As We Gather

October
Sunday
11
2026

“Come to the table.” In our daily experiences, there is no invitation that is more readily received and fully appreciated. To be at the table is to be assured of nourishment and refreshment. In Psalm 23, we are told of a table that is prepared under challenging circumstances. Yet, even there, the cup of God’s blessing overflows. Our gathering for worship and our coming to the Table of the Lord is a weekly experience of overflowing blessing filled with signs of God’s gracious presence. We rejoice that we are invited to His amazing table!




Holy Communion

October
Sunday
11
2026

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

Stewardship
October
Sunday
11
2026

Matthew 22:5 – "But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business."

The invitation to join God in His feast and in His work is easily ignored. The rest of life seems so much more pressing, and we always think that there will be another time when we can catch back up with God. But what joys are we missing when we set aside God’s invitation to join Him in His plans and purposes? What inheritance are we trading for the world’s bowl of pottage?




Lutherans For Life

October
Sunday
11
2026

“Laws of the State clearly matter, and the message they send affects the mindset of society. But, if our battle cry for life begins on the abortion table, then we’ve waited too long to speak. If our efforts to model life end in the courtroom, then we’ve already lost our children. God help us; it’s time to ask ourselves if we speak life or whisper death.”
Tawnia Hoehne, Frazee, Minnesota – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • www.lutheransforlife.org




Altar Flowers

October
Sunday
11
2026

LutheransForLife-Eleven-October
To the glory of God by the congregation.

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

October
Sunday
11
2026
9:30 AM

In this week’s Sunday School lesson, “Zacchaeus,” we see Zacchaeus joyfully respond to His Savior’s invitation, showing the Word of God at work in him. We keep God’s name holy and glorify God as we live according to His Word, letting His light shine through us. As a family, discuss, “How can we respond to Jesus’ invitation to spend time in His Word?” “How can we let the light of God shine through our lives?”




Legacy Giving

October
Sunday
11
2026

Our Legacy Giving account is designed to build a lasting financial resource for the future ministry of Good Shepherd. Gifts are invested with the goal of preserving and growing principal while generating supplemental income to support ministry for years to come. For a limited time, a generous donor will match contributions to Legacy Giving dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000—doubling the impact of your gift and helping build a lasting legacy for future ministry.




Sanctuary A/C Replacement

October
Sunday
11
2026

After many years of faithful service, our Sanctuary air conditioning system is reaching its end of life and needs to be replaced. A new system will help us maintain a comfortable and welcoming environment for worship. To meet this need, we are launching an AC Replacement Fund. The estimated cost for the new unit is $45K. Your generous gifts ($6,160 to date) will allow to gather together without the distraction of extreme temperatures, so we can focus fully on worshipping God.




Choir

October
Wednesday
14
2026
7:30 PM

We are called to raise our voices in praise to God! Now is a great time to join the Good Shepherd Choir. Whether you're an experienced singer or simply enjoy making a joyful noise, we'd love to have you. Martin Luther would want you in the choir. He really would! Join us for our weekly rehearsals as we prepare music to lead our congregation in worship. For more information contact Jennifer Klemme.




Hand Bells

October
Wednesday
14
2026
7:00 PM

We are ringing again! Bell ringers are rehearsing for future Worship Services. The purposes of Music in worship is to give thanks to God and to rejoice/respond in what God has done. Our song joins with the song of every saint from every age, the new song of Christ’s holy people, declaring: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” Jennifer Klemme




American Heritage Girls Troop 1517

October
3rd Thursday
15
2026
5:30 PM

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 Jen Manis.




Council Meeting

October
Thursday
15
2026
6:30 PM

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).




Benevolence

Benevolence
October
Sunday
18
2026

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)




Marionette Puppets

October
4th Sunday
25
2026
9:30 AM

John Tetzel is selling forgiveness for sin. Students of near by Wittenberg University learn from Martin Luther that forgiveness for sin is not something that can be sold. Forgiveness is Jesus’ gift to us. If we believe in Jesus and are sorry for our sins, then they are forgiven. The students are witnessing the beginnings of the reformation.




Youth Group

Youth Group
October
Sunday
18
2026
6:00 PM

Nurturing discipleship by building a community focused on the Word of God with food, studies, service, games, crafts, and cultural commentary. For more information contact Family Life Minister Curtis




Kenwood Elementary Donates

October
Sunday
25
2026

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.




Reformation

October
Sunday
25
2026
12:00 AM

We are celebrating the Reformation with a congregational picnic, live action drama, Lutheran trivia, pumpkin carving, and fellowship. The first act of our three act play starts at Noon. The conclusion of that first act will signal the start of the picnic.

The Reformation commemorates the rescue of the Gospel (Faith alone, Grace alone, Scripture alone, Christ alone, All Glory to God alone) from a corrupt medieval church. The catalyst for the reformation was the Oct 31, 1517 posting on the door of the Wittenberg Church a disputation protesting clerical abuses and the sale of forgiveness.




Sharing and Caring

October
Sunday
25
2026

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.




Trunk or Treat – Community Outreach Event

October
Saturday
31
2026
4:00 PM
5:00 PM

This fall we’re opening our parking lot to the neighborhood for a safe, family-friendly Trunk or Treat. We need plenty of candy to share with our trick-or-treaters, as well as volunteers willing to decorate their trunks and help make the event fun and welcoming for our community. Candy donations may be dropped off at the church. To volunteer to decorate a trunk or for more information, Contact Rick Morgan.




Mite Boxes

Mite Boxes
November
Sunday
1
2026

Perhaps inspired by the various "cent" or "mite" societies of the early 1800s, the Woman's Mission to Woman urged members in its first circular letter in 1871 to use their new Mite Box to raise funds. The entire family was encouraged to contribute. The first Sunday of the month is when we receive your collected mites in the LWML Mite Box




Board Of Outreach

November
Tuesday
3
2026
6:00 PM

Philemon 4-6. The Board of Outreach has a two fold mission: To Communicate the Gospel of Christ through the members of our congregation and in the endeavor to identify the congregation with the Gospel in the local community. Meets with Pastor Klemme in the Cafe.




Board of Properties

November
Tuesday
3
2026
6:00 PM

For the maintenance and repair of the congregation’s facilities; to enable the congregation and its members to carry out our Christ centered ministries. Meets in the Library. For more information contact Jeff Adams




Board of Elders

November
1st Thursday
5
2026
6:00 PM

Meeting with the Called Ministers and the Board of Elders to discuss, plan, and implement strategies to carry out corporate worship, and addressing the spiritual health of the congregation. For more information contact Joe Staton




Cruising with the King Car Club

November
Friday
6
2026
6:00 PM

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. Join our signal group.




Car Show

November
Saturday
21
2026
9:00 AM

Mark your calendar for Cruising with the King Car Show returning to Good Shepherd! Following our first show this past April, we’re looking forward to another opportunity to welcome car enthusiasts, families, and neighbors from throughout the community. Come check out the cars, enjoy the fellowship, and help us extend a warm welcome to our guests. For more information contact Pastor Klemme.




Commemoration of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, Pastor

October
Wednesday
7
2026

The Church honor's saints for showing us how living out faith can be done.

Moving from the Old World to the New, Muhlenberg established the shape of Lutheran parishes for America during a 45-year ministry in Pennsylvania. Born at Einbeck, Germany, in 1711, he came to the American colonies in 1742. A tireless traveler, Muhlenberg helped to found many Lutheran congregations and was the guiding force behind the first American Lutheran synod, the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, founded in 1748. He valued the role of music in Lutheran worship (often serving as his own organist) and was also the guiding force in preparing the first American Lutheran liturgy (also in 1748). Muhlenberg is remembered as a church leader, a journalist, a liturgist, and—above all—a pastor to the congregation in his charge. He died in 1787, leaving behind a large extended family and a lasting heritage: American Lutheranism.

Source: LCMS Calendar of Commemorations.




Commemoration of Abraham, Patriarch

October
Friday
9
2026

The Church honor's saints for showing us how living out faith can be done.

Abraham (known early in his life as Abram) was called by God to become the father of a great nation (Genesis 12). At the age of 75 and in obedience to God's command, he, his wife Sarah, and his nephew Lot moved southwest from the town of Haran to the land of Canaan. There God established a covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15:18), promising the land of Canaan to his descendants. At the age of 100 Abraham and Sarah were finally blessed with Isaac, the son long promised to them by God. Abraham demonstrated supreme obedience when God commanded him to offer Isaac as a burnt offering. God spared the young man's life only at the last moment and provided a ram as a substitute offering (Genesis 22:1-19). Abraham died at the age of 175 and was buried in the Cave of Machpelah, which he had purchased earlier as a burial site for Sarah. He is especially honored as the first of the three great Old Testament Patriarchs—and for his “righteousness before God through faith” (Romans 4:1-12).

Source: LCMS Calendar of Commemorations




Commemoration of Philip, Deacon

October
Sunday
11
2026

The Church honor's saints for showing us how living out faith can be done.

Philip, also called the Evangelist (Acts 21:8), was one of the seven men appointed to assist in the work of the twelve Apostles and of the rapidly growing early church by overseeing the distribution of food to the poor (Acts 6:1-6). Following the martyrdom of Stephen, Philip proclaimed the Gospel in Samaria and led Simon the Sorcerer to become a believer in Christ (8:4-13). He was also instrumental in bringing about the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-39), through whom Philip became indirectly responsible for bringing the Good News of Jesus to the people on the continent of Africa. In the town of Caesarea he was host for several days to the Apostle Paul, who stopped there on his last journey to Jerusalem (Acts 21:8- 15).

Source: Lutheran Calendar of Saints




Commemoration of Philip, Deacon

October
Sunday
11
2026

The Church honor's saints for showing us how living out faith can be done.

Philip, also called the Evangelist (Acts 21:8), was one of the seven men appointed to assist in the work of the twelve Apostles and of the rapidly growing early church by overseeing the distribution of food to the poor (Acts 6:1-6). Following the martyrdom of Stephen, Philip proclaimed the Gospel in Samaria and led Simon the Sorcerer to become a believer in Christ (8:4-13). He was also instrumental in bringing about the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-39), through whom Philip became indirectly responsible for bringing the Good News of Jesus to the people on the continent of Africa. In the town of Caesarea he was host for several days to the Apostle Paul, who stopped there on his last journey to Jerusalem (Acts 21:8- 15).

Source: Lutheran Calendar of Saints




Commemoration of Ignatius of Antioch, Pastor and Martyr

October
Saturday
17
2026

The Church honor's saints for showing us how living out faith can be done.

Ignatius was the bishop of Antioch in Syria at the beginning of the second century A.D. and an early Christian martyr. Near the end of the reign of the Roman emperor Trajan (98-117), Ignatius was arrested, taken in chains to Rome, and eventually thrown to the wild beasts in the arena. On the way to Rome, he wrote letters to the Christians at Ephesus, Magnesia, Tralles, Rome, Philadelphia, and Smyrna, and also to Polycarp, bishop of Smyrna. In the letters, which are beautifully pastoral in tone, Ignatius warned against certain heresies (false teachings). He also repeatedly stressed the full humanity and deity of Christ, the reality of Christ's bodily presence in the Lord's Supper, the supreme authority of the bishop, and the unity of the Church found in her bishops. Ignatius was the first to use the word catholic to describe the universality of the Church. His Christ-centeredness, his courage in the face of martyrdom, and his zeal for the truth over against false doctrine are a lasting legacy to the Church.

Source: Lutheran Calendar of Saints




Festival of St. Luke, Evangelist

October
Sunday
18
2026

The Church honor's saints for showing us how living out faith can be done.

The Lord bids us to “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Luke 10:2). The fields look more like deserts, filled with jackals (Isaiah 35:6-7), and the Lord sends His laborers out “as lambs in the midst of wolves.” But Christ’s Word of “peace” heals the sick and brings the very “kingdom of God … near” to those who hear it (Isaiah 35:5; Luke 10:3-9). St. Luke, the beloved physician (Colossians 4:14), did “the work of an evangelist” (2Timothy 4:5). He diligently prepared both a Gospel, the history of Christ’s work in the flesh before His ascension, and the Acts of the Apostles, the history of His continued work among His Church. Luke and his Scriptures are a gift from this ascended Lord (Ephesians 4:8-12), written for Theophilus and for “all who have loved his appearing” (2Timothy 4:5-8). Tradition suggests that Luke was one of the 72 sent out ahead of Jesus, “two by two” (Luke 10:1). Luke proved himself to be a faithful companion throughout St. Paul’s missionary journeys, through many trials and crosses, and even to Rome, where he alone was with Paul.