celebrated today with the confession that we receive the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, in, with and under (a way of saying that Christ is fully present in) the bread and wine. Christ's presence gives us the assurance that our sins are forgiven and to nourish our faith. This is a solemn celebration, “For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves” (1Corinthians 11:29). The Lord’s Supper is meant for our good, not to our judgment. But, before presenting yourself ask these questions:
1. Am I sorry for my sins and need forgiveness?
2. Did Christ die and rise to forgive my sins?
3. Am I receiving the very body and blood of Christ Jesus?
If your answers are yes, you are welcome. If you are not a member of a LCMS church, or have further questions about The Lord’s Supper, please speak with the pastor.
Stewardship
John 14:15 – “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
Jesus is clear: our obedience to His Word comes from our love for Him. But where does that love come from? Jesus tells us that as well, “She was forgiven much, so she loved much” (Luke 7:47). Christ shows us His love and gives us the forgiveness of our sins – and this causes love to well up in us, which in turn causes us to keep the commandments of Jesus. For after all, the summary of the Law is “Love.”
Lutherans For Life
“Ascension Day, a holy day falling inconspicuously on a Thursday in May, is the conspicuous declaration that we are not left as orphans. In the same post-resurrection body that He invited Thomas to touch, Jesus invites us to full humanity even today. He ascended with a body, He shares in our humanity, extending His own body even now, promising to return for our own bodies. Christ is preparing a room for us, and we can know it is real because He himself is real.” Jill Carattini, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • www.lutheransforlife.org
Altar Flowers
The Altar Flower Chart is posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex by the drinking fountains. Check chart for donation opportunities and availability.
Children Sunday School
In Sunday School this week, students learn the story "Jesus Calls Matthew." We sinners rejoice, for we, too, have been called from our own pigsty of sin to dine with Jesus around His table and to be a friend of the friend of sinners. Consider discussing, "How did Jesus call Matthew to be one of His followers? How and why does Jesus call us to follow Him?"
Youth Group
The Way Cafe
An in-person devotion with Pastor Klemme to strengthen your relationship with God through Scripture, song, prayer, fellowship, and biblical insights. Come, be replenished, renewed, and fueled to live a life of faith. You are welcome just as you are. God is here, ready to connect with you in a fresh way.
Benevolence
Benevolence fund exists to aid those seeking temporary, but immediate financial help. Please consider contributing toward our benevolence fund. The fund needs contributors to support this ministry. Please consider contributing to our benevolence fund. (Online to donate: https://www.shalimar.church/human-care)
Butterfly Project
All Sunday School aged children are invited to help the youth group with their butterfly fence project. Butterflies are a Christian symbolizing rebirth and renewal in Christ. "We are a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come" (2Corinthians 5:17). We will create a colorful display of butterflies as a joyful expression of Christ’s resurrection and our life in Him. We want to share your creativity and fellowship. More details about the date and time will be shared soon.
For more information contact Curtis.
Sharing and Caring
A ministry supported by our congregation through donations of non-perishable food items, placed in the collection basket in the inner Narthex. Sharing and Caring serves individuals and families in need by providing food, clothing, and emergency assistance. It brings hope, encouragement, and practical support to those experiencing hardship or crisis.
American Heritage Girls Troop 1517
American Heritage Girls (AHG) is character development ministry for young women that embraces Christian values and encourages family involvement.
For more information contact Adrienne Cook.
Council Meeting
Let us do everything with love. The Church Council is a gathering of elected advisers who serve and guide the ministries of the congregation toward our given mission. (Matthew 28:19-20). We meet in the library.
Family Field Trip Armament Museum
We are planning a group outing to the Air Armament Museum on Armed Forces Day. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a day together viewing historic aircraft and military exhibits. For more details see
Curtis Parker. We look forward to a fun and informative day!
5th Sunday Breakfast
In the Fellowship Hall, on the 5th Sunday, you are invited to enjoy breakfast. It's a relational experience that will have you engaging with members, frequent visitors, and the rest of our church family. Yes, there will be food. Come, be known and encouraged.
Kenwood Elementary Donates
Kenwood School is currently in need of donations of pants and shorts for students who may require a change of clothes during the school day. Gently used items are welcome, including sweatpants, leggings, jeans, pajama bottoms, athletic shorts, and similar styles. Elastic waistbands are especially helpful, and well worn pants are perfectly acceptable. Needed sizes range from children’s sizes 5 through 14, as well as adult size Small. For more information contact Rachel.Bollinger@okaloosaschools.com.
Cruising with the King Car Club
We are excited to announce the formation of a new car club, Cruising with the King. This initiative transforms our current men's fellowship gatherings. Our goal is to connect with local neighbors. Whether you are a car enthusiast or not, we invite you to join us as we get this mission off the ground.
Mite Boxes
LWML Mite Boxes are used to collect small, voluntary offerings that support mission work locally, nationally, and globally. Based on the widow’s mite (Luke 21:1–4), these gifts fund grants for spreading the Gospel, supporting ministries, and serving those in need. Every coin helps share Christ’s love through the work of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.
Smokes and Jokes, a Christian Fellowship
Enjoy an evening of conversation and light refreshments as we relax together, share stories, and encourage one another in faith and friendship. Feel free to bring a snack or a joke to share, and come ready for a warm, casual time among friends. If you’d like to join, please contact Pastor Klemme directly for date, time, and location.
Family Game Night
It’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of everyday life. Life is busy and Sunday Mornings is sometimes a difficult time to connect with members of your church family. So, we have planned family game night for an opportunity to know and be known. This activity night is open for all to come. We will meet in the Cafe and the Youth Room with games and food.
For more information contact Curtis Parker
The 4th of July falls on a Saturday this year, making it an ideal time for another Good Shepherd Group event! We will be gathering at Eglin Beach Park for a fun afternoon of swimming, snorkeling, and building sandcastles. As evening approaches, we will enjoy a shared picnic supper together before watching the nighttime fireworks show. This is a wonderful opportunity for fellowship and family fun with your church family. Bring your swimsuit, beach chairs, sunscreen, and a dish or snacks to share for the picnic. More details, including the exact meet-up time, will be shared soon. We hope to see you there! For more information contact Curtis Parker.
Mothers are invited to join our local MomCo group, hosted at our church. The MomCo (The Mom Community) is a Christian-based organization that encourages and supports mothers by providing opportunities for friendship, conversation, and growth in faith and parenting. Meetings typically include fellowship, discussion, and encouragement for the everyday challenges and joys of motherhood. MomCo is open to moms in all stages of parenting. If you are interested in connecting with other mothers in a supportive Christian community, the Outreach Board invites you to attend.
Commemoration of Friedrich Wyneken, Pastor and Missionary
The Church honors saints for showing us tangible demonstrations of how living out faith can be done.
Friedrich Wyneken is one of the founding fathers of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, along with C.F.W. Walther and Wilhelm Sihler. (26 April 1847: Chicago. Organization of the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States) Born in 1810 in Germany, he came to Baltimore in 1838 and shortly thereafter accepted a call to be the pastor of congregations in Friedheim and Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1839, Wyneken, reports that people in America are willing to accept just about anyone who present themselves as a preacher. His concern leads him to appeal to the Lutheran churches in Germany for missionary help. Supported by Wilhelm Loehe's mission society, Wyneken served as an itinerant missionary in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan, particularly among Native Americans. Together with Loehe and Sihler, he founded Concordia Theological Seminary in 1846 in Fort Wayne, Ind. He later served as the second president of the LCMS during a period of significant growth (1850- 64). His leadership strongly influenced the confessional character of the LCMS and its commitment to an authentic Lutheran witness.
Commemoration of Fredrich The Wise, Ruler
The Church honors saints for showing us tangible demonstrations of how living out faith can be done.
Frederick the Wise, elector of Saxony from 1486 to 1525, was Martin Luther's sovereign in the early years of the Reformation. Were it not for Frederick, there might not have been a Lutheran Reformation. Born in Torgau in 1463, he became so well known for his skill in political diplomacy and his sense of justice and fairness that he was called "the Wise" by his subjects. Though he never met Luther, Frederick repeatedly protected and provided for him. In all likelihood he saved the reformer from a martyr's fate. Frederick refused the pope's demand to extradite Luther to Rome for a heresy trial in 1518. When Emperor Charles V declared Luther an outlaw in 1521 at the Diet of Worms, Frederick provided sanctuary for Luther at the Wartburg castle. On his deathbed, Frederick received the Lord's Supper in both kinds--a clear confession of the evangelical faith.
Source: Lutheran Calendar of Saints
Commemoration of CFW Walther, Theologian
The Church honors saints for showing us tangible demonstrations of how living out faith can be done.
Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther (1811-87), the father of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, served as its first president from 1847 to 1850 and then again from 1864 to 1878. In 1839 he emigrated from Saxony, Germany, with other Lutherans, who settled in Missouri. He served as pastor of several congregations in St. Louis, founded Concordia Seminary, and in 1847 was instrumental in the formation of the LCMS (then called the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States). Walther worked tirelessly to promote confessional Lutheran teaching and doctrinal agreement among all Lutherans in the United States. He was a prolific writer and speaker. Among his most influential works are Church and Ministry and The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel.
Source: LCMS Calendar of Commemorations.
Commemoration of Job
The Church honors saints for showing us tangible demonstrations of how living out faith can be done.
Job was a blameless and upright man who came from Uz (Job 1:1), a land northeast of Canaan. The Book of Job examines the depths of his faith, which was severely tested through the sufferings God permitted. Despite the sudden death of his ten children and the loss of all his wealth and his health, Job refused to curse God: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21). Still, in the midst of his tribulations Job questioned the meaning and purpose of suffering to the point of asserting his own righteousness (Job 34:5-6). Finally, the Lord revealed that a man cannot know the mysteries of God (Job 38-41). Job's faith in his Redeemer and the resurrection prevailed (Job 19:25-27). In the end the Lord restored his wealth and blessed him with another seven sons and three daughters.
Source: Lutheran Calendar of Saints
Mother's Day
Mother’s Day is often met with a wide range of emotions, from joy and blessings to pain and heartache. Regardless of what you’re experiencing this year, we are celebrating the women in our lives who are the bearers of life and also the bearers of God's Word. We thank them, who have sown the seeds of His Word, by teaching children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6). Happy Mother's Day.
Mother's Day
Mother’s Day is often met with a wide range of emotions, from joy and blessings to pain and heartache. Regardless of what you’re experiencing this year, we are celebrating the women in our lives who are the bearers of life and also the bearers of God's Word. We thank them, who have sown the seeds of His Word, by teaching children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6). Happy Mother's Day.
Commemoration of Cyril & Methodius, Missionaries to the Slavs
The Church honors saints for showing us tangible demonstrations of how living out faith can be done.
Cyril (826-69) and Methodius (c. 815-85) were brothers who came from a Greek family in Thessalonica. The younger brother took the name "Cyril" when he became a monk in 868. After ordination, Cyril became librarian at the church of Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) in Constantinople. In 862 the brothers were sent by the emperor as missionaries to what is now the Czech republic, where they taught in the native Slavic tongue. Cyril invented the alphabet today know today as "Cyrillic," which provided a written language for the liturgy and Scriptures for the Slavic peoples. This use of the vernacular established an important principle for evangelical missions.
Source: Lutheran Calendar of Saints