Verbal Announcements
As We Gather
This week is the seventh and last Sunday of Easter. We celebrate Jesus’ resurrection for seven Sundays -a week of weeks. Yet in the midst of the joy of Easter, today’s First Reading from Acts confronts us in gory detail with Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. We might think that those first disciples, having seen and heard the risen Jesus, would simply proceed from glory to glory and victory to victory. But instead they do things that churches have been doing ever since: gather together, pray, have meetings at which leaders are elected, and remember the sad stories of those who have walked away. Jesus’ death and resurrection does not remove us from the real world, but instead fills us with faith and hope and love as we face both the joys and sorrows of life. While the gory death of Judas disturbs us, the death of Jesus on the cross comforts, consoles, and saves us. Jesus death is gory too, yet it is at the same time glorious, for by it our true enemies - sin, death, and hell - are defeated.
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
1Peter 5:7 - “…casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
We have a Father in heaven - and He really cares for us and loves us. That is the basis of generosity, because such knowledge spells the end of anxiety and worry, which is where tight-fisted greed comes from.
Lutherans For Life
“It was many long years before Elizabeth had the joy of seeing, in her own body, that God had not forgotten her. ‘He looked on me,’ she said. The proof was the baby growing inside her, though she was an old woman by that time. But you and I don’t need to wait so long. God has looked on us, too. The proof is the baby growing inside of Mary—God’s own dear Son Jesus, Who came to be your Savior. In Jesus, you can see that God has remembered you. He has looked on you with love—He has even made you His own child. You are not forgotten. You are beloved.” Dr. Kari Vo, Lutheran Hour Ministries – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • www.lutheransforlife.org
Benevolence
Luther once wrote, “A man is placed between God and his neighbor as a medium which receives from above and gives out again below, and is like a vessel or tube through which the stream of divine blessings must flow without intermission to other people.” The people we help through the benevolence fund find themselves in difficult financial circumstances. Please consider contributing to our benevolence fund. (Online to donate: https://www.shalimar.church/human-care)
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
This week the Sunday School students study the account "Jesus Calms a Storm." Just as Jesus calmed the storm with His Word for the frightened disciples, so He calms and ends the storm of sin and death by taking our sin upon Himself and dying in our place so we may live eternally. Consider discussing, 'What did Jesus do to calm the storm? How does Jesus calm the storms in our life?"
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.
Youth Group
American Heritage Girls Troop 1517
American Heritage Girls is a Christ-centered character and leadership development program for girls 5 to 18 years of age. AHG is dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community, and country.American Heritage Girls is a Christ-centered character and leadership development program for girls 5 to 18 years of age. AHG is dedicated to the mission of building women of integrity through service to God, family, community, and country.
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.
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.
For more information contact Curtis.
Cruising with the King Car Club
All men of the congregation are warmly invited to join us, along with men from the community, in Cruising with the King Car Club. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or simply looking for meaningful fellowship, we gather regularly for monthly to build friendships while reaching out to our local neighbors. We already have a strong group of men actively participating. See Pastor Klemme.
Mite Boxes
Lutheran Women in Mission collect change in Mite Boxes to support mission grants locally and globally. Inspired by the widow’s mite (Luke 21:1–4), these voluntary offerings are gathered the first Sunday of each month. Though Mite Boxes have changed in appearance, the purpose remains: freely giving to share the Gospel through Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) ministries.
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.
Sunday School (Book of Concord)
Gain a deeper understanding of core Lutheran teachings through this overview study of The Book of Concord. Creeds have authority insofar as they are descriptions, restatements or summaries of Scripture. As our confessional standard, the Book of Concord includes the three ecumenical creeds, the Augsburg Confession with its Apology, the Smalcald Articles, the Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope, Luther’s Small and Large Catechisms, and the Formula of Concord. Meets in the Cafe with Pastor Klemme.
MomCo
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.
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.
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
Commemoration of Emperor Constantine, Ruler and Helena, Mother
The Church honors saints for showing us tangible demonstrations of how living out faith can be done.
Constantine I served as Roman Emperor from A.D. 306 to 337. During his reign the persecution of Christians was forbidden by the Edict of Milan in 312, and ultimately the faith gained full imperial support. Constantine took an active interest in the life and teachings of the church and called the Council of Nicaea in 325 at which orthodox Christianity was defined and defended. His mother, Helena (ca. 255-329), strongly influenced Constantine. Her great interest in locating the holy sites of the Christian faith led her to become one of the first Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land. Her research led to the identification of Biblical locations in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and beyond, which are still maintained as places of worship today.
Source: Lutheran Calendar of Saints
Anniversary of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (70)
‘Unless the Lord Builds the House, Those Who Build It Labor in Vain’ (Psalms 127:1)
May 24, 1956 Good Shepherd (GSLC) was received into membership of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS)
The Lord will dwell where He wishes. Even Solomon had to acknowledge that his magnificent temple was not the Lord’s dwelling as if He could be contained by it (1Kings 8:27). David planned the temple, but the Lord planned to “make [him] a house” (2Samuel 7:11). From David’s line came Jesus, the Son of Man with “nowhere to lay his head” (Luke 9:58). The Church isn’t our building but His (Matthew 16:18). He doesn’t wait for our invitation. Rather, as with Zacchaeus, He “must stay at your house today,” for He seeks and saves the lost (Luke 19:5-10). Come in our flesh, now “the dwelling place of God is with men.” He speaks His Word, creates faith and forgives sins. He makes “all things new,” for by His sacrificial blood He prepares a Church for Himself, a “holy city” and “bride.” At the last, we will behold new Jerusalem with tear-free eyes (Revelation 21:2-5), although now we sojourn in the world, unwelcome as He was. But wherever the Lord’s name is, there He is to bless (Numbers 6:27), to hear and to forgive (1Kings 8:29-30). “Today salvation has come to this house” also (Luke 19:9).
Commemoration of Esther
The Church honors saints for showing us tangible demonstrations of how living out faith can be done.
Esther is the heroine of the biblical book that bears her name. Her Jewish name was Hadassah, which means "myrtle." Her beauty, charm, and courage served her well as queen to King Ahasuerus. In that role she was able to save her people from the mass extermination that Haman, the king's chief advisor, had planned (Esther 2:19-4:17). Esther's efforts to uncover the plot resulted in the hanging of Haman on the very same gallows that he had built for Mordecai, her uncle and guardian. Then the king named Mordecai minister of state in Haman's place. This story is an example of how God intervenes on behalf of his people to deliver them from evil, as here through Esther he preserved the Old Testament people through whom the Messiah would come.
Source: Lutheran Calendar of Saints