Congregation 4th July Picnic
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.
As We Gather
Rest is elusive; as each day ends, we must confess with Paul in today’s Epistle that we had “the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” In our tiredness, the mirror shows that we are wretched indeed. But Zechariah wrote of a day when the battle would be over, thanks to a coming king, who would set the prisoners free. His description points us to Jesus on Palm Sunday; His death and resurrection have set us free from our bondage to sin. His compassion for us shows in His prayer of thanksgiving to our heavenly Father. In our Savior, we find the rest we need each day. Compared to the failing struggle we engage in daily, His yoke is easy, His burden is light. As David wrote in the psalm, “The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.” He gives rest for the soul!
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
Jesus has come to do the work so that we might have rest from burdens and labors we are not capable of bearing. He frees us from sin, death, and the demands of the Law. In that peace and rest of Jesus we find a new purpose. His light yoke, which is no burden to bear, is a joy.
Lutherans For Life
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
Concert Series
The second in the 2026 concert series "Sheep May Safely Graze" featuring classical music. A community event to reach out and draw people in. For more information contact David Ott
Mite Boxes
Youth Group
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
Board Of Outreach
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
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
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. Join our signal group.
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).
Benevolence
MomCo Planning Meeting
We are gearing up to launch MomCo, a ministry dedicated to providing moms in our community with a welcoming place for fellowship, scripture discussion, encouragement, and connection. To bring this vision to life ahead of our late-August launch, a leadership team will meet in Classroom 6.
For more information contact Kathy Lee
Church Directory
The Church Pictorial Directory is back on track! A church directory helps us put names with faces, encourages meaningful relationships, and builds a stronger sense of belonging within our church family. We need at least 35 families to participate. Photography is scheduled for Friday, July 24th, with signups now available before and after each service. Participating families will receive a free directory and 8x10 photo. Please sign up and help us strengthen connections in our church!
For more information contact Anna Haase.
Marionette Puppets
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.
Back To School Supply Drive
The Human Care Board is collecting school supplies for Kenwood Elementary and Opportunity Place. A supply list will be available in the Narthex. We will take care of delivering them to the schools! If you don’t feel like shopping, donations are gladly accepted and we will do the shopping for you.
Jean Greive.
Board of Elders
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
Dancing Through the Decades
Join us as we celebrate Lance's birthday! Enjoy an evening of dinner, fellowship, dancing, and timeless hits from across the decades. Come as you are or dress in the style of your favorite decade. Bring your dancing shoes, leave the gifts at home, and join us for an evening of fun, laughter, and good company with your church family.
Pastor Klemme Salutes the USA
Celebrate America's rich folk music heritage! Enjoy favorites like Oh! Susanna, Home on the Range, and more. Sing along to timeless songs by Stephen Foster and others. Join us for this free event celebrating America's 250th anniversary with music, memories, and community.
For more information contact Pastor Klemme.
MomCo
The MomCo leadership crew is currently inviting Moms in our communities to join us in the Fall. Our Meetups are scheduled for the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. Membership Fee $37. Limited free scholarships are available. We’ll offer moms in our community a welcoming space for fellowship, scripture discussion, and connections with other moms as we enjoy friendships, fun, and food.
For more information contact Kathy Lee
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.
Sanctuary A/C Replacement
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 will allow us to gather together without the distraction of extreme temperatures, so we can focus fully on worshipping God.
Festival of the Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul
The Church honor's saints for using their gifts for the Kingdom of God. In so doing, it strengths faith insofar as it demonstrates God's Grace. The inspiration that the Saints offers is in showing us how living out our faith can be done.
“Lord, show us the Father.” Philip did not yet recognize that the Father is glorified in the Son. In His name we have access to the Father, for they are one. Jesus is “the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through [Him],” and whoever believes in Him will do the works He does and greater (John 14:6-13). And so Philip and James did; the “household of God” is built on the apostles, with Christ as her chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-22). The beloved words of Jesus from today’s Gospel were the words of their “Teacher,” echoing in their ears as they walked in His way (Isaiah 30:20-21). And so their hearts were not troubled (John 14:1) as they ate “the bread of adversity and the water of affliction” (Isaiah 30:20). Philip, who in John’s Gospel brings Jews and Greeks to Jesus, is said to have journeyed to Phrygia where he was martyred. James “the Younger” (son of Alphaeus, whose mother Mary was at the crucifixion) is said to have died by being sawn in half. Where Christ is, they also are, and so shall we be (John 14:3).
Commemoration of Isaiah
The Church honors saints for tangible demonstrations of how living out faith can be done
Isaiah son of Amoz is considered to be the greatest of the writing prophets and is quoted in the New Testament more than any other Old Testament prophet. His name means “Yahweh [the Lord] saves.” Isaiah prophesied to the people of Jerusalem and Judah from about 740 B.C. to 700 B.C. and was a contemporary of the prophets Amos, Hosea, and Micah. Isaiah was a fierce preacher of God’s Law, condemning the sin of idolatry. He was also a comforting proclaimer of the Gospel, repeatedly emphasizing God’s grace and forgiveness. For this he is sometimes called the “Evangelist of the Old Testament.” No prophet more clearly prophesied about the coming Messiah and his saving kingdom. He foretold the Messiah’s miraculous birth (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6), his endless reign (Isaiah 2:1-5; Isaiah 11:1-16), and his public ministry (Isaiah 61:1-3), but most notably his “Suffering Servant” role and atoning death (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). The apostle John’s description of Isaiah, that Isaiah saw Jesus’ glory and spoke of him (John 12:41), is an apt summary of Isaiah’s prophetic ministry.
Source: LCMS Calendar of Commemorations.